Pet business ideas you can start from home

14 ideas

If you love animals and want to work from your own house, this page gathers 14 pet business ideas that can be run from home. Some are hands-on, such as home-based cat boarding, home-based dog day care and a home grooming studio.

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1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kOut and aboutOwn premises
Breeder holding a litter of puppies in a farmyard setting.

Small-scale home dog breeder

Breed one or two healthy, well-socialised litters a year of a breed you know, and place puppies with carefully chosen families.

  • £1.5k-7.5k
  • Part-time
  • From home
1,696 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
Several young kittens playing together in a cattery with a breeder nearby.

Home-based pedigree cat breeder

Breed a pedigree cat you love at home and rehome healthy, well-socialised kittens to carefully chosen families.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
1,696 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
Group of dogs playing together in a bright indoor daycare room.

Home-based dog day care

Look after a small group of dogs in your own home and garden while their owners are at work.

  • £500-3k
  • Part-time
  • From home
2,437 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
A dog in a travel carrier being loaded into a van for a long journey.

International pet relocation coordinator

Organise paperwork, flights and transport so pets can move abroad with their owners.

  • £1k-5k
  • Part-time
  • From home
64,527 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years

Pet aftercare and memorial keepsakes

Offer a caring pet aftercare service from home, working with vets and a crematorium, with memorial keepsakes for families.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
3,381 UK companies in this field, 16% registered in the last 2 years
Saddles, bridles and grooming kit displayed in a equestrian tack shop.

Online tack shop with show stalls

Sell grooming kit, rugs and riding gear online and from a stall at local shows, run from home.

  • £1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A carer sitting in a home and relaxing with a cat on her lap.

Home-based cat boarding

Look after cats in a quiet, safe space in your own home while their owners are on holiday.

  • £500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Dogs rest in clean kennel runs at a dog boarding facility.

Home dog boarding

Look after a small number of dogs in your own home while their owners are away.

  • £500-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Colourful koi carp swimming in a clear garden pond.

Home-based pond fish seller

Keep healthy goldfish, shubunkin and koi at home and sell to local garden pond owners by appointment.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
A groomer washing and drying a fluffy dog in a professional grooming salon.

Home grooming studio

Convert a garage or spare room into a small grooming studio and see a few dogs a day.

  • £2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Colourful tropical fish in tanks lining the walls of a pet shop.

Home-based tropical fish and aquarium supplies

Sell tropical fish locally and aquarium supplies online from a fish room at home, without shop rent.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
Orange goldfish swimming in a home aquarium with plants and a filter visible.

Home-based goldfish and fish supplies

Sell goldfish by local collection and fish supplies online, run from a dedicated space at home.

  • £2k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Home-from-home dog boarding

Look after a few dogs in your own home while their owners are away, as an alternative to kennels.

  • £300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home

Small garden cattery at home

Board a handful of cats in a licensed, purpose-built unit in your own garden while their owners are away.

  • £8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • From home

About these ideas

Others lean towards admin and online selling, like pet aftercare and memorial keepsakes. The best fit depends on your space, your household and how much daily animal care you can realistically manage. Before choosing, think about noise, neighbours, garden security, insurance and whether your home is suitable for visiting animals. Check whether your tenancy or mortgage allows business use, and whether your local council requires a licence for the activity you have in mind. Start with the idea that matches your experience and the space you actually have.

Questions

Do I need a licence to run a pet business from home in the UK?

It depends on the activity. Boarding, day care and breeding are often regulated in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and rules differ. Check with your local council and the relevant government guidance before taking on any animals or customers.

What should I check about my home before starting?

Look at your tenancy agreement or mortgage terms, any restrictive covenants, and your home insurance. Also consider planning permission for business use, neighbour impact such as barking, and whether your space and garden are safe and secure for animals.

Which home pet businesses need the least animal handling?

Online or product-led ideas, such as memorial keepsakes or an online tack shop, involve far less direct animal care. You may still need to check consumer law, product safety, supplier terms and any rules on selling live animals or related goods.