Will Feldman, photographed in his Red Bank apartment with his dog Nova and his cat Cheeto, is about to start a new business called Fetch! Pet Care. Clients will be able to arrange for in-home pet care while they are away, an alternative to kennel boarding.Name: Fetch! Pet Care of Chattanooga.
Owner: Will Feldman.
Website: chattanooga.fetchpetcare.com.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.
Opening: Feb. 1.
Staff: Between three and six insured, background-checked pet-sitters.
Services: "We offer dog walking; in-home care for dogs, cats, fish, reptiles; yard cleanup. If they're out of town we could change the lights, take the mail in -- basically if the client needs it, we'll provide it," Feldman said.
Prices: $18 for 30-minute in-home visit; $20 for 30-minute walk.
How he got started: Feldman came to Chattanooga in 2007, and didn't find his passion in school. "I've always loved animals and I've always had a natural entrepreneurial spirit, so I wanted to provide quality pet care in Chattanooga and I knew I could do that here," he said. "And Fetch! Pet Care is the biggest franchise and has a solid reputation as the most trusted pet care provider."
Initial investment: $20,000.
Marketing plan: "Advertising at Petco, veterinarians, retirement communities -- you name it, I'll probably go there. I'll hand out business cards and fliers."
Five-year goal: My goal would be to provide great pet care all across Chattanooga. From my experience, dogs like to go out -- and then come back home. It's less stressful on them.
Pets: Nova, a gray and white pitbull, and Cheeto, an orange tabby cat.
Contact: chattanooga.fetchpetcare.com; 423-933-2052