September is a perfect time for pets. The weather is cooling off, and people are taking more walks and spending time in parks. September is also Pet-Sitter Education Month™ for Pet Sitters International (PSI), which provides pet care and business training to professional pet sitters and dog walkers.
Didn’t know that pet sitters had an organization they could turn to for training? Yes, they do. In fact, according to Beth Stultz-Hairston, president of Pet Sitters International, pet sitter revenues have increased 25 percent from their pre-pandemic levels, which means this specialized trade is growing again.
PSI wants to help it grow by providing pet sitters and dog walkers access to more resources like online courses and on-demand webinars. Some of the courses the organization offers include how to begin a pet-sitting career, disaster planning for pet sitters, and specialized skills like pet first aid and CPCR for pet care professionals.
“More than three decades ago, when I started pet sitting, there were no pet-sitting specific resources available to me,” says Patti J. Moran, PSI CEO and founder. “We are proud to provide professional pet sitters and dog walkers with easy access to the educational tools they need to boost their businesses and provide exceptional pet care.”
As part of their educational package in September, PSI offers all of its courses for 25 percent off the subscription price. They also provide $10 off the monthly membership. (Pet sitters interested in these offerings must contact a representative for the coupon code.) The monthly membership includes a newsletter, online articles, live Q&As on a member-only Facebook group, and more.
The organization also offers a certification process, a knowledge-based assessment designed for professional pet sitters. This certification is not to be confused with those provided by the Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT), the International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC), or the Pet Professional Accreditation Board (PPAB). Still, it may be useful for those hoping to make a career out of being a pet sitter. The certification does include an exam.
How feasible is pet sitting as a career? According to Thumbtack, pet sitters charge $25 to $30 a day on average, depending on the services involved. The average cost of a 30-minute visit is $25, while overnight pet sitting costs $75 to $85.
Services are generally available for dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, rabbits, fish, and other household animals. Arrangements are dependent upon need. Some sitters specialize in vacation visits, while others provide ongoing pet care for busy fur-baby parents or short-term services when family matters take precedence.
Regardless of the services needed, an online pet records application like All About Spot is a pet-sitter goldmine. All About Spot provides a safe, secure online data management system for pet owners and any pet sitter approved by the owner. Pet records include medication schedules, allergic reactions, health records, food preferences, and favorite activities.
“Having all of your pet records stored online helps pet sitters do their job, especially in cases that involve short-term family emergencies or pet emergencies when the owner is unavailable,” says Kristi Pritchett, founder of All About Spot. “The last thing an owner wants to do is jot down pet-sitting instructions quickly when something important is on their mind. We take out all the guesswork by encouraging pet owners to answer as many questions as possible when they have no pressure to do it.”
Depending on the access granted to a pet sitter, professional or family friend, All About Spot can work both ways — pet owners updating records for pet sitters or pet sitters making notes for pet owners. It’s not hard to imagine a pet sitter noticing a behavioral change in a pet and recording it in the data system. Or, in a worst-case scenario, All About Spot can provide essential answers to a pet sitter’s questions during an emergency.
“When I used to write out pet instructions longhand before creating All About Spot, I didn’t always consider the consequences,” says Pritchett. “In an emergency, I was relying on my memory while packing for a trip, jotting down notes and adding stickies, and then passing off these papers to a pet sitter who may or may not have them handy when they needed them. All About Spot takes care of everything except selecting a sitter.”
To find a suitable sitter, Pritchett encourages pet owners to visit the “How to choose a reliable pet sitter” article published by The Humane Society. It covers online searches, firsthand recommendations, interviews, fees, services, and meet-and-greets. Pritchett said PSI members and specific certifications are a good starting point, too. It demonstrates the pet sitter’s commitment to professionalism.
