Pet Sitter Education Month

Categories:: Animal
Tags:: Awareness Career Pet
Where:: United States
Date change rule:: Every September
Holiday emoji:: 🐾

Pet Sitter Education Month is observed throughout September, highlighting the continuous effort pet sitters exert to educate themselves and elevate their profession. This month encourages pet care providers to pursue certifications, attend webinars, and access educational materials to ensure the highest standards of animal care. Join in by supporting local pet sitters, sharing educational resources, and recognizing their dedication to our furry companions.

Deals
Platforms
Social
Brands
Hero
History
Timeline
Businesses
FAQs
Importance
Observe

Expected Pet Sitter Education Month Deals

Throughout Pet Sitter Education Month, professional organizations and pet care brands offer valuable resources and discounts. Pet Sitters International (PSI) typically provides special pricing on their professional pet sitter certification, webinars, and business toolkits. The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) may also feature reduced rates for membership or educational events. Look for pet supply retailers like PetSmart and Chewy to partner with educational initiatives, offering discounts on training aids or pet care essentials. Pet sitting platforms such as Rover and Wag! might promote educational content or offer incentives for sitters to complete new courses. Additionally, specialized training programs like Fear Free Pets often highlight their certifications for reducing stress in animals. We will update this page with confirmed live deals as September approaches.

Platform Guide for Pet Sitter Education Month

Tag National Today (linkedin.com/company/nationaltoday) and use #PetSitterEducationMonth. Share your professional development journey, new certifications, or insights on pet care best practices.

Facebook

Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #PetSitterEducationMonth. Join community groups to discuss training, network with other sitters, and promote local educational events.

Instagram

Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #PetSitterEducationMonth. Post photos or reels showcasing your pet care skills, behind-the-scenes training, or happy clients (both human and animal).

Pet Sitter Education Month Hero

Patti J. Moran

Patti J. Moran is widely recognized as the founder of the professional pet-sitting industry and the visionary behind Pet Sitters International (PSI). In 1994, she established PSI to provide education, support, and professional standards for pet sitters worldwide. Her pioneering work transformed pet sitting from a casual favor into a respected and thriving profession, emphasizing the importance of specialized training and ethical conduct in animal care. Moran's dedication has elevated the industry, ensuring pets receive high-quality care in their own homes.

History of Pet Sitter Education Month

Pet sitting is a reasonably recent profession that began when Patti J. Moran founded her pet sitting business in 1987. Pet sitting before that was majorly unorganized, and often seen as a way to make extra money instead of being its own independent profession. The success of Moran’s business prompted her to pen down her advice in “Pet Sitting for Profit,” which was published the same year. The subsequent flood of requests for her pet sitting business forms led her to establish Patti Moran’s Products for Professional Pet Sitters. As pet sitting gained momentum as a profession, Moran founded the National Association of Pet Sitters in 1989 and Pet Sitters International in 1994.

Since its inception, Pet Sitters International has been a trusted source of educational material within the world of pet sitting — for both pet sitters and pet owners. The organization has since become the most trusted authority on pet sitting. It offers its members access to a myriad of educational resources and certification programs. It has also led the movement to establish pet sitting as an organized profession, eligible for insurance, and worthy of an established calendar of events.

The organization also established Pet Sitter Education Month in 2016 to highlight the efforts made by pet sitters to continue educating themselves about their profession and to promote resources that will make the job easier for them. Pet Sitter Education Month has been celebrated for just under a decade now and aims to improve the state of the profession as well as the quality of service provided by pet sitters in general.

Pet Sitter Education Month timeline

1987

Pet Sitting as a Profession

Patti J. Moran establishes her own pet sitting business

1987

Pet Sitting for Profit

Moran publishes “Pet Sitting for Profit.”

1994

Pet Sitters International

Moran establishes P.S.I.

2016

First Pet Sitter Education Month

P.S.I. celebrates the first Pet Sitter Education Month.

How Businesses Can Celebrate Pet Sitter Education Month

Local businesses can recognize Pet Sitter Education Month by supporting professional development within the pet care community. Veterinary clinics and groomers could host workshops or offer discounts on services to certified pet sitters. Pet supply stores can create displays highlighting educational materials or offer special promotions on products that aid in professional pet care. Even local coffee shops might offer a ‘Pet Sitter Perk’ discount to acknowledge their hard work. Highlighting the importance of trained professionals helps elevate the entire pet care ecosystem.

Pet Sitