If you are like most pet parents, your dog or cat is a member of the family. When it comes time to choose care for them, whether that is daily support, behavioural guidance, grooming, enrichment, or pet care while you are away, many people default to thinking, “My neighbour loves animals, so they can help.” While neighbours, friends, or the teenager down the street may have good intentions, the reality is that pet care in Canada is an unregulated industry, and caring for animals safely, responsibly, and professionally requires far more than simply loving pets.
Anyone can watch a YouTube video, charge a fee, and call themselves a professional trainer or walker. This “Wild West” environment can leave pet parents vulnerable to liability and their pets at risk of inconsistent care. This is why seeking out a Verified Pro through organizations like Canadian Pet Care Professionals (CPCP) is a necessity, not a luxury.
From dog walking and pet sitting to professional training, grooming, daycare, or boarding services, your pet deserves to be cared for by someone who’s been vetted, insured, and trained and not just someone who loves animals.
Here is why you should look for the Verified Pro badge when hiring care for your furry best friend.
1. Vetting and Legitimacy
When you hire a hobbyist, you often don’t know if they are legally prepared to run a business. A Verified Pro member of the CPCP must meet strict minimum requirements, including: having a registered business and holding commercial liability insurance. This offers you protection that a casual sitter cannot providing a safety net against accidents or damages in your home.
Using the Verified Pro directory ensures the person entering your home has been vetted for these credentials, while we recommend doing your own due diligence to ensure they are a good fit, our directory saves you the stress of doing all the background work yourself.
2. Education and Safety Skills
There is a big difference between loving dogs and knowing how to manage them safely. A hobbyist might not know what to do if an off-leash dog charges your pet or if a medical emergency arises. Verified Pros prioritize education.
For example:
- Many professional teams require Pet First Aid certification before a walker ever steps out the door.
- They are trained to understand dog body language and behaviour, ensuring they can spot signs of distress or aggression that an untrained eye would miss.
- Members committed to the CPCP Code of Ethics pledge and engage in ongoing professional development to stay updated on best practices.
3. Accountability and Ethics
When you hire a random person from a social media group, there is often no recourse if something goes wrong. Verified Pros are held to a higher standard through a Code of Ethics. This code mandates honesty, integrity, and transparency regarding their services and qualifications. It also requires them to prioritize the welfare and safety of your animals using humane handling methods.
Because these professionals are part of a larger organization, there is a level of accountability. We take complaints seriously and review them carefully. If a member fails to uphold our standards, the organization may investigate concerns and revoke membership, resulting in removal from the directory. This enforcement process has been used in real cases and memberships have been revoked. Complaints of a CPCP member can be filed by emailing hello@petcareprocanada.ca.
This structure replaces the uncertainty of the “black market” with a trusted community.
4. Reliability and Professionalism
A “Verified Pro” treats pet care as a career, not a side gig to cure boredom or make a few extra dollars.
Professional businesses have systems in place, like service agreements and backup plans, to ensure your pet is never left stranded. By hiring a Verified Pro, you are supporting a business owner who has invested in insurance, training and education, professional websites, proper software, and legal compliance. They are committed to being there for the long haul, rather than treating your pet’s care as a temporary way to make quick cash.
What Verified PRO Looks Like for Different Pet Care Services
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Trainers: A real trainer uses science-based methods, not fear, intimidation, or punishment that can make behaviour worse. Not all “dog trainers” are actually trained. Verified Pros carry liability insurance and invest in real education and ongoing learning, not just watching YouTube videos and calling themselves an expert.
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Groomers: A professional groomer uses the right tools and handling techniques to prevent cuts, injuries, and unnecessary stress. They can recognize early signs of skin infections, ear issues, matting, and anxiety before they become serious problems. Grooming is a health service, not just a cosmetic one. Their tools are sanitized, their space is safe, and they know exactly what to do if a pet is injured or suddenly unwell.
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Daycare providers: Daycare isn’t just playtime, it’s risk management, enrichment, and behaviour care. A verified daycare provider structures social time safely, screens dogs before group play, and understands play styles, rest cycles, and supervision ratios. They have trained staff, emergency protocols, and insurance, not chaos and crossed fingers.
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Boarding facility: A professional boarding facility has clear emergency procedures, trained staff, and systems you can trust. They follow feeding, medication, and routine instructions exactly. They know how to spot illness or injury early and already have vet and emergency plans in place. Their space is secure, clean, and monitored… not a spare room with hope as the safety plan. Overnight care means your pet’s life is literally in someone else’s hands.
- Pet Sitters and Dog Walkers: Verified PRO sitters and walkers understand escape prevention, leash safety, weather risks, and animal behaviour. They are insured, trained in pet first aid, and have clear emergency protocols. They don’t ghost, disappear, or cancel last minute without a backup plan. Your pet deserves more than “someone who loves animals.”
- Special & Multi-Service Professionals: Some pets need more: rehab, enrichment, senior care, medical boarding, or behaviour support. That’s not trial-and-error care. That’s trained, experienced professionals doing the work your pet actually needs. Different pets need different expertise — and verified professionals deliver it.
The Bottom Line
Your pet’s safety shouldn’t be left to chance. By choosing a pet care provider who displays the Verified Pro badge, you can trust that they are insured, educated, and held accountable. It signals that they are serious about their profession and dedicated to providing the highest standard of care.
Next time you need a dog walker, pet sitter, trainer, groomer, kennel or daycare services, check the Canadian Pet Care Professionals directory to find a vetted expert in your area.
Your peace of mind, and your pet’s well-being, deserve it!
Author: Erika Godwin
Erika Godwin is the President of Barketing Solutions and the Co-Founder and CMO of ProPet Software, and Co-Founder of Canadian Pet Care Professionals (CPCP).