Pet business ideas for working out and about
13 ideas
If you'd rather spend your day moving between homes, parks and streets than sitting in an office, these 14 pet business ideas are a good place to start. Some are light and low-cost, such as a local dog walker (solo) or a pet sitter doing home visits.
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
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
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
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
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
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
Mobile pony rides for parties and events
Take gentle ponies to birthday parties, school fetes and community events and give children short supervised rides.
- A$8k-35k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pet and home sitting service
Offer a trusted team of sitters who stay in clients' homes and look after pets and plants.
- A$300-2k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Pet collection and cremation arranger
Gently collect pets from homes and vets, arrange cremation or burial with a partner, and return ashes and keepsakes.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
In-home cat behaviour and trick trainer
Visit cat owners at home to fix problem behaviours and teach tricks using reward-based training.
- A$500-2.5k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
About these ideas
Others need a vehicle and more set-up, like a mobile pet grooming van. Before you choose, think about how much time you can commit, whether you have a suitable car or van, and how comfortable you are handling animals you don't know. Check your local council's rules on commercial dog walking and parking, and look into insurance that covers other people's pets. Start with the idea that matches your budget and energy, then build from there.
Questions
Do I need insurance to start a mobile pet business in Australia?
It's worth checking. Many pet businesses carry public liability cover, and some also look at care, custody and control cover for animals in their care. Ask an insurer which policies suit your activities, and whether your vehicle needs commercial cover.
Are there council rules for dog walking or pet services in public places?
Often, yes. Councils may set limits on how many dogs one person can walk, require registration or permits for commercial use of parks, and restrict off-lead areas. Check with your local council before you start, as rules differ between areas.
Which out-and-about pet business is cheapest to start?
Services built around your time, such as solo dog walking or home-visit pet sitting, usually need less up-front spending than vehicle-based ideas. Check costs for insurance, equipment, any required registrations and a reliable way to get between clients.