For care professionals · Pet care

How do I start a pet sitting business in Canada?

To start a pet sitting business in Canada, decide whether you need to register a business name with your province, understand the GST/HST small supplier rule, get insurance that actually covers animals and keys in your care, and keep clean records from your first visit. None of it is complicated, but each step is easier done early.

A pet care professional plans their week at a kitchen table with a dog at their feet

In 60 seconds

Many independent pet sitters start as sole proprietors, and whether you must register a business name depends on your province and the name you use.
Under the Excise Tax Act, you generally do not have to register for GST/HST while you qualify as a small supplier, but you can choose to register voluntarily.
Clients often ask whether you are insured, so ask a broker specifically whether a policy covers animals in your care and client keys.
Simple records of income, expenses, client instructions and visit notes protect you at tax time and if anything goes wrong.
Rules on business names, taxes and privacy differ across Canada, so confirm the details with your provincial registry, the CRA or a professional.

Do I need to register a business name to be a pet sitter in Canada?

Whether you need to register a business name depends on your province and on the name you use. In many provinces, a sole proprietor working under their own legal name has fewer requirements than one using a trade name like “Happy Tails Pet Care”. Check your provincial business registry before you print anything.

As one example, British Columbia’s Partnership Act requires certain sole proprietors who carry on business under a name other than their own to file a registration statement within a set period after first using the name. Other provinces have their own statutes, forms and fees, and the categories of business they cover are not identical.

Registering a business name is not the same as incorporating a company. If you plan to grow, ask an accountant or lawyer whether a sole proprietorship still suits you.

Do pet sitters have to charge GST/HST?

Pet sitters generally do not have to register for GST/HST while they qualify as a small supplier under the Excise Tax Act. Section 148 defines a small supplier using your total taxable supplies over the preceding four calendar quarters, and section 240 requires registration once you no longer qualify.

The threshold is set in the Act itself, so read the section or confirm with the CRA rather than relying on a figure you saw in a forum. Once you pass it, registration becomes required and you start charging GST or HST depending on where your clients are.

Section 240 also lets a person engaged in commercial activity register voluntarily even while still a small supplier. Some sitters do this to claim input tax credits on business costs; others prefer to wait. That choice depends on your situation, so ask the CRA or an accountant before deciding.

What insurance questions do pet sitting clients ask?

Pet sitting clients most often ask whether you are insured, what the policy covers and whether you can show proof. They want to know what happens if a pet is injured, gets lost or damages something, and what happens if their house key or alarm code is lost while you have it.

Do not assume a general policy includes animals in your care. Take this list to an insurance broker and get answers in writing. Maple Care does not insure, bond or license anyone, so coverage is always something you arrange yourself.

Does the policy cover animals in my care, custody and control, or only injury to other people?
Does it cover lost keys, lock changes or damage inside a client’s home?
Does it cover dog walking with several dogs from different households at once?
Can I get a certificate or letter to show clients as proof of coverage?

What records should a pet sitting business keep?

A pet sitting business should keep records of every payment received, every business expense with receipts, each client’s written care instructions and a short note for each visit. Good records make tax filing simpler and give you something solid to point to if a client disputes what happened on a visit.

Client files hold personal information, so store them securely and keep only what you need. Canada’s federal private-sector privacy law, PIPEDA, covers personal information collected in commercial activity in most provinces, while Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec have their own substantially similar laws. Check which one applies to you.

Income: date, client, service and amount received.
Expenses: receipts for supplies, travel, insurance, training and phone costs.
Client file: pet details, feeding and medication instructions, vet contact and emergency contact.
Visit log: arrival and departure times, walks, meals, medication given and anything unusual.
Signed care agreement and any changes the client asked for.

What else should I set up before my first pet sitting client?

Before your first pet sitting client, set up a written care agreement, a clear rate sheet, a key-handling routine and a way to reach clients during a visit. A pet first aid course is also worth taking early, because clients ask about it and it helps you recognize when a pet needs a veterinarian.

A separate bank account for the business is not always legally required for a sole proprietor, but it makes records far easier to keep and review.

Where does Maple Care fit when starting a pet sitting business?

Maple Care is one place to find pet sitting clients once your business basics are in place. Creating a professional profile at /apply/ is free, and you pay only when you choose to get a client’s contact details for a request you want. It does not replace registration, insurance or tax advice.

Our team reviews every account, and you can upload certifications such as pet first aid for our team to check. Badges are a screening signal, not a background check. You and the client agree on rates, schedule and payment directly; Maple Care never handles payment for care.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I run a pet sitting business from home in Canada?

Yes, many independent pet sitters run the business side from home, since the care itself happens at clients’ homes or on walks. If you plan to board animals in your own home, check your municipal bylaws, your lease or condo rules and your home insurance first, because those rules vary widely.

Do I need a licence to be a pet sitter in Canada?

There is no single national licence for pet sitters. Some municipalities require a general business licence, and some may have their own rules for commercial dog walking in parks and public spaces. Check with your city or town hall and your provincial business registry before you start.

When do I have to register for GST/HST as a pet sitter?

You must register once you stop qualifying as a small supplier under section 148 of the Excise Tax Act, which looks at your taxable supplies over the preceding four calendar quarters. Read the current rule in the Act and confirm your situation with the CRA or an accountant.

Is a sole proprietorship enough for a pet sitting business?

A sole proprietorship is the simplest structure and is how many independent pet sitters start. It means you and the business are legally the same, including for debts and claims. If you plan to add staff or grow significantly, ask an accountant or lawyer whether incorporating makes sense for you.

How long should I keep pet sitting business records?

Section 230 of the Income Tax Act generally requires business records and supporting receipts to be kept for six years from the end of the last tax year they relate to, with some exceptions. Confirm your situation with the CRA or an accountant, and keep client files only as long as you need them.

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Last updated: 2026-09-22