Pet business ideas you can start from home
13 ideas
These 13 ideas suit animal lovers who want to earn from their own property rather than rent a shopfront. Some are hands-on care businesses, such as a home pet grooming studio, home-based dog boarding or home-based cat boarding.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Home-based pond fish breeder and seller
Raise goldfish and other ornamental pond fish at home and sell to local garden owners.
- A$1.5k-7.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small-scale home dog breeder
Breed one or two healthy, health-tested litters a year of a breed you know well and match puppies with good homes.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home fish room with local pickup sales
Run a small home fish room selling healthy aquarium fish and basic supplies to local hobbyists by appointment or pickup.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based goldfish and aquarium supplies
Sell goldfish and fish-keeping supplies from a home fish room by appointment, plus local pickup orders.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- From home
In-home pet boarding
Look after dogs or cats in your own home while their owners are away on holiday or work trips.
- A$300-2.5k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based cat boarding with a few pens
Convert a spare room or outbuilding into a few quiet cat pens at home.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
Others lean towards breeding or selling, like a home fish room with local pickup sales. Before you choose, think about your space, your neighbours and how much noise, smell and daily routine you can realistically manage. Check your local council's rules on home businesses and animal numbers, and ask your insurer what cover you would need. Also be honest about hours: boarding and day care tie you to the property, while grooming can be booked in set blocks. Start with the animals you already handle confidently.
Questions
Do I need council approval to run a pet business from home?
Often you do, but it varies by council. Check your local council's rules on home businesses, animal numbers, boarding and breeding, and whether a permit or registration applies. Also check any strata, lease or body corporate restrictions on your property.
What insurance should I look into for a home pet business?
Ask an insurer about public liability and, where relevant, cover for animals in your care. Standard home insurance may not cover business activity, so check what is excluded and whether you need a specific policy before taking your first booking.
Which home pet business is easiest to start small?
Grooming or in-home pet boarding can be simple to start with a few clients, since they need limited equipment. Breeding usually involves more rules and animal welfare duties, so check your state's requirements and your own experience before committing.