Client Reception Areas

You should have at least 2 chairs or a sofa bench for your customers to sit on, and a small table with reading material. You will need at least one retail display unit and a "front counter" where you greet clients and store the appointment book, phone, filecards, brochures etc. Plants add a nice and natural touch too, and a bottled water dispenser is a pleasant courtesy. Besides water cups for people, have a supply of paper bowls for pet owners to give their pet a drink if they choose too, and hopefully on their departure and not on their check-in unless the pet needs it. We suggest you post a bulletin board or kiosk to display pet care information for clients, such as announcements and brochures. Will you post a sign with prices?

Cleanliness is important. Your outside entry and client reception areas are the first thing pet owners see, and the rule of thumb is the typical consumer makes a judgment about your business within 60 seconds of seeing your business. The client reception area typically endures the most urination or defecation by pets. Male dogs can and do lift legs on retail displays, counters and furniture. You must keep that in mind and consider the surfaces. Of course pet waste is an accident waiting to happen. People may slip and fall from stepping into waste. Have a clean-up system available at all times in the Client Reception area, and never tolerate any employees that don't immediately clean up pet waste they discover thinking it's not "their turn." Safety of people makes its everyone's turn all the time.

Never carpet your reception area. You may laugh but some people don't know that. You will be forever vacuuming carpet and it will retain odors forever after a short time in use. If you find a space for your business and it has carpet you must inform the landlord of your need to replace it and factor that into your decision before you sign on the dotted line.