Franchise opportunity · Hertfordshire

Run your own pet care business in St Albans

A busy commuter city full of dog-loving households, and an exclusive We Love Pets territory waiting for the right person. No previous experience needed.

Charlotte, who runs We Love Pets in neighbouring Stevenage and Hertford & Ware, with two dogs

Why St Albans is a great place for a pet care business

St Albans is one of the best-connected commuter cities in the country. Trains run straight into central London, and a lot of local households spend long days in the city or juggle hybrid working weeks. That leaves plenty of much-loved dogs needing a midday walk, and plenty of owners looking for someone they can trust with their keys.

It's a city of families, professionals and busy households, many in homes with gardens and a dog (or two) as part of the family. When they go away, they want their pets cared for properly, which is why home boarding, pet sitting and house sitting are in steady demand alongside daily walks.

And it's a lovely place to spend your working day. Verulamium Park, with its lakes and Roman walls, Clarence Park, the open spaces around the city and the countryside on its doorstep give you no shortage of beautiful walks.

Put simply: busy owners, well-loved dogs and great places to walk them. That's exactly the kind of area where a trusted, professional pet care business can thrive.

Your territory

An exclusive St Albans patch, yours alone

Franchise fee

£12,995 + VAT, with Start Up Loan funding available

Experience needed

None: full training is included

Services

Ten ways to earn, from walks to home boarding

Just up the road

It's already working in Hertfordshire

Charlotte and her husband Tim run We Love Pets in Stevenage, and since 2025 in Hertford & Ware too. Before joining, Charlotte co-owned an education business. She chose a franchise for the proven model, the support, and our No Pack Walking Policy, which matched her own values.

Today they have a local team and a business that supports them both, and they've grown into a second territory next door.

“Being in business on your own can sometimes be lonely and intimidating. It's reassuring to know there are other franchisees going through the same journey.”
Charlotte, We Love Pets Stevenage and Hertford & Ware

Read Charlotte's story →

Charlotte of We Love Pets Stevenage and Hertford & Ware with a curly-coated dog

You're in business for yourself, but never by yourself

Your St Albans branch comes with everything behind it: full business and pet care training (including the Level 2 Canine Care Award and pet first aid), a launch marketing campaign for your territory, our WLP Connect app to run your bookings, rotas and invoicing, a 24/7 vet advice line, and a community of 115+ franchisees who've done it before.

We're the UK's largest full-service pet care franchise, and we've been helping people build businesses they love for 19 years.

See the training and support → See the investment →

Your questions about a St Albans branch

Is there room for another pet care business in St Albans?

Yes. Busy commuter and hybrid-working households create steady demand for midday walks, pet sitting and holiday care, and many owners prefer a trusted, insured brand with proper standards over an individual working alone. Your territory is exclusive, so no other We Love Pets franchisee can trade in it.

Where would I walk dogs in St Albans?

You'll be spoilt for choice, from Verulamium Park and Clarence Park in the city to the countryside and open spaces around it. We'll help you plan rounds that keep travel time down.

Do I need a car in St Albans?

Most franchisees find a car useful, especially for collecting dogs, home boarding and services like pet taxi. We'll talk through what your territory realistically needs when we have a chat.

Do I need pet care experience?

No. Most of our franchisees came from completely different careers. Full training is included before you launch.

How much does it cost?

The franchise fee is £12,995 + VAT, plus a 10% management fee on turnover. Many franchisees fund the fee with a government-backed Start Up Loan. See our investment page for the full picture.

Is the St Albans territory available?

Territories are allocated on a first-come basis, so availability can change. Book a chat and we'll confirm the current position and the exact boundaries straight away.