Give your pet the gift of a professional pet sitter this Valentine’s Day, Pet Sitters International advises
The association advises pet owners to only use the services of professional pet sitters for their Valentine’s Day pet-care needs.
KING, N.C. (February 7, 2019) — An annual survey released by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics indicates that pet spending for Valentine’s Day is expected to total $886 million this year. Pet Sitters International (PSI) suggests that pet owners include the services of a professional pet sitter in their Valentine’s Day spending.
Founded by Patti J. Moran in 1994, PSI is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet-sitting and dog-walking business owners.
“As Valentine’s Day celebrations often involve outings with significant others, friends or family, PSI recommends that pet owners hire a professional pet sitter to care for their pets in their absence,” said Moran.
She also notes that pet sitters can be hired for a check-in visit or for overnight, depending upon the need.
“On this day that celebrates love, we want to remind pet owners that one way to show love for their pets is by only using the services of reliable, professional pet sitters,” added Moran.
PSI advises 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 warns pet owners that simply finding someone online that “loves pets” is not enough.
“When it comes to finding pet care, don’t prioritize convenience over quality,” explained PSI Vice-President Beth Stultz-Hairston. “Just because you can quickly find and book the services of a pet lover with a profile on a pet-sitting or dog-walking app doesn’t mean you are choosing a qualified pet-care provider.”
“While booking an on-demand pet sitter or dog walker may seem appealing, it’s important for pet owners to do their due diligence to ensure they are leaving their pets in good hands,” Stultz-Hairston added.
PSI recommends pet owners schedule an initial consultation with a potential pet sitter prior to booking services and offers a free pet-sitter interview checklist on the PSI website.
For more information about PSI, visit www.petsit.com. To search for a professional pet sitter in your area and to download the Pet-Sitter Interview Checklist, visit 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 members have access to the widest array of business services and educational resources available in the professional pet-sitting industry. PSI’s 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.
