Published on 05/08/2026 by Any Business.Com.Au

Australia's Love of Pets Creates Small Business Opportunities

Australia is a nation of pet lovers, and the strength of the country's connection with companion animals continues to create opportunities for small business owners.

Pets are increasingly viewed as valued members of the family rather than simply animals kept for companionship. This shift has changed the way many Australians spend on their pets, with owners placing greater importance on their animals' health, comfort, appearance, behaviour and overall wellbeing.

From grooming and boarding to dog walking, training, pet sitting and veterinary care, pet services have become an important part of everyday life for many households. For entrepreneurs considering business ownership, the sector offers several attractive characteristics: a large and growing customer base, recurring demand, strong customer loyalty and the potential to build reliable income through repeat bookings.

While no business is completely immune to economic conditions, many essential pet services can demonstrate resilience because owners often continue prioritising their pets' core needs, even when household budgets are under pressure.

A large and growing market

Australia has one of the highest rates of pet ownership in the world. According to Animal Medicines Australia's 2025 Pets in Australia survey, approximately 73 per cent of Australian households have at least one pet. That represents around 7.7 million households and an estimated 31.6 million pets nationwide. Pet ownership has continued to increase from 69 per cent of households in 2022 and 61 per cent in 2019.

The size of the pet population creates a substantial customer base for businesses that support animals throughout their lives. A pet may require regular grooming, routine healthcare, behavioural training, exercise, accommodation while its owners travel and specialised care as it ages.

Unlike some consumer markets that rely heavily on one-off purchases, pet services are often connected to ongoing needs. A dog may need grooming every six to eight weeks. A busy owner may book regular dog walks each week. A family may return to the same boarding provider whenever they go away. These recurring requirements can help create a more consistent flow of customers and revenue.

Spending is also increasing. Animal Medicines Australia reported that Australian pet-related expenditure reached more than $21 billion in the 12 months to March 2025, representing significant growth compared with 2022.

Although food remains a major component of overall pet spending, the broader growth of the sector reflects the increasing importance Australians place on professional pet care, health and wellbeing.

Pets are increasingly treated as family

The growing humanisation of pets is one of the key forces supporting demand for pet services.

Many owners now make decisions about their pets in much the same way they make decisions about other family members. They seek trusted professionals, research service quality, read reviews and are often willing to pay for convenience, expertise and peace of mind.

This can create opportunities across a wide range of services, including:

• Pet grooming and washing
• Dog walking and exercise services
• Pet sitting and in-home care
• Boarding facilities and pet accommodation
• Dog daycare
• Obedience and behavioural training
• Veterinary and preventative healthcare
• Rehabilitation and mobility support
• Pet transport
• Specialist care for senior pets
• Nutrition and wellness services

The diversity of the sector means business ownership does not necessarily follow a single model. Some operators work from a commercial premises, while others provide mobile or home-based services. A business may begin as a sole operator and expand by employing staff, adding vehicles, opening additional locations or introducing complementary services.

For buyers considering an established business, the sector can also provide opportunities to acquire an existing customer base, trained employees, operating systems and a reputation that has already been built within the local community.

Customer loyalty can create valuable repeat business

Trust is especially important in pet services.

When owners leave their pet with a groomer, trainer, boarding facility, daycare provider or veterinary team, they are placing the care of a valued family member in someone else's hands. They want confidence that their pet will be treated safely, patiently and professionally.

Once an owner finds a provider they trust, they may be reluctant to change.

A dog that is comfortable with a particular groomer may experience less stress during future appointments. A boarding business that understands an animal's routine, dietary requirements and personality can become the owner's preferred choice whenever they travel. A trainer who has helped address a behavioural issue may receive repeat bookings and referrals from satisfied clients.

This loyalty can provide an important commercial advantage.

Repeat customers may reduce the amount a business needs to spend on constantly finding new clients. Regular bookings can also make revenue easier to forecast, particularly when customers follow predictable service schedules.

For example, a grooming business may develop a regular cycle of appointments, while a dog-walking business may build recurring weekly bookings. A daycare provider may have customers attending on the same days each week, and a boarding business may experience repeat demand during school holidays and other peak travel periods.

Over time, a strong customer base can become one of the most valuable assets of a pet services business.

Predictable income through recurring demand

Many pet services are naturally suited to repeat revenue.

