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Pet Sitters International’s 2018 State of the Industry Survey reveals an optimistic outlook for the professional pet-sitting industry in Canada.

KING, N.C. (April 24, 2018) — Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational association for professional pet sitters, has released its 2018 State of the Industry Survey, revealing that PSI’s member pet-sitting businesses performed more than 22 million pet-sitting assignments and generated more than $440 million in pet-sitting revenues last year. While these statistics are worldwide, a closer look at PSI’s Canadian members found that “going to the cats and dogs” is paying off for professional pet-sitting businesses in Canada.

According to PSI’s recently-released survey results, PSI’s member businesses in Canada served an average of 91 clients and performed an average of 1,593 pet-sitting assignments per business in 2017. The average gross revenue for Canadian pet sitters in 2017 was $61,208.51—considerably more than the average wage of $51,000/year for Canadian employees reported by Statistics Canada.

PSI member Laura Keuhl, owner of The Dogs Meow in Kingston, Ontario, left a career as a Registered Cardiology Technologist last year to start her business and said it’s been a great change.

“Within six months, I was making more pet sitting with more time off than I was working in cardiology. I love it so much more,” said Keuhl. “Operating my professional pet-sitting business has brought less stress and more flexibility.”

In only a year, Keuhl’s client base has grown from only two clients to more than 50. She’s currently working alone, but looking to expand in the near future and is pursuing her designation as a Certified Professional Pet Sitter^® (CPPS^®).

“While our Canadian membership numbers are relatively small—a little more than 200 member businesses—we expect to see a growing number of  professional pet-sitting and dog-walking businesses in Canada as pet owners become increasingly savvy in their pet-care choices,” said PSI Founder and President Patti J. Moran.

“Demand—and revenue potential—will continue to increase for professional pet sitters and dog walkers who are willing to maintain professional business credentials such as pet sitter insurance and bonding and take advantage of continuing education opportunities for pet-care businesses,” added Moran.

PSI’s survey—conducted every two years—is the most comprehensive survey of its kind for the professional pet-sitting industry, gathering data about gross business revenues, types of services most offered, average charges for services and more.

The association plans to share additional survey data throughout the year. To learn more about PSI or professional pet sitting as a career, visit www.petsit.com. To find your local professional pet sitter, take advantage of PSI’s free pet-sitter search by postal code at petsit.com/locate.

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