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The pet industry has registered an impressive growth rate in the last couple of years, with recent projections pointing to a bullish outlook. Whether you’re a pet lover or a random investor, starting a pet business might be one of your best investment decisions ever.
Fortunately, there are plenty of amazing ways to venture into the lucrative pet industry. This article explores 35 creative pet business ideas. But first, let’s begin by outlining the steps to follow in launching a successful pet-related venture.
Questions to Settle Before Starting a Pet Business
Are you passionate about animals?
You’ve probably read countless publications citing passion as a key success ingredient in entrepreneurship. The case is no different when it comes to starting a pet business.
You really need to be passionate about pets and animals in general to launch a successful pet business. And besides putting your money where your heart is, it would also help to research deeply and arm yourself with everything there is to know about pets.
How big is the pet industry?
We’ve already hinted that the pet industry is incredibly lucrative. But just how big is the industry?
According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) (1), about two-thirds of households in the United States own at least one pet. The same organization indicates that Americans spent $103.6 billion on pets in 2020, a significant increase from $48 billion in 2010.
On the global front (2), the pet market is estimated to be worth USD 261 billion.
What’s your local pet market like?
It’s not simply enough to know that the pet industry is profitable. You should also endeavor to research your local pet market.
For instance, you’ll realize that the pet business is generally more profitable in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. But even if you’re targeting any of these countries, you’ll still need to identify a gap in your local market.
What’s your area of specialization?
When most people think of pets, it’s usually cats and dogs that come to mind. However, there are tons of other animals that you can domesticate and keep as pets. Examples include rodents like hamsters, reptiles like snakes, birds like parrots, insects, and numerous fish species.
Choosing your area of specialization will depend primarily on two factors – passion and demand. It may be tempting to start a snake business if you’re into serpents. But you’ll need to establish that there’s a significant demand for snake services in your local market.
According to figures by the APPA, freshwater fish, cats, and dogs were the most popular pets in the United States between 2017 and 2018. Americans owned approximately 139.3 million freshwater fish, 94.2 million cats, and 89.7 million dogs during this period.
How much money is at your disposal?
Every astute investor understands the importance of staking only that which you can afford to lose. Fortunately, most pet business ideas are not capital-intensive.
As you shall find, some of these ideas do not require any starting capital. All you need is sufficient knowledge of the pets of your interest and you’re good to go.
Do you have a business plan?
A business plan is critical to the success of any venture, regardless of its scale. Ideally, a pet business plan should detail the following;
• Location of the business
• Availability of (or means for raising) starting capital
• Management of operational costs
• Expense tracking through bookkeeping
• Marketing techniques
• Continuity and contingency plans
What are the registration requirements?
This is usually the final step before making a pet business operational.
Depending on your jurisdiction, there may be limitations on the manner in which you can invest in the pet industry. For instance, some localities prohibit the domestication of venomous serpents for safety reasons. So, be sure to share your business plan with the local authorities for preapproval before moving ahead.
It’s also at this point that you’ll secure the relevant licenses and permits, in addition to learning about your tax obligations. If all looks well, proceed to register your company.
35 Unique Pet Business Ideas
1. Pet Sitting Business
This is arguably the most common pet-related business idea. It simply entails going to people’s homes and looking after their animals in their absence.
2. Pet Boarding Business
Pet boarding is nearly similar to pet sitting. The difference is that in pet boarding, you’ll need to avail a facility where pet owners can drop off their animals and have them looked after while they’re gone. Think of it as a pet daycare.
3. Pet Walking Business
Many pet owners understand the importance of having their animals walked and exercised daily. That explains the ever-increasing demand for pet walking services.
4. Pet Training Business
There’s a significant number of pet owners who do not have the skill or time to train their animals and are looking for someone to do it for them. You can tap into this demand by launching a pet training business. Just find a suitable venue and the requisite training facilities.
5. Pet Bathing Business
Bathing a pet at home can easily turn into a messy affair. No wonder many pet owners prefer to have the service performed by someone skilled. And that’s where you come in.
6. Pet Grooming Business
If you’re already skilled in pet bathing, you shouldn’t have a problem rendering pet grooming services too.
7. Pet Spa Business
The past few years have witnessed a growing demand for pet spa services. Examples of services you can offer in your pet spa business include massage, acupuncture, psychotherapy, and hydrotherapy.
8. Pet Finder Business
A pet finder business is all about helping distraught pet owners reconnect with their furry, feathery, or scaly friends while making money in the process.
9. Pet Breeding Business
Starting a pet breeding facility is one of the most lucrative ways to venture into the pet industry. That’s for the simple reason that there will always be a demand for pets across the world.
10. Pet Adoption Business
Pet adoption is where you temporarily hold stray, lost, or neglected pets before they find a suitable home. The concept sounds a lot like charity work. But it can also serve as a viable money-minting venture.
11. Pet Marketing Business
If you’re looking for a hands-off approach to investing in the pet industry, then you might consider starting a pet marketing business. There are tons of pet companies looking for people to promote their products and services.
You have the option of conducting your marketing campaigns using traditional product promotion methods like flyer distribution. Alternatively, you can consider digital marketing strategies like search engine optimization (SEO).
