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There’s great truth to the statement, “There’s strength in numbers.” Pet sitting can be lonely. And whether you are just starting your pet-sitting business or are a pet-care veteran, you have questions—and there’s no one better to help answer your questions and share in your daily challenges and joys than a fellow pet sitter. 

PSI members have a network of nearly 7,000 fellow PSI members and pet-sitting business owners, and PSI is always looking for ways to help our members connect with one another. From PSI’s annual conference to the private Facebook chat group, PSI is always seeking out new avenues to allow our members to find support, advice and new ideas from fellow pet sitters. 

PSI’s Pet Sitter Spotlight series has that same goal. Each month, we’ll feature a different PSI member and share his or her answers to our pet-sitting survey. The responses will help you get to “know” this pet sitter and provide you with some tips and advice for your own pet-sitting business. You can view past Pet Sitter Spotlights here.

PSI members, if you are interested in being considered for a PSI Pet Sitter Spotlight, complete this questionnaire.

Meet Cami Vella Green, owner of Adventure Pet Sitting, in Rochester, N.Y.:

Your Name: Cami Vella Green

Business Name: Adventure Pet Sitting

Location: Rochester, New York

Year you started your pet-sitting business: 1991.

What was your previous job/profession? Grooming and residential counselor for developmentally-disabled adults.

What is your current business structure? (sole proprietor, LLC, etc.) Sole proprietor.

Number of current clients: 200.

How many visits do you typically do per day? 15-21

Is your service area urban, suburban or rural?  Suburban

Is your pet-sitting business insured? Yes.

Is your pet-sitting business bonded? Yes.

Do you provide proof of your clear criminal history (background check)? Yes

How long did it take you to build up your clientele? About two years…it was so different in 1991!

Do you use staff sitters? Yes, employees. I’ve hired staff sitters I’ve known personally—we’ve worked/volunteer at a local shelter together.

Do you offer any services besides basic in the client's home pet sitting and dog walking? (pet taxi, etc.) Yes:

• Pet taxi
• Basic cat behavior modification
• Grooming tips (NY State Certified groomer), nail trims
• Picking up pet food, etc. for owners

What educational opportunities have you taken advantage of since becoming a pet sitter?

I completed the Certificate in Professional Pet Sitting and became a PSI Certified Professional Pet Sitter. In addition, I’ve completed: American Red Cross & Pet First Aid Certification, Animal Psychology Course certificate from Holly and Hugo and TSA Certification to transport pets.

Which advertising methods worked best when you were a new business in 1991? 

• Word of mouth
• Town paper
• Yellow Pages
• Church bulletin
• Fliers/business cards

Do you still use the same advertising methods? We now advertise in different ways:

• Leave business cards at shelter where I volunteer
• Website
• Facebook
• Angie’s List

What's one mistake you've made as a professional pet sitter (when you were just starting out or at any time during your career)? What did you learn/what do you do differently now?

I took jobs wherever I could and didn’t limit my service area. I never said “no,” didn’t take time off and my prices were too low. I didn’t raise my rates until ten years after I started.

What advice would you give to new pet sitters? 

Limit your service area, get insured and bonded, join PSI and go to PSI conferences!

Are there any must-have business tools your business could not do without?

A car that works well, AAA and backup help!

 Do you schedule vacation time and/or days off? If so, how often? 

I’ve just recently started taking time off because I always felt guilty. Currently my time off is only a week or so each year. I’ve recently begun letting staff help out, but it’s hard when your clients just want you.

Are there any tips you would share for establishing a healthy work/life balance? 

Stick to your plans. I’ve made lots of plans that have fallen through due to work. So, just do the opposite of me! Plan time off in advance, let clients know and stick to those plans.

Is there any other information about your business and/or what has helped you create a successful pet-sitting business that you'd like to share? 

I’ve lasted longer than most of the pet-sitting businesses in my time and may be one of the oldest pet-sitting businesses in Rochester, N.Y. I truly love and enjoy what I do. Hang in there on tough days, because it does get better!