pet services industry

Offering the Best Care for Your Furry Best Friend, Dogtopia of Jacksonville Beach Blvd is Now Open

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Dogtopia of Jacksonville Beach Boulevard, part of the nation’s leading dog wellness franchise, has recently reopened under new ownership. Located at 11300 Beach Blvd., Dogtopia of Jacksonville Beach Boulevard provides award-winning services to dog parents in the community.

Providing personalized care for Jacksonville pups in a fun, enriching, and safe environment, Dogtopia sets the industry standard among dog daycares with its focus on three key benefits: socialization, exercise, and education. Dogtopia allows dogs to enjoy plenty of exercise, play with like-minded dogs, and learn important social skills, all under the supervision of professionally trained Canine Coaches. In keeping safety at the forefront, each of the playrooms includes dogs of similar size and play style and is built with compressed rubber flooring to reduce the impact on dogs’ paws and joints.

Local owners Barbara Laska and Peggy Cunningham decided to re-open this Dogtopia for the community of Jacksonville. After being retired for three months, they both realized their deep-rooted passion for working and helping others, leading them to the decision that retirement was not suited for them. While looking into business opportunities, Barbara and Peggy learned about Dogtopia and decided this was the business they wanted to open, a business that helps pet owners and cares deeply for the dogs of the local community. With extensive business experience between them – Barbara, a former business owner, and Peggy, a CEO of a hospital company – they are well-equipped to run this Dogtopia as a state-of-the-art dog daycare facility in the area.

“After our dog passed away in June, my partner Peggy and I were considering getting a new dog, but what better way to cure that puppy craving than being surrounded by dogs every day,” said Barbara. “We are very excited to re-establish this Dogtopia location in Jacksonville as a fun, comfortable and safe spot for dog daycare and boarding. At Dogtopia, we care about your dog, and, hand-in-hand with that, every dog is treated with respect and understanding.”

Dogtopia of Jacksonville Beach Blvd also supports the Dogtopia Foundation, a nonprofit with the mission to enable dogs to positively change our world, funds programs focused on three worthy causes: service dogs for veterans, therapy dogs for students, and employment initiatives for adults with autism. One hundred percent of funds raised are donated directly to the supported organizations. To learn more, visit www.dogtopiafoundation.org.

Dogtopia of Jacksonville Beach Blvd is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. For more information on Dogtopia of Jacksonville Beach Blvd, call (904) 493-4933 or visit https://www.dogtopia.com/jacksonville-beach-boulevard/.

The University of Arizona study supported by Dogtopia Foundation further highlights the positive impacts service dogs can have on veterans

PHOENIX — New research from The University of Arizona College of Veterinary Medicine looked at the impact service dogs had on the cortisol levels of veterans suffering from PTSD. The study found that those with service dogs had healthier cortisol levels when compared to those without service dogs. The research, led by Dr. Maggie O’Haire, Associate Dean for Research and Professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine, and Dr. Leanne Nieforth, with the help of K9s For Warriors and funding support from the Dogtopia Foundation, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Purina, provides further evidence of the positive benefits service dogs offer veterans.

The study assessed a total of 161 veterans who had PTSD, 88 who had a service dog and 73 who did not. Cortisol, a stress hormone that is found in saliva, was assessed at two different points in time, three months apart, and a total of 2,613 cortisol samples were analyzed. The study concluded that overall, veterans with service dogs had stress hormones more like those in healthy adults without PTSD than veterans without service dogs.

After military service, around 52% of veterans face PTSD. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), a key provider for veterans, has been hesitant to allocate funds for service dogs for individuals dealing with PTSD service dogs, citing a lack of clinical evidence substantiating their effectiveness. O’Haire’s pioneering research is bridging this gap.

“The goal of our research is to gain a robust understanding of the impact service dogs have on veterans and their mental health,” said O’Haire, who has been conducting research on service dogs and veterans for nearly a decade. “Science continues to evolve in our understanding of how service dogs may influence symptoms for veterans struggling with PTSD and their quality of life.”

