Coleen, I heard you talk in your first article about “why” I should start a pet loss operation. You sold me! I’m ready to start my program. What do I do?
There are now about 700 funeral homes, crematories and cemeteries that cater only to pets, and it’s a growth industry. Some funeral directors for animals say Baby Boomers increasingly are turning to pets for companionship after their spouses die or their children leave home.
Guest Article By: Coleen Ellis
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn and relearn.” Futurist, Alvin Toffler
So, are YOU going into the 21st century illiterate? Or worse yet, is your staff illiterate?
2012 is here. A time to step back, take a look at your business, and see where you and your team need to unlearn and relearn those areas that will truly allow you and your operation to rise above the competition in your market. Yes, it’s a time to re-tool your existing operations.
As business owners, we should never be too proud to say “we’re here.” We’ve arrived. “Our business is doing everything they can for our families and providing ALL of the services that they need and find valuable.” Family’s needs are constantly changing. Needs that they might not even know that they have but when you give it to them, it’s the best thing that could’ve been done.
It was a beautiful day in Fort Worth – when 63 people gathered to earn their Certified Pet Loss Professional pins from the Pet Loss Professionals Alliance. Not sure what to expect as this was the first course of its kind, the attendees showed up, full of anticipation, ready to learn and ready to network with others that wanted to
raise the standard of pet loss services in the United States and Canada.
The session started with the quote by Wayne Gretzky – to stand out and be the best that you can be, one must “skate to where the puck is going, not where the puck is.” Yes, it’s time in the field of pet loss services to make a change, to raise the standards, and to begin to see where the puck is going.
Almost 7 years later, I still hear from funeral directors and cemeterians that they are concerned about offending people by offering pet loss services.
Okay, I hear what you are saying. However, as you really take a look at this group of people, the pet parents, I challenge you to understand how you CANNOT look at serving this market.
First of all, as I look at funeral homes/cemeteries around the United States, owners and employees of these operations are encouraged to ?become? a part of their community. They are members of the Lions Club, the Elks Club, the Rotary Club, Chamber of Commerce, various church affiliated associations and numerous other social clubs in their respective community.
However, as you analyze the ?club? of pet parents ? the numbers become astounding! Did you know that sixty-two percent of people have a pet?
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