For people considering a career change, pet care franchising offers more than a business opportunity. From spending time outdoors to building lasting relationships with animals and their owners, it can bring a different kind of satisfaction to everyday working life.
The appeal of business ownership often begins with the prospect of greater independence, but for many prospective franchisees, the real motivation runs deeper. It is about changing the way they work, finding greater purpose in their daily routine and building a career that feels personally rewarding.
For those with a genuine love of animals, pet care franchising offers an opportunity to bring those priorities together. Days can involve walking dogs, visiting pets in their homes, caring for animals while their owners are away and watching nervous newcomers gradually grow in confidence.
It is a different working environment from the traditional office routine, although running a pet care business still involves managing schedules, handling customer enquiries, overseeing staff and keeping operations on track.
Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, believes these personal rewards deserve consideration alongside the financial and operational aspects of franchise ownership. The experiencfes of Suzie Mossman, who runs Petpals Sefton, offer a closer look at how the business has shaped her working life.
Finding a Different Kind of Work-Life Balance
When evaluating a franchise opportunity, prospective investors naturally look at start-up costs, revenue potential, ongoing fees and the support available from the franchisor. But another question deserves attention: what will an ordinary working day actually look like?
For people who find themselves spending long hours behind a desk, the opportunity to build a business around more active, varied work can be particularly appealing.
The importance of workplace wellbeing is also reflected in wider employment research. The CIPD’s Good Work Index 2025 found that 25% of UK workers felt their job negatively affected their mental health, while 24% reported a negative impact on their physical health.
A pet care business can offer a different daily rhythm. Regular walks provide opportunities to stay active, visits create opportunities to build relationships with animals and their owners, and the responsibility of caring for pets brings a tangible sense of purpose.
Of course, it is not all leisurely walks and playful puppies. There are appointments to coordinate, customers to communicate with, staff to manage and unpredictable weather to contend with. But for people who enjoy working with animals, these responsibilities can sit alongside a working day that feels considerably more varied.
Suzie Mossman’s experience at Petpals Sefton illustrates how that balance can develop in practice.
‘I Love Being Active and I Have No Need to Go to the Gym’
Q: What difference has running Petpals Sefton made to your physical and mental wellbeing?
Suzie: Physically, I love being active and I have no need to go to the gym anymore. Some days I am in the office for most of the day, so there is nothing better than breaking that up with a walk outdoors, welcoming home boarders or doing pet visits.
Mentally, it is incredibly rewarding too. I have always loved animals. Seeing one brings an instant smile to my face and a feeling of calm. Being able to build a business around them feels very special.
There is plenty of human company as well. A big part of my day is spent chatting to existing and potential customers about their pets, which is never a difficult conversation to have!
A Working Day That Goes Beyond the Office
Q: It clearly involves office work too. What do you enjoy about that mix?
Suzie: I am not outdoors every day, but combining office work with time spent out and about gives me such a good balance. In previous jobs, sitting at a desk for hours would leave me feeling mentally stuck, so I really appreciate the variety.
Getting out in the fresh air clears my head. Dog walkers always say hello and stop for a chat. Sometimes I will even remember the humans’ names!
Being outdoors all year round makes you appreciate the seasons, although sometimes it feels like you have experienced all four before lunchtime. We definitely get soaked now and again, but we are not made of sugar. A good coat goes a long way!
The Unexpected Rewards of Working with Animals
Q: When you do have a rubbish day, what helps turn it around?
Suzie: Spending time with pets is a wonderful way to lift my mood. I could be having breakfast with a bearded dragon, caring for rabbits and guinea pigs or ending the day with a purring cat on my lap. In those moments, my attention is completely on them.
Because we care for the animals regularly, we build real relationships over the years. You get to know who is cheeky, who loves a cuddle and who is full of mischief.
It is especially lovely watching pets grow in confidence. Nervous pups learn to take on the outdoor world, friendships and little love interests develop on group walks, while shy cats become more trusting. Other cats let us know we are there to serve them, and we do as we are told!
Building a Business That Makes a Difference
Q: Beyond caring for the animals yourself, what makes you proud of the business you have built?
Suzie: A big part of it is knowing the difference we make to our pets’ families. Life changes, plans change and people have those last-minute “OMG, what about the dog, cat or rabbit?” moments. We always do our best to help and some customers call us “the fourth emergency service”.
Having a brilliant team adds to that feeling. Seeing the relationships they build makes me extremely proud, especially when customers have just as much confidence in them as they do in me.
Growing the business has allowed me to build it around the values I was brought up with. I believe in treating people, and pets, the way you would like to be treated yourself. It is not complicated, plus it makes for a happier working environment and a healthier relationship with work.
More Than a Business Opportunity
Q: Have any of the benefits surprised you?
Suzie: Family and friends have often joined me on walks or helped at charity events. Some who have gone through difficult times have told me they feel better after spending time with the dogs, and hopefully me! There are not many jobs where your family and friends want to come to work with you and love it.
I have also come to appreciate what we have on our doorstep in Sefton. Whether I am spotting deer in woodland or walking along the beach with the dogs, I often stop to think how lucky we are to have these green spaces and coastline.
Most days involve wonderful pets, a brilliant team and people who appreciate what we do. When I look at my working week, I feel very fortunate indeed.
Finding Purpose Through Pet Care Franchising
For prospective franchisees, the decision to invest in a business should extend beyond the financial projections. Understanding the day-to-day responsibilities, the lifestyle involved and the personal satisfaction that ownership can bring is equally important.
Pet care franchising combines the demands of running a service business with the opportunity to work closely with animals and their owners. For the right individual, that combination can make business ownership a more fulfilling experience.
Suzie’s story also highlights another aspect of franchise ownership: the opportunity to build a team, develop lasting customer relationships and create a business around values that matter personally.
For those looking to exchange a conventional working routine for something more active and purpose-driven, pet care could offer a different route into business ownership.
