Benefits of the Pets Canada 

Education Modules

Advance your skills, earn recognition, and lead with confidence in the pet world.

Our pet industry training programs are designed for professionals across all sectors of the pet world—whether you're working in pet retail, grooming, boarding, training, veterinary support, or any pet-related service. These programs help you build and refine your knowledge, ensuring you stay informed on the latest standards, trends, and best practices that support animal well-being.

From understanding animal behavior and safety to learning about products, services, and customer communication, our training covers the essentials that empower you to provide outstanding service and care in any role. Whether you're just starting out or looking to advance your career, earning a certificate is a powerful way to show employers, clients, and partners that you're committed to excellence and the health and happiness of every pet.

Set yourself apart in a growing and competitive industry—invest in your professional development and become a trusted expert in the world of pets.

Expert-Led Training

Learn at Your Own Pace


Make a Real Difference

Earn Your Certification

Pets Canada - Pet Care Training

Invasive Species Prevention for Pet Stores

*Please note this program is only available in English at this time

Our Pet Care Training Programs are thoughtfully developed to enhance the knowledge and skills of individuals who work with animals every day. Whether you're an animal care professional, a pet store associate, or simply passionate about animal welfare, these programs offer the most current and comprehensive insights into modern pet care practices.

Earning a Pets Canada Pet Care Training Certificate demonstrates your commitment to excellence in animal care. It not only strengthens your professional credentials but also shows clients and employers that you are serious about the well-being of the animals entrusted to you. This certification can help build trust, boost your credibility within the pet industry, and open doors to new career opportunities.

The Pet Care Training Program offers a range of specialized modules tailored to the unique care requirements of different animal types. 

These focused specialties provide in-depth, practical knowledge to ensure you are fully prepared to support the health and well-being of a wide variety of pets.

Available specialties include :

  • Canine
  • Feline
  • Reptile
  • Small Mammal
  • Avian
  • Freshwater Fish

Each specialty module delivers comprehensive training across the following key areas:

  • General Information: Gain foundational knowledge about each species, including their natural history, behaviors, and characteristics.
  • Legislative Matters: Understand the legal responsibilities, industry regulations, and animal welfare standards that apply in your region.
  • Sourcing and Receiving Animals: Learn ethical sourcing practices, import/export considerations, and how to assess animals' health upon arrival.
  • Housing and Nutrition: Explore how to create safe, enriching environments and provide species-appropriate diets and care routines.
  • Hygiene and Disease Prevention: Develop skills in sanitation, handling, and preventive care to reduce the risk of illness and ensure animal safety.
  • Common Diseases: Identify, manage, and prevent common illnesses, parasites, and species-specific health concerns.
  • Vaccination Protocols: Review recommended vaccination schedules and best practices tailored to each animal type.
  • Care of Baby Animals: Receive specialized guidance on nurturing young animals, including feeding, handling, and developmental care.
  • Customer Relations: Build effective communication strategies with pet owners, offer product or service warranties, ensure a positive experience in any pet care setting.

Whether you're working in a pet store, grooming salon, boarding facility, or another area of the pet industry, these modules are designed to elevate your expertise and help you deliver exceptional care across a broad rage of animal species.

The Pet Care Training Program is designed to be both affordable and accessible, with flexible pricing options to meet the needs of individuals and businesses across the pet industry.

Program Pricing

  • Pets Canada Members: $150 per specialty module
  • Non-Members: $200 per specialty module

If you need assistance locating your Member PIN, please contact us at remi.k​lander@petscanada.org, and we'll be happy to help.

Staff License Pricing

  • Members: $30 per staff license
  • Non-Members: $50 per staff license

Staff licenses make it easy to provide your employees with industry-recognized training and certification, helping your business maintain high standards of care and customer service. 

The duration of the Pet Care Training Program is flexible and depends on how much time you choose to dedicate to your studies. 

On average, most participants complete the learning material and the accompanying online exam in approximately 4 or more hours. The program is designed for self-paced learning, allowing you to progress through the content at a speed that suits your schedule. Whether you prefer to complete it in one sitting or spread it out over several days, you have the freedom to pause and resume at any time.

