Pet Sitters International advises reptile owners to do their research before securing pet care
The international association offers tips for reptile owners seeking reliable pet-care providers when work or travel keep them from home.
KING, N.C. (October 17, 2017) — On Oct. 21, people across the United States will celebrate National Reptile Awareness Day—a day created for reptile owners to celebrate their pets, but also to promote appreciation, education and conservation for reptiles.
According to the American Pet Products Association, 4.7 million U.S. households own reptiles. Although reptiles have not achieved the same popularity or acceptance as other pets such as dogs, cats or fish, their owners still need quality pet-care options when work or leisure keep them from home.
Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, advises reptile owners—and all pet owners—to do their research and only use the services of professional pet sitters for their pet-care needs.
“Often times, pet owners, and even news outlets, use the term ‘pet sitter’ carelessly, referring to anyone—from a family friend to the neighborhood teenager asked to check in on your pet—as a ‘pet sitter,’” explains PSI President Patti J. Moran. “It is important that pet owners understand that pet sitting is a professional career and professional pet sitters offer peace of mind that other pet-care options cannot.”
While pet owners may think to call a pet sitter to offer dog walks or cat care while they are away from home, there are also options available for those who, instead, need someone to feed a mouse to their ball pythons. The number of professional pet sitters offering services to reptiles is growing. PSI has more than 6,000 member businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad, and according to PSI’s 2016 State of the Industry Survey, nearly 40 percent of its members offer pet-sitting services for reptiles and amphibians.
When selecting a professional pet sitter, reptile owners should be sure to ask specific questions.
Jordan Di Marco, Certified Professional Pet Sitter® and owner of Dogma Catma Pet Sitting in Boulder, Colo., offers reptile owners this advice: “Because there are so many species of reptiles, don’t discount a sitter who only has experience with snakes if you have a lizard, for example—but be sure the pet sitter understands your pet’s needs in terms of heating, lighting, feeding humidity and substrate.”
Additionally, PSI advises all pet owners to ask seven important questions when interviewing a potential pet sitter:
- Does the pet sitter have the proper business license for your city or state, if required?
- Is the pet sitter insured and bonded?
- Can the pet sitter provide proof of clear criminal history?
- Does the pet sitter provide client references?
- Will the pet sitter use a pet-sitting services agreement or contract?
- Is the pet sitter a Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS®) and/or has he or she participated in other pet-care training, such as pet first aid?
- Is the pet sitter a member of a professional and educational association, such as Pet Sitters International?
PSI also recommends that pet owners schedule an initial consultation with a potential pet sitter prior to booking services and offers a Pet Sitter Interview Checklist on its website to guide pet owners in the interview process.
Di Marco offers this final piece of advice for reptile owners using the services of a professional pet sitter: “Always leave extra light bulbs!”
To learn more about PSI, visit www.petsit.com. To find a local PSI member pet sitter in your area, search PSI’s Pet Sitter Locator at www.petsit.com/locate.
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About Pet Sitters International
Founded in 1994 by Patti J. Moran, author of Pet Sitting for Profit, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, with member pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and more than 20 other countries. PSI has been the most trusted name in professional pet sitting for more than two decades, and PSI members have access to the widest array of business services and educational resources available in the professional pet-sitting industry. PSI’s Official Pet Sitter Locator is the largest online directory of professional pet sitters, and pet owners can visit petsit.com/locate to find local professional pet sitters.
