Can't find a graduate job? How to start your own business with animals instead

You've got the degree and a long list of applications that went nowhere. If you can't find a graduate job, you're far from alone, and it says more about the jobs market than it does about you. Graduate roles have become harder to land, and more young people are choosing to create their own job rather than wait for the right one to be advertised.

If you love animals, that job could be running your own business. Dog walking, grooming, home boarding and canine therapy are hands-on services that owners pay for week in, week out, and they're the kind of work a chatbot can't do. This guide explains how to start your own business working with animals, which qualifications are worth having and how Animal Courses Direct can help you get there.

Why it's so hard to find a graduate job right now

The numbers back up what a lot of graduates are feeling. Adzuna's UK Job Market Report for July 2026 found advertised graduate vacancies fell to a record low of 8,383, down 45.6% on the year before. The employers who are still hiring are swamped. The Institute of Student Employers' Student Recruitment Survey 2025 found graduate hiring fell by 8% in a year, with an average of 140 applications for every graduate vacancy.

AI is part of the conversation too. In the CIPD's autumn 2025 Labour Market Outlook, one in six employers said they expect AI to shrink their workforce over the next year. Of those employers, 62% thought clerical, junior managerial, professional or administrative roles were the most likely to go, and those are the kinds of roles many graduates start in.

Not everyone agrees that AI is the main cause. The ISE has argued that the wider economy is doing more to hold back hiring. Either way, the old route from university straight into an entry-level role isn't as reliable as it used to be.

Why an animal business could be the answer

The UK's pets aren't going anywhere. The PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2026 estimates there are 10.2 million pet dogs and 11.3 million pet cats in the UK, with 27% of adults owning a dog and 24% owning a cat. Every one of those animals needs looking after, whether that's a daily walk or somewhere safe to stay while their owner is away.

That's steady, local demand for work that relies on people. Software can help you take bookings and send invoices, but it can't calm a nervous rescue dog or notice that a cat in your care has gone off her food. If you're worried about AI taking over the jobs you trained for, hands-on animal care is one of the more future-proof places to build a business.

The benefits of starting your own business with animals

There's more to it than escaping the job hunt. Some of the biggest benefits of starting your own business in animal care are:
 

• You decide your working hours and how many clients you take on.
• You have more control over your income, as you set your prices and grow at your own pace.
• Your degree doesn't go to waste. Research and writing skills come in handy when you're marketing a business and keeping clients happy.
• You spend your working day with animals rather than behind a screen.

Being your own boss comes with responsibility too. You'll handle your own tax and insurance, and there's no guaranteed pay packet at the end of the month. That's why the right training before you launch makes such a difference. If flexibility is what appeals most, our guide to self-employed animal jobs has more ideas. If you'd like a wider look at the benefits of starting your own business in this sector, read why starting an animal business could be your best move.

Five animal businesses you could start as a graduate

There's no single right way to start your own business with animals. The best fit depends on how much you want to invest and which animals you enjoy working with. Here are some of the routes you could take.

Dog Walker or Pet Sitter

This is one of the simplest ways to get started, as you can begin with a handful of local clients and build from there. Our Level 4 Certificate in Professional Pet Sitting, Dog Walking, Dog Day Care and Home Boarding is an Ofqual regulated qualification that complies with the Defra Animal Activity Licensing requirements for working as a pet sitter or boarder. It covers pets in a business context and the day-to-day considerations of running a pet sitting, dog walking or day care and boarding business.

For more detail, read our guides on how to start your own dog walking business and how to start up a pet sitting business.

Dog Groomer

Grooming can work from a salon or a mobile van, and many dogs need grooming regularly, so happy clients can turn into repeat bookings. Our Level 3 Diploma in Dog Grooming is designed for learners who want to qualify as professional Dog Groomers or set up their own grooming business. It includes practical training at one of the approved centres, working alongside experienced grooming professionals.

If you'd like to try grooming before committing, the Level 3 Award in Dog Grooming is a shorter introduction with fewer days of practical training.

