Frequently Asked Questions
Below, the PSI team has answered some of the most frequently asked questions we receive from prospective members. If you have a question that's not answered below—or need additional information—please reach out!
The PSI team is available by email at info@petsit.com or by phone at (336) 983-9222, option 1, Monday-Thursday, 9:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. ET.
Already a PSI member? View our PSI Member FAQs here.
How can PSI membership benefit my pet-sitting or dog-walking business?
Building a professional pet-sitting or dog-walking business on your own is hard. Whether it’s starting from scratch or scaling up after initial success, it can often feel like you’re on an island trying to figure out how to build your business on your own. At Pet Sitters International, we understand what it’s like to want to make a career out of something you love, and we have good news for you: there are answers to all your questions, and we can help you find them. Since 1994, we’ve helped over 40,000 people just like you start and grow a profitable, professional pet-sitting business.
When you become a PSI member, you’ll gain access to the credentials, continuing education, and community you need to have success in the pet-sitting industry. Whether it’s access to group rate pet-sitter insurance (U.S. and Canada), discounts on background checks, free client handouts, or discounts on PSI products and courses, we’re here to help you grow your pet-sitting business into whatever you want it to be. On top of all that, you’ll also receive a free monthly toolkit, be subscribed to Pet Sitter’s World magazine, be invited to join a private, online network of other pet-sitting business owners across the world who are there to offer advice, cheer you on and help you reach your goals—and much more!
You can view a more detailed description of PSI’s member benefits here or contact the PSI team to learn more about how PSI can help you and your business.
I know I need liability insurance and bonding for my business. How can PSI help?
PSI strongly encourages professional pet sitters to have liability insurance and bonding for their business. Accidents can happen to even the most conscientious pet sitters and you need protection for your business and your clients. That is why PSI partners with Business Insurers of the Carolinas (U.S.) and Binks Commercial Insurance Brokers (Canada) to ensure our members receive discounted group rates on liability insurance and bonding.
Contact the PSI team if you would like to receive more information about this member benefit and to learn how you can reach out to Business Insurers of the Carolinas or Binks Commercial Insurance Brokers directly and receive a quote at the member rate.
How much does it cost to join PSI?
We understand that you are a small-business owner and sticking to your budget is important. We are proud to make the annual PSI membership available at such an affordable rate.
You can join PSI today for:
- U.S. members: $150 USD (+ $5 application fee)
- Canadian members: $135 USD (+ $5 application fee)
- International members: $85 USD (+ $5 application fee)
The $5 application fee is charged your first year only. In subsequent years you only pay the annual membership fee (as long as your membership doesn't lapse).
Ready to join? Sign up online!
I am a pet sitter, but I also offer boarding, training, grooming and other services. Is PSI the right fit for me?
As an educational association, PSI’s focus is on professional pet sitting. Pet sitting is defined as caring for a client's pet(s) in the client's home. (Dog walking is also considered a form of pet sitting.) As long as you offer pet-sitting services, you can benefit from PSI membership!
PSI members may offer other services (e.g., grooming, boarding, training, etc.) and many do—but these must be in addition to pet sitting. If your list of services includes pet sitting and you are committed to excellence, then PSI is the place for you!
Are there specific membership requirements I need to meet to join PSI?
PSI’s goal is to educate professional pet sitters to enable them to offer the best services possible, and we welcome pet sitters and dog walkers at every stage of business. There are a few basic membership requirements (detailed below), and members must also agree to PSI’s Code of Conduct and Ethics when joining or renewing their PSI membership.
To be eligible for PSI membership, you must:
• Provide pet sitting (as described in the previous question) as part of your company’s service offerings. PSI understands that some individuals join PSI prior to starting a pet-sitting business/offering pet-sitting services to take advantage of PSI’s range of educational resources. These individuals who plan to offer pet-sitting services are eligible for PSI membership, although they may not currently be offering services.
• Meet the minimum age requirement. PSI members must be at least 18 years of age. This minimum age requirement has been implemented for membership because minors cannot enter legal agreements (e.g., pet-sitting contracts) or obtain liability insurance.
• Not own, operate, or serve in an advisory capacity of a competing membership organization, directory or app. PSI welcomes other pet-sitting membership organizations to the industry and recognizes the valuable services many of them provide to pet sitters. Nonetheless, it is inappropriate for those who own, operate or serve in an advisory capacity of such competing member associations to maintain membership in PSI, due to the potential for conflict of interest and misuse of the proprietary information and intellectual property assets that PSI makes available to its members. Because membership is for individual pet-sitting businesses, companies that serve as directories or apps to connect pet owners with service providers are ineligible for membership.
What should I charge for my services?
This may be one of the most frequently asked questions we receive here at PSI. You’ve likely found it can be difficult to find information on this topic! That’s because anti-price fixing laws prohibit service providers from collectively discussing specific pricing details in group settings or online groups; however, PSI can share industry averages with you.
PSI conducts our biennial State of the Industry Survey, which includes questions on rates and services. While we reserve the full results of this survey to share with our members, you are able to access the averages that we’ve gathered, as well as advice on setting your rates, in this PSI blog post, Setting Your Pet-Sitting Rates.
Ready to join? Sign up online!
Already a PSI member? View our PSI Member FAQs here.
