Throw Yourself A Bone…Home Buddies By Camp Bow Wow®

April 16, 2009 - PRLog -- Boulder, CO: Last week Heidi Flammang Ganahl welcomed a special gathering of new franchise owners to training at Camp Bow Wow’s Boulder headquarters - the first investors in the company’s new in home pet care franchise, Home Buddies. The new franchise concept introduced to the market just last month provides the opportunity to build a pet-oriented business with a relatively low capital out lay, minimal risk, and support from the country’s premiere pet franchise company. The first Home Buddies franchises are expected to open in New Jersey, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Delaware within the next few months.

“Americans are pet lovers,” said Ganahl. “Last year, pet parents spent over $43 billion on pet goods and services, and a number of analysts believe that figure will continue to grow. The Home Buddies franchise provides pet owners with a menu of services so they can customize care and services to meet their pet family’s needs.” Home Buddies services include dog walking, daytime and overnight care and poop scoop clean-ups; pet taxi services to camp or vet appointments; administering care to special needs pets; and Dog Adventure outings. Some will also offer mobile dog grooming and in home training. Complimentary services include small, but necessary tasks, such as bringing in newspapers and mail.

The new company builds upon Camp Bow Wow’s mantra, ”it’s all about the dogs,” and applies it to all of man’s furry, feathery, and fishy companions. The pioneer Home Buddies owners include veteran Camp Bow Wow owners adding Home Buddies services to expand their existing market share, as well as individuals just getting started.

“We care for an average of 70 pups a day at camp,” commented Tony Caruso, who opened Camp Bow Wow in St. Claire Shores, MI in 2007.  “Home Buddies allows us to offer our clients the same caliber of service for all of their pets. It adds dimension to our brand and unlimited opportunities for growth. Before I bought my camp, my dog went to Camp Bow Wow a few days a week and always came home tired and content. When he went to other doggy day care facilities, he was still wound up and restless afterwards. It was clear to me that the environment at Camp Bow Wow was much healthier for him.  I thought…it’s true. It is all about the dogs. And now I think it’s great to be able to say it’s all about your pets.”

“We believe that Home Buddies will give our customers the peace of mind they deserve while away from their beloved pets,” said Laurie Williams, co-owner of the Wilmington, DE Camp Bow Wow and Home Buddies franchises. “They can leave their pets with the assurance that we’ll care for them as if they’re our own. If they’d like, we can install one of our popular Camper Cams so they can log on the Internet to see real-time footage of their family’s shenanigans while they’re gone.” Williams and partner John Lewis will open a Camp Bow Wow in Wilmington following the launch of their Home Buddies business.

For potential franchise owners, Home Buddies is a low-risk, low-overhead business backed by Camp Bow Wow, which is considered by industry experts to be the most sophisticated doggy day care and overnight business operation in the country. The company, which sold its first franchise in 2003, has sold more than 200 Camp Bow Wow franchises, with over 100 locations open for business and annual system-wide revenue of over $28 million in just five years. The prospect for continued growth in the category impressed owner Amy Ryan, an analyst on Wall Street for over 20 years. “I planned to open a pet related business when I retired,” said Ryan. ”When I looked into dog hotels and learned what was entailed, I knew I’d be more  successful with the support of an organization with proven operational standards and systems capabilities. And after attending training, I’m even more confident. The classes were so thorough that they included a briefing from a member of the faculty at Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine.” Ryan is one of the first franchisees to open Home Buddies before opening her Camp.

“We’re excited about the potential growth that Home Buddies brings to our business,” said Doreen Valentine-Martin, co-owner of the Camp Bow Wow franchises in Pittsburgh South, PA; Scottsdale, Arizona and the soon to open Albuquerque, NM. “There are a lot of dogs that can’t come to camp and a number of campers who live in families who also have other kinds of pets. In the past, we referred them to someone else. Now we won’t have to turn that business away.” Valentine and partner Kevin Martin plan to open a Home Buddies franchise in conjunction with each of their Camp Bow Wow locations.

“Sheri and I were among the first to join Heidi’s pack…and we aren’t risk takers,” commented Randy Defazio. “But we fell in love with the camp concept, signed up and haven’t looked back. It’s been such a great experience; we didn’t hesitate when the Home Buddies concept was announced. It’s a natural complement to our business. Time is so valuable to our clientele that small conveniences like the pick-up and drop-off services will have a major impact on their day.”  Defazio and Hayes who opened Camp Bow Wows in Bridgewater, NJ in 2005 and in Lawrenceville, NJ in 2007 will offer Home Buddies services from both locations.

For more information on Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow franchise opportunities, please visit www.campbowwow.com.

Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow®
The latest brainchild of Camp Bow Wow creator Heidi Flammang Ganahl, Home Buddies is an in home pet care franchise providing custom care options for pets of all kinds. Launched in March 2009, Home Buddies expects to have over two-dozen locations up and running before the end of its first year.

Camp Bow Wow is the place where a dog can be a dog! The premier doggy day and overnight camp facility in the country, Camp Bow Wow is designed to provide the highest levels of fun, safety and service for its campers and peace of mind for their parents. Entrepreneur magazine recently named the Boulder, CO-based franchise among the top 105-fastest growing franchises and one of the top 50-fastest growing women led businesses in North America. Since selling its first franchise in 2003, Camp Bow Wow has sold more than 200 franchises in 38 states and Canada. Visit Camp Bow Wow on the web at www.campbowwow.com.

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Home Buddies by Camp Bow Wow®
The latest brainchild of Camp Bow Wow creator Heidi Flammang Ganahl, Home Buddies is an in home pet care franchise providing custom care options for pets of all kinds. Launched in March 2009, Home Buddies expects to have over two-dozen locations up and running before the end of its first year.

Camp Bow Wow is the place where a dog can be a dog! The premier doggy day and overnight camp facility in the country, Camp Bow Wow is designed to provide the highest levels of fun, safety and service for its campers and peace of mind for their parents. Entrepreneur magazine recently named the Boulder, CO-based franchise among the top 105-fastest growing franchises and one of the top 50-fastest growing women led businesses in North America. Since selling its first franchise in 2003, Camp Bow Wow has sold more than 200 franchises in 38 states and Canada. Visit Camp Bow Wow on the web at www.campbowwow.com.