A business that depends entirely on occasional transactions may experience significant variation from month to month. In comparison, services based on regular care can develop more stable income patterns.

Recurring revenue may be supported through:

• Regular grooming schedules
• Weekly dog-walking appointments
• Ongoing daycare arrangements
• Training programs delivered over several sessions
• Membership or subscription packages
• Preventative healthcare plans
• Repeat boarding bookings
• Scheduled care for senior or high-needs pets

Businesses may also create opportunities to increase customer value by offering related services. A grooming provider may sell pet-care products or add services such as nail trimming, coat treatments and dental hygiene. A daycare business may provide grooming, training or transport. A boarding facility may offer premium accommodation, individual exercise sessions or specialised care packages.

The goal is not simply to sell more services. It is to provide useful solutions that make pet ownership easier while strengthening the relationship with the customer.

Demand can remain resilient during economic pressure

Economic downturns can affect almost every industry, and pet services are not exempt. When household budgets tighten, some owners may reduce discretionary spending, delay non-essential services or look for lower-cost alternatives.

However, core pet care can be more resilient than many discretionary consumer categories because pets continue to require care regardless of economic conditions.

Animals still need to be fed, exercised, groomed, housed and treated when they are unwell. Working owners may continue to require dog walking or daycare. Families travelling for essential reasons may still need boarding or pet-sitting services. Older pets may require ongoing health and mobility support.

The emotional bond between owners and their pets can also influence spending decisions. Many people are prepared to adjust other areas of their budget before reducing care they consider important to their animal's health, safety or quality of life.

This does not mean every pet service will perform equally during a downturn. Premium or highly discretionary offerings may be more exposed to changing consumer confidence. However, businesses that provide reliable, practical and essential services may benefit from a relatively stable foundation of demand.

A well-managed business can also improve resilience by offering different service levels. For example, a provider may maintain a core service at an accessible price while offering optional premium upgrades for customers who want additional convenience or personalised care.

A sector with multiple business ownership pathways

Pet services can appeal to a wide range of prospective business owners because there are many ways to enter the market.

A mobile dog-grooming business may have lower premises costs than a large grooming salon. A pet-sitting or dog-walking business may be established with relatively modest equipment, depending on local regulations and the scale of operations. A larger boarding or daycare facility may require more substantial investment but could support higher capacity and a broader range of services.

Common ownership models include:

Mobile pet services

Mobile grooming, washing and pet-care businesses bring services directly to customers. Convenience can be a strong selling point, particularly for busy households, older owners or people with limited transport options.

Grooming salons

A fixed-location grooming business may build a strong local customer base and benefit from regular appointments. Additional revenue may come from retail products and specialised treatments.

Pet boarding and accommodation

Boarding businesses can benefit from repeat travel-related demand. Peak periods may include school holidays, long weekends and major holiday seasons.

Dog daycare

Daycare services can support recurring weekly bookings from owners who work long hours or spend extended periods away from home.

Training and behavioural services

Professional training can help owners address obedience, socialisation and behavioural challenges. Strong outcomes can generate referrals and repeat work.

Pet healthcare and wellness

Veterinary practices, rehabilitation providers and other health-focused businesses may benefit from ongoing demand throughout an animal's life. These businesses can require specific qualifications, registrations and professional expertise.

Specialist and niche services

Specialised services may include senior pet care, pet transport, rehabilitation, breed-specific grooming or support for animals with additional needs. A clear niche can help a business stand out in a competitive market.

Word-of-mouth can be a powerful growth driver

Pet owners often rely on recommendations when choosing a provider.

A positive experience can lead to referrals through friends, family, local community groups, veterinary networks and social media. Because trust is so important, personal recommendations may carry considerable weight.

A business that consistently delivers reliable service may benefit from organic growth without relying entirely on paid advertising.

Customer reviews can also play an important role. Prospective clients may look for evidence that a provider is professional, responsive and capable of caring for animals with different personalities and needs.

Strong customer service can therefore be just as important as technical skill.

Clear communication, dependable booking systems, transparent pricing and regular updates can help build confidence. Small details, such as remembering a pet's preferences or providing owners with an update after a service, may strengthen relationships and encourage repeat bookings.

Opportunities to build a scalable business

A pet services business can begin as a small owner-operated venture and grow over time.

