If you’re dreaming of turning your passion for pets into a thriving business by purchasing an existing pet grooming salon, you’re in the right place. We’ve seen many aspiring entrepreneurs make the leap from dog groomer to business owner, and we’re here to help you navigate this exciting journey with confidence!
Buying an established pet grooming business can be a fantastic way to hit the ground running in this rewarding industry. But without proper preparation, you might find yourself in the doghouse with unexpected challenges.
Let’s dig into the buying a pet grooming business checklist so you know what to look for before signing on the dotted line!
Your Step-by-Step Guide to Buying a Pet Grooming Business
Review Financials and Profit Margins
We can’t emphasize this enough: understanding the financial health of a business before purchase is absolutely crucial! Here are some tips for buying a pet grooming business:
- Profit and loss statements – check revenue trends and margins (industry average: 20–40%1).
- Tax returns – verify income.
- Cash flow statements – understand seasonal fluctuations.
Tip: If the current owner hesitates to share financials, consider it a red flag.
Assess Client Base and Retention
The value of a pet grooming business isn’t just in its equipment—it’s in its customers! Be sure to analyze:
- Active Clients: How many unique pets are served regularly?
- Average Spend: Determine typical revenue per client per year.
- Booking Frequency: Most pets require grooming every 4–8 weeks.
- Demographics: Understand the local client base to forecast growth.
Tip: Request client records and booking history to verify these numbers.
Check Lease Terms and Location Value
Location can make or break a pet grooming business! Investigate:
- Lease terms and duration: How long is left on the current lease? Are the terms favorable?
- Foot traffic and visibility: Prime shop locations with good visibility typically command higher purchase prices but may justify the investment
- Parking availability: Convenient parking is essential for clients dropping off and picking up pets
Understand Operations and Staff
The day-to-day operations of a grooming business require smooth systems, quality equipment, and skilled employees:
- Staffing: Number of groomers, bathers, and receptionists, plus certifications and wages.
- Systems and Software: Appointment scheduling, inventory management, and modern software (like DaySmart Pet).
- Equipment: Age, condition, and replacement costs for grooming tables, tubs, dryers, and other tools.
If you’re managing a business for the first time, it’s important to learn how to manage staff, delegate tasks, and hire the right team.
Evaluate Licensing, Certification, and Legal Requirements Before You Buy
Before finalizing your decision to purchase a pet grooming business, take time to evaluate all licenses, certifications, and legal requirements that come with owning and operating a professional grooming salon. These details may not be the most glamorous part of buying a business, but they’re among the most important steps to ensure compliance and long-term success.
Whether you’re taking over an existing pet grooming salon, starting mobile grooming, or planning to open a new location, you’ll need to research your local area to understand what’s required for your specific business model. Getting the legal foundation right helps you avoid fines, liability issues, and interruptions once you start to run your operations.
Understand the Required Licenses and Permits
Every pet grooming business must comply with certain local and state regulations. Before you buy, confirm which permits and licenses you’ll need to legally operate your grooming salon or mobile dog grooming business.
Typical requirements may include:
- A business license or registration to legally run your shop
- Zoning permits if your salon operates from a commercial space
- Mobile grooming permits if you’re offering services on-the-go
- Animal care or handling certifications, depending on your area
Each state or city may have different costs and documentation processes, so always research carefully or consult your local small business office before the sale is finalized.
Secure Proper Certification and Training
While not always legally required, having a professional dog grooming certification sets you apart and builds client trust. If you’re a dog groomer purchasing your own salon, or if you plan to hire additional employees, ensuring proper training is one of the best investments you can make.
You can learn from an accredited course or institute 2, which often teaches:
- Animal handling and safety procedures
- Proper use of grooming tools and supplies
- Techniques for various breeds and coat types
- Hygiene standards for both dogs and groomers
Not only does this training improve the quality of your grooming services, but it also helps you build a stronger, more professional brand that customers trust.
Protect Your Business with Insurance and Legal Coverage
Running a dog grooming business means working with pets, people, and valuable equipment—so having the right liability insurance is essential. Accidents can happen, even to the most experienced groomers, so it’s wise to protect yourself, your employees, and your customers.
Here are the types of insurance you may need:
- General liability insurance – Covers injuries or damages that occur on your property
- Professional liability insurance – Protects you from claims related to grooming services
- Property or equipment insurance – Safeguards expensive tools, dryers, and other supplies
- Workers’ compensation – Covers your employees if they’re injured on the job
Having the proper insurance coverage ensures you’re prepared for any scenario and prevents unexpected costs that could derail your business.
Create a Legal and Financial Plan
Before you buy, create a clear plan outlining ownership structure, marketing strategies, and how you’ll manage your employees, prices, and services. Decide whether you’ll register as an LLC, partnership, or sole proprietorship. This is an important step for both taxes and liability protection.
A good plan will also help you:
- Discover the best option for financing
- Estimate ownership transfer costs
- Outline your business strategy
- Identify ways to build your brand and attract customers
Legal experts can also guide you through contracts, purchase agreements, and buying business documents to ensure you’re fully protected before finalizing the sale.
Don’t Forget Animal Welfare Standards
As a dog grooming or pet care professional, you have a responsibility to provide safe and ethical services for all animals in your care. Ensure that your shop or mobile grooming unit meets proper cleanliness, ventilation, and space requirements. Regular inspections and compliance checks may be part of what’s required in your local area, so staying proactive will show customers you offer the highest standard of care.
Set Yourself Up for Long-Term Success
Now that you’ve successfully purchased a pet grooming business, it’s time to focus on making it even better under your leadership!
Implement Tools That Streamline Scheduling and Payments
One of your first priorities should be ensuring your operational systems support efficient growth:
- Upgrade to modern business management software, like DaySmart Pet, if the previous owner hadn’t already
- Streamline appointment booking with online scheduling options that reduce phone time and automated appointment reminders to decrease no-shows and last-minute cancellations
- Simplify payments and reporting with integrated point-of-sale systems that track client spending
Plan for Client Communication and Brand Continuity
A change in ownership can make customers nervous about what will be different under new ownership. Plan your communication carefully:
- Maintain consistent branding to avoid confusing existing clients
- Offer a special promotion for existing clients to encourage them to return after the transition
- Reassure clients that their beloved cat or dog groomers will still be there (assuming they will!)
Remember that clients often form strong bonds with their groomers, so retaining key employees through the transition is a huge factor in maintaining client loyalty.
Your Path to Grooming Business Success
Buying a business can be a big step, but purchasing an established pet grooming salon gives you the foundation to build something truly rewarding. By following this checklist and performing thorough due diligence, you’ll minimize risks and position yourself for success.
Once you’ve purchased your business, DaySmart Pet software can help you streamline operations, build client relationships, and grow your revenue. You can provide professional grooming services, track costs, monitor employees, and deliver the best possible experience for every pet that walks through your door.
Our all-in-one solution simplifies scheduling, payments, communication, and operations so you can focus on what matters most: providing exceptional care to your clients!
Take a look around our website to learn more about how DaySmart Pet can support your new business venture, or reach out to chat with our team about getting started. We’re passionate about helping pet grooming businesses thrive!
Happy business hunting!
Sources:
“What are Startup Costs for Mobile Pet Grooming?” Startup Financial Projection, 1 Oct. 2025, https://startupfinancialprojection.com/blogs/capex/mobile-pet-grooming. [1]
Professional Dog Grooming Academy. (2025). PDGA. https://www.pdga.online/ . [2]