Articles
Plain answers for Canadians looking for elder care, child care, property care or pet care, and for the independent care professionals who provide it.
For care professionals · Pet care
How do I start a pet sitting business in Canada?
Starting a pet sitting or dog walking business in Canada? Business name registration, the GST/HST small supplier rule, insurance questions and simple records.
For care professionals · Pet care
How do I set my pet sitting rates?
How pet sitters and dog walkers in Canada set rates: pricing travel, overnights, multiple pets, medication and holidays, and presenting rates clearly.
For care professionals · Pet care
How do I find dog walking clients?
How independent dog walkers in Canada find clients: a clear profile, local presence, referrals within anti-spam rules, fast replies and a strong first meeting.
For care professionals · Pet care
What should I cover at a pet sitting meet-and-greet?
What pet sitters and dog walkers in Canada should cover at a meet-and-greet: key questions, a written agreement, keys, an emergency plan and cancellation terms.
For care professionals · Pet care
Should pet sitters take a pet first aid course?
Why pet sitters and dog walkers in Canada take pet first aid, what courses generally cover, where first aid ends and a vet begins, and what vet info to keep.
For care professionals · Child care
Do I need a licence to provide child care in my home in Canada?
Whether home child care needs a provincial licence in Canada depends on your province and how many children you care for. How to check the rule where you live.
For care professionals · Elder care
How can an independent caregiver protect themselves when working with older clients?
How independent PSWs and companions in Canada protect themselves: written care agreements, care notes and tax records, client privacy and insurance questions.
For care professionals · Property care
How do I find clients for house sitting, home watch and property care?
How independent house sitters, home watch providers, cottage caretakers and turnover cleaners in Canada find clients, get referrals and market by the rules.
For care professionals · Child care
What first aid course should a babysitter or nanny take in Canada?
Which first aid and CPR course a babysitter, nanny or home child care provider in Canada should take, how long it lasts and when provincial rules apply.
For care professionals · Elder care
How do I become an independent PSW or home support worker in Canada?
How to start as an independent PSW, companion or home support worker in Canada: training, first aid, vulnerable sector checks, scope and what to set up first.
For care professionals · Property care
How should I set my rates for home checks, turnovers and seasonal property care?
How independent property care professionals in Canada can set rates for home checks, turnovers and seasonal snow and lawn work, and present them clearly.
For care professionals · Child care
How do I become a babysitter or nanny in Canada?
How to start as a babysitter or nanny in Canada: first aid and CPR training, building experience, vulnerable sector checks, and what to set up first.
For care professionals · Elder care
How do I find private elder care clients as an independent caregiver?
How independent PSWs and companions in Canada find private elder care clients: where families look, how to present yourself and how to reach out lawfully.
For care professionals · Property care
How do I start a house sitting or home watch business in Canada?
Starting a house sitting, home watch or cottage caretaking business in Canada? Your services, GST/HST basics, records, insurance and a criminal record check.
For care professionals · Child care
How do I find babysitting or nanny clients?
How independent babysitters and nannies in Canada find families: what parents check, a profile that answers them, referrals, quick replies and a first visit.
For care professionals · Elder care
How should I set my rates for private elder care?
How independent PSWs and companions in Canada can set private elder care rates: what a rate must cover, what changes it, sales tax rules and presenting it.
For care professionals · Property care
How do I start a short-term rental turnover cleaning business in Canada?
How independent cleaners in Canada start doing short-term rental turnovers: scope, tight timing, local rules, damage reports, supplies and GST/HST basics.
For care professionals · Child care
How should I set my babysitting or nanny rates?
How babysitters and nannies in Canada can set rates: what a rate must cover, what changes it, how to present it clearly and how to raise it with families.
For care professionals · Elder care
What should an independent caregiver do, and not do, for an older client?
Scope for independent PSWs and companions in Canada: personal care vs nursing tasks, help with medications, saying no to families and personal boundaries.
For care professionals · Property care
What should I document on every home check?
What home watch providers and house sitters in Canada should record on every visit: a checklist, dated photos, an owner report, key logs and privacy.