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The results of Pet Sitters International’s 2017 online survey indicate that while vacations and business travel are top reasons for using pet sitters, pet owners are seeking out their services for a variety of other reasons—from weddings to sports tournaments.

KING, N.C. (February 21, 2017) — When people hear the term “pet sitter,” they may associate it with someone who watches pets while owners are on vacation, but new survey results indicate that pet owners depend on professional pet-sitting services for much more than occasional travel.

In an online survey conducted in January, Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational organization for professional pet sitters, asked members to indicate the reasons for which clients had booked their pet-care services. Vacations and business trips topped the list, but the majority of pet sitters surveyed indicated clients book their services for a variety of other situations as well.

“While professional pet sitters are an ideal solution when vacation or business travel keep pet owners from home, their services are also very beneficial for busy, on-the-go pet owners who may need occasional—or even daily—pet care while they are in town,” explains Beth Stultz, PSI’s vice-president, marketing and operations. 

The top five reasons clients use pet-sitting services (based on nearly 1,330 member responses) are:

• Client out of town on a personal trip/vacation (98 percent)
• Client out of town on a business trip (90 percent)
• Client working long hours (82 percent)
• Client in town, but at a special event such as a concert, party, etc. (66 percent)
• Client has special-needs pet(s) that needs medication or fluids administered at specific times (63 percent)

But the list didn’t end there, with pet sitters selecting a variety of other reasons pet owners have used their services—from puppies and senior pets in need of more frequent visits (indicated by 63 percent and 58 percent of pet sitters respectively), to families away at children’s sporting events/tournaments (55 percent) and clients who either want someone to watch their dogs during their weddings or bring them to the ceremonies (45 percent).

While the survey indicates a diversity of pet-care needs pet sitters are already fulfilling, PSI President and Founder Patti Moran sees opportunities for additional growth in the industry. For example, only 26 percent of respondents indicated they had been asked to pet sit because the client’s pet was obese and/or needed additional exercise, but recent data from Nationwide indicates that pet obesity is on the rise for the sixth straight year.

“Professional pet sitters are able to offer more customized services than some other pet-care options,” says Moran. “And as pet owners look to address specific issues such as pet obesity, pet sitters will be able to fill this need and expand their service offerings and client base.”

“Whether using pet sitters for long-term vacation pet care or a simple drop-in visit, pet owners should do their due diligence to ensure they are using the services of a professional pet-sitting business,” adds Moran.

PSI provides pet owners with access to the largest online directory of professional pet sitters free-of-charge and offers a free Pet-Sitter Interview Checklist.

To learn more about PSI and professional pet sitters, visit www.petsit.com.

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