Pet & Animal Side Hustles
85 episodes of Side Hustle School feature real people earning money with pets and animals — dog walkers, pet sitters, specialty breeders, pet photographers, animal trainers, and some truly creative niches nobody else thought of. If you love animals, this archive will show you more ways to earn from that passion than you probably imagined.
- TBT: Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats Are No Barking Matter
Frozen yogurt dog treats business evolution. Matt Meyer's canine ice cream venture since its debut in Ep. 384. Side Hustle School Ep. 3372.
- Dog Stocking Hustle Earns Husky Payoff
Seasonal pet gifts side hustle inspired by a marketing client's success. Side Hustle School Ep. 3331.
- Dachshund-Loving Duo Designs Doxie Apparel
How two dog lovers built a six-figure dachshund apparel brand. Woof-worthy designs drive steady income. Side Hustle School Ep. 3291.
- Rent the Chicken! An Egg-Cellent Idea Clucks Into Cash
Chicken rental service in Pennsylvania lets urban homesteaders try pet chickens without lifelong commitment. Side Hustle School Ep. 3289.
- The Rise and Fall of BirdSupplies.com
How a bird lover built BirdSupplies.com to earn $250,000/year reselling parrot supplies online. Side Hustle School Ep. 3280.
- “Graphic Design for Dogs” Earns $84,000
How a graphic designer earns $84,000/year with custom pet designs. Dog-themed logos and illustrations drive revenue. Side Hustle School Ep. 3112.
- Weekend Workshop: The Fish Tank Review Method
The Fish Tank Review Method: learn to find value in what you already know. Free side hustle workshop. Side Hustle School Ep. 3109.
- TBT: From DIY Pet Tributes to Six-Figure Etsy Shop
Custom pet memorials on Etsy: from side hustle to six-figure shop. Helping grieving pet owners honor their companions. Side Hustle School Ep. 3071.
- Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats Are No Barking Matter
Frozen yogurt dog treats made by a Colorado couple give dogs their own dessert bowls. Side Hustle School Ep. 3035.
- TBT: Pet Furniture Maker Adds Digital Blueprints for DIYers
Pet furniture maker adds digital DIY blueprints to reach more customers and streamline his business. Side Hustle School Ep. 3008.
- Q&A: “How can I start an ‘adopt don’t shop’ pet business?”
How to build a profitable "adopt don't shop" pet business. Ideas for monetizing animal welfare advocacy. Side Hustle School Ep. 2922.
- Q&A: “What are some good business ideas for teens?”
What business ideas work for teens and pre-teens? Practical options from pet sitting to digital services. Side Hustle School Ep. 2863.
- TBT: Aquarium Maintenance Business Makes Splash
Aquarium maintenance service for homes and offices in Ohio. How this side hustle has evolved since we first featured it. Side Hustle School Ep. 2812.
- Q&A: ”What’s the wildest side hustle idea you’ve ever heard of?”
What's the wildest side hustle idea you've heard of? We share unconventional ways people earn with chickens, air, and goats. Side Hustle School Ep. 2772.
- Q&A: “What are some unique pet side hustles?”
What unique pet services go beyond dog walking? Innovative ideas to stand out. Side Hustle School Ep. 2745.
- TBT: Fetching Sales and Profit from Fulfillment by Amazon
Pet product ecommerce business built with Fulfillment by Amazon. From passion project to thriving side hustle. Side Hustle School Ep. 2700.
- Q&A: “How do you start with no audience?”
Building a natural skincare business with zero audience: proven strategies to launch from scratch. Side Hustle School Ep. 2593.
- TBT: The Evolution of an Edible Insect Business
Cricket farm edible insect snacks: market shifts, supply chain challenges, and organic grocery partnership. Side Hustle School Ep. 2476.
- TBT: Coder By Day, Cockatiel Companion By Night
Remote programmer pet-sits in different states for weeks at a time. How his side hustle evolved since 2020. Side Hustle School Ep. 2371.
- Q&A: “How does a dog trainer start selling dog toys?”
Dog trainer wants to sell custom eco-friendly dog toys. How to leverage training expertise into a profitable product business. Side Hustle School Ep. 2349.
- First $1,000: Florida Woman Becomes Pet Party Planner
Pet party planner in St. Petersburg, Florida plans doggie bashes and cat-a-versary parties. How she earned her first $1,000. Side Hustle School Ep. 2347.
