Pet Care – jobswithanimals.co.uk

Why should I consider a career in pet care?

The UK loves its pets, and the people who care for them professionally are in higher demand than ever. Pet care is one of the most accessible and varied sectors in the animal world. It covers everything from dog grooming and walking, to pet sitting and hydrotherapy.

Whether you are looking for a career change, a flexible way to work with animals alongside other commitments, or the foundation for building your own business, pet care offers real opportunities without necessarily requiring years of formal education first. The sector is growing fast: UK pet owners spend over £8 billion a year on their pets, and demand for professional pet services has risen sharply since the pandemic. If you want to work with animals every day and make a real difference to their wellbeing, pet care is one of the most direct routes to doing exactly that.

What kinds of pet care jobs are available?

Dog groomer — one of the most popular roles in the sector, involving bathing, styling, clipping, and caring for the coats, nails, and overall presentation of dogs. Groomers work in grooming salons, mobile vans, veterinary practices, and pet superstores. Dog grooming was the most searched career change in the UK in 2025, with over 19,000 average monthly Google searches, reflecting huge growth in demand for professional grooming services.

Dog walker — taking dogs out for exercise, socialisation, and enrichment on behalf of their owners. Many dog walkers build their own client base and work independently, while others work for established dog walking agencies. A physically active, outdoor role with significant flexibility.

Pet sitter and home boarder — looking after pets in their own home or yours while owners are away or at work. Home boarding has grown significantly since the pandemic as pet owners prefer their animals to stay in a home environment rather than kennels.

Kennel and cattery assistant — working in boarding facilities, providing daily care, feeding, exercise, and monitoring for dogs and cats in their owners' absence. An excellent entry point into the sector.

Pet hydrotherapist — working with dogs recovering from surgery or managing long-term conditions through water-based rehabilitation. A growing specialism that requires specific qualifications and registration.

Pet shop and animal retail — working in specialist pet stores, advising customers on nutrition, housing, and care for a wide range of species. The sector includes approximately 3,000 pet shops in the UK.

Self-employed pet care professional — many people in this sector run their own businesses combining services such as walking, sitting, grooming, and training. Low start-up costs and high demand make pet care one of the more accessible routes to self-employment for animal lovers.

Do I need qualifications to work in pet care?

Pet care is one of the most accessible sectors in the animal world in terms of entry requirements. For dog walking, pet sitting, and home boarding, no formal qualifications are required, though relevant experience with animals, a good understanding of animal behaviour, and appropriate insurance are essential.

For dog grooming, a recognised qualification such as a City & Guilds Level 2 or 3 in Dog Grooming or a course from an accredited school like Groomarts is strongly recommended and will significantly improve your employability and client confidence.

For pet hydrotherapy, registration with the NARCH (National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists) or IRVAP requires a specific qualification, typically a Level 3 Certificate in Hydrotherapy for Small Animals.

For home boarding, you are legally required to hold a Home Boarding Licence from your local authority under the Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) Regulations 2018. Professional bodies like NARPS (National Association of Registered Pet Sitters) provide a framework for standards and insurance.

For those wanting to build a business, a qualification in animal behaviour alongside your practical skills will make you a much more rounded and credible practitioner.

Job security & demand: is pet care a stable career?

The UK pet care market is growing consistently, driven by rising pet ownership, increasing willingness to spend on professional services, and the post-pandemic reality that many pet owners who returned to work needed professional support they hadn't needed before.

The UK pet grooming market alone is projected to grow at around 5-6% per year through to 2030. UK pet owners now spend approximately £8.2 billion annually on their pets, with grooming products accounting for £1.2 billion of that spend.

There are estimated to be around 15.5 million dogs in the UK , creating a wave of demand for grooming, walking, and care services that the market is still catching up with.

For those willing to build their own client base or work with an established agency, the demand environment is as favourable as it has ever been.

