PSI survey reveals that entrepreneurs from a wide range of professional backgrounds are finding success as professional pet sitters
More than half of PSI members left their previous careers to start professional pet-sitting businesses, according to PSI’s most recent State of the Industry Survey.
The pet-care industry is growing, and people from a variety of professional backgrounds are finding they can turn their love for pets into rewarding careers as professional pet sitters and business owners.
Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational organization for professional pet sitters, found in its 2016 State of the Industry Survey that only 3 percent of its members pursued pet sitting as a first career immediately following high school or college. While nearly 40 percent of its members decided to start a professional pet-sitting business following retirement or after being laid off (16.9 percent and 21.8 percent, respectively), the majority of PSI’s members (58 percent) chose to leave another career to open their own professional pet-sitting businesses.
And these pet-sitting business owners came from a wide variety of professional backgrounds, ranging from business management to education to veterinary and medical support.
Before pet sitting, PSI member Anthony Garza served in the U.S. Air Force for 14 years, then he went on to work as a human resources manager for companies like Home Depot, CitiMortgage and others.
This month, PSI is highlighting the diverse backgrounds of its members and inviting people to learn more about professional pet sitting as a career.
Some of the success stories include:
- Angela Chu, who wanted to stay active and earn some extra income after retiring from the Los Angeles Police Department. She has always loved animals, so she opened a pet-sitting business in Valencia, Calif.
- Anthony Garza, a U.S. Air Force veteran and former human resources professional who was managing an online master’s program at Duke University when he started pet sitting as a part-time pursuit. It blossomed into a thriving pet-sitting business in Durham, N.C.
You can read more about Chu, Garza and other PSI members on the PSI website.
Professional pet sitters come from all walks of life. But they share some important things in common: a love for pets and dedication to providing quality service.
“Pet sitting is an ever-growing industry,” says PSI President Patti Moran. “Professional pet-care services are in high demand and pet sitting is a viable career option with significant earning potential for those with an entrepreneurial spirit, a love for pets and commitment to professionalism and hard work. At PSI, we are dedicated to ensuring our members have the tools they need to succeed in the industry.”
When she was a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department, she rescued several homeless and abused animals. So when she retired, but wanted to stay active and make some extra income, she decided to pursue a second career as a professional pet sitter.
PSI offers a variety of benefits, including access to pet-sitting insurance and bonding at group rates, educational resources, marketing materials, a bimonthly magazine, an annual conference, PSI’s Pet Sitter Locator, and access to industry credentials, such as PSI’s Certificate in Professional Pet Sitting Program.
To learn more about PSI or becoming a professional pet sitter, visit http://www.petsit.com.
Full results from PSI’s 2016 State of the Industry Survey will be revealed at PSI’s annual Pet Sitter World Educational Conference & Expo, which will be held this year in San Diego, Calif., from Sept. 12-15.