“We’ve had the profound privilege of meeting many of the veterans we’ve supported through our fundraising efforts, and hearing first-hand how these service dogs saved their lives,” said Liz Meyers, executive director of the Dogtopia Foundation. “Their testimonials drive our commitment to support Dr. O’Haire’s incredible work, while we continue fundraising to support our veterans in need.”

“Thanks to the support of Dogtopia Foundation, NIH, and Purina, we can continue to pursue our research on the impact of service dogs on their owners and ensure all service members struggling with PTSD can receive the support they need in the future,” said Julie Funk, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Research involving service dogs and veterans further validates the efforts of organizations supported by Dogtopia Foundation, such as K9s For Warriors.

“K9s For Warriors’ mission is simple — to end veteran suicide through the use of highly trained service dogs. The success of our program, graduating nearly 1,000 Warriors, wouldn’t be possible without the important research of the O’Haire Lab at the University of Arizona. This study further legitimizes the positive impact service dogs have on veterans with PTSD,” said K9s For Warriors Chief Program Officer Kevin Steele. “Every day, K9s For Warriors has the privilege to witness the life-changing effect a service dog has on a veteran. Thank you to the Dogtopia Foundation, NIH and Purina for supporting this crucial research, allowing us to continue changing veteran lives.”

In partnership with Dogtopia’s franchise network of more than 265 dog daycares, the Dogtopia Foundation has raised more than $3 million and has helped support the training of 450 service dogs since the 501(c)3 nonprofit organization was established in 2017.

More information about Dr. O’Haire’s study can be found here. For more information about the Dogtopia Foundation and how you can support its efforts, visit www.dogtopiafoundation.org. If you are interested in learning more about the Dogtopia franchise in general, visit www.dogtopia.com.

Nation’s Leading Pet Services Franchise Introduces an Exclusive Collection of Products to Ensure Canine Health and Wellness

PHOENIX — Dogtopia, the leading dog wellness franchise, has announced the launch of its comprehensive Dogtopia Spa product line, now available to all pet parents on DogtopiaShop.com with free shipping. Crafted with thoughtfulness for canine wellbeing, the Dogtopia Spa product line includes 12 new products catering to various aspects of dog health.

Among the highlights are a variety of specially formulated shampoos, conditioners, and deodorizing sprays. Each Dogtopia spa product is water-based, alcohol-free, and hypoallergenic, making them safe for all dog skin and coat types, even those with sensitive skin. The skin and coat care products include:

• Aloe & Oatmeal Shampoo and Conditioner naturally soothes skin and promotes a healthy, soft, and shiny coat
• EFA (Essential Fatty Acid) Deodorizing Shampoo and Conditioner promotes healing for skin types, including flaky, itchy, scaly, and creased skin folds prone to hot spots and odor
• Bright & Shine Shampoo for enhancing light and dark coats and promoting healthy skin with colloidal oatmeal to soothe naturally
• Keto-Dog Medicated Shampoo for dermatological conditions in need of therapeutic relief with an antifungal and antibacterial formula to promote healing and restore moisture
• Deodorizers for extra freshness after or in between baths, available in two scents (Cherry Blossom and Piña Colada)

In addition to the skin and coat care lineup, Dogtopia provides three distinct products for gentle ear cleaning, healing, and the prevention of ear irritation and infection:

• Ear Wash for routine cleaning
• Ear Wipes for convenient daily cleaning
• Ear Care Pro for gentle cleaning to help prevent and heal infections from microbial and fungal activity and eliminate odor

The line also includes Dogtopia’s 3-in-1 balm for healthy paws, nose, and elbows, which is ideal for promoting healing and restoring moisture to dry, cracked, or painful paws, nose, or elbows. Made with antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties, the balm provides instant and long-lasting relief.

“With Dogtopia’s impressive growth, most recently surpassing 265 open daycares, we continue to lead the charge on canine wellness, so our spa product line is a natural next step,” said Neil Gill, CEO and President of Dogtopia. “Dogtopia’s top priority has always been to improve the lives of dogs and their parents in communities throughout North America. We’re helping further that commitment by offering products we truly believe are among the best to ensure the health and safety of dogs.”

For more information on Dogtopia’s spa products or to purchase, visit https://www.dogtopiashop.com/spa.

