NAICS 812910 Quarterly Industry Report
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 812910Sector: Other Services (except Public Administration) (81)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (NAICS 812910) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[10], Bureau of Labor Statistics[11], and SBA size standards database[8]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, pet industry analysts, and animal services investors with current market data. All quantitative claims are sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the pet care (except veterinary) services industry.
NAICS Sector
81
Other Services (except Public Administration)
Industry Definition & Overview
Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (NAICS 812910) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in providing non-veterinary pet care services per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Activities include pet grooming and bathing, pet boarding and kenneling, pet daycare programs, pet obedience and behavior training, pet sitting and dog walking services, and mobile pet grooming operations. The pet care services industry has experienced rapid growth driven by rising pet ownership rates and increasing consumer willingness to spend on pet services that were once considered discretionary. Over 100,000 establishments operate across the combined pet care service categories, with industry revenue more than doubling over the past decade per Census Bureau[6] spending data. PetSmart operates over 1,650 locations offering grooming and training services, while franchise concepts including Camp Bow Wow, Dogtopia, and The Dog Stop have expanded the pet daycare segment. Technology platforms such as Rover and Wag connect pet owners with individual sitters and walkers through app-based booking, creating a gig-economy layer alongside traditional brick-and-mortar boarding and grooming facilities. Pet boarding facilities range from basic kennel operations to luxury pet hotels offering private suites, webcam monitoring, and individualized activity programs. Per Bureau of Labor Statistics[7] productivity research, technology adoption has enabled rapid industry growth through booking platforms and operational efficiency tools. Based on the SBA Table of Size Standards[8], the size standard is $9 million in average annual receipts. State and local animal welfare agencies regulate boarding facility licensing, care standards, and sanitation requirements. OSHA[9] general industry standards apply to workplace safety for animal care workers handling pets of varying sizes and temperaments.
What's Included in This Industry
- Pet grooming and bathing services
- Pet boarding and kenneling facilities
- Pet daycare programs
- Obedience and behavior training
- Pet sitting and dog walking services
- Mobile pet grooming operations
- Pet transportation services
- Luxury pet hotel and resort facilities
- Puppy socialization programs
- Pet funeral and memorial services
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Other Services (except Public Administration) | 81 |
| Subsector | Personal and Laundry Services | 812 |
| Industry Group | Other Personal Services | 8129 |
| NAICS Industry | Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services | 81291 |
| National Industry | Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services | 812910 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 541940 | Veterinary Services | Veterinary Services provides medical care for pets that complements the non-medical grooming, boarding, and daycare services offered by pet care establishments, with veterinary clinics and pet care facilities often maintaining cross-referral relationships for their shared pet-owning customer base |
| 311111 | Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing | Dog and Cat Food Manufacturing produces the pet food products that boarding and daycare facilities purchase to feed animals in their care, with pet food brands and pet care facility operators both serving the same pet-owning consumer market through different product and service channels |
| 423930 | Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers | Recyclable Material Merchant Wholesalers includes pet supply distribution channels that provide grooming products, kennel supplies, and facility equipment to pet care businesses through wholesale purchasing arrangements serving the animal care supply chain |
| 812220 | Cemeteries and Crematories | Cemeteries and Crematories includes pet cemetery and cremation services that some pet care businesses offer as end-of-life service extensions, with pet memorial services representing a small but growing segment within the broader pet care services market |
| 812199 | Other Personal Care Services | Other Personal Care Services shares the personal services sector with pet care, with both industries serving consumers who spend discretionary income on care services for themselves and their companion animals as part of overall household service spending patterns |
| 561730 | Landscaping Services | Landscaping Services overlaps with pet care when boarding and daycare facilities maintain outdoor exercise yards and play areas requiring commercial grounds maintenance, with facility landscaping and outdoor area upkeep representing ongoing operating costs for pet care businesses with outdoor spaces |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 10.4% | 2,531 |
