Boarding kennels and cattery

Local pet owners, especially around school holidays and long weekends, plus people relocating or travelling for work.

Nightly fees per pet, with extras like grooming, training, day care and special diets.

• Experience with animal care and behaviour
• Running a business and managing staff
• Cleaning and hygiene routines

• Planning approval and zoning for animal boarding, which varies by council
• State animal welfare rules and codes of practice for boarding facilities, so check your state or territory
• Public liability, property and animal care insurance
• Noise complaints from neighbours
• Peaks around holidays with quiet periods between, and workers compensation once you hire staff
• High setup cost and a long lead time before opening; the startup estimate assumes you already own or lease suitable land, so buying a site would cost considerably more

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $250,000 to $800,000, depending on the size of the facility, kennel and cat pen build and fit-out. This assumes you already own or lease suitable land, so buying a site would cost considerably more.

Check planning approval and zoning for animal boarding, which varies by council. Check your state or territory's animal welfare rules and codes of practice for boarding facilities, and insurance. Also consider noise complaints from neighbours.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on capacity, pricing and bookings. Demand peaks around holidays with quiet periods in between. Expect at least about 35 hours a week.