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Pet Business Insurance
As the owner of a pet business, your clientele expects that you’ll provide their companion with top-notch care but taking on this kind of responsibility comes with risk. Purchase Pet Business Insurance in less than five minutes and stay protected.
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APOLLO and Gallagher Partner to Protect Your Business
We've partnered with Gallagher, one of Canada's leading insurance brokers, to provide insurance designed for businesses and business professionals. Get professional liability, general liability, and/or contents insurance designed specifically for your profession.
Get insurance in three easy steps
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Choose the payment plan that suits you best.
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Get your policy documents in an email instantly
There are three kinds of insurance a pet business needs
Professional Liability Insurance
If your training or grooming advice leads to injury, illness, or emotional distress, you could be held liable. Professional liability helps cover legal fees, settlements, and more.
General Liability Insurance
Covers bodily injury or property damage that occurs while you're caring for a pet or on a client’s premises, such as dog bites, scratched floors, or tripping accidents.
Contents Insurance
From grooming shears to dog crates and clippers, contents coverage protects the tools you rely on from theft, loss, or damage.
No matter the service, every kind of pet business requires insurance.
You're not just dealing with animals. You're dealing with best friends.
As much as we love them, our pets are not always predictable. Clients trust you to look after what they love most, and sometimes, things go sideways. A chewed couch, a slipped leash, an allergic reaction to shampoo — accidents happen, no matter how careful you are.
That's why you need to protect yourself.
With the right coverage, you don’t have to carry that risk alone. You can focus on the work you love with the assurance that you're protected if something goes wrong. Whether you're walking dogs in the rain, welcoming boarders into your home, or heading to your next mobile grooming appointment, your insurance should move with you.
You worked hard to build your business. Make sure you protect it.
Clients expect you to know what you're doing. They count on you to show up, handle animals safely, and be ready for whatever chaos a chihuahua or retriever throws your way. That kind of trust means you’re held to a certain standard, both legally and financially.
With APOLLO, you don’t need to jump through hoops or wait days to get coverage. In just a few clicks, you can get insured and back to doing what you do best: helping pets feel safe, happy, and cared for.
Get covered in minutes and get back to doing what you love.
FAQs About Pet Business Insurance
Can I get insurance if I operate multiple pet businesses (e.g., walking and grooming)?
Yes. Our coverage can be tailored to fit the range of services you offer. Just select the ones that apply when getting your quote.
What if I hire someone to help with walks or grooming?
If you're bringing on additional staff or subcontractors, you may need to update your policy to ensure your coverage fits your growing team.
Does my policy cover me if I work inside a client’s home?
Yes. General liability protects you if something happens while you're working in a client’s space, including injuries or property damage.
Do I need insurance to rent a booth or grooming space?
Most landlords or pet salon owners will require you to show proof of insurance before allowing you to rent space.
What’s the difference between general and professional liability?
General liability covers physical injuries and property damage. Professional liability covers claims related to the service you provide, like training or grooming advice that leads to harm.
Do I need insurance if I only walk dogs part-time?
Yes. Even part-time pet care pros can be held liable if something goes wrong. Accidents don’t check your schedule.
Am I covered if a pet bites someone while I’m walking them?
Yes. General liability insurance helps protect you if a dog in your care bites a person or another animal.
What if a pet damages someone’s property while I’m watching them?
If a pet knocks over a TV, digs up a lawn, or causes other damage under your watch, general liability coverage helps cover those costs.
Is insurance required for pet groomers or trainers?
Not legally everywhere, but many landlords, clients, and businesses will require proof of insurance to work with you.
How Much Does Pet Business Insurance Cost in Canada?
Not as much as you might think, but it depends on certain factors.
Most pet professionals pay between $25 to $70/month for full coverage. It’s a small price to protect your livelihood from unexpected accidents, injuries, or damages that could otherwise cost thousands.
Whether you run a solo grooming side hustle or manage a team of walkers and sitters, your policy should reflect how you actually work, not just check a box.
Here's what impacts the cost of your policy:
The Type of Pet Work You Do
Groomers using clippers, trainers handling reactive dogs, sitters with multiple animals — each brings its own risks. The more hands-on (or paws-on) the service, the more coverage you may need.
Where You Operate
Do you work in your clients’ homes? Travel in a van? Rent space in a salon? Your location affects your risk exposure and your premium.
How Many Pets You Handle
Whether it’s one-on-one walks or a room full of barking boarders, the more animals under your care, the more protection you may need.
The Tools of Your Trade
High-end dryers, grooming tables, kennels, tablets — contents coverage protects your gear from theft or damage, and the more valuable your tools, the more coverage makes sense.
Your Schedule
Part-time gig? Full-time hustle? Seasonal puppy boom? Your rate is shaped by how often you’re working and how much liability you carry.
Your Coverage Limits
Most landlords or venues require $1–$2 million in liability, and that’s often a great starting point. But you can increase limits if you want extra peace of mind.
Where You Work Matters
From muddy trails to grooming tables, every environment comes with its own challenges. Whether you’re handling pets indoors, outdoors, or on the go, the space you work in plays a big role in the types of risks you face. And when animals are involved, things don’t always go according to plan.
Here are a few real-world examples of how insurance can protect you:
Slippery Sidewalks in Edmonton
Snowy days mean more than cold paws, they mean icy entrances and slick walkways. If a client slips while handing off their dog or picking them up from your grooming studio, you could be on the hook.
