Pet business ideas you can start from home in Canada
13 ideas
These 13 ideas suit animal lovers who want to earn from a spare room, a garage or a well-set-up backyard rather than a rented shop. Some are hands-on care businesses, such as in-home pet boarding, home dog day care or a home grooming studio.
Home-based cat boarding
Look after cats in a quiet room of your home while their owners travel.
- C$200-1k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home dog boarding
Look after a few dogs in your own home while their owners travel or work away.
- C$500-3k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based goldfish and tank supplies seller
Sell healthy goldfish and basic tank supplies from a home fish room, using online listings and local pickup.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based aquarium fish seller
Sell healthy aquarium fish and supplies from a dedicated home setup, with local pickup and delivery.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based pond fish seller
Keep healthy goldfish and koi in tanks at home and sell them to local pond owners each spring and summer.
- C$1.5k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
International pet relocation coordinator
Plan and manage pet moves abroad from home: paperwork, vet visits, crates and flights.
- C$1k-5k
- Part-time
- From home
Home-based pedigree cat breeder
Breed one pedigree cat breed at home and sell health-checked kittens to pet and show homes.
- C$2k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home grooming studio
Groom pets by appointment in a spare room, garage or basement set up as a small salon.
- C$2.5k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Small home-based dog breeder
Raise one or two carefully planned litters a year of a breed you know well and place puppies with families or show homes.
- C$2k-10k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based dog day care
Look after a few small-group dogs in your own home while their owners are at work.
- C$1k-5k
- Part-time
- From home
Home-based tropical fish seller
Run a tidy fish room at home and sell fish, plants and supplies to local hobbyists by pre-order and pickup.
- C$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Home-based cat boarding room
Turn a spare room into a quiet cat boarding space for a few guests at a time.
- C$1k-6k
- Side hustle
- From home
In-home pet boarding
Look after dogs and cats in your own home while their owners travel, with a family-style stay.
- C$300-2k
- Side hustle
- From home
About these ideas
Others are about supplies or animals, like a home-based goldfish and tank supplies seller. Before you pick one, think about your space, your household and your neighbours. Noise, smells, allergies, insurance and the number of animals you can look after safely all matter. Check your municipality's rules on home businesses and animal limits, and look at any provincial licensing or zoning requirements. Start with the idea that fits your daily routine and your energy, then test demand locally before you spend much.
Questions
Do I need a licence to run a pet business from home in Canada?
It depends on the idea and where you live. Check your municipal bylaws on home businesses, animal limits and kennel or boarding licences, and ask your province about any breeding or animal-care rules. Confirm requirements with your local office before taking clients.
What should I check about insurance for a home pet business?
Ask your home insurer whether business activity and animals in your care are covered, as a standard policy may not cover them. Look into commercial liability and care, custody and control cover. Compare quotes from brokers who understand pet services.
How do I choose between boarding, grooming and selling animals or supplies?
Compare how much space each needs, how many hours you can commit, and your comfort with animal handling. Boarding and day care are time-heavy, grooming needs skills and equipment, and selling animals or supplies may bring extra rules. Check local demand first.