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Pet Sitters International offers tips for selecting a pet sitter or dog walker you can trust and offers a free checklist for interviewing pet sitters.

KING, N.C. (August 17, 2023) — With students across the country returning to school and companies like Zoom encouraging employees to return to the office, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is advising pet parents that professional pet-sitting and dog-walking services are available to provide a solution for pets who have grown accustomed to having their humans at home.

PSI, the world’s leading educational association for professional pet-sitting and dog-walking business owners, encourages pet parents to contact a local professional pet sitter or dog walker to discuss availability and services that would ensure pets get the playtime and enrichment they need to alleviate stress and prevent destructive behaviors while owners are out of the house.

“Professional pet sitters are happy to meet with pet parents and customize services to help pets get the exercise and attention they need to stay healthy and happy, whether pet parents will be traveling, returning to the office, or even busy working from home,” said PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston. “With professional pet-sitting services widely available, pet parents don’t have to worry about their pet’s care and well-being.”

PSI offers the following tips for pet parents looking for a professional pet-sitting or dog-walking service:

1. Be specific about your needs. Professional pet sitters and dog walkers typically have a variety of available service options, so be upfront about your schedule and your needs, whether those include daily dog walks, enrichment visits for your cat, daily potty breaks for a new puppy, or occasional visits due to your hybrid-work schedule. Many pet sitters and dog walkers offer package options for pet parents who need regular visits each week and some even provide activities like hiking excursions for more active dog breeds.

2. Don’t prioritize convenience over quality. Pet parents should not let click-and-select convenience of online sites overshadow the importance of due diligence when selecting a pet sitter or dog walker. Any pet lover can post their services online for a cheap price, but professional pet-care providers will have the training, credentials and insurance coverage needed to provide excellent pet care and protect clients and their homes.

3. Meet the pet sitter in person first. PSI always recommends pet parents schedule an initial consultation or “meet and greet” at their home—with pets present—before booking pet-care services. This allows the pet parent to meet the pet sitter and see them interact with their pets; review the sitter’s services, credentials and business practices; and make sure they are the best fit for their family.

4. Ask the right questions. Pet parents can download a free pet-sitter interview checklist from PSI at www.petsit.com/locate. This checklist includes seven important questions you should ask any pet sitter or dog walker that you are considering hiring. You can also search by ZIP code for a PSI member business in your area.

5. Start your search now. Pet parents should go ahead and start contacting local professional pet sitters or dog walkers, especially since their services are increasing in demand. PSI recently reported that PSI member businesses are more profitable than ever and have exceeded pre-COVID earnings, and their number of clients is on the rise. If your preferred pet sitter isn’t available, ask them for a referral to another local professional pet sitter.

“The good news for pet parents is that professional pet sitters and dog walkers are available to offer a variety of services that meet pet parents’ needs,” said PSI Founder and CEO Patti J. Moran. “Knowing that a beloved pet can enjoy the stress-free environment of its own home can provide great peace of mind for pet parents.”

To learn more about PSI or to locate a professional pet sitter in your area, visit www.petsit.com.

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