Pet Sitters International offers tips for pet owners planning last-minute summer trips

KING, N.C. - July 10, 2017 - PRLog -- Travelers planning last-minute summer trips can book hotel stays and plane tickets in a snap thanks to sites like Expedia and booking apps such as HotelTonight, but for pet owners, there is one important item on the checklist that can take some time: securing reliable pet care.

Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters, offers pet owners this word of advice: While vacations can be booked with one click, finding a quality pet-care option isn't as simple as hiring anyone who has a profile on an online directory and claims to be a pet lover.

PSI encourages pet owners to only use the services of professional pet sitters for their pet-care needs this summer and throughout the year.

"With so many new websites and apps advertising pet sitters and dog walkers, it can be difficult for pet owners to know who they can trust," explained PSI Vice-President Beth Stultz. "It's important that pet owners understand that there are professional pet-sitting and dog-walking businesses that offer peace of mind that other pet-care options cannot."

PSI advises pet owners to take a closer look to ensure they are hiring not just a pet lover, but a pet lover who is also a true pet-care professional.

To simplify the selection process, PSI offers a free pet-sitter interview checklist (https://www.petsit.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/0/29c7765bd...) and encourages pet owners to visit its Pet Sitter Locator (http://www.petsit.com/locate), the largest online directory of professional pet sitters.

PSI encourages pet owners to ask seven important questions when interviewing potential pet sitters:

1. Does the pet sitter have the proper business license for your city or state, if required?
2. Is the pet sitter insured and bonded?
3. Can the pet sitter provide proof of clear criminal history?
4. Does the pet sitter provide client references?
5. Will the pet sitter use a pet-sitting services agreement or contract?
6. Is the pet sitter a Certified Professional Pet Sitter (CPPS™) and/or has he or she participated in pet-care training, such as pet first aid?
7. Is the pet sitter a member of a professional and educational association, such as Pet Sitters International?

PSI's 2016 Pet Sitter of the Year Carrie Feinberg, owner of Safe Haven Advocate Pet Care & Photography in Elgin, Illinois, encourages pet owners to book as early as possible.

"I am always recommending that clients schedule as far in advance as possible due to our high demand during not only the summer months and holidays, but also in September and October," Feinberg said.

To search for local professional pet sitters, visit http://www.petsit.com/locate. To learn more about PSI or becoming a professional pet sitter, visit http://www.petsit.com.

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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 has been the most trusted name in professional pet sitting for more than two decades, and PSI members have access to the widest array of business services and educational resources available in the professional pet-sitting industry. PSI's Official Pet Sitter Locator is the largest online directory of professional pet sitters, and pet owners can visit petsit.com/locate (http://www.petsit.com/locate) to find local professional pet sitters.