TL;DR
The pet care industry is growing, with Americans spending over $152 billion on their pets in 2024, and mobile and in-home pet care services seeing increased demand. Several franchises, including Dog Training Elite, DoodyCalls, and Fetch! Pet Care, are building their models around this shift.
Americans spent more than $152 billion on their pets in 2024, and that number keeps going up each year. A big part of that growth is coming from services that meet owners where they are — at home or on the go. Mobile grooming vans, in-home training and pet sitters are taking off because they save time and make life easier for both pets and people.
Brands like Dog Training Elite*, Sit Means Sit and DoodyCalls are building their models around this shift. Even smaller niches like pet waste cleanup were estimated at $270 million in 2024, showing how much demand there is for convenience.
For someone thinking about owning a business, this is the moment to look closely at mobile and in-home pet care. Here are 15 franchise opportunities to consider.
Investment options
Investment Range: $173,550 - $203,250
Unit Count: 240+
Dog Training Elite is a mobile dog training business that helps owners with everything from puppy basics to advanced service and therapy training. The model keeps costs low since franchisees don’t need a physical facility. Owners can focus on building strong ties in their local community while offering a needed service.
Investment Range: $76,450 - $93,850
Unit Count: 100+
DoodyCalls takes care of pet waste cleanup for both homeowners and property managers. They provide weekly or bi-weekly pickup, as well as waste stations and odor-control products. It’s not glamorous work, but it’s a reliable business because demand never goes away.
Investment Range: $553,500 - $1,112,800
Unit Count: 35+
The Dog Stop combines day care, boarding, grooming, training and retail into one business. Dogs get exercise, socialization, and care all in one stop. For owners, the variety of services creates multiple ways to bring in revenue.
Investment Range: $94,450 - $213,800
Unit Count: 6
Hike Doggie gives dogs more than a walk by taking them on group hikes along safe trails. The recurring weekly schedule creates steady income and loyal customers. Pet owners like it because their dogs get exercise, stimulation and outdoor adventure.
Investment Range: $75,067 - $140,167
Unit Count: 1,500+
Fetch! Pet Care is one of the largest pet sitting and dog walking brands in the country with more than 1,500 units. Services cover everything from quick drop-in visits to overnight stays. Every sitter is vetted so pet owners feel confident leaving their animals in good hands.
Investment Range: $66,675 - $163,750
Unit Count: 160+
Sit Means Sit focuses on obedience and behavior training that works both on and off leash. The program helps owners build better communication with their dogs and solve common behavior problems. Franchisees are able to serve a wide range of clients, from new puppy parents to longtime dog owners.
Investment Range: $77,900 - $117,000
Unit Count: 130+
Bark Busters has been helping families train their dogs at home for more than 35 years. Its trainers focus on real behavior challenges like aggression or destructive habits and work with owners right in the dog’s own space. The approach makes it easier for families to see progress while keeping pets comfortable in their familiar surroundings.
Investment Range: £12,995+
Unit Count: 180+
International brands
We Love Pets started in the U.K. to provide a caring alternative to kennels or catteries. Services include dog walking, pet sitting and holiday care run by trained local teams. The brand emphasizes flexible service that fits around each family’s schedule.
Investment Range: $9,200 - $31,000
Unit Count: 10
In Home Pet Services offers dog walking and sitting that’s insured, bonded and backed by pet first aid training. The brand positions itself as a reliable option for busy owners. With its low startup costs, it’s an approachable franchise for first-time business owners.
Investment Range: $40,000 - $50,000
Unit Count: 11
Out-U-Go! has been around since 1996 providing walking and sitting services for pets. Their walkers are trained and even send real-time updates after each visit. Owners benefit from joining a franchise with decades of trust built into its name.
- Investment Range: $33,750 - $62,000
Pawsitively Spoiled started in Indiana with the goal of offering reliable in-home care for pets. Over the years, the company has earned trust by forming lasting bonds with families and their animals. As it continues to grow, each location holds on to the same values of care and dependability.
Investment Range: $21,275 - $46,825
Unit Count: 9
Small business opportunities
Sitter4Paws helps people turn a small dog-walking job into a full pet care business. Franchisees get training, tools and support so they can scale beyond working alone. The pet care industry continues to grow, giving owners a steady market.
Investment Range: $103,500 - $242,000
Unit Count: 12
Dapper Tails is a mobile grooming business. The brand provides franchisees with grooming vans, training and ongoing support. Pet owners appreciate the convenience, while pets enjoy a stress-free experience.
- Investment Range: Contact franchisor
Kontota Grooming offers mobile grooming so pet owners don’t have to drive to a salon. The setup keeps costs lower and meets steady demand from families who like the convenience. The brand plans to grow in more markets across the country.
Investment Range: $59,000+
Unit Count: 21
The Pooch Mobile has been bringing mobile dog washing services to pet owners for years. The vans offer a full wash experience right at the customer’s home. It’s an affordable way into franchising with a service that pet owners use regularly.
Mobile and in-home pet care is becoming the way many owners prefer to care for their animals. The franchises on this list show how wide the opportunities are, from dog training and walking to grooming and waste cleanup.
In this story
This story was originally published in 1851 Franchise on October 24, 2025. Burnaze summarizes and links to the original reporting.
Read the full story at 1851 FranchiseLiked this? Get the week's franchise news, explained
- Sunday 8 AM ET weekly + a monthly deep dive
- Sections picked for the industries you follow
- Every claim linked to its source. Free.