- Q&A: “I sell pet bandanas. How can I reach pet influencers on Instagram?”
Reaching pet influencers on Instagram for your handmade pet bandana business. Strategies that actually get responses. Side Hustle School Ep. 2335.
- Failure Friday: Chicken Rental Service Fails to Egg-cite
Why a Boise chicken rental business failed to take flight. Learning from side hustle mistakes. Side Hustle School Ep. 2330.
- TBT: Mobile Pet Grooming Thrives in Oakland
Mobile pet grooming side hustle thrives in Oakland, California. Amber shares what's changed since we first featured her story. Side Hustle School Ep. 2322.
- Q&A: “Makin’ a dog walkin’ app…”
Building a dog walking app: monetization strategies and user acquisition tactics. Side Hustle School Ep. 2292.
- Q&A: “Introducing the plant-based diet for pets…”
Plant-based pet food delivery service: Starting logistics for a sustainable pet nutrition business. Side Hustle School Ep. 2286.
- Q&A: “Does anyone make money from cat videos??”
Can you make money from cat videos? Learn how cat owners monetize their feline content. Side Hustle School Ep. 2173.
- Q&A: “I want to be the Zoom Dog Trainer!”
Can you train dogs on Zoom? This caller earns $2800/month offering virtual dog training sessions to clients nationwide. Side Hustle School Ep. 2124.
- First $1,000: “I sell t-shirts for pug lovers on Amazon…”
Amazon Merch on Demand seller earns $1,000+ selling pug-themed t-shirts. Dog lover designs are consistently top performers. Side Hustle School Ep. 2088.
- First $1,000: “I got paid to walk dogs while I was on work calls…”
Dog walking side hustle: how a Chicago woman earned her first $1,000 walking dogs during work calls. Day Job Dogwalking. Side Hustle School Ep. 2081.
- Failure Friday: “This is super embarrassing looking back…”
Atlanta stationary designer's Amazon gamble cost her six figures. Lucky Dog Design's costly mistake. Side Hustle School Ep. 2064.
- TBT: NYC Pet Sitter Saves $200,000
NYC pet sitter saved $200,000 by never paying rent while building a thriving pet-sitting business. Now based in Colorado. Side Hustle School Ep. 1923.
- TBT: Catholic Designer Updates T-Shirts for New Generation
Catholic apparel designer Joe Kim updates his t-shirt line for Gen Z. What's changed since we first featured him. Side Hustle School Ep. 1867.
- First $1,000: “Beekeeping is forced zen: be present or get stung!”
How Frank Mortimer earned his first $1,000 selling honey at New Jersey farmers markets. Side Hustle School Ep. 1843.
- The Blog That Laid the Golden Egg
How an accountant built a million-dollar egg media empire from a backyard chicken blog. Side Hustle School Ep. 1800.
- Vacation Frustration Inspires Seven-Figure Cleaning Product
Amazon bestseller cleans pets and showers in seconds—ex-pharma sales rep's invention hits $2M+ in annual sales. Side Hustle School Ep. 1758.
- TBT: Dating App for Dog Lovers Fetches New Users
Dating app for dog lovers Dig Dates expands with cat companion app Tabby. Co-founder Leigh Isaacson shares updates. Side Hustle School Ep. 1678.
- “Bee Man of New Jersey” Buzzes Into Money Hive
How a New Jersey beekeeper earns $1,000+ monthly selling premium honey at $15/pound. Side Hustle School Ep. 1597.
- TBT: The 7-Figure Dachshund Apparel Business
Bean Goods dachshund apparel hits seven figures. Claire Wolfson's doxie-themed clothing brand update. Side Hustle School Ep. 1594.
- A Doggie Bag With a Twist
How a Cleveland dog lover built a $1,000/month Woofpack bag business. Orders from Canada and the UK. Side Hustle School Ep. 1592.
- TBT: “Dog Threads” Designer Chases Coordinated Outfits
Dog Threads founders earn $3,000/month selling matching outfits for dogs and owners. A thriving pet fashion business. Side Hustle School Ep. 1496.
- Q&A: Should I update my LinkedIn profile to better match my side hustle?
Should you update your LinkedIn profile for your side hustle? How to balance academia and entrepreneurship on social media. Side Hustle School Ep. 1404.
- School Teacher Designs Specialized Diets for Dogs
School teacher in Singapore creates specialized diets for dogs with dietary restrictions. Side Hustle School Ep. 1345.
- Q&A: Can I make a different video about dogs every day for a year?
Daily Corgi videos for a year—what should you know before starting? Learn what works for daily content creators. Side Hustle School Ep. 1341.
- TBT: “Graphic Designer for Dogs” Retrieves New Clients
Graphic designer earning $2,000/month pivots from pet businesses to broader clientele. Where is she now? Side Hustle School Ep. 1335.
- TBT: Frozen Yogurt Dog Treats Are No Barking Matter
Frozen yogurt dog treats business gets a major update. The Bear & the Rat co-founder shares what's changed since launch. Side Hustle School Ep. 1265.
- Electrical Engineer Rides Demand to Dog Collar Empire
Electrical engineer creates seven-figure dog collar business after struggling to find the perfect collar for her greyhounds. Side Hustle School Ep. 1066.
- Texas Banker Teaches Classes on Painting Your Pet
Paint-your-pet pop-up classes by a former Texas banker. Teaching art fundamentals to groups in churches and venues. Side Hustle School Ep. 1054.
- Teenpreneur Skips College to Build Pet Care Company
How a teen built a $15,000/month pet care company by skipping college. Happy Hound started in a basement at age 15. Side Hustle School Ep. 1036.
- Wildlife Biologist Shoots, Scores With Pond Hockey Gloves
Wildlife biologist earns $3,000/month with pond hockey gloves—the only brand serving this niche market. Side Hustle School Ep. 999.
- Sisters Find Puppy Love After Launching Dating App
Two sisters launch a dog-friendly dating app for the 25 million single dog owners in the US. A rejected puppy sparked the idea. Side Hustle School Ep. 983.
- That’s the Spot! Dog Lover’s Hustle Becomes Fur-ever Biz
Dog training side hustle transforms into full-time business. From customer service to canine confidence. Side Hustle School Ep. 856.
- Chemical Engineer Zips Up Solution for Baggy Shirts
DIY tailoring device ZipSeam lets you fix baggy clothes without sewing. Engineer's solution has sold $150,000 in four years. Side Hustle School Ep. 843.
- NYC Student Starts Barking Business Walking Dogs
NYC college student earns $2,000/month walking dogs on his own schedule. Side Hustle School Ep. 840.
- Medical Examiner Fetches New Paws-ibilities With Pet Sitting Hustle
How a Seattle medical examiner earns $600/month pet sitting on Rover to live rent-free in NYC. Three years without paying rent. Side Hustle School Ep. 726.
- Dog Lover Fetches $250,000 in Canine Clothing
Dog clothing business earns $250,000 with matching pet-owner outfits. Minnesota designer's full-time success. Side Hustle School Ep. 700.
- Weekly Recap: Ice Cream, Dog Stockings, and Luxury for Less
Weekly recap: ice cream at Coachella, dog stockings, and luxury resale—plus key takeaways on reframing your side hustle. Side Hustle School Ep. 694.
- Dog Stocking Hustle Earns Husky Payoff
Dog Christmas stockings side hustle built on SEO and seasonal demand. Side Hustle School Ep. 692.
- Minnesotan Opens Private Campground in Her Backyard
How a Minnesota chocolatier earns $800/month renting her backyard as a private campground. Using what you have. Side Hustle School Ep. 668.
- Rent the Chicken! An Egg-Cellent Idea Clucks Into Cash
Rent chickens for urban homesteading. A Pennsylvania couple built a business renting 2,000 birds nationwide. Side Hustle School Ep. 646.
- Hit the Streets With These Chicago Walking Tours
How a Chicago tour guide earns $2,500/month with free walking tours. His Crime & Gangster Tour reveals mafia history. Side Hustle School Ep. 643.
- The Rise and Fall of BirdSupplies.com
How a bird lover earned $250,000/year reselling parrot supplies online. From stay-at-home mom to BirdSupplies.com founder. Side Hustle School Ep. 618.
- Social Media Strategist Bakes Pawfect Dog Treats
Social media strategist launches dog treat brand earning $3,000/month. Superfood recipes tested with 30 friends. Side Hustle School Ep. 527.
- Dachshund-Loving Duo Designs Doxie Apparel
Dachshund apparel brand BeanGoods generates six-figure income for designer couple. Featured in Cesar Millan's magazine. Side Hustle School Ep. 488.
- “Graphic Design for Dogs” Earns $84,000
Graphic designer earns $7,000/month designing for dog businesses through Facebook outreach and cold emails. Side Hustle School Ep. 485.
