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 by Patti J. Moran, PSI president and founder

Recent licensing discussions regarding pet sitters in New York City (and previous discussions regarding a similar situation in Colorado) have caused some pet owners to fear their pet-care options are limited and have left them very confused about what “pet sitting” even is.

Pet sitting vs. boarding

We want pet owners to know that the issue there was actually about boarding pets in one’s own home without a license, which, in many communities, is indeed breaking a law established to protect pets and the people engaging in this practice.

Unfortunately, media outlets—and in turn, the general public—often refer to “pet sitting” when what they are really talking about is pet “boarding.” While these terms have been mistakenly used interchangeably, these are very different services, with very different requirements.

Pet Sitters International (PSI) defines “pet sitting” as going to the pet owner’s home to provide care so a pet is able to remain in its home environment, reducing stress and limiting exposure to disease and other risks. There is no inconvenience for the pet owner to transport  his or her pet, and the pet—and a professional pet sitter coming in and out of the home—can even provide crime deterrence while the owner is away.

“In-home boarding” by definition is when the pet is taken to another’s home to be cared for there. When taking your pet to another’s home, bites and fights can become a reality. Many homes are not adequately “pet-proofed” and illnesses can be transmitted unknowingly. This is why many states and cities have laws in place to regulate the practice of pet boarding.

We urge all pet-care providers to follow state and local regulations that relate to any services they provide. Compliance with business laws is a hallmark of professionalism.

Pet sitting isn’t new.

Professional pet sitters have been around much longer than the burgeoning sharing economy has existed. Since 1994 PSI has set standards for quality pet care and empowered  its professional members with the education, tools and resources necessary to provide high-quality, reliable pet care.

PSI is proud to have established and built the professional pet-sitting industry to give pet owners a convenient option for pet care and to make it easier for people to consider pet ownership. The association is, in fact, credited with literally defining “pet sitting.”

We were the ones who actually campaigned in 1997 to have the word “pet sitter” added to the dictionary. We realize that ”pet sitter” has now become a household word; however, we want the pet-owning public to know that it’s important to use a ”pet sitter” that upholds PSI’s definition of what a professional pet sitter should be.

Pet owners, please beware.

While pet-sitting options abound, pet owners should only use the services of professional pet sitters and dog walkers.

News stories of tragedies caused by pet lovers looking to earn extra cash and calling themselves “pet sitters” have become more common as the number of pet-care directory sites has grown and articles have touted pet sitting as an easy side job. While these pet lovers are likely well-intentioned, they often lack the experience, education and insurance coverage needed should a pet emergency or other unfortunate situation occur.

Also be sure to read the “fine print.” While it may take only a few minutes to find and contact a pet sitter through an online site, make sure their insurance truly covers the services they offer and protects you in the event of an unfortunate situation, and make sure you are signing a service contract that fully outlines the services you are to receive.

PSI recommends that pet owners ask seven important questions of any potential pet sitter or dog walker, including whether the sitter maintains pet-sitter liability insurance, is background checked and is a Certified Professional Pet Sitter.

While it may be tempting to save a little cash by hiring a neighbor, a high school student or even a loving, retired couple or family who has listed a free profile on a “pet sitter” site, isn’t your peace of mind and your pet’s health worth more?

Pet sitters, please care.

While it may seem like an innocent and easy enough service to provide, we know from our almost 24 years in the industry that providing quality pet care requires much more than simply loving pets. For those interested in entering the industry, please care enough about your clients and their pets to obtain the experience and training you need to offer quality service. Seek advice to ensure you are following all federal, state and local regulations to operate a legitimate professional service.

When I first started my pet-sitting business in 1983, professional pet sitting was unheard of and I didn’t have a guidebook, network or association to turn to for pet-sitting advice or support. Motivated by my passion for pets and a desire to forge my own path, I learned mostly by trial and error as I began to market this new service to pet owners who wanted the best care for their pets. I quickly learned that each pet, each home and each pet owner were different—and that professional pet sitting would require ongoing education for it to be a successful, reputable and profitable career. My goal was never to simply earn extra cash caring for pets, I wanted to establish my business as a credible and reputable one that provided high quality and caring services for local pet owners.

That is why it is so important to me that pet sitters today understand and take advantage of the educational resources and business tools that are now available to them to ensure that they can offer the best care.

In 1994, I started PSI with the goal of promoting pet-sitting excellence through education. Today, PSI is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers, with more than 6,000 member businesses who service nearly 700,000 pet-owning households across the United States and abroad each year.

The rapid growth of the pet-sitting industry in recent years has brought new challenges and opportunities for PSI and its pet-sitting members—as well as to pet owners unsure of how to select the best pet-care option for their pets. Our industry has always been faced with those who think it’s easy to print up a business card or hang out a shingle and call themselves a pet sitter. It’s just that in today’s world, it’s even easier to simply list on an online directory or platform to earn some extra cash “pet sitting.” That’s why it’s critical for those serious about the industry to take the steps necessary to become educated, professional pet sitters—and to let pet owners know why it’s vital to use professionals.

Pets today are considered true family members and I’m excited about the possibilities for our industry. I also remain committed to finding new resources and solutions to make the world a better place for these pets, their people and the professionals who offer them pet-care services.

If you are offering pet-sitting services, I hope you’ll make this very same commitment!