Small boarding kennel or pet hotel
Run a small purpose-built or rented boarding facility for dogs and cats with staff and set daily routines.
- C$15k-75k
- Full-time
- Own premises
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Canada, not guarantees.
What it is
A dedicated site with kennels or suites, play yards and a cleaning routine. It may offer daycare, grooming and training as add-ons.
Your first three steps
- Check zoning with your municipality and talk to the provincial or local authority about kennel licensing and facility standards
- Visit local boarding facilities, price your area and cost out a lease or conversion of a suitable unit or rural property
- Write a simple business plan, then get quotes for insurance, kennel fit-out and a booking system
Who pays
Pet owners in your area who want professional supervised boarding, especially during holidays and school breaks.
How it makes money
Nightly boarding fees per pet, plus daycare, add-on services and premium suites. Income depends on how full you are, and demand peaks around holidays.
Skills that help
- Animal handling and reading pet behaviour
- Managing staff and schedules
- Cleaning and hygiene routines
- Basic bookkeeping and marketing
Watch out for
- Zoning, noise bylaws and kennel licences vary by municipality and province, check before signing a lease
- Commercial liability, property and care, custody and control insurance
- Heating, ventilation and winter operation costs, plus quiet periods outside holidays
- Vaccination requirements, disease control and emergency vet access
- Once you hire, check workers' compensation (WCB/WSIB) rules for your province
Deep research report · Canada
Everything you need to start: small boarding kennel or pet hotel
Researched with live web search for Canada: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a pet boarding kennel?
Startup costs are estimated at typically around $15,000 to $75,000, depending on whether you rent or build, the number of kennels or suites, play yards, and insurance. Heating and ventilation add to running costs.
How much can a small boarding kennel earn?
Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your capacity, add-ons such as daycare or grooming, and demand. Quiet periods outside holidays are common, so plan your cash flow.
What zoning and licensing rules should I check?
Check zoning, noise bylaws and kennel licences, which vary by municipality and province, before signing a lease. Also check commercial liability and care, custody and control insurance, and WCB/WSIB rules once you hire.
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