9 Pet Side Hustles for Animal Lovers

Ready to turn your passion for animals into a flexible and profitable side hustle?

From pet sitting to animal photography, there are many options for supplementing your income while making a difference in the lives of pets and their owners.

Here are 9 pet side hustles that could be a perfect fit for animal lovers like you:

1. Pet sitting and boarding

Boarding facilities like kennels and pet resorts can be a great resource for pet owners, but they’re often expensive and can be overwhelming for reactive or nervous animals. Because of this, many pet owners have turned to individualized, private pet care.

So, is pet sitting a good side hustle? As it turns out, it's one of the easiest pet-related side hustles to break into! You can specialize in pet boarding in your own home or offer overnight pet sitting in client homes. Either way, there are several platforms that can help you get started:

• Rover
• TrustedHousesitters
• Wag!
• Care.com
• PetBacker
• Fetch! Pet Care
• PetSitter.com

Pros and cons of pet sitting and boarding

Pros

• Flexible schedule.
• Personalized care.

Cons

• Potential for pet accidents.
• Variable income.

2. Dog walking

Busy pet parents who work outside the home will often need someone to walk their dogs during the day – and they’re willing to pay! You get a chance to exercise pups and provide much-needed companionship while getting outside and exercising yourself.

As with any pet-related side hustle, make sure you receive clear instructions from the owner on the dog's behavior, leash requirements, and any specific needs. This will ensure a positive and safe walking experience for their beloved pet.

Pros and cons of dog walking

Pros

• Outdoor activity.
• Build client relationships.

Cons

• Weather-dependent.
• Physical demands.

3. Drop-in visits & medication administration

Are you more of a cat person? Or maybe you’d rather work with our feathered or scaly friends? If so, you might specialize in offering drop-in services for pet owners on vacation.

Drop-in visits give pet parents peace of mind while they’re away. Your services can include daily feeding, water replenishment, medication administration, and 15-30 minutes of playtime and companionship.

Pros and cons of drop-in pet visits

Pros

• Easy tasks.
• Short visits.

Cons

• Inconsistent schedule.
• Handling medications.

4. Pet grooming

Experienced pet groomers are in high demand, especially when they offer in-home services. How long it takes to become a groomer will vary by training program, but it can last anywhere from a two-week crash course to a one-year certification program.

There are other options if you don’t have time to complete an apprenticeship or certification course. Instead of pet grooming, you can offer pet bathing and nail trimming services, which don't require special certifications. You’ll still want to gain experience before charging clients, but you can do this with your own pets.

Pros and cons of pet grooming

Pros

• High demand.
• Build expertise.

Cons

• Need for equipment.
• Potential for pet stress.

5. Dog training

Speaking as someone who regrets not having their dog professionally trained, dog training services are a sure money-maker. People are willing to pay top dollar for obedience, trick, and service dog training.

However, you should receive your own training and certification before offering these services. One way to do this is by joining the Association of Professional Dog Trainers and working toward the title of Certified Professional Dog Trainer. You'll have to put in 300 hours of training and pass an exam, but it's the best way to become a certified dog trainer.

Pros and cons of dog training

Pros

• Rewarding results.
• Specialized skill.

Cons

• Time-intensive.
• Need for certification.

6. Pet and wildlife photography

If you have a good eye and the right camera equipment, pet and wildlife photography is the perfect side hustle.

Through pet photography, you can capture adorable pet portraits and action shots that pet parents will cherish forever. You can also earn up to $500 per session if you're an amateur or $1,000+ if you're a professional photographer!

Prefer a more hands-off approach? Wildlife photographers are master observers, capturing quiet moments in nature. Once you’ve built up a strong portfolio, you can sell prints at art shows, sell stock photos online, or even offer photography workshops.

Pros and cons of pet and wildlife photography

Pros

• Creative outlet.
• High income potential.

Cons

• Competitive field.
• High startup costs.

7. Selling handmade pet products

Want to put your crafting skills to the test? Consider making handmade pet products!

Whether you prefer to craft unique collars, bandanas, or healthy treats, Etsy and similar platforms are great places to market your wares.

Just be sure to list your ingredients on any pet treats so potential clients can avoid exposing their furbabies to any known food allergens.

Pros and cons of selling handmade pet products

Pros

• Artistic expression.
• Flexible production.

Cons

• Market saturation.
• Time-consuming.

8. Private bark parks

One of the more unique ways to make money with a pet side hustle is to open up your yard to other dogs in the neighborhood.

This is an idea I recently stumbled upon when I was looking for dog parks near me. While there aren't any dog parks close by, there are several local homeowners who list their outdoor spaces on apps like Sniffspot for a small fee.

If you have a fenced-in yard and want to make extra cash, this is one of the easiest ways to do it. You'll also get to meet new people, and your dog can meet new playmates!

Pros and cons of private bark parks

Pros

• Utilize existing space.
• Builds community.

Cons

• Liability concerns.
• May require neighborhood approval.

9. Pet blogging and social media

Have you ever wished your pet could earn its keep and contribute to the rent? Well, if they go viral, they can!

This one isn’t a sure thing, but establishing your pet’s social media presence is the first step. If you post enough cute pictures and videos of them, they may catch the attention of companies willing to send them free products to review. If they go viral, they may even earn royalties.

You can also use your pet knowledge to start a blog and turn it into a small income. Popular blogs that generate ad revenue can earn hundreds or even thousands of dollars per month, but you’ll need to post content regularly and often.

Pros and cons of pet blogging and social media

Pros

• Share your passion.
• Potential for virality.

Cons

• Time-consuming.
• Unpredictable income.

Start your pet side hustle today!

As you can see, there are many ways to earn extra money in the pet industry. Not only can you supplement your income, but you can also enjoy flexible hours and work with the types of clients you love – pets!