Animal magic that can offer a new leash of life
IT’S not just women who value the flexibility that comes with running your own business.
‘after being made redundant after 23 years in the RaF, I knew that whatever I did next would have to fit around the life of my son adam, then six, who has cerebral palsy,’ says single dad Paul Yates.
a chance meeting with a Petpals franchisee led to Paul buying the Petpals Richmond and Catterick franchise in 2013.
‘It would mean going out in the fresh air, walking dogs and visiting other pets. and that was something I could comfortably fit around adam and his needs,’ says Paul, 46.
His business now offers dog walks, dog and small animal boarding, cat visits and a pet taxi service.
adam, now 12, has moderate learning disabilities and shows some autistic traits. ‘The biggest loves in his life are wheelchair football and dogs,’ says Paul. The family have three labradors of their own: Jet, Lilly and Cassie.
‘adam loves coming out in the Petpals van with me for small animal visits, and at home he has an abundance of lovely dogs to play with,’ says Paul.
‘He’s benefited from his interaction with the dogs and people we meet through the business. Petpals allows me freedom to plan my day as I choose.
‘my small team and I work hard to deliver the best service we can, and I love going to bed with a huge grin on my face, eager to do it all again the next day. add to that the flexibility to work it all around adam and I’m a happy man.’
The Petpals franchise fee is £12,500, but Petpals is offering a new ‘easy Start’ payment scheme. after an initial payment of £7,500 to cover training and launch marketing materials, you pay back the remainder over the term of your agreement.
See petpals.com/ easystart.