What Businesses Can My Kids Start Around Pets?

Feb. 26, 2015

Dear Cathy:

My family loves pets.  We have always had a dog and cat.  I am unaware of any pet businesses that my boys, 12 and 13, can start.  Are there businesses we can create that deals with animals?  Animal Lover, Midwest

Dear Animal Lover:

Over 60% of all homes have pets so starting a business dealing with pets just makes sense.  There are many businesses that your kids can start dealing with pets.  In Chapter 4 of my business book “The New CEO: 185 Easy-To-Set Up Businesses for Youth and Adult Entrepreneurs,” there is a list of eleven different businesses dealing with animals especially dogs and cats. 

Here is a short list of these businesses with a short description:

-Pet Sitting/Puppy Daycare - Everyone needs a break from their pets so you can run a pet sitting/puppy daycare business out of your home, go into your client’s homes or obtain a facility in the community.

-Pet walking - Many pet owners have to come home at lunch or early in the evening just to walk their animals.  This causes undue stress on people so they would love for you to walk these animals for them.

-Pet Photography - Pet owners will pay you up to $200 or more to take pictures of their animals so buy a camera and get started today.  There are all types of possibilities to merchandise these pictures by putting them on glasses, mugs, calenders, T-shirts, etc.

You can set up any of these businesses dealing with animals for less than $100 within the next two weeks.  This does not include becoming legitimate or putting up a website.   You can conduct more research for each business in libraries, online and ask a vet to mentor your kids.  For a list of each step to take to set up the business, read Chapter 2 of “How To Take Control of Your Own Life: A Self-Help Guide to Starting Your Own Business.”