Petpals – where passion for pets meets great business opportunity
As the UK’s longest-established, multi-service, award-winning pet care franchise, we truly understand the marketplace. We’re proud to be British Franchise Association (bfa) accredited and to have ranked in the Elite Franchise Top 100 for the past five consecutive years.
For over 25 years, we’ve been supporting franchisees in achieving their personal and financial goals, let us help you tap into the nation’s love of animals and build a strong, sustainable, and profitable business.
Whether you choose to start your business as an owner-operator or decide to invest in a team from the outset, our proven business model gives you the system for success. As a Petpals franchisee, you benefit from the knowledge and experience that has kept our franchise model as the market leader for the last 25 years. Our initial training is designed to leverage your existing skillset and our tailored ongoing support will help you to achieve your full business potential.
With over 150 locations nationwide, we have both single and multi-territory owners who come from a variety of backgrounds, but all have one thing in common – a dedication to delivering the highest standards of ethical pet care in the UK.
In a UK market where around 60% of households own one or more pets, there are an estimated 36 million companion animals nationwide, including approximately 13.5 million dogs and 12.5 million cats*, with many more rabbits, birds, small mammals and exotic pets also kept as companions. This reflects strong ongoing demand for high‑quality pet care services across the country.
You can tap into this potential by delivering our best-in-class services:
Join us to meet the nation’s love of pets while running a rewarding, profitable business.
Why Petpals?
Imagine turning your love of animals into a rewarding career where every day brings joy, purpose and the freedom of being your own boss. With a Petpals franchise, you’ll join an established national brand and benefit from a low-risk, fully supported way to start your business. We provide comprehensive training for you and your management team in our systems, values, and code of ethics, guidance through industry legislation, and pre-launch plus ongoing support to help you succeed. You’ll enjoy a regular income stream with strong growth potential, all while building a business you can be proud of, doing work you truly love, and making a real difference in the lives of pets and their owners.
“Being involved in a franchise network provides reassurance and confidence and, as long as you follow the working model, you’ve got a blueprint for the business. The standing and the quality of the Petpals brand was one of the reasons we decided to invest in a franchise in the first place. We’ve followed the operating process rigidly and stayed on brand throughout. After 15 years, we manage a successful and profitable franchise. There’s no magic formula – if you follow the system, it works.
If you want to be associated with quality and want to provide a meaningful service, then Petpals is the franchise for you!”
– David Gray, Petpals Darlington franchisee
Our Ongoing Investment in You
Launching your Petpals franchise is just the beginning, our support continues for the life of your business. We are dedicated to helping you succeed and will work alongside you to maximise the value and growth of your franchise.
Our expert team provides:
With Petpals, you’ll never be alone, our continued investment ensures you have the knowledge, tools and support to thrive throughout your franchise journey.
“One of the most valuable resources we have access to is the franchisee forum – it provides a great arena for sounding out ideas with other franchisees or asking for advice about the daily operations of the business. Knowing I have the support of my peers and the franchise support team is so reassuring. We’re all so happy to see each other’s businesses succeed, which is probably my favourite thing about being a Petpals franchisee – the sense of camaraderie.”
– Ray Hipwell, Petpals Chislehurst franchisee
Petpals – every pet’s best friend
We carefully select and train franchisees who are dedicated to upholding our brand values and code of ethics. This commitment ensures we maintain the highest standards of care, protecting the wellbeing of pets, supporting our customers and safeguarding the reputation of all Petpals members. At Petpals, we believe pet ownership is a privilege, not a right, and the welfare of every animal in our care is always our top priority. As a franchisee, you’ll quickly experience the satisfaction of growing a thriving business while giving clients the peace of mind that their beloved pets are safe, happy, and well cared for.
With an unrivalled return on investment, we are now looking for people to join us as we celebrate 25 years of success in the thriving pet-care market and continue into our third decade. Multi-territory opportunities are available for ambitious candidates looking to grow with a trusted, established brand.
* Pet Food Manufacturers Association’s Pet Population report 2024