Once demand is established, expansion may involve:

• Hiring additional groomers, carers or trainers
• Adding vehicles to a mobile operation
• Increasing service capacity
• Opening another location
• Extending operating hours
• Introducing complementary services
• Developing membership or subscription programs
• Expanding into nearby suburbs or regional areas
• Building partnerships with veterinary practices, pet retailers or animal-related organisations

Technology can also support growth. Online bookings, automated appointment reminders, customer relationship systems and digital payment tools can improve efficiency and make it easier to manage a growing client base.

For an established business, documented processes and a capable team may reduce reliance on the owner and make the operation more scalable.

What to consider before buying or starting a pet services business

The positive outlook for the sector does not remove the need for careful planning.

Pet care is a responsibility-driven industry, and business owners must balance commercial goals with animal welfare, safety and service quality.

Before starting or purchasing a business, it is important to consider:

Local demand

The number of pet-owning households is important, but local demand should be assessed in detail. Consider population growth, household demographics, housing types and the number of competing providers.

Competition

Competition is not always a negative sign. A strong concentration of pet businesses may indicate healthy demand. However, buyers should understand how a business is differentiated and whether it has a clear competitive advantage.

Staffing

Experienced and reliable staff can be essential, particularly in grooming, training, boarding and healthcare. Employee retention may have a direct impact on customer loyalty.

Regulations and compliance

Requirements may vary depending on the service, location and type of animals involved. Boarding, veterinary and animal-care businesses may be subject to licensing, planning, animal welfare, health and safety or local government requirements.

Premises and equipment

A facility should be suitable for the animals being cared for and designed to support safe, efficient operations. Buyers should assess maintenance requirements, lease conditions and the cost of future upgrades.

Customer concentration

A broad customer base can reduce reliance on a small number of clients. It is also useful to understand how much revenue comes from repeat customers and whether key customers are likely to remain after a change of ownership.

Seasonal demand

Boarding businesses may experience strong peaks during holiday periods, while other services may have more consistent year-round demand. Understanding these patterns is important for staffing and cash-flow planning.

Financial performance

When buying an established business, review revenue, expenses, profitability, customer retention and booking trends. It is important to understand whether earnings are sustainable and how dependent the business is on the current owner.

Building a business around trust and care

The strongest pet services businesses are often built around more than a love of animals.

Passion can be an important starting point, but long-term success also requires sound business management, reliable systems, financial discipline and a clear understanding of customer needs.

Owners should focus on creating an experience that gives customers confidence. This may include qualified staff, consistent care standards, clear policies, effective communication and a safe environment.

Businesses that combine genuine care with professional operations may be well positioned to build long-lasting customer relationships.

The outlook for pet services

Australia's high rate of pet ownership, growing pet population and increasing expenditure on animal care provide a strong foundation for the pet services sector.

The market is supported by several long-term trends: pets are increasingly treated as family members, owners are seeking greater convenience and professional support, and many services are required on a regular basis.

Customer loyalty can create recurring bookings and more predictable income, while the essential nature of many core services may provide a degree of resilience during periods of economic uncertainty.

For prospective small business owners, pet services offer a broad range of entry points, from mobile and home-based operations to established grooming salons, daycare centres, boarding facilities and specialist care businesses.

As with any business, success depends on careful research, strong financial management and a clear understanding of the local market. However, for entrepreneurs who can combine professional service with genuine care for animals, the sector offers the potential to build a business supported by repeat customers, trusted relationships and enduring demand.

Finding the right opportunity

Buying an established pet services business may provide a faster pathway into the sector by offering an existing customer base, established systems, trained employees and a recognised local brand.

Before proceeding, prospective buyers should assess the business's financial performance, customer retention, staffing, compliance requirements and potential for future growth. Professional advice can also help buyers understand the value of the business and structure a purchase appropriately.

With pet ownership continuing to grow and Australians placing increasing value on the health and wellbeing of their companion animals, pet services remain a sector worth considering for those exploring small business ownership.

AnyBusiness.com.au

Curtis is a leading expert in the business-for-sale industry, serving as a senior content creator at anybusiness.com.au.

With a career spanning over fifteen years, Curtis has accumulated extensive knowledge in the domain of business sales, acquisitions, and valuations. His deep understanding of market dynamics and his ability to translate complex industry jargon into accessible insights make him a trusted resource for entrepreneurs and business owners looking to buy or sell businesses.

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