Pet Business Ideas for Australians Ready to Start Up
43 ideas
Pet businesses suit people who are genuinely comfortable around animals and their owners, and who can stay patient when things don't go to plan. This page lists 43 ideas, from low-overhead services such as puppy and dog group classes or a local pet taxi, to bigger commitments like a dog-friendly café with a shop front.
Home-based dog day care
Look after a small group of dogs in your home and secure backyard while their owners are at work.
- A$1.5k-6k
- Part-time
- From home
Dog day care centre with its own premises
Lease a fenced site or unit and run a daily dog care centre with a small team of staff.
- A$100k-300k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Dog-friendly café with a shop front
Run a local café with a fenced outdoor area where owners can enjoy coffee and food with their dogs.
- A$50k-250k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Mobile dog-friendly café van
Serve coffee and snacks, with dog treats, from a van or trailer where dog owners gather, without a shop lease.
- A$40k-120k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Home-based cat boarding
Look after other people's cats in a calm spare room at your home while their owners are away.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Local dog walker (solo)
Walk dogs one-on-one or in small groups for busy owners in your own neighbourhood.
- A$200-800
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Group dog walking and park adventures
Collect several dogs in a van and take them to parks or bushland for longer group walks.
- A$20k-70k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Pet sitter (home visits)
Drop in at clients' homes to feed, walk and care for pets while owners are at work or away.
- A$200-1k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Overnight pet and house sitter
Stay in clients' homes while they travel, looking after pets and keeping the house lived in.
- A$200-800
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local bird shop
Run a small shop selling birds, cages, seed and supplies to bird keepers in your area.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Online bird supplies store
Sell bird food, toys, cages and accessories online to bird owners, without needing a shopfront.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Mobile pet grooming van
Drive a fitted grooming van to owners' driveways and groom dogs and cats on the spot.
- A$20k-90k
- Part-time
- Out and about
Home pet grooming studio
Groom dogs in a converted garage or laundry at home, one appointment at a time.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
Pet grooming salon
Open a small shopfront salon with regular bookings and room to add a second groomer.
- A$30k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Home-based dog boarding
Look after a few dogs in your own home while their owners are away, with a family-style stay.
- A$500-3.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Boarding kennel on its own premises
Run a purpose-built kennel with runs and play yards, caring for many dogs at a time.
- A$250k-500k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Home-based pedigree cat breeder
Breed a small number of healthy, registered cats at home and rehome kittens to pet and show buyers.
- A$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Local pet taxi
Drive pets to the vet, groomer, kennel or airport in your own car for owners who can't make the trip.
- A$500-4k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Interstate pet transport by road
Move pets between cities and states in a fitted-out van for owners relocating or buying from breeders.
- A$8k-40k
- Part-time
- Out and about
International pet relocation coordinator
Organise paperwork, vet tests, bookings and flights for people moving pets in or out of Australia, from home.
- A$1k-5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home fish room with online and local sales
Breed or grow out tropical fish at home and sell fish and supplies to hobbyists online or by local pickup.
- A$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
In-home dog trainer
Visit owners at home to teach their dog manners, lead walking and basic obedience.
- A$500-3k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Puppy and dog group classes
Run weekly puppy school and obedience classes from a hired hall or paddock.
- A$1k-5k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Online dog training coach
Coach owners over video call and give simple training plans they follow at home.
- A$200-1.5k
- Side hustle
- Online
About these ideas
Online options, such as an online pond supplies store, can suit those who prefer working from home. Before you choose, think about animal welfare responsibilities, the space and equipment you'd need, insurance, and how much hands-on time each day the work demands. Compare how much money you'd need upfront and whether your local area has enough pet owners to support the idea.
More ideas
- Home-based pond fish breeder and seller
- Pond fish supplier to landscapers and aquatic shops
- Small-scale home dog breeder
- Local aquarium fish and supplies shop
- Home fish room with local pickup sales
- Local goldfish and aquarium shop
- Home-based goldfish and aquarium supplies
- Mobile pony rides for parties and events
- Pony party days at your own property
- Pet and home sitting service
- In-home pet boarding
- Boarding kennels and cattery
- Home-based cat boarding with a few pens
- Online pond supplies store
- Pond and water garden shop
- Pet collection and cremation arranger
- Pet crematorium and memorial centre
- In-home cat behaviour and trick trainer
- Online cat behaviour coach
Questions
Do I need qualifications to start a pet business in Australia?
It depends on the idea. Training, boarding, breeding and transport can involve different expectations. Check requirements with your state or territory, your local council and relevant industry bodies, and consider whether formal training would build customer trust.
What approvals should I check before starting?
Check council rules on running animal-related activities from home, any permits for breeding, food service or vehicles, and animal welfare codes in your state or territory. Also ask an insurer what cover you'd need for public liability and animals in your care.
Which pet business ideas can I start from home?
Options like online cat behaviour coaching or an online pond supplies store may work from home, depending on your setup. Keeping or breeding animals at home can bring extra rules, so check council requirements, neighbour impacts and your lease or strata by-laws first.