12. Pet Blogging
Pet blogging allows you to share valuable animal-related information with the world as you earn extra bucks on the side. You can render blogging services for another pet company or simply manage your own blog.
Depending on your efforts, you could earn thousands of dollars monthly from monetized content, sponsored ads, and merchandise sales on your platform.
13. Pet Magazine Publishing
Pet magazine publishing is simply the print version of pet blogging.
14. Social Media Management for Pet Celebrities
There are numerous pets that have gone viral and amassed a cult following on various social media platforms. Examples include Pudgy the Chihuahua, Doug the Pug, and Juniper the Fox.
Most social media accounts for these animals are managed by their owners, many of whom are not skilled enough. If you think you can run a thriving social networking channel, you could get in touch with these owners and pitch your services to them.
15. Pet Movie Producing
Pet movie production entails making pet-related films. Note that rigorous effort will be required to train a pet into a skilled actor. But the efforts are ultimately rewarding.
16. Pet Radio Talk Show or Podcast
Starting a radio talk show or podcast to address key issues affecting animals is another ingenious way to enter the pet industry. As you rack up a huge listenership, it will only be a matter of time before you begin earning from sponsorship deals.
17. Pet Travel Business
Traveling with animals is one of the most stressful experiences. That’s especially if moving across locations that aren’t very pet friendly. You could start a travel company dedicated to helping pet owners safely move their animals.
18. Veterinarian Clinic
Like humans, pets require medical care from time to time. The vast majority of animal health issues are handled by veterinarians.
However, the one glaring drawback to this business opportunity is that it requires years of rigorous training. Besides, you must be licensed and accredited by reputable pet organizations in your region.
19. Mobile Pet Clinic Service Provider
If you’re already a licensed vet, providing mobile pet clinic services can be a creative way to outsmart your competitors. All you need is a vehicle that’s well-equipped with emergency drugs and medical instruments.
20. Pet Nutritionist
A pet nutritionist specializes in prescribing pet food. Just like veterinarians, pet nutritionists must be duly trained, licensed, and accredited.
21. Pet Insurance Business
There are millions of pet parents who cherish their animals so much to insure them against injuries, diseases, and death. If you understand the dynamics of insurance, you can set up an insurance firm dedicated to pets.
22. Pet Restaurant Business
A pet restaurant business can be viewed in two aspects – a restaurant that allows pet owners to bring their animals with them while dining and one where pets are the actual diners. Either way, starting a pet restaurant is a viable business idea you should consider exploring.
23. Pet Food Manufacturing
This is one of the most capital-intensive pet business ideas on this list. But if everything works out fine, the returns can be astronomical.
24. Organic Pet Treat Manufacturing
Pet owners are increasingly becoming concerned with the safety of the ingredients in animal foods. So, instead of simply establishing a pet food manufacturing firm, you could consider one that specializes in organic treats.
25. Pet Toy Manufacturing
Pets need toys nearly as much as they need food, which makes toy manufacturing another profitable way to venture into the pet industry.
26. Pet Clothes Manufacturing
Contrary to what many investors may think, the cost of starting a pet clothes manufacturing business is surprisingly low.
27. Pet Grooming Supplies Manufacturing
A pet grooming supplies company can be operated as a standalone business or in conjunction with pet clothes manufacturing company.
28. Pet Drugs Manufacturing
Still on the manufacturing sector, there’s the option of becoming an animal drugs manufacturer. Just remember that this idea requires experience in pharmaceuticals.
29. Pet Product Testing Business
Before animal products (food, toys, grooming supplies, etc.) are released to the general public, they must first be tested for safety and effectivity. You can start a pet business geared entirely towards product testing.
30. Poop Scooping Business
As the name implies, poop scooping entails visiting your clients’ properties regularly to collect and dispose of pet feces.
31. Aquarium Maintenance
Aquarium maintenance is an intricate business that primarily involves undertaking routine cleaning and maintenance works on your clients’ aquariums. You may also consider selling related products like food and décor items.
32. Pet Portrait Business
If you have an artistic flair, you could make decent cash painting and selling animal portraits.
33. Pet Photography Business
In case you find the job of painting animal portraits a little too tedious, you may consider pet photography.
34. Pet Tag Engraving Business
Nearly all collared pets you’ll come across have tags bearing their owner’s names and contact information. So, starting a pet tag engraving business may prove to be a sound investment decision.
35. Pet Cremation Service
A pet cremation service offers pet parents a chance to give their deceased animals a decent send-off while earning you paychecks in the process. Obviously, some pet owners may prefer burial to cremation. But the concept is the same nonetheless.
Wrap Up
As with any investment, it’s imperative to conduct in-depth research and draft a comprehensive business plan before setting up a pet-related venture. Adequate planning can go a long way in helping your business take off on a positive note.
Reference Links:
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https://www.shopify.com/blog/pet-business/
https://howtostartanllc.com/business-ideas/categories/business-ideas-for-animal-lovers/
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/small-business/pet-business-ideas/
https://www.qcpetstudies.com/blog/2021/09/22-lucrative-pet-business-ideas-anyone-can-start/
https://www.thimble.com/blog/pet-business-ideas/