£8.2 billion

Spent by UK pet owners on their pets every year, fuelling consistent and growing demand for professional pet care services

62%

Of UK households own a pet

5-6%

Projected annual growth rate of the UK pet grooming services market through to 2030

Source: UK Pet Industry Statistics, 2026 (Gitnux)

UK Pet Food Annual Report, 2026

Source: Grand View Research, 2025

£8.2 billion

Spent by UK pet owners on their pets every year, fuelling consistent and growing demand for professional pet care services

Source: UK Pet Industry Statistics, 2026 (Gitnux)

62%

Of UK households own a pet

UK Pet Food Annual Report, 2026

5-6%

Projected annual growth rate of the UK pet grooming services market through to 2030

Source: Grand View Research, 2025

The good bits

You work with animals every single day. For people who love animals, the daily reality of pet care work is exactly what it sounds like: dogs, cats, and other companion animals are your colleagues and clients
Genuine flexibility. Many pet care roles, particularly dog walking, pet sitting, and grooming, offer real control over your hours and workload, which suits people with other commitments or who simply value autonomy
Low barriers to entry. Compared to most other animal careers, you can start building experience and even income in pet care without years of study or significant qualifications
Strong demand. The post-pandemic pet ownership surge has created a supply gap that the sector is still filling, meaning skilled and reliable pet care professionals are genuinely sought after
Self-employment opportunity. Pet care is one of the most viable sectors for building your own business from scratch, with relatively low start-up costs and strong word-of-mouth growth potential
Community. Regular clients become long-term relationships, and the bond between a good pet carer and the families they support is genuinely warm and rewarding

The not-so-good bits

Income can be variable, particularly in the early stages of building a client base as a self-employed pet carer. Consistency takes time to establish
Physical demands. Dog walking in particular is physically demanding, involving outdoor work in all weathers with dogs of varying sizes and temperaments
Lone working. Many pet care roles involve working independently, which suits some people well but can feel isolating for others
Emotional attachment. Building close relationships with animals you care for regularly means their illness, loss, or rehoming can be genuinely difficult
Regulation is increasing. Licensing requirements for home boarders and dog walkers are growing, which is good for the sector's professionalism but adds administrative responsibilities for self-employed workers
Managing difficult dogs. Not every dog you walk or groom will be easy to handle, and dealing with fearful, reactive, or poorly trained animals requires skill, patience, and sometimes a thick skin

Watch & Listen

Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly (Channel 4) - while focused on behaviour, it gives a brilliant insight into the human-dog relationship and what professional animal care looks like at its best
The Dog House (Channel 4) - set at Wood Green animal charity, this series shows the deep knowledge and care that goes into matching dogs with the right homes and owners
Well Groomed (Amazon Prime Video) - a documentary exploring the world of competitive creative dog grooming, showcasing the skill, artistry and dedication involved in professional grooming at the highest level.

Read

In Defence of Dogs by John Bradshaw - an essential read for anyone working with dogs, exploring canine behaviour and what dogs actually need from their relationships with humans
The Other End of the Leash by Patricia McConnell - also referenced in the Training & Behaviour guide, this book is equally valuable for anyone in a pet care role
Groomarts Blog - practical, industry-specific content for groomers and pet care professionals at all levels

Explore

NARPS - the National Association of Registered Pet Sitters, the professional body for pet sitters and home boarders in the UK
Groomarts - one of the UK's leading dog grooming schools, with courses at all levels
NARCH - the National Association of Registered Canine Hydrotherapists. Providing public and veterinary professionals with advice and guidance

Where can I find pet care jobs?

You're already in the right place! Browse our Pet Care jobs to see the latest roles from across the UK.

If you love animals, value flexibility, and want a career that brings genuine joy to both you and the people and pets you work with, pet care is one of the most rewarding and accessible routes into the animal sector. Whether you are looking for employed work or want to build your own business, the demand is there and the opportunities are real. Take a look at our current listings and see what is out there.

We also recommend checking:

Pets at Home Careers (petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/info/careers) - one of the UK's largest pet retailers with grooming salons nationwide
Rover - for dog walking and pet sitting opportunities
Tailster - a UK platform for pet care professionals
PetPals - a franchise network of dog walking and pet sitting services across the UK
Local Facebook groups and community noticeboards - a surprisingly effective source of pet care work, particularly for dog walkers and pet sitters building a local client base

Browse Pet Care Jobs