For more information on Dogtopia’s franchising opportunities, visit dogtopia.com/franchising.

The nation’s leading pet services franchise soars to the top of the pet care industry, ranked number 1 in their category for fifth year in a row

PHOENIX — Dogtopia, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing pet services franchise, was recognized as one of the top 500 franchises in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500^®, the world’s first and most comprehensive franchise ranking. Ranked at No. 69 overall and No. 1 in the Pet Care Category, Dogtopia stands out among other pet franchises as an innovator in the dog daycare industry, offering an experience focused on wellness, quality of care, safety and transparency in the market.

Ranking at No. 69 in 2024 marks the fifth consecutive year that Dogtopia has placed in the top 100 of the Franchise 500^®. Over the last year, the company has continued its exceptional performance in areas including unit growth, financial strength and stability and brand power. This accolade comes on the heels of the brand’s 250^th daycare opening a few months ago, along with the milestone of 500+ licenses awarded across North America, maintaining Dogtopia as the largest daycare and wellness provider.

“Dogtopia’s success continues to grow, and as we enter 2024, it seems like we’re just getting started,” said Neil Gill, CEO of Dogtopia. “Being ranked number 1 in the Pet Care category would not have been possible without our whole team – from our support office to our amazing franchisees to our dedicated pet parents and dogs. We are so grateful for everyone’s hard work and can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Dogtopia.”

In Entrepreneur’s continuing effort to best understand and evaluate the ever-changing franchise marketplace, the company’s ranking formula continues to evolve as well. The editorial team researches and assesses several factors, including costs and fees, size and growth, support, brand strength, and financial strength and stability. Each franchise is then given a cumulative score based on an analysis of more than 150 data points, and the 500 franchises with the highest cumulative scores become the Franchise 500^® in ranked order.

“Every brand on the Franchise 500 has its own unique story, but they all collectively make the same statement: Franchising is strong and resilient, is full of innovation and opportunity, and provides a powerful entrepreneurial path for many people,” says Jason Feifer, editor in chief of Entrepreneur magazine. “Our 45th annual ranking is full of companies with fresh ideas, exciting business models, cultural sway, and the kind of business sophistication that will define the next 45 years and beyond.”

Over its 45 years in existence, the Franchise 500^® has become both a dominant competitive measure for franchisors and a primary research tool for potential franchisees. Dogtopia’s position on the ranking is a testament to its strength as a franchise opportunity.

To view Dogtopia in the full ranking, visit http://www.entrepreneur.com/franchise500 or pick up a copy of the January/February 2024 issue of Entrepreneur on newsstands now.

Offering the Best Care for Your Furry Best Friend, Dogtopia of Vintage Park is Now Open and Operating

VINTAGE PARK, Texas — Dogtopia, the nation’s leading dog wellness franchise, has opened a new location in Vintage Park on Jan. 22. Located at 10130 Louetta Rd. Suite J, Dogtopia of Vintage Park will provide award-winning services to dog parents in the community.

Providing personalized care for Vintage Park pups in a fun, enriching, and safe environment, Dogtopia sets the industry standard among dog daycares with its focus on three key benefits: socialization, exercise, and education. Dogtopia allows dogs to enjoy plenty of exercise, play with like-minded dogs, and learn important social skills, all under the supervision of professionally trained Canine Coaches. Keeping safety at the forefront, each of the playrooms includes dogs of similar size and play style and is built with compressed rubber flooring to reduce the impact on pups’ paws and joints.

Dogtopia in Vintage Park is owned by husband-and-wife duo, Cody and Veronica Lovins. The seasoned franchisees bring with them an abundance of previous franchising experience, having opened a variety of different franchise concepts throughout Texas over the past few years, including a Dogtopia location in Atascocita. Their new Dogtopia in Vintage Park will be operated by General Manager, Mackenzie Lochrie, who is excited to begin building connections with local dog owners in the Vintage Park community.

“The Dogtopia brand truly sets itself apart from other pet care concepts in our area due to our approach and the quality of our services,” said Lochrie. “It’s extremely fulfilling to be a part of our new Vintage Park location from the ground up, and we cannot wait to begin making a positive impact by offering our award-winning dog daycare, boarding and spa.”

