Stop Guessing: Track These Numbers to Grow Your Pet Business and Make Better Decisions with Corinne Moore

Running a pet business shouldn’t mean flying blind. But if you're not tracking the right data, you might be doing exactly that.

This blog post is based on episode 21 of The Pet Marketing Unleashed Podcast featuring Corinne Moore—pet business owner of Paws & Claws (one of our amazing branding and website design clients!), Marine Corps veteran, and data strategist—who learned firsthand how transformative the right numbers can be. Whether you’re burned out, juggling a growing team, or just craving clarity, the insights she shares here will give you tangible ways to use data to simplify and grow your pet business.

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From Marine Corps to Pet Business Owner to Metrics: Corinne’s Journey into Pet Business Data Strategy

Corinne didn’t start out thinking she’d become a numbers person. But after taking over her sister’s pet care business in 2019, navigating the chaos of the pandemic, and hitting burnout, she knew something had to change.

A trip to the ER due to stress became her wake-up call. Instead of scaling back blindly, she dug into her data—and found the power to streamline her services, define her ideal clients, and transform her business from the inside out.

Why Pet Business Owners Avoid Their Numbers (And Why That’s a Problem)

Many petpreneurs avoid their data because they never intended to become business owners in the first place. Most got into the field because they love animals, not Excel spreadsheets.

But understanding your numbers isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s the difference between reacting in survival mode and making confident, informed decisions that actually move your business forward.

The First Numbers You Should Track in Your Pet Business

If you’re overwhelmed, start small.

Here are three must-track metrics Corinne recommends:

1. Revenue by service type

Identify what’s actually bringing in money (and what’s not). Corinne learned her dog sitting services were her least profitable and most stressful—so she cut them.

2. Client retention by service area

Use your software (like Time To Pet) to see where long-term clients live. You might uncover goldmine zip codes to target with your marketing.

3. Cost of labor

This includes pay, taxes, mileage reimbursements, and more. It’s one of the most overlooked yet crucial metrics for hiring and team sustainability.

The Most Overlooked Pet Business Metrics That Are Game-Changers

Beyond the basics, here are additional data points that can help pet business owners streamline and grow:

• Employee retention – Are your team members sticking around? If not, it could be time to review training, culture, or compensation.

• Anonymous team feedback – Corinne used surveys to better understand how employees felt about working for her, which shaped how she manages and leads today.

• Marketing ROI by location or audience – Look at where your best clients come from and what content or ads they’re responding to. It’s not always what you expect.

How Often Should You Check In With Your Pet Business Numbers?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Corinne recommends:

• Once a month if you’re just getting started or feeling nervous.

• Weekly if you’re in decision-making mode and ready to make changes.
  

Remember: The numbers don’t lie, but they also don’t judge. Let them guide you—not shame you.

Using Data to Make Better Pet Business Decisions

Thanks to her tracking efforts, Corinne has made major shifts:

• Dropping unprofitable services (like dog sitting)

• Targeting zip codes where long-term clients live

• Refining her brand and marketing for specific client types (like young professionals for dog walks and retirees for cat sitting)
  

Other pet business owners have used her spreadsheets to confidently delegate tasks, raise rates, and eliminate inefficiencies.

How Branding and Website Strategy Supported Corinne’s Data-Driven Goals with Her Pet Care Business

Corinne didn’t stop with spreadsheets. She also hired the Pet Marketing Unleashed team to refresh her brand and website. Why? Because the data was clear: Her ideal clients were searching for specific services and they needed something that flowed easily. She wanted a brand and website that appealed to her ideal clients (something she narrowed down by looking at the data!).

Her new brand and website clearly separates her cat sitting and dog walking services, improving SEO and reducing confusion for site visitors. The result? Fewer questions, more bookings, and a smoother experience for everyone involved.

👉 See her website: pawsandclawswi.com

One Small Step to Get Started With Data This Week

Corinne’s advice?

“Write down your biggest pain point in the business right now and then start tracking the numbers related to it. Just one thing. That’s it.”

Whether it’s labor costs, low-profit services, or client turnover, knowing your numbers can lead to major clarity (and relief).

You Don’t Have to Be a “Numbers Person”

If you’ve been putting this off because you’re not a spreadsheet whiz, don’t worry.

Your pet business software (like Time To Pet) likely already tracks more than you realize. You don’t need complicated systems—just the willingness to look. Start where you are and let your data guide you from there.

Let Data Lead the Way in Your Pet Business

Data doesn’t have to be overwhelming and it definitely doesn’t need to be reserved for “numbers people.” Whether you're trying to simplify your services, improve your team culture, or make your marketing actually work, the numbers are already there waiting to guide you.

Start small. Choose one metric that relates to your biggest current challenge and track it consistently. Let your software do the heavy lifting, or grab a whiteboard and jot it down manually.

What matters most is that you start—because data gives you clarity, and clarity gives you the confidence to make smarter, more sustainable decisions for your pet business.

Looking for more ways to simplify and streamline your business?

→ Our Wix website templates are designed to save you time while attracting your dream clients.

→ Our Blogging course helps turn content into a lead-generating machine (without spending hours writing posts no one reads).

 → Our SEO course allows you to get your pet business found in the search results without paying $$$$ monthly on keywords.

Whether it’s your website, your content, or your visibility on Google, every piece of your business can be simplified with the right tools and strategy. So take a deep breath, pick one place to start, and know that sustainable growth doesn’t have to mean doing more. You’ve got options that work for you. And Pet Marketing Unleashed is here to help!