Doggy Daycare Success: Building Planet Pup as a Solopreneur

In Charlotte, North Carolina, there’s a place where tails wag nonstop, playtime never ends, and dogs are treated like family. Planet Pup Doggy Daycare and Lodging has quickly become a favorite spot for local pet parents who want the best for their furry companions. At the center of it all is owner and manager Amanda Hebblethwaite, whose passion for dogs and resilience in the face of challenges have shaped Planet Pup into the warm, welcoming business it is today.

Growing a Pet Business, One Dog at a Time

For Amanda, the road to running Planet Pup started in her own home.

“We have been open about two years. I started off doing daycare at home, and my business started growing. So I found a bigger place and founded Planet Pup,” she said.

What began as a small, personal effort to care for neighborhood dogs soon outgrew the confines of her house. Amanda knew it was time to create a dedicated space where dogs could thrive. That’s how Planet Pup was born—a facility designed around the simple but powerful idea that dogs deserve a safe, fun, and enriching environment every day.

The journey wasn’t without its setbacks, however.

“Unfortunately, before I opened the doors, I experienced a major financial loss due to a shady contractor, so right now I am the only employee,” Amanda said.

Running a pet-care business alone is no easy feat, especially when it involves the constant energy and care of multiple excited dogs. But Amanda’s determination and love for what she does carried her forward. Planet Pup has since become a second home for dogs in her city.

A Day in the Life at Planet Pup

Walk through the doors of Planet Pup, and you’ll immediately see what makes the facility special. The mission is clear: “Providing a safe fun place for dogs to come while their human family is at work or away from home!”

Planet Pup’s setup ensures that every dog feels comfortable, loved, and engaged.

• Indoor Play Areas & Outdoor Yards – Dogs have plenty of space to run, romp, and socialize, no matter the weather.
• Enrichment Activities – From treat puzzles and scent work to agility course training, dogs are allowed to exercise their minds and bodies.
• Safe & Comfortable Lodging – Overnight guests can rest easy in cozy private suites or beds tailored to their needs. Each dog receives adequate supervision and care to ensure a stress-free stay.
• Focus on Safety – Every dog undergoes a thorough behavior assessment before their first visit, and up-to-date vaccines are required.

Amanda believes that enrichment is just as important as exercise. That’s why Planet Pup integrates unique activities into its daily routines, ensuring dogs leave happy and fulfilled.

And it’s not just the pups who benefit — Planet Pup even offers educational classes for kids and families, teaching them how to understand and communicate with their new furry family members. By bringing education into the fold, Amanda ensures that her community is just as dog-savvy as she is.

The Heart of Planet Pup: Caring Like Family

The heart of Planet Pup’s philosophy is love.

“Our mission is to provide a safe, fun, and enriching environment for all our pups," she said. "We understand that your dog is more than just a pet, they are a member of your family, and we will treat them as such."

This commitment is why pet parents trust Planet Pup. They know their dogs aren’t just being supervised, they’re being truly cared for, in an environment where every detail is designed for their well-being.

Running Planet Pup with Gingr

Behind the wagging tails and playful barks, running a dog daycare and lodging facility is a complex operation. That’s where Gingr comes in.

Amanda first encountered Gingr's pet-care business software while working at another daycare and knew immediately that it would be an essential tool for her business. When she launched Planet Pup, she didn’t hesitate to bring Gingr along.

Favorite Features

Amanda relies on Gingr daily, especially on two standout features:

“My favorite feature is the report cards and sharing all of the fun pictures at the end of the day with their families,” she said.

Gingr Report Cards: A Digital Snapshot of Each Dog’s Day

Report Cards are one of Gingr’s most beloved features, both for businesses and for pet parents. They allow facilities to send customizable updates that give families a glimpse into their dog’s day—complete with comments, photos, and even videos.

With Gingr’s Report Cards, businesses can:

• Leave Notes: Track a dog’s behavior, health, and energy throughout the day.
• Attach Photos & Videos: Pet parents love seeing candid moments of joy.
• Send via Email or SMS: Keep communication simple and flexible.
• Send Anytime: Whether midday or after checkout, it’s easy to brighten a customer’s day.

Amanda finds these updates invaluable for maintaining strong connections with her customers. They aren’t just cute add-ons—they’re trust-builders.

Why does this matter so much? Report cards do more than provide updates:

1. They build customer loyalty, reassuring pet parents their dogs are in good hands.
2. They encourage referrals when happy customers share the adorable updates.
3. They demonstrate professionalism, showing attention to detail.
4. They differentiate the business, giving Planet Pup a unique edge.

For Amanda, it’s simple: report cards bridge the Planet Pup experience and the pet parents who can’t be there.

The Lodging Calendar: Organization Made Simple

Regarding overnight stays, Gingr’s  lodging calendar is Amanda’s go-to.

The lodging calendar provides a weekly view of reservations, showing which dogs are staying where. Users can edit reservations, track check-ins and check-outs, and even drag and drop bookings into different lodgings.

This feature ensures Amanda always has a clear picture of her facility’s capacity, making it easier to keep everything running smoothly—even as a solo operator.

Gingr as a Trusted Partner

Amanda also appreciates Gingr’s reliability when it comes to pet records and client bookings.

“It is so easy to look up any past or future reservations and invoices if a client ever has any trouble or an issue,” she said. “Gingr makes it easy for my clients to set up a profile and upload their vaccination records. It is the star key to all of our bookings and reservations.”

Even in her downtime, Amanda finds herself tinkering with Gingr to discover new ways to use the manu available, customizable features.

“In my spare time, I like to play around with the software," she said.

This hands-on approach has made her not only a business owner but also a confident user of the system that powers her business.

Strength Through Simplicity

Running Planet Pup as a one-woman show is possible for Amanda because Gingr simplifies so much of the behind-the-scenes work. By streamlining communication, bookings, and record-keeping, Gingr frees her up to focus on what matters most: the dogs.

With every playful moment and every detailed report card sent home, Planet Pup continues to strengthen its bond with the Charlotte community. Pet parents know their dogs are in good hands, and Amanda has a trusted software partner making that possible.

Looking ahead, Amanda’s vision for Planet Pup remains simple and strong: “Providing a safe fun place for dogs to come while their human family is at work or away from home!”

She has already built a space where dogs are treated like family, and as Planet Pup continues to grow, so will the community of pups and pet parents who trust her care.

From its humble beginnings in Amanda’s home to its thriving facility today, Planet Pup is proof of what passion, persistence, and the right tools can accomplish.

Start Your Own Success Story

Amanda’s journey with Planet Pup shows how love for animals and the right support system can turn a dream into a thriving business. With Gingr, she’s able to manage her facility, delight her customers, and give every pup the attention they deserve.

If you’re ready to simplify your operations, strengthen customer relationships, and grow your pet-care business, Gingr can help. Get started with a demo today!