The new Vintage Park location is a proud supporter of The Dogtopia Foundation, a nonprofit with the mission to enable dogs to positively change our world, funds programs focused on three worthy causes: service dogs for veterans, therapy dogs for students, and employment initiatives for adults with autism. One hundred percent of funds raised are donated directly to the supported organizations. To learn more, please visit www.dogtopiafoundation.org.

Dogtopia of Vintage Park is open Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Sunday, from 10 a.m. – 2p.m. (boarding pickup/drop off only). For more information on Dogtopia of Vintage Park, call (281) 869-8338, or visit https://www.dogtopia.com/houston-vintage-park/.

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Largest and fastest-growing dog daycare provider opened 43 new locations and collected multiple accolades, including a new high on the Franchise Times Fast & Serious List

PHOENIX — Dogtopia, the nation’s largest and fastest-growing dog wellness franchise, is celebrating another year of unparalleled success and 70 new licenses awarded. With many accomplishments achieved, including the opening of its 250^th daycare and recognition from respected media outlets and organizations like Franchise Times, Dogtopia remains a top franchise brand in the booming pet services industry.

Dogtopia is proud to share the many milestones it hit in 2023, most notably the opening of 43 new daycares for the year, bringing the total number of open locations to 266 and 500+ licenses awarded across North America. The company has plans to open 45 more daycares in 2024 and leverage the latest technology to launch a comprehensive, science-backed wellness program to help dogs live long, healthy, happy lives.

To help fuel that growth in 2024, Dogtopia has expanded its executive team to include Keith Ungerer as Chief Financial Officer, John Mansfield as VP of Operations and Revenue and Sumaya Shakir as VP of Information Technology. Ungerer has more than 35 years of experience in senior Finance/Accounting roles, most recently working with a Levine Leichtman Capital Partners portfolio company. Mansfield spent the last four years at Chemical Guys leading growth efforts across their omnichannel retail, franchising, and service channels and was at Porsche Lifestyle Group, PIRCH, El Pollo Loco and Oakley in senior retail leadership roles. Prior to joining Dogtopia, Shakir was the Head of Data & Analytics and Enterprise Application Integrations at GE and brings more than 20 years of global experience in business strategy and enterprise technologies to the team.

Capping off a banner 2023 and commencing an even better 2024, Dogtopia has yet again been placed on the Franchise Times Fast & Serious 2024 List in spot No. 13—a sizable leap for the brand from last year’s placement of No. 39. The list spotlights 40 of the smartest-growing franchise brands over the course of the past year. The brands ranked have shown the most systemwide sales growth and unit growth, along with other impressive growth points. This is Dogtopia’s third appearance on the Fast & Serious List.

Another major accomplishment to note is Dogtopia’s recognition as Best in Category in the pet services sector on Franchise Business Review‘s list of the Top Franchises for 2024. Dogtopia was among more than 375 franchise brands that participated in Franchise Business Review‘s research. The brand’s franchisees were surveyed on their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems—meaning Dogtopia has done an exceptional job over this past year in all areas of franchising.

“At Dogtopia, we are committed to continuously redefining the dog daycare industry with an absolute obsession for the long-term care of the dog – we are a parent’s true care partner,” said Dogtopia’s CEO Neil Gill. “We have maintained our growth and success by being totally committed to our Noble Cause of enhancing both dog and parent wellness and longevity. With more than five million dog experiences last year alone, it’s clear our parents trust that our commitment to their dogs is genuine, as each year continues to be more successful than the last. We have a lot of exciting initiatives in store for 2024 and are eager to share this with our dogs and their families.”

More than just daycare, boarding, and spa services, Dogtopia is the trusted dog wellness expert dedicated to enhancing the lives of dogs and their families. Dogtopia’s services and products are rooted in science, validated by data, and delivered with love. With guidance from an environmental biologist, veterinarian, and credentialed dog trainer, Dogtopia continues to set the industry standard for dog wellness and daycare to help dogs live long, healthy, happy lives.

For more information about Dogtopia or to find a location near you, visit www.dogtopia.com.

