Dog Boarding @ USJ 20
Looking for a more personal and trustworthy owner to take care of your dogs while you’re away? Look no further, because right here, in the heart of the Subang area is where Dog Boarding @ USJ 20 operates.
At a young age, not many would be willing to take the risk and start their own business, much like the other young entrepreneurs out there. We sat down with the owner and caretaker, Krystal Ooi for an exclusive interview about her business.
1. Has opening a dog boarding business always been a dream of yours? If no, what gave you the inspiration to do so?
Acknowledging Your Passion
Actually no, because like for usual graduates, we mostly enroll ourselves into graduate programs, management training, and even a startup.
After going through two internships I realised that within the first 2-3 years of graduation it’s about finding what we like doing instead of working for the sake of working.
Family and Friends
The inspiration came from my parents, and also some of my fellow batchmates, because some of them also started their own business, and some of them are selling skin care products, some open their own restaurants and some are doing their own startup as well.
Therefore, I also wanted to give it a go and see how it goes.
2. The course that you took in university, did it help with starting a dog hotel?
Course Relation To Career
I graduated with a bachelor of business in finance and economics so it is somewhat related because I took modules that required me to like communicate with people, such as business enterprise, communication, and negotiation skills.
I also took accounting to assist me in managing my budget and expenses also.
3. How did you learn to take care of dogs so well?
Unbreakable Bond Since Childhood
I looked after dogs since I was young. Even when I was in kindergarten I already had like 2-3 dogs with me. Then, during high school and during uni I also had dogs with me.
Parental Guidance
So my parents taught me how to be responsible for the dogs, from feeding them, to walking them, bringing them to a vet and also like just bringing them for grooming.
Before that my uncle also boarded his dog at my place, before I started this business. So it was like a trial for whether I wanted to continue doing this as a career.
4. What kind of services do you offer?
Multi Services
I offer daycare, boarding, transport on request, and there is also one shower a week if the dog’s boarding duration is more than one week.
I also bring the dog for walks twice a day and I schedule half an hour playtime, once in the afternoon and once in the evening.
5. What is the biggest difficulty for you that comes with boarding multiple dogs at a time?
Mix Them Up or Fencing
I would say mixing them together, because some dogs may be aggressive to another. And also, I would try to make the play time longer to get them mixing around with each other in order for them to trust each other instead of being aggressive.
And also, if it still doesn’t work then there is no choice but to separate them with the fencing, but we don’t cage them.
Separation Anxiety
In some cases, some dogs will have separation anxiety, because sometimes if they don’t see anyone besides them, they will start barking non-stop and so I would have to sit with them.
Sometimes when I’m not around, my parents will be there for them. Most of the time just keep them somewhere that we can supervise them and we don’t leave them alone.
6. How has the dog boarding business been treating you so far? Have you made any loyal customers? Any enemies?
Smooth Sailing
I would say so far so good. I have received requests more frequently, compared to before I set up the Instagram page and before I started my Facebook page.
I made a few loyal customers most of them are staying in Subang and also the PJ area, and they travel quite frequently. I wouldn’t say that I have no enemies, it’s more of competition because I have friends also doing the same thing.
7. What do you think makes you different from all the other dog boarding services out there?
Family Team Management
The main difference compared to other services I would say, is that I have my family to help me manage, because some owners, don’t like it when they pass the dog to the sitter, and then the sitter’s helper is the one helping them look after the dog.
Then, there is no guarantee, because some of the sitters are not 100% in putting their effort in the job when they feel like they don’t get paid well enough and some of them may not even be an experienced sitter.
So if anything happens to the dog, they have no guarantee and they don’t know how to solve the issue.
Flexible Schedules
Also, my schedules are more flexible, I can actually provide last minute transport and also emergency boarding, and emergency requests I will accept them.
I also send the owners updates twice a day, some sitters they only send once every 2-3 days, and maybe some just once a week or something.
8. Is there anything that you would want to improve in your dog business?
Business Partnership
Yes! I am looking forward to forming partnerships with groomers and also in house trainers. I’m still in the midst of looking for them, and at the moment I feel bad to turn down owners that are looking for grooming services.
Offers!
I’m also considering to offer discounts for frequent travelers and repeated customers. And when they refer to a friend I’ll give them a referral rate.
9. Have you always had a love for dogs or did it come over time?
Special Bond Throughout Time
As mentioned previously, I always had a dog at every stage of my life.
I feel that there were special connections between me and the dogs. They know when I’m not happy, and when I look at them, they just start to wag their tails and they want to play, and this makes me feel like there’s going to be a better day ahead.
10. Are you currently working on anything other than your dog boarding business?
Working Part-Times
From time to time I help out with my parent’s business and because they are doing distributions, sometimes I’ll just help them send quotations to their clients and also reply to their emails.
Mostly just preparing invoices for them. I also do airport transports when I’m free, mostly from Subang and PJ also.
11. What is your favourite type of dog and why?
German Shepherd and Their Unconditional Love
My favourite would be German shepherd because of their calm nature and they are also very caring. I feel that they are very intelligent because they learn things very quickly and also they respect the owners and care for them.
German shepherds are also one of those breeds that are suitable for all ages because they love to play with children and also, they can just stay calm and accompany the elderly and senior citizens.
Previously, the first two dogs I had when I was younger were German shepherds.
12. Do you think dogs are man’s best friend? If so, why?
Loyal Companions
To some extent yes, because of their loyalty and unconditional love and then it is proven from time to time dogs are serving as companionship for people of all ages.
For example, like police dogs to assist in stopping crime, and overseas, they have therapy dogs in hospitals for patients.
13. What advice would you give upcoming entrepreneurs?
Chase for your dreams, don’t give up and don’t let people tell you what to do. And when people look down on you, just, do what you need to do and their opinions won’t matter. Let success make the noise.
14. How would you like to see Dog boarding @ USJ 20 in 5 years?
Mastering New Skills & Proper Facilities
By then I should be equipped with sufficient knowledge of animal behaviour and working with a team with similar skills. There would be an established protocol for emergency care if a dog suffers from any medical emergencies.
Also having a proper facility such as a house or a shop lot with a larger area for dogs. Better play time and for them to exercise, because now I’m living in a lot, so I only have my car porch, I feel that it is not enough if I take in more dogs.
Furthermore, I would want to add enough staff for the 24-hour supervision because it is not good to leave the dogs alone, even a CCTV is not enough or sufficient because, in case of any emergencies, someone has to be there.
Flourish Nationwide
And also I hope that my business will be well known in Subang and PJ area, and then maybe slowly expand to KL.
Expand Partnership & Business Space
When the time comes I believe I will have formed strong partnerships with professional trainers and also like in house groomers.
Currently, my business an only take in is like 5-7 dogs at a time, therefore a larger area would greatly help the additional numbers.
Check Dog Boarding @ USJ 20 out…
So whenever you need a person to take care of your beloved dogs in the PJ area, you know who to go to. Your dogs will be in safe hands as they are being taken care of by an owner that grew up with them and passionately loves them with all her heart.
Remember, don’t hesitate to check Dog Boarding @ USJ 20 out, because you won’t be disappointed with her services.
For more dog boarding services, you can take a look at our list of dog hotels available in Klang Valley to find one that is the most convenient for you!
Contact Details
Address: 18, Jalan USJ 20/1D
Contact Number: +60182983478
Instagram: @dogboarding.usj
Facebook: fb.com/dogboarding.usj
Operating Hours: 10am – 8pm
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