Example: A client slips on your icy front steps while dropping off their dog for grooming.
Insurance Solution: General liability insurance can help cover medical bills and legal costs if someone is injured on your property.
Wet Gear After a Rainy Walk in Vancouver
Vancouver's weather is famously unpredictable. One minute you’re in the sun, the next your walking bag, first-aid kit, and Bluetooth speaker are soaked.
Example: You get caught in a downpour while walking dogs and your training gear and electronics are ruined.
Insurance Solution: Contents insurance can help cover the cost of replacing your damaged gear so your business keeps running.
Overheating on Summer Sidewalks in Toronto
Hot pavement, high humidity, and a long walk can lead to overheating or paw burns.
Example: A dog in your care shows signs of heatstroke and requires emergency vet treatment.
Insurance Solution: Professional liability helps cover the costs if the pet owner claims you didn’t act appropriately or fast enough.
Insurance Isn’t Just a Safety Net. It’s a Business Essential.
You spend your days earning the trust of pets and their people. That means showing up with professionalism, preparation, and the right coverage to back it all up.
Pet business insurance isn’t just about avoiding worst-case scenarios. It’s about making sure you’re ready for all the best-case ones, too.
Land Bigger Opportunities - Want to work with a high-end grooming salon? Subcontract for a dog-walking platform? Insurance often opens the door. It’s something clients and partners look for before saying yes.
Make a Pro Impression - Having a Certificate of Insurance ready shows you're serious. Whether you're walking a senior dog or training a stubborn pup, clients feel safer when they know you’re covered.
Build With Confidence - Thinking about launching new services, renting space, or hiring your first assistant? Insurance helps you scale your business responsibly, and keeps everything protected as you grow.
Stay in Control When Things Go Sideways - Even with calm animals and careful routines, accidents happen. Pet eats something it shouldn’t. Client trips at drop-off. Insurance lets you handle it, without derailing your whole business.
What Clients, Landlords & Facilities Might Ask For
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Certificate of Insurance (COI)
This is your proof that you're covered. Clients and businesses may ask to see it before booking or letting you in the door. With APOLLO, you'll receive it instantly after buying online.
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Additional Insured
Some landlords, property managers, or commercial pet facilities may ask to be listed on your policy. This gives them added protection if something goes wrong.
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Minimum Liability Requirements
Most require at least $1–2 million in general liability. APOLLO’s flexible policies can scale to meet these requirements without slowing you down.
Real Claim Stories We've Helped With
Dog Bite During Walk
While on a walk in Halifax, a client’s dog bit a passerby. The injured person sued for medical bills and emotional distress.
Commercial general liability insurance covered $5,000 in legal defense costs.
It also covered $7,500 in settlement and medical expenses.
Total insured loss: $12,500.
Fire at a Grooming Shop
In Winnipeg, an electrical short in a dryer caused a fire at a pet grooming shop, damaging grooming tables, clippers, and the reception area.
Commercial property insurance covered $10,000 in equipment replacement.
It also covered $6,000 in repairs and cleanup.
Total insured loss: $16,000.
Liability Quiz
Am I liable if a dog bites someone at the park while under my care?
Yes. Even if you're just walking the dog and not involved in the incident directly, you could still be held legally responsible. General liability insurance helps cover medical expenses and legal costs if someone gets hurt.
What if a pet damages a client’s furniture while I’m housesitting?
If you're responsible for the animal, you're also responsible for what happens while it's in your care. General liability insurance helps cover property damage claims.
Am I covered if I’m only walking dogs part-time or for free?
Yes. Accidents don’t care about your hours or your paycheck. Even unpaid or part-time work can result in liability, and you’ll want protection either way.
What happens if a pet escapes and gets injured during a session?
You could be held accountable, even if the escape was accidental. Professional liability insurance helps protect you in the event a client claims negligence or improper handling.
Do I still need insurance if I’m only working with friends and family?
Yes. Friendly favours can still come with serious risks and potential lawsuits. If something goes wrong, even well-meaning clients might take legal action to recover costs.
The Cost of Not Having Pet Business Insurance
Scenario | Estimated Cost Without Insurance | Covered By |
A dog in your care bites a child | $5,000–$30,000+ | ✔ General Liability |
Your clippers and equipment are stolen from your van | $2,000+ | ✔ Contents Coverage |
A dog swallows a treat and needs emergency surgery | $3,000–$10,000 | ✔ Professional Liability |
A client sues after a pet escapes from your fenced yard | $10,000–$50,000+ | ✔ General Liability |
You’re blamed for a training-related injury | $15,000–$60,000 | ✔ Professional Liability |
Top 5 Mistakes Pet Professionals Make (And How to Avoid Them)
1. Assuming your client’s insurance covers you
It’s a common myth, but if something goes wrong while a pet is under your care, you're the one held responsible. Always have your own coverage.
2. Starting before you’re insured
Whether it’s your first walk or your hundredth groom, things can go wrong fast. You don’t want to be uninsured when they do.
3. Not covering your tools and tech
From clippers and dryers to phones and POS devices, your gear matters. Contents insurance can save you thousands if things get lost, broken, or stolen.
4. Forgetting to add landlords or facilities to your policy
Many commercial spaces or property managers require to be listed as Additional Insured. Miss this step, and you could lose the booking or the space.
5. Thinking part-time or volunteer work doesn’t need coverage
Even if you’re walking dogs for friends or only working weekends, you can still face liability. It’s not about how often you work, it’s about what could happen while you do.