Houston Welcomes the First of Two New Dogtopia Dog Daycare, Overnight & Spa Facilities is Now Open

HOUSTON — Dogtopia, the nation’s leading dog wellness brand, is excited to announce the expansion of their presence in Houston with the opening of two new locations inside the loop. The first facility, located at 1315 Waugh Dr., has been a part of the Houston community for some time and reopened with all new facilities and increased capacity on December 18. The second location, situated at 2311 Washington Ave., is scheduled to open in mid-January. In addition to the three Dogtopias currently open in Houston, the two new locations will offer award-winning daycare, overnight, and spa services to even more dog parents in the area.

Providing personalized care for Houston pups in a fun, enriching, and safe environment, Dogtopia sets the industry standard among dog daycares with its focus on three key benefits: socialization, exercise, and education. Dogtopia allows dogs to enjoy plenty of exercise, play with like-minded dogs, and learn important social skills, all under the supervision of professionally trained Canine Coaches. In keeping safety at the forefront, each of the indoor playrooms includes dogs of similar size and play style and is built with compressed rubber flooring to reduce the impact on pups’ paws and joints.

The two new establishments are under the ownership of Amber Woods, a dedicated local entrepreneur with a deep love for dogs. Woods is an existing Dogtopia franchisee, as the owner of Dogtopia of Houston – West Alabama Street and the co-owner of a Soccer Shots Houston, a partnership she has maintained with her husband for 14 years. As their soccer franchise flourished, Amber had a longing for a fresh challenge that would transcend her other full-time commitments. Guided by her lifelong love for animals, Dogtopia naturally emerged as the perfect next step in her entrepreneurial journey. As a Houstonian, Amber saw the increased need for high quality dog daycare services in central Houston. She understood that these new locations would not only facilitate the brand’s growth but, providing added convenience for dog parents seeking spacious and sociable environments for their furry companions.

“I’m absolutely thrilled to open these two Dogtopia facilities in Houston, addressing a significant need for dog parents in the area who currently lack a dedicated space for their pets’ care,” said Woods. “At Dogtopia, we extend the same love and care to our customers’ pets as if they were our very own. We can’t wait to meet even more furry friends!”

In addition to providing quality care for local pups, Dogtopia also runs the Dogtopia Foundation, a nonprofit with the mission to enable dogs to positively change our world. The Foundation funds programs focused on three worthy causes: service dogs for veterans, therapy dogs for students, and employment initiatives for adults with autism. One hundred percent of funds raised are donated directly to the supported organizations. These two new locations have already raised enough funds to sponsor 4 service dogs for veterans, and they are just getting started. To learn more, visit www.dogtopiafoundation.org.

Dogtopia of Houston – Waugh Drive is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The store is closed for daycare on Sunday, but open for overnight stay drop off and pick up from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information on Dogtopia of Houston – Waugh Drive, call 713-522-8144, or visit https://www.dogtopia.com/houston-waugh-drive/.

Dogtopia of Houston – Washington Ave. is open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The store is closed for daycare on Sunday, but open for overnight stay drop off and pick up from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information on Dogtopia of Houston – Washington Ave., call 281-869-8330, or visit https://www.dogtopia.com/houston-washington-ave/.

PHOENIX — Dogtopia, the nation’s leading dog wellness franchise, has announced the launch of its “In My Dog Era” photo contest, in honor of Taylor Swift’s recent recognition as TIME Person of the Year.

From December 8 through December 21, pet parents are encouraged to submit their own “imi-tay-tion” of Taylor and her cat Benji’s iconic cover photo with their dog. Participation is encouraged for all dogs and dog lovers, whether affiliated with Dogtopia or not. The winner will enjoy a month of unlimited dog daycare.

To enter, simply post your photo on Instagram using the hashtag #InMyDogEra or upload your photo here. Full terms and conditions of the contest can be found here, and the winner will be selected by January 4, 2024.

Open to all dog parents, the contest celebrates transformation, mirroring Taylor Swift’s evolution from a country star to a pop culture icon and Dogtopia’s journey from a traditional kennel to a wellness-focused brand.

