Professional Pet Sitters Week takes place during the first full week in March. Throughout the week, pet sitters are recognized and appreciated for the incredible job they do. For many households, pets are more or less a part of the family. Thus, when pet owners are indisposed, by work or travel, pet sitters are the best bet to give the best care to the pets that are left behind. It is very important work and has become a career worth celebrating.
History of Professional Pet Sitters Week
Professional Pet Sitters Week was introduced in 1995 by Pet Sitters International. The holiday runs through the first full week in March. According to Pet Sitters International, “this annual observance honors professional pet-care providers, seeks to educate 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.” Today, pet sitting has become an illustrious and well-appreciated career. This trend is expected to rise as many pet owners continue to see the importance of employing professional help in caring for their pets. But this wasn’t always the case.
In 1983, when Patti J. Moran began her pet-sitting business, she wasn’t immediately recognized, and she faced a lack of enthusiasm from insurance companies and the general public. But her passion pushed her on, and in 1987, she wrote on the topic, “Pet Sitting for Profit”, which eventually became published as a guidebook for professional pet sitters.
Over the next seven years, she was able to garner public support and also unify other pet sitters, and in 1994, Pet Sitters International was born. Over the years, Pet Sitters International has continued to provide resources to pet sitters and others who desired to venture into the business of providing such service.
Since 1995, the first full week in March has been chosen to highlight the progress made in the industry, not only in the country but throughout the whole world. Also, it is a time when pet sitters are provided with kits and tips for delivering better services.
Moran has received several awards for her many contributions to the pet-sitting industry.
Professional Pet Sitters Week timeline
She begins her pet-sitting business in North Carolina.
Moran unifies pet sitters under a non-profit association.
Moran founds Pet Sitters International.
National Professional Pet Sitters Week is introduced by Pet Sitters International.
Professional Pet Sitters Week FAQs
Why do I need a professional pet sitter?
Professional pet sitters are qualified to cater to your pets’ needs anytime you’re away from home.
Where do pet sitters work from?
A pet sitter can work from the pet owner’s home or have the pet brought to their own home.
What do I need to become a pet sitter?
You need to be passionate about pets, first of all. But you also need training, and this is provided by reputable companies on the internet.
Professional Pet Sitters Week Activities
Appreciate your pet sitters
On National Professional Pet Sitters Week, you can appreciate your pet sitters. You can do this by sending them cards and gifts.
Consider a career in pet sitting
If you love pets and enjoy taking care of them, then this is a very good career move. Thankfully, there is training available on the internet.
Show support for pet sitters
Support the work of pet sitters by paying them well. Also, help spread the importance of the pet sitting profession.
5 Important Facts About Pet-sitting
17 million pet sitting assignments
Pet Sitting International claims its members completed 17 million assignments in 2015 alone.
High revenue
Pet Sitting International also claims a revenue of $391 million in 2015.
Different from kenneling
Pet sitting is more personalized compared to kenneling or boarding.
Pet sitting is added to the dictionary
Pet sitting, as a word, was added to the Random House Dictionary in 1997.
Training widely available
Organizations like the Red Cross are known to provide pet-sitting training.
Why We Love Professional Pet Sitters Week
It celebrates hard-working professionals
If you're a pet owner, then you know caring for one is not an easy job. On National Professional Pet Sitters Week, we get to honor those who take up the task on our behalf.
It involves our pets
The holiday celebrates pet sitters, but it's also about our own pets. For there would be no pit sitters without pets.
It is educational
On National Professional Pet Sitters Week, training and learning kits are made available. These are made available to established pet sitters and those willing to enter the business.
Professional Pet Sitters Week dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | March 3–9 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2025 | March 2–8 | Sunday–Saturday |
| 2026 | March 1–7 | Sunday–Saturday |
