Dog day care centre with its own premises

Working dog owners in the surrounding suburbs who want a regular, dependable place for their dog on workdays.

Daily and half-day rates, multi-day passes, and add-ons like grooming, training sessions or boarding where permitted.

• Managing dog groups safely
• Hiring and rostering staff
• Basic business admin and customer service

• Planning, zoning and any animal business registration with your council or state, which vary by location
• Lease terms and whether the landlord allows animal businesses and noise
• Public liability and workers compensation insurance once you hire
• Injury and disease risks, including dog fights and illness spreading, so check your procedures with your vet
• Long opening hours and staffing, plus a slow ramp-up before bookings cover the rent

Startup costs are typically around $100,000 to $300,000, depending on the site, fit-out and fencing. Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on the size of the centre and how many bookings you fill. These are estimates only.

Check planning, zoning and any animal business registration with your council or state, as these vary by location. Also check your lease allows animal businesses and noise, and look into public liability and workers compensation insurance once you hire. Check your procedures with your vet.

Estimates suggest at least around 35 hours a week, and long opening hours and staffing are common. Expect a slow ramp-up before bookings cover the rent. Skills in managing dog groups safely and rostering staff matter.