Small boutique cattery
Run a purpose-built cattery with private suites, caring for more cats as a full-time business.
- A$180k-400k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A purpose-built or converted cattery, often on a rural or large residential property, with separate suites, secure runs and good ventilation, run as a full-time boarding business.
Your first three steps
- Talk to your local council early about planning approval, zoning and any permits for a cattery on your property or a rented site
- Check your state's animal welfare and cattery standards or codes of practice, and get quotes for the building or conversion, as this is usually the biggest cost
- Set up a booking system and a relationship with a local vet, then build a simple website and Google Business listing
Who pays
Cat owners in your area who want professional boarding, especially in busy holiday periods such as school holidays and Christmas.
How it makes money
A nightly rate per cat or suite, with extras for medication, grooming or premium suites. Bookings are strongest at peak holiday times.
Skills that help
- Experience handling many different cats
- Basic animal health knowledge and hygiene
- Bookings, record keeping and customer service
Watch out for
- Planning approval and registration requirements for catteries, which differ by council and state, so check before you spend on building
- Build or conversion costs can vary widely with site, council requirements and number of suites, so get several quotes before committing
- Compliance with your state's animal welfare standards and codes of practice for boarding facilities
- Public liability insurance and cover for animals in your care
- Noise, smell and neighbour complaints
- Quiet seasons mean uneven income, so plan your cash flow
- Workers compensation insurance and any checks needed if you hire staff
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: small boutique cattery
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a cattery in Australia?
Startup costs are typically estimated at around $180,000 to $400,000, depending on your site, council requirements and number of suites. Build or conversion costs can vary widely, so get several quotes before committing.
What approvals should I check before building a cattery?
Check planning approval and registration requirements for catteries, which differ by council and state, before you spend on building. Also check your state's animal welfare standards for boarding facilities, and consider neighbour noise and smell complaints.
How much can a boutique cattery earn?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your number of suites and how busy you are. Quiet seasons mean uneven income, so plan your cash flow. Expect at least 30 hours a week.
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