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
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
Small-scale boarding where a few pets stay in your home as part of the family routine, with feeding, walks, play and any medication the owner needs given.
Your first three steps
- Check your local council's rules on home-based pet boarding and how many animals you can keep
- Set up a safe, secure space and write a booking form covering vaccinations, vet details and emergency contacts
- Offer a few trial stays to friends and neighbours and ask for reviews, then list on local community groups
Who pays
Pet owners going on holiday or away for work who want a homely alternative to a kennel.
How it makes money
A nightly rate per pet, with optional extras such as medication, pick-up and drop-off, or a daily update package.
Skills that help
- Confident handling of animals
- Reliable and calm under pressure
- Clear communication with owners
Watch out for
- Council approval or permits for running a home-based animal business, which vary by council and state
- Public liability and care, custody and control insurance for animals
- Check your lease or strata rules if you rent or live in a unit
- Pets fighting or becoming ill, so require up-to-date vaccinations and meet-and-greets first
- Being tied to home during stays, including overnight
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: in-home pet boarding
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 in-home pet boarding?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $300 to $2,500, depending on the bedding, fencing or gates, and supplies you need, plus what insurance you choose. Your own quotes will vary with your home setup.
What rules should I check before boarding pets at home?
Check council approval or permits for a home-based animal business, as these vary by council and state. Also check insurance such as public liability and care, custody and control cover, and your lease or strata rules if you rent or live in a unit.
How much can in-home pet boarding earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many pets you take, how often you're booked and what you charge. Many people start at about 10 hours a week, though you may be tied to home.
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