Joel Gathercole

For pet owners · Pet care

How do I find a trustworthy pet sitter in Canada?

Where to look for a pet sitter in Canada, what to check, how to run a meet-and-greet and trial visit, and how to handle keys and emergencies before you go.

For pet owners · Pet care

What questions should I ask a dog walker?

Questions to ask a dog walker in Canada: experience, group or solo walks, off-leash rules, emergencies, insurance and the city bylaws where you live.

For pet owners · Pet care

Is a pet sitter or a boarding kennel better for my pet?

Pet sitter or boarding kennel? How Canadian pet owners can choose by species, age, health and trip length, and the cases where boarding is the better call.

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 pet owners · Pet care

What should I leave for my pet sitter?

A pet sitter checklist for Canadian pet owners: feeding and medication notes, vet authorization, emergency contacts, house notes and what to watch for.

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 property owners · Property care

How do I close my cottage for winter and open it in spring?

How to close a cottage for winter, what to check while it sits empty, and a spring opening checklist for Canadian seasonal properties and who can do the visits.

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 parents · Child care

How do I find a babysitter or nanny in Canada?

Where Canadian parents find babysitters and nannies, what to check before choosing one, how to run a paid trial, and what to put in writing before care starts.

For property owners · Property care

How do I find a house sitter in Canada?

How to find a house sitter in Canada: decide what you need, check the person properly, read your home insurance wording and leave a clear written plan.

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 property owners · Property care

What should a short-term rental turnover cleaning checklist include?

What to put in a short-term rental turnover checklist, what to ask a cleaner before you choose one, and why local rental rules still matter in Canada.

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 families · Elder care

What is respite care, and how do I plan a break from caregiving?

What respite care is, the in-home, day program and short-stay options in Canada, and how family caregivers can plan regular breaks before burnout sets in.

For property owners · Property care

Who will clear my snow and cut my lawn while I am away?

Who clears the snow and cuts the grass while you are away? How Canadian homeowners set up snow and lawn upkeep, and why bylaws and liability matter.

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 parents · Child care

What is a vulnerable sector check, and how do I ask my nanny or babysitter for one?

What a vulnerable sector check is, what it shows, how a babysitter or nanny gets one in Canada, and how parents can ask for one without relying on it alone.

For families · Elder care

What does a personal support worker (PSW) do, and what don’t they do?

What a personal support worker does for an older parent, which tasks belong to a nurse, how PSW training varies and where public home care fits in Canada.

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.