Canine Massage Therapist

Canine massage can support a dog's mobility and recovery, and many therapists work from clients' homes or their own premises. Our Level 3 Diploma in Canine Massage combines online study with practical training, and many learners go on to become self-employed Canine Massage Therapists. Our guide to starting and promoting a canine massage business covers the marketing side.

Kennel or Cattery Owner

This route needs more investment and a suitable premises, but it can grow into a business with staff. Boarding kennels and catteries need an animal activity licence, so the right qualification really counts. Our Level 3 Diploma in Kennel and Cattery Management meets the Higher Standard Animal Activity Licensing requirements and covers how to manage kennels and catteries day to day. 

Veterinary Physiotherapist and Hydrotherapist

If you'd like a higher-level route that builds on your degree, this one's worth a look. A Level 6 diploma sits at the same level as a bachelor's degree with honours on the government's list of qualification levels. Our Level 3 Certificate in Small Animal Hydrotherapy + Level 6 Diploma in Veterinary Physiotherapy with Hydrotherapy includes practical training at our centres plus clinical practice that you arrange yourself, and it gives you the professional skills to work as a self-employed Veterinary Physiotherapist. Read more in our guide to starting an animal physiotherapy and hydrotherapy business.

How to start your own business with animals, step by step

Starting your own business doesn't have to mean a huge leap. Plenty of people begin part-time and build up as their client list grows. Here's how to start your own business in animal care without skipping the important bits.
 

1. Pick your niche and test the demand. Look at who already offers that service near you, what they charge and where the gaps are. Maybe nobody local offers weekend home visits, or the nearest groomer has a six-week waiting list. Talking to dog owners in your area is free and tells you a lot.
2. Get qualified. Owners are trusting you with a member of their family, so a recognised qualification gives them confidence. For some activities it's also part of getting licensed.
3. Check whether you need a licence. In England, you'll need an animal activity licence from your local council for activities including boarding for dogs and cats, home boarding for dogs, dog day care, dog breeding and selling animals as pets. Dog walking and grooming aren't on that list yet. If pet retail interests you, our guide on how to open a pet shop covers what's involved. Our guide to animal activity licensing explains which qualification levels meet the minimum and higher standards. If you live outside England, check with your local council, as the rules differ.
4. Register with HMRC and get insured. Most people starting out work as sole traders, which means registering for Self-Assessment with HMRC. The deadline is 5 October after the end of the tax year you need to send your first return for. You'll also want insurance that covers you while animals are in your care.
5. Write a business plan and start marketing. A simple plan helps you work out your prices and running costs. From there, a website and a Google Business Profile can help bring in your first clients. Local vets and groomers can be a great source of referrals too.

Starting your own business is easier when you're not working it all out alone, and that's where the right course helps.

What are the best courses for starting your own business in the UK?

The best courses for starting your own business in the UK depend on what you want to do, but most animal business owners need two things. They need the animal care skills their customers are paying for, and they need the business know-how to run things properly.

Our start your own business course, Setting Up An Animal Business, covers the business side. Over 10 chapters, you'll work through market research, marketing, registering and funding a business, business legislation, insurance and financial record keeping, and you'll write a comprehensive business plan along the way. It's studied online with 20 guided learning hours, there are no formal entry requirements (you just need to be 16 or over) and you can start at any time.

Pair it with one of the regulated qualifications above and you'll have both halves covered. Each of the courses above comes with tutor support, so there's always someone to ask when you get stuck. As a learner, you'll also get access to the learndirect: Community Hub app, where learners and alumni from across the learndirect Digital Group share ideas, answer each other's questions and join topic-specific communities. When you're building a business on your own, that kind of support network is worth having.

You'll find full fees and payment options on each course page.

Ready to start your own business?

If you can't find a graduate job, waiting for the market to turn isn't your only option. Animal Courses Direct is the largest organisation in the UK offering Ofqual regulated animal courses, and our qualifications comply with the Defra Animal Activity Licensing (AAL) Regulation requirements. Whether you want to walk dogs or treat them, we can help you work out how to start your own business and which qualification will get you there.

Take a look at Setting Up An Animal Business, call our friendly team on 01202 006 040 or send us an enquiry and we'll help you plan your next step.