“Taylor Swift embodies reinvention and innovation, values that are deeply rooted at Dogtopia,” said Neil Gill, CEO and President of Dogtopia. “Like Taylor’s transformative journey, we’ve become the largest and leading pet services brand in the world. With the most stringent safety protocols in the industry, we’ve led industry change and evolved into a wellness brand that delivers nearly 5 million dog experiences each year across our more than 250 daycare, boarding, and spa facilities.”

Dogtopia has continuously redefined the dog daycare industry by focusing on safe socialization, exercise, and education. Beyond a traditional daycare, Dogtopia offers a holistic wellness approach, providing a nurturing environment for dogs to thrive.

For more information about Dogtopia or to find a location near you, visit www.dogtopia.com.

Franchisees Diversifying Portfolios and Pandemic Puppy Boom Help Fuel Fastest-Growing Pet Franchise.

PHOENIX — Dogtopia, the nation’s leading dog daycare, boarding and spa franchise, achieved a quarter of record growth to start 2021. Today the company announced it signed 31 new franchise agreements from January 1 to March 31 and is currently on pace to open more than 50 new centers in 2021. Dogtopia also opened three new locations in Q1, entering new markets including Long Island, NY, Canton, OH and Tinton Falls, NJ, proving there is high demand for dog daycare across the country after millions of people welcomed new dogs into their homes during the coronavirus pandemic and are now seeking a safe place to send their pups for safe socialization, exercise and fun.

“In addition to our loyal, returning pet parents, we are excited to see a new wave of parents seeking Dogtopia’s daycare services for their pandemic puppies who are in need of socialization, education and exercise for when mom and dad go back to the office,” said Neil Gil, CEO of Dogtopia. “We are delighted to deliver this necessary service with nearly 160 daycare centers across North America and 50 more opening this year, in partnership with our incredible local business owners and their local communities.”

Entrepreneurs looking to diversify their business portfolios and cash in on the pandemic puppy boom have become a driving force behind Dogtopia’s growth. In Q1 alone, Dogtopia brought on new franchise owners with previous experience in several leading hotel franchises as well as Orangetheory Fitness, Sport Clips, Jersey Mike’s and Primrose Schools. These newly signed franchise agreements will bring Dogtopia locations to San Antonio, Corpus Christi, Houston (TX), Tulsa (OK), King of Prussia (PA), Knoxville (TN), South Florida and Virginia over the coming years. Three existing Dogtopia franchisees also expanded with the purchase of additional licenses in Virginia and Florida.

“We signed with Dogtopia because we identified dog daycare as an under-served need in our community and we felt that Dogtopia’s emphasis on that segment, coupled with its focus on retail space positioning with bright and fun branding, really sets it apart from the competition and will be highly appealing to consumers in Knoxville, Tennessee,” said Jeremiah Web, a new Dogtopia franchise owner and multi-unit Primrose Schools franchisee. “It was an ideal supplement to our current childcare facility holdings, as we are already well-versed in offering daycare services that are centered on customer trust within safe and clean environments.”

With nearly 160 centers now open and 280 in development, Dogtopia continues to solidify itself as a pet and franchise industry leader. Franchise Business Review recently crowned Dogtopia a “Top Recession-Proof Franchise,” and Entrepreneur Magazine ranked the brand at No. 54 on its 2021 Franchise 500 list, up 17 spots from the previous year. Additionally, Dogtopia was ranked at No. 12 on Franchise Times’ annual Fast & Serious List at the end of 2020.

Dogtopia provides an open-play daycare environment with protective rubber flooring to ease joints while promoting safe socialization, exercise and education for dogs. Safety is Dogtopia’s top priority and through its extensive team training and pet-safe cleaning program, pet parents can have peace of mind knowing their furry children are being cared for by the best in the pet industry. Dogtopia’s daycare fees are all-inclusive with meals prepared according to each pet parent’s request at no extra charge, or pet parents can bring their own food. Dogtopia’s webcams also provide pet parents the ability to check in on their pups when they are away. The Dogtopia family is composed of many different types of entrepreneurs, including both single-unit and multi-unit operators.

To learn more about Dogtopia and what it takes to own a franchise, visit https://www.dogtopia.com/franchising-us/.