Once you've completed the study material, you'll be ready to take the online exam - the final step toward earning your Pets Canada Pet Care Training Certificate.

The certification is a key component of the Pet Care Training Program, giving you the opportunity to demonstrate your understanding of the material and apply what you've learned.

Certification Overview

  • Open-Book Format: The certification is open-book, allowing you to reference the study materials as you complete it. This format encourages deeper learning and helps reinforce key concepts.
  • Multiple-Choice Questions: You'll answer a series of multiple-choice questions designed to assess your grasp of essential pet care principles, best practices, and species-specific information.
  • Flexible Completion Timeline: Once you begin the certification, you'll have 30 days to complete and submit it. You can log in and out at any time - your progress will be saved so you can complete it at your own pace.
  • Automatic Submission: When you finish, your answers will be automatically submitted for review - no additional steps required.

The certification is designed to be user-friendly yet thorough, ensuring you've absorbed both the functional knowledge and practical detail needed to provide high-quality pet care.

Upon successfully completing the certification with a score of 70% or higher, you will be awarded an electronic certificate recognizing your achievement and commitment to excellence in pet care.

In addition to your certificate, you will also receive an official confirmation letter verifying your successful completion of the program - an ideal document to include in your professional portfolio or share with employers and clients. 

Once you’ve completed the certification, be sure to download your certificate and share it with your boss and colleagues!

The Pet Care Training Program offers specialized modules in a range of pet care areas, allowing you to focus on the specific needs of different animal types. Each specialty provides comprehensive coverage of essential topics to ensure you are well-prepared to care for pets of all kinds. The available specialties include:

  • Canine
  • Feline
  • Reptile
  • Small Mammal
  • Avian
  • Freshwater Fish

Each program covers critical areas of animal care, including:

  • General Information: Foundational knowledge on the specific species, including natural history and behavior.
  • Legislative Matters: Overview of the laws and regulations relevant to pet care and the pet industry in your jurisdiction.
  • Sourcing and Receiving Animals: Best practices for acquiring animals, including ethical sourcing, import/export laws, and ensuring animals are healthy upon arrival.
  • Housing and Nutrition: Guidance on providing suitable environments for animals, including appropriate housing, diet, and enrichment.
  • Hygiene and Disease Prevention: Preventative care techniques to ensure the health and safety of pets, including cleaning protocols, handling practices, and disease management.
  • Common Diseases: Identification and treatment of common diseases, parasites, and health issues specific to each type of animal.
  • Vaccination Protocols: An overview of vaccination schedules, requirements, and best practices for each species.
  • Care of Baby Animals: Specialized care for young animals, including nutrition, handling, and developmental milestones.
  • Customer Relations: This includes creating effective communication with pet owners, offering warranties, and fostering a positive experience within the store or service setting.

The Pet Care Training Program offers specialized modules in a range of pet care areas, allowing you to focus on the specific needs of different animal types. Each specialty provides comprehensive coverage of essential topics to ensure you are well-prepared to care for pets of all kinds. The available specialties include:

  • Canine
  • Feline
  • Reptile
  • Small Mammal
  • Avian
  • Freshwater Fish

Each program covers critical areas of animal care, including:

  • General Information: Foundational knowledge on the specific species, including natural history and behavior.
  • Legislative Matters: Overview of the laws and regulations relevant to pet care and the pet industry in your jurisdiction.
  • Sourcing and Receiving Animals: Best practices for acquiring animals, including ethical sourcing, import/export laws, and ensuring animals are healthy upon arrival.
  • Housing and Nutrition: Guidance on providing suitable environments for animals, including appropriate housing, diet, and enrichment.
  • Hygiene and Disease Prevention: Preventative care techniques to ensure the health and safety of pets, including cleaning protocols, handling practices, and disease management.
  • Common Diseases: Identification and treatment of common diseases, parasites, and health issues specific to each type of animal.
  • Vaccination Protocols: An overview of vaccination schedules, requirements, and best practices for each species.
  • Care of Baby Animals: Specialized care for young animals, including nutrition, handling, and developmental milestones.
  • Customer Relations: This includes creating effective communication with pet owners, offering warranties, and fostering a positive experience within the store or service setting.