Pet Sitters International (PSI) Celebrates Two Decades of Pet-Sitting Excellence during the 20th Annual Professional Pet Sitters Week, March 2-8

After a corporate layoff in 1983, Patti J. Moran decided to start her own small pet-sitting business-a service unheard of at the time. As requests for information on starting a similar business came in from around the globe, Moran's passion for pets-and her new pet-sitting business-led her to create an international association and spearhead an entirely new industry. Pet Sitters International (PSI), the professional pet-sitting organization Moran founded in 1994, is now the world's leading educational association for pet sitters, and March 2-8 marks the 20th annual observance of Professional Pet Sitters Week (PPSW).

Introduced by PSI in 1995, PPSW is an annual observance that honors professional pet-care providers, educates the pet-owning public about the advantages of professional in-home pet care and encourages pet-loving entrepreneurs to explore professional pet sitting as a viable career.

"PSI celebrates PPSW to recognize professional pet sitters who work 24/7 to offer the best possible pet-care services," said PSI President Patti Moran. "PPSW is also a time for us to stress to pet owners the importance of using only professional pet sitters."

Moran adds that professional pet sitters' commitment to excellent pet care includes maintaining pet-sitter insurance and bonding, using a pet-sitting service contract, offering proof of clear criminal history and staying up to date on the latest pet-care information through continuing education like PSI's Certification Program.

According to the 2013-2014 American Pet Products Association National Pet Owners Survey, pet ownership is at an all-time high. With the increase in pet ownership, Moran notes PSI has also seen an increase in the inquiries they receive regarding becoming a pet sitter and have noted an increase in the number of Web sites offering pet-sitter locator services.

"For pet owners, this increase in pet-sitting options brings a greater responsibility to carefully screen potential pet sitters," Moran explained. "Not every person who advertises pet-sitting services is well-trained, professional or trustworthy."

PSI offers pet owners a free pet-sitter interview checklist, as well as tips for having a conversation with potential pet sitters about background verification, on the PSI Web site. The 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 http://www.petsit.com/locate.

The growing industry also requires professional pet sitters to focus on ways to make their businesses stand out in their local service areas. To help its member pet sitters succeed, PSI offers access to group rate pet-sitter insurance and bonding, free pet-sitters forms and marketing materials and access to industry credentials, such as the PSI Certification Program and the recently-launched PSI Locator Designation Program, which offers third-party verification of pet sitter's clear criminal history.

PSI's nearly 7,000 member businesses are encouraged to celebrate the week with pet-sitter networking events, special offers for clients and local media promotions. PSI will be sharing member success stories and giving away daily prizes throughout the week on its Facebook page. Through March 20, the association is also offering new members a free copy of the Pet Sitting Service Contract CD when they join PSI.

To learn more about PPSW, pet sitting as a career or to local a professional pet sitter in your area, visit http://www.petsit.com.