| 2 | Texas | 7.7% | 1,857 |
| 3 | Florida | 7.4% | 1,789 |
| 4 | New York | 5.3% | 1,287 |
| 5 | Illinois | 4.0% | 975 |
| 6 | Pennsylvania | 3.9% | 957 |
| 7 | North Carolina | 3.6% | 880 |
| 8 | Ohio | 3.4% | 815 |
| 9 | Massachusetts | 3.0% | 725 |
| 10 | Virginia | 3.0% | 716 |
% Of Establishments
0%
10%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
5,440
Total SBA Loans
$2.6B
Total Loan Volume
$480K
Average Loan Size
12 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.06%
Average Interest Rate
48,320
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[8], Pet Care (except Veterinary) Services (NAICS 812910) has a size standard of $9 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[12] support facility construction, grooming equipment, and kennel improvements for qualifying pet care businesses. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[13] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[14] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Live Oak Banking Company | 312 | $502.6M | $1.6M |
| 2 | First Financial Bank | 280 | $285.8M | $1.0M |
| 3 | The Huntington National Bank | 848 | $237.8M | $280K |
| 4 | Readycap Lending, LLC | 200 | $79.8M | $399K |
| 5 | First Bank of the Lake | 120 | $69.0M | $575K |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for pet grooming?
NAICS 812910 covers pet care services excluding veterinary care, including grooming, boarding, daycare, training, and pet sitting per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
What is the SBA size standard?
Per the SBA size standard[8], the threshold is $9 million in average annual receipts for federal small business contracting eligibility and SBA lending products for pet care service businesses.
How large is the pet care services industry?
Over 100,000 establishments operate across pet care service categories per Census Bureau[6] data, with industry revenue more than doubling over the past decade as pet ownership and per-pet spending have both increased.
What licenses do pet care facilities need?
State and local animal welfare agencies regulate boarding facility licensing, kennel capacity limits, and animal care standards per SBA[15] business licensing guidance, with requirements varying significantly by jurisdiction.
How has technology changed pet care services?
Per Bureau of Labor Statistics[7] productivity research, technology platforms such as Rover and Wag have created app-based booking for pet sitting and walking, while kennel management software, webcam monitoring, and online scheduling have improved operational efficiency.
What is the difference between pet boarding and pet daycare?
Pet boarding provides overnight kenneling for pets while owners travel, while pet daycare offers daytime supervision and socialization for dogs whose owners work during the day, with daycare clients visiting on recurring daily or weekly schedules rather than the occasional overnight stays typical of boarding customers.
Do pet groomers need certification?
Most states do not require mandatory certification for pet groomers, though voluntary certifications from organizations such as the National Dog Groomers Association of America validate professional competency and are valued by employers and customers seeking qualified grooming service providers.
What safety concerns exist in pet care facilities?
OSHA[9] general industry standards apply to workplace safety for animal care workers at risk of bites, scratches, and injuries from handling animals of varying sizes and temperaments, with facility design, animal behavior assessment, and staff training reducing workplace injury rates.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Census Bureau census.gov
- [7]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [8]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [9]OSHA osha.gov
- [10]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [11]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [12]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [13]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [14]504 loans sba.gov
- [15]SBA sba.gov
Disclaimer
This publication has been prepared by Fair Market Value (“Fair Market Value”) for informational purposes only. It is provided on an “as-is” and “as available” basis. Fair Market Value makes no representations or warranties, express or implied, regarding the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, completeness, or accuracy of the data or information contained herein. This publication is not intended to be, and should not be construed as, professional financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Users should consult with qualified professionals before making any financial or business decisions based on the information presented.
To the extent permitted by law, Fair Market Value disclaims all liability for loss or damage, direct and indirect, suffered or incurred by any person resulting from the use of, or reliance upon, the data in this publication.
Copyright © 2026 Fair Market Value. All rights reserved. All data, information, articles, graphs, and content contained in this publication are copyrighted works and Fair Market Value hereby reserves all rights. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced, republished, uploaded to a third party, or distributed without the prior written permission of Fair Market Value.