Is high employee turnover quietly raising your kennel’s insurance costs?
Are new staff members making preventable mistakes that put animals, employees, and your facility at risk?
If so, you’re not alone, and there’s a solution that might surprise you. Most Nevada kennel owners focus on safety protocols and facility upgrades to reduce risk. But the most effective strategy may be who’s on your team, and how long they stay.
In this guide, you’ll learn why staff retention is one of the most powerful and underrated risk management tools available to kennel owners. We’ll show you how employee stability impacts everything from liability to claims frequency, and how creating a safe, professional, and loyal team can improve your insurance profile and your bottom line.
Here’s what we’ll cover:
- How high turnover raises risk across four key insurance categories
- Why investing in your team’s growth improves safety and care
- The strategies top-performing kennels use to retain staff and lower premiums
- What your insurance underwriter really wants to see
The Hidden Risk of High Turnover in Pet Care
Every time you lose a trained employee, you reset your safety clock.
While facility upgrades matter, risk ultimately walks on two legs. Inexperienced or short-term staff are statistically more likely to make errors, whether it’s mishandling an animal, skipping a critical step in medication, or overlooking a maintenance issue that leads to property damage.
Here’s how high turnover increases your exposure across key insurance policies:
General Liability & Animal Bailee
New staff may not recognize signs of animal stress, misjudge playgroup dynamics, or secure kennels properly. These mistakes can lead to dog fights, injuries, or escapes, each a potential claim under your General Liability or Animal Bailee policies.
Workers’ Compensation
Inexperienced employees are far more likely to suffer on-the-job injuries. Improper lifting, poor animal handling, or simple unfamiliarity with your layout increases claim frequency and drives up your premiums.
Professional Liability (Errors & Omissions)
Administering the wrong dose of medication. Mislabeling food for a pet with allergies. Missing early signs of illness. These are common errors among new hires, and every one puts your license and liability policy at risk.
Property Insurance
Staff who don’t stay long rarely take ownership of the facility. Small issues, like a frayed wire or a leaking pipe, often go unreported until they become costly claims.
Bottom line: Staff turnover isn’t just a human resources challenge, it’s a direct threat to your insurability.
Retention as a Risk Management Strategy
High-retention kennels aren’t lucky. They’re strategic.
Here’s how smart owners reduce risk by investing in their team.
1. Train for Safety, Certify for Excellence
A well-trained team is your first line of defense against costly claims.
- Safety Certifications: Require all long-term staff to earn pet first aid and CPR certification. It’s a practical skill that reduces risk and reassures insurers.
- Professional Growth: Offer to sponsor standout employees for advanced credentials, like the PACCC (Professional Animal Care Provider). Employees who feel invested in are more likely to stay and perform better.
- Drill Readiness: Conduct regular emergency drills for scenarios like dog fights, medical emergencies, or evacuations. These moments test your protocols and build confidence under pressure.
2. Build a Culture of Accountability and Ownership
Employees don’t guard what they don’t feel responsible for.
- Risk Reporting Systems: Create a no-blame process for flagging safety concerns. Reward staff for identifying hazards before they cause harm.
- Safety Committees: Involve employees in monthly meetings to improve protocols. Ownership drives compliance.
- Performance Reviews with a Purpose: Embed safety expectations into job descriptions and annual evaluations to reinforce risk-conscious behavior.
3. Use Compensation to Encourage Loyalty and Safety
Your payroll policy can protect your bottom line.
- Longevity Pay Bumps: Offer scheduled raises based on tenure. A clear path to higher pay encourages commitment.
- Safety Bonuses: Tie team bonuses to safety milestones, like a clean quarter without incidents or proactive hazard reporting.
- Benefits That Prevent Mistakes: Paid time off, flexible schedules, and sick leave help employees show up rested, focused, and less prone to errors.
What Insurance Underwriters Really Want to See
Underwriters don’t just price coverage, they evaluate risk. Your team tells them a lot.
To improve your insurability and potentially lower your premiums:
- Share Your Turnover Rate: If your staff stays significantly longer than the industry average, show it. It’s powerful evidence of a stable, low-risk operation.
- Document Your Training: Keep records of certifications, drills, and continuing education. Underwriters value professional development.
- Showcase Your Safety Committee: Meeting notes, rosters, and photos of training sessions add credibility and demonstrate proactive risk management.
Final Takeaway: Your Team Is Your Insurance Advantage
The most effective risk-reduction strategy isn’t a product. It’s your people.
Turnover is costly. It leads to more incidents, higher premiums, and less trust from your insurer. But by building a stable, well-trained, and empowered team, you create a kennel that’s not only safer for animals and staff, but more insurable and more profitable.
If you’ve made this investment in your people, your insurance should reflect it. Contact our Nevada kennel insurance team to explore coverage that rewards your commitment to safety and staff retention.
