Thursday Programs

Labor remains the largest controllable expense in the pet boarding and daycare industry, but most businesses are still managing it with gut feel, outdated schedules, or last-minute reactions. In this session, Sean breaks down the practical labor management system he has used across multiple locations to reduce waste, improve scheduling decisions, and create clearer accountability. You’ll learn how to connect staffing to actual pet volume, identify where labor is drifting, and use a simple four-step framework to make better decisions before payroll gets out of control. Attendees will leave with a modern approach to managing labor as a daily operating system, not just a payroll line item.

Group play is one of the most valuable parts of a daycare environment, but only when managed properly. This session goes beyond basic supervision and dives into what group play actually requires to run safely and successfully. Attendees will learn how to recognize early warning signs that a dog is not a fit for group play, including subtle stress signals, inappropriate play styles, and behaviors that quietly destabilize groups over time. Kristen will also cover how to make confident, consistent decisions about when to intervene, remove a dog, or restructure groups, protecting the safety of the dogs, the confidence of your team, and the integrity of your daycare program.

This economy and saturated market are incredibly challenging for pet care businesses. But, pet parents are still willing to spend big with companies who connect in meaningful ways. This session demonstrates how to generate serious annual revenue by turning everyday inquiries into long-term, multi-service client relationships.

Growth through acquisition and expansion requires more than finding the right opportunity; it demands strategic planning, financial readiness, and the right team of advisors. In this session, attendees will learn how to evaluate pet care businesses and facilities, identify acquisition opportunities, navigate financing options, assess risk, and plan for sustainable growth. Key considerations in business valuation, real estate selection, due diligence, SBA lending, and expansion planning will also be covered. Whether you are acquiring your first facility, adding a second location, or preparing for long-term growth, this presentation provides practical insights to help you scale with confidence and maximize future value.

For pet care professionals, the same dedication and hands-on involvement that creates success early on through the love animals and passion for quality care can eventually become the barrier to growth. This session explores how to build the systems and leadership infrastructure needed to create a business that can thrive without the owner’s daily involvement. Attendees will learn how to transition from being the person solving every problem to building the people, processes, and accountability systems that consistently deliver the standard. Through practical strategies and real-world pet care examples, this session will help leaders create a stronger organization, develop their team, and build a business designed for long-term growth and sustainability.

In this session, Dr. Faver will discuss some of the common diseases and parasites we can get from our furry friends, and also the ways these diseases can be passed from animal to animal under a pet professional’s care, including how they spread and how to combat it. In addition, Dr. Faver will explain how to deal with a veterinarian and the client in this situation, and what you may want to inform your own doctor of if they are not familiar with our profession.

Pricing can make or break your profitability—yet most pet care businesses set rates by gut feeling or copying competitors. In this session, you’ll learn how to set and adjust pricing strategically so it supports both client satisfaction and your financial goals. Attendees will walk away with a practical framework for making pricing decisions that increase revenue and profits with confidence.

Your brand and website are often a pet parent’s first impression of your business, and when they work together, they do more than look “pretty;” they build trust, set you apart from other boarding options, and turn curious visitors into booked clients. This session covers practical brand and website strategies built specifically for pet boarding businesses and focused on real results: more inquiries, more confidence in your pricing, and more consistent bookings. Attendees will also discover how AI and search changes affect how pet parents find you online, so you leave with clear, actionable ways to book more of your ideal clients.

Many leaders know what needs to be addressed but struggle with how to say it. In this session, Alex teaches practical communication techniques for handling performance issues, accountability, attitude concerns, and difficult employee conversations. Through real pet care scenarios, attendees will learn how small changes in wording can reduce defensiveness, increase ownership, and lead to better outcomes.

Cats can be one of the most overlooked opportunities in boarding, but many facilities struggle to attract feline guests or feel confident caring for them. In this two-hour seminar, Lynn will explore why more cats aren't boarding, what cat owners are looking for in a facility, and how understanding feline stress can transform the boarding experience for both cats and staff. Attendees will learn how to recognize common stress signals, create a more cat-friendly environment without major renovations, build trust with cat owners, and implement simple changes that improve feline welfare while encouraging repeat bookings. Whether you currently board a few cats or want to grow your feline business, you'll leave with practical strategies to make cat boarding feel less intimidating and more successful.

Enrichment has become one of the most talked-about topics in pet care, but many businesses struggle to implement programs that are consistent, operationally sustainable, and financially successful. Attendees will learn how to build systems that improve canine welfare while increasing perceived value, supporting premium pricing, and creating a competitive advantage that is difficult to replicate. This session focuses on the intersection of animal behavior, operational efficiency, and business strategy with tips on how to structure enrichment throughout the day, train staff to execute it consistently, communicate its value to pet parents, and measure its impact on both the dogs in your care and your bottom line. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for creating an experience that benefits your dogs, your team, your clients, and your business.

Inspired by Will Guidara's book Unreasonable Hospitality, join Brian as he explores the idea that as technology, automation, artificial intelligence, and self-service tools continue to assume more business functions, the human element becomes increasingly valuable. A few topics touched on will include first impressions and front-desk engagement, preventing escalations before they occur, reputation management and online reviews, and creating memorable moments that generate loyalty. Brian also introduces several concepts that have become foundational to his operational philosophy, including "Safety Theater" and "Value Theater"—the art of making safety protocols, sanitation practices, and service offerings visible, meaningful, and emotionally resonant to clients. This session combines hospitality principles, operational best practices, and audience engagement to provide actionable tools attendees can implement immediately.