Don't delay the search for spring and summer pet care, Pet Sitters International advises

KING, N.C. - March 26, 2019 - PRLog -- Nearly 100 million Americans plan to take a family vacation this year, according to a new AAA Travel survey. With pet sitters in high demand each vacation season, Pet Sitters International (PSI) offers an important piece of advice for traveling pet owners: Don't delay your search for a professional pet care provider.

PSI, the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters, encourages pet owners to do their research and book a professional pet sitter now.

"With the growth of the pet-sitting industry, pet owners are able to leave their pets in the comfort of their own home and do not have to rely on untrained or unwilling friends, family members or neighbors to watch them while they travel," explained PSI President Patti Moran.

But pet owners should begin the search for pet care as soon as possible. Pet owners want to ensure their preferred pet sitter doesn't get booked up before they can make reservations and that they have time to find the right pet sitter—time for phone interviews, an in-home meeting and a check of references.

"When it comes to finding pet sitters or dog walkers, pet owners should not prioritize convenience over quality," said 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."

As the need for pet-care services grows, so does the number of articles touting the opportunities to earn extra cash in the gig economy as an occasional pet sitter or dog walker.

PSI advises pet owners to take the time to select local, professional pet-care businesses (https://www.petsit.com/pet-sitting-is-not-a-side-hustle) to care for their pets.

"They aren't pet lovers looking to earn a quick buck," said Stultz-Hairston. "These businesses are owned by pet lovers who have obtained the necessary business licenses, carry pet-sitter insurance and bonding customized to their services, pay taxes, pursue pet first aid training and continuing education, are involved in their local communities—and whose very livelihood depends on offering the absolute best pet care."

PSI advises pet owners to schedule an in-person meeting with any potential pet sitter and to ask seven important questions, included in this free pet-sitter interview checklist (https://www.petsit.com/stuff/contentmgr/files/0/29c7765bd...) on the PSI website. 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 or becoming a professional pet sitter, 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 15 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.