Starting a pet business
Australians love their pets, and many owners pay for walking, grooming, sitting, boarding and training. A pet business can start small and grow, but animals bring responsibilities most businesses don't have - welfare rules, safety and owners' trust. This guide covers choosing a niche, the approvals to check, and how to run it well.
In short
- Pick a niche you can do well - walking, sitting, grooming, boarding, training or pet products.
- Some pet businesses need council registration and must follow a state code of practice. Boarding is the most regulated.
- Use ABLIS on business.gov.au to find the licences, registrations and codes for your activity and location.
- Protect animals, owners and yourself with clear agreements, vaccination and health checks, and safe handling.
- Trust drives this business - reviews, referrals and reliability matter more than advertising.
Choose your niche
| Business | Start-up needs | Things to know |
|---|---|---|
| Dog walking | Leads, a local area, transport | Limit group sizes; know local off-leash rules |
| Pet sitting (at the owner’s home) | Reliability, references | Keys and home access need clear agreements |
| Grooming (salon or mobile) | Equipment, training, premises or a van | Water, waste, noise and handling skills |
| Boarding (kennels, catteries or home boarding) | Premises, approvals | The most regulated; usually needs council registration |
| Training | Skills and experience, insurance | Some states regulate training establishments |
| Pet products (treats, accessories) | Suppliers or a kitchen, an online store | Product safety and labelling rules apply |
Start with something you can do well and that people in your area need. Check what competitors charge and what reviews say they do badly. See Small business ideas that work in Australia.
Check the rules for your activity
Rules for animal businesses are set by states, territories and local councils, so they vary.
- Use ABLIS. The Australian Business Licence and Information Service lists the licences, registrations and codes of practice for your activity and location.
- Talk to your council early, especially about keeping animals on your premises, zoning, noise, waste and the number of animals allowed.
- Know the codes of practice. For example, Agriculture Victoria says all boarding establishments in Victoria must register as a Domestic Animal Business with their local council. Its code of practice is mandatory for registered boarding establishments. Other states have their own rules.
- Selling food or treats? Food businesses need to follow food safety rules. Check with your council.
- Animal welfare laws apply to everyone who cares for animals.
Running it from home? See Running a legitimate home-based business.
Set up for safety and trust
Owners are trusting you with a family member. Set clear standards from day one.
- Meet first. Meet the owner and pet before the first booking. Note temperament, health, diet and triggers.
- Check vaccinations and parasite treatment where relevant, especially for group walks, boarding and grooming.
- Get it in writing. Use a simple agreement covering services, prices, cancellations, emergency vet consent, key handling and what happens if something goes wrong.
- Keep emergency details: the owner’s contacts, the pet’s vet and a nearby emergency vet.
- Handle animals safely: secure leads, suitable vehicle restraints, and know your limits with large, anxious or aggressive dogs.
- Look after yourself and any staff: bites, scratches, lifting and chemicals are real risks. See Workplace health and safety.
Talk to an insurance broker about cover for your activity. This guide doesn’t recommend insurance products.
Pricing
- Know your costs: travel, time, products, insurance, booking software and your own pay.
- Price per service, with clear add-ons (extra pets, longer visits, weekends, public holidays, medication).
- Check local rates, but compete on reliability and care, not just price.
- Set a cancellation policy and stick to it.
See Financial planning and cash flow.
Finding customers
- Google Business Profile and reviews. Most owners search locally.
- Referrals from vets, groomers, pet shops, trainers and happy customers. See Networking and referrals.
- Local community groups and noticeboards.
- Photos and updates during each booking. Owners share them, and they become your best marketing.
- Repeat bookings: offer regular slots for walking and grooming.
Growing the business
- Add services that suit your customers, such as walking clients who need holiday sitting.
- Hire carefully and train people in your standards. See Hiring your first employee.
- Use booking software with reminders, payments and pet records.
- Consider a franchise only after careful research. See Buying a franchise.
Common questions
Do I need a licence to start a pet business?
It depends on the activity and where you are. Boarding, breeding, pet shops and training establishments are often regulated by councils and state animal welfare laws. In Victoria, for example, boarding establishments must register with their council. Use ABLIS on business.gov.au to check your situation.
What pet business can I start with little money?
Dog walking and pet sitting usually need the least up-front cost: good insurance, a few leads and treats, a booking system and a reliable vehicle or local area. Grooming, boarding and training need more equipment, premises or qualifications.
Can I run a pet business from home?
Many pet businesses start at home, but check council rules first. Keeping other people’s animals at home, such as home boarding, may need council registration and can be limited by zoning, noise and the number of animals allowed.
How do I build trust with pet owners?
Meet the owner and pet first, put the arrangement in writing, check vaccinations and health needs, send updates and photos, and be reliable. Reviews and referrals from happy owners are the strongest marketing for pet businesses.