Professional pet sitters expanding services to include more types of pets, survey shows

KING, N.C. - Sept. 27, 2018 - PRLog -- Owners of pets like ball pythons and parakeets may worry that the pet-services industry is simply focused on cats and dogs, but new survey results from Pet Sitters International (PSI) reveal there has been a sharp increase in the number of professional pet sitters offering care for fish, cage pets, birds, and reptiles and amphibians.

PSI, the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters, found in its 2018 State of the Industry Survey that more pet-sitting companies are serving a wide variety of pets. This year's results indicate a significant increase in the number of PSI members offering services for fish (from 60.9 percent in 2016 to 82.7 percent in 2018); cage pets, such as guinea pigs and hamsters (from 57.5 percent to 79.6 percent); birds (from 60.9 percent to 78.3 percent); and reptiles and amphibians (from 39.2 percent to 61.5 percent).

There was also an increase in the number of pet sitters offering care for livestock (from 26.3 percent in 2016 to 37.9 percent in 2018), horses (from 20.1 percent to 28.2 percent) and exotic pets (from 2.9 percent to 7.6 percent).

"We were happy to see these numbers increase," said Beth Stultz-Hairston, PSI's vice president of marketing and operations. "While many of our members have long offered services for a variety of pet types, it appears the demand is growing for more pet sitters to make these standard services."

PSI's 2018 State of the Industry Survey also revealed that cats rule when it comes to professional pet-care services, with 97.3 percent of responding pet sitters now offering services for cats, surpassing the 96.2 percent that offer services for dogs. In 2016, 96.1 percent indicated they serviced dogs and 95.5 percent indicated they serviced cats.

"We are glad more and more pet owners are recognizing the benefit of securing professional pet-sitting services—whether they need care for their chinchillas, cats or pet birds," said PSI President Patti Moran. "With the growth of the pet-sitting industry, pet owners are able to leave their pets at home when they travel and do not have to rely on untrained or unwilling friends, family members or neighbors for their care."

"Knowing that a beloved pet can enjoy the stress-free environment of its own home can provide great peace of mind for pet owners," Moran continued. "But, it's important that pet owners understand what to look for and what questions to ask when selecting a professional pet sitter."

Pet owners can visit PSI's website to download a free pet-sitter interview checklist (https://www.petsit.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/0/29c7765bd...), which includes the seven important questions pet owners should ask when interviewing a potential pet sitter. PSI's site also offers a free ZIP/postal code search for U.S. and Canadian pet sitters, as well as an international pet sitter search, at www.petsit.com/locate.

To learn more about PSI, visit 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 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.