In-home pet boarding

Pet owners who are travelling or working away and prefer a home setting over a kennel, including owners of small, senior or anxious pets.

A nightly rate per pet, with extras for medication, extra walks, grooming or peak holiday periods such as Christmas and summer.

• Comfortable handling different dogs and cats
• Reliable and calm in an emergency
• Clear communication with owners

• Many municipalities require a home-based business licence or animal-related licence, and some limit how many pets you can keep, check with your city or town
• Landlord, condo board or strata rules may not allow boarding
• Insurance: standard home insurance often does not cover business use, so check with your insurer
• Vaccination records, pet aggression and vet emergencies, agree a plan with owners in advance
• Time commitment is high, pets need care around the clock during stays

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $300 to $2,000, depending on the bedding, crates, gates and supplies you need, plus any licences and insurance. Many people start with equipment they already have.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on how many pets you board, your nightly rates and how often you are booked. The time commitment is high, as pets need care around the clock.

Check whether your city or town requires a home-based business or animal-related licence and limits how many pets you can keep. Also check landlord, condo board or strata rules, and whether your home insurance covers business use.