Protecting Pet Business Professionals Since 2000
Pet Business Insurance (PBI) was born from a simple but powerful vision: to provide specialized pet insurance for businesses that care for our beloved animal companions – those furry friends who make our lives infinitely better.
Founded in 2000 by Anja Cantillon, a seasoned insurance professional (and devoted pet parent) with experience at both Marsh and LRMS Insurance Services Ltd, PBI emerged as a pioneering force in the pet business insurance space. Having worked in traditional insurance markets since 1998, Anja saw a significant gap in the industry: small pet care businesses were being treated like the runt of the litter, struggling to secure appropriate coverage that addressed their specific needs.
This realization prompted Anja to create PBI with a clear purpose: offering tailored, easy-to-access pet business insurance options. Even in the early 2000s, before online insurance purchasing was popular, PBI built one of the industry's first fully digital pet business insurance platforms – allowing groomers, trainers, boarders, dog walkers, and other pet care businesses to secure coverage without hassle.
Leadership and Expansion
Anja acquired LRMS Insurance Services Ltd from Emma Fisher in 2000. The leadership team expanded in 2019 when Emma Fisher and Lynn Hobden-Clarke joined forces with Anja to enhance their pet business insurance offerings, followed by Shannah Cantillon as Associate Director in 2021. This team has guided PBI's thoughtful international expansion into Ireland, Spain, Australia, Sweden, and the United States (as Pet Business International).
"Pepper" the Toy Poodle joined as PBI's official brand ambassador during the U.S. launch. This furry professional has since developed quite the celebrity attitude and demands premium treats during photo shoots! Currently, PBI provides insurance for pet businesses in 12 U.S. states, with plans for continued expansion.
Shannah Cantillon
Associate Director
Lynne Hobden-Clarke
Director
What Sets Us Apart
- Niche Specialization: We focus exclusively on insurance for pet businesses, providing expertise that general insurers simply can't fetch.
- Accessibility for Small Businesses: We take particular pride in providing insurance solutions for "the little guys" – small and micro businesses that often struggle to find appropriate coverage elsewhere.
- Authentic Connection: Everyone at PBI is a dedicated pet owner, creating genuine alignment with the motivations and concerns of our clients.
- Client-Centered Approach: Our remarkable 90%+ client renewal rate is a testament to our philosophy. Every pet business insurance policy is addressed personally, with a real team member (who probably has pet hair on their clothing) handling client concerns directly.
Looking Ahead
Moving forward, PBI is balancing tech advances with personalized service while expanding geographically, particularly in the U.S. market. Our mission extends beyond pet business insurance policies to encompass a broader vision of impacting animal welfare and supporting the organizations that provide essential care services.
In a world full of corporate animals, we're proud to be a different breed of pet business insurance provider. Look for more from Pepper as this playful poodle infuses fun into pet business insurance.
