‘A pet is the only thing on earth that loves you more than you love yourself.” Keeping these words true to their hearts, Indian pet owners are growing every year. According to Euro monitor Report, the pet population with an average has grown from 7 million in 2006 to 10 million in 2011.

The report also suggests Indian pet industry is the fastest growing industry in the world with the value of $ 800 million. This is good news for aspiring pet entrepreneurs or for the people who want to enter pet industry as a professional.

No matter whether you’re interested in providing hands-on pet care or selling pet products like toys, food and treats, the prospects for success in this business and industry are excellent. Here are the listed professions, pet lovers can decide for their specialised upfront:

Pet sitting/dog walking: Indian pooch parents look out for someone who is experienced in handling pets. This field offers huge perks especially for college going students who loves dogs or cats and wanted some extra pocket money.

Dog trainer: Part coaching and part psychology — the field of dog schooling requires great psychological skills as well as a love of canines. Pooch trainers will tell you that you’re not just training the dogs-you’re also training the folks who live with them.

You have to be able to talk to them kindly, deal with them tolerantly and support their behaviour-then do the same with their fuzzy friends. While a degree in psychology can be helpful, but a true love of both people and pets and a desire to help them go a long way to ensure success in this career.

Pet groomers: From bathing and clipping to tying bows and cleaning ears, the nation’s pet groomers do additional work than just change pets’ look. The loving touch of a groomer can calm a playful pet and support an anxious pet.

In addition to it, pet groomers are often the first to notice that a pet has a skin stipulation, mites or other medical issues that should be brought to the attention of a veterinarian.

In addition to having a true love of animals and enough physical strength to lift onto grooming tables and into tubs, groomers must be behaviourists who know how to handle biters and scratchers.

They also need the same kind of patience and good humour when relating to pet owners, so a general love of humankind is a necessary trait for a groomer.

Petentrepreneur: Whether it’s brick-and-mortar or virtual, a pet store that specialises solely in pet food and treats can be a great money-maker.

Many pet owners today are willing to spend to buy the best of everything for their “fur children,” including food and treats. Your challenge then is to find niche grocery products for pet, such as all-natural food products or grooming sets. Pet food industry is also manufacturing healthy and organic pet food because of high demand.

In addition, some pet-food stores choose to stock other pet-related products, like collars and leashes. Whether you should do so, too, depends on how much you can afford to sink into your inventory and how much room you have to stash the products until they’re purchased or shipped out.

Since this industry is booming every year, all thanks to pet parents. The demand for pet entrepreneurs and professionals will see a major boost in terms of jobs and businesses in the coming years.

The writer is managing director & founder, Choostix