- Acrobatic Mom Jumps Through Hoops to Become High-flying Entertainer
Mom's aerial acrobatics side hustle earns $30,000/year with 14 employees and a giant chandelier. Beyond Wings Circus. Side Hustle School Ep. 452.
- Hometown Bracelets Support Local Marine Life
Jewelry business inspired by Cape Cod beauty generates $60K annually while donating to marine conservation. Side Hustle School Ep. 402.
- Dog Sled Trainer Becomes Women’s Fitness Coach
Dog sled trainer pivots to women's fitness coaching, earning $600/month empowering women 45-55. Minnesota-based transformation. Side Hustle School Ep. 392.
- Frozen Pup Treats Are No Barking Matter
Frozen yogurt treats for dogs built by a couple into a million-dollar pet food business. From hobby to Shark Tank. Side Hustle School Ep. 384.
- Scientist Starts a Purrfect Cats-Only Pet-Sitting Service
Houston scientist earns $2,000/month with cats-only pet-sitting service. Filling an underserved market in a dog-dominant city. Side Hustle School Ep. 342.
- Every Dog Has Its Side Hustling Day
How two sisters earn $500/month with The Little Collar dog wristbands while helping rescue dogs in Ecuador. Side Hustle School Ep. 258.
- WEEKLY RECAP: Hungry Crossfitters, Monogrammed Scarves, & Cat Portraits
Weekly recap: crossfit meal prep, monogrammed scarves, and cat portraits—plus listener Q&A on Fiverr vs. PayPal. Side Hustle School Ep. 225.
- Cat Lover Creates Cat-tivating Portrait Series
How a college student earns $5,000 painting custom pet portraits. Sarah Miller's watercolor side hustle. Side Hustle School Ep. 223.
- WEEKLY RECAP: Baseballs, Rocket Science, and Personal Shopping
Weekly recap: dog Instagram monetization, tutoring side hustle, and finding your first idea — with listener Q&A. Side Hustle School Ep. 218.
- Birds of a Feather Flock to Your Bank Account
How a couple in Virginia earns $400/month renting white doves for weddings. Homing pigeons are a dying art. Side Hustle School Ep. 195.
- WEEKLY RECAP: Scavenger Hunts, Bow Ties, & Horses
Weekly recap: scavenger hunts, bow ties, and horses side hustles — with listener Q&A on coloring books and overcoming failure. Side Hustle School Ep. 134.
- Equine Lover Makes $5,000; Stables Business to Change Horses in Midstream
How a former NASA employee earns $17,000 in profit selling Horse Junkie Gear apparel. Print-on-demand side hustle. Side Hustle School Ep. 131.
- WEEKLY RECAP: Barking Up the Right Tree
Weekly recap: dog treats, food trucks, and dropshipping side hustles — plus listener Q&A on competition fears. Side Hustle School Ep. 127.
- Dog Lover Turns At-Home Baking Into Barking Business
Dog-themed baking business run from home. Learn how a dog lover turned pet treats into a thriving side hustle. Side Hustle School Ep. 122.
- Show Me the Honey: Houston Beekeeper Buzzes to $4,000/Month
How a Houston cheesemonger built a $4,000/month beekeeping business with Bee2Bee Honey Collective. Side Hustle School Ep. 104.
- Alcohol Fueled Idea Sells Over 1,500 Shirts in Less Than a Year
How three friends built a $35,000 shirt business with giant pockets for puppies and beers. Sold 1,500+ units in under a year. Side Hustle School Ep. 68.
- The Live Cricket Dropshipping Hustle
How a Pennsylvania man earns $2,000/month dropshipping live crickets to reptile owners. His niche: The Critter Depot. Side Hustle School Ep. 46.
- “Airbnb for Dogs”: Woman Hosts Pets at Her Home for $200/Day
How a woman earns $200/day hosting dogs on Rover. Added drop-in visits & walks for 20% income boost. Side Hustle School Ep. 17.
- Saddles for Pet Chickens: Get Ready to Wing It!
Chicken saddle business with nearly zero manufacturing costs—protecting backyard flocks from injury. Side Hustle School Ep. 10.
- British Man Earns $700/Month Writing Fish Tank Reviews
British man earns $700/month writing fish tank reviews as an Amazon affiliate. Fish Tank Bank runs on autopilot. Side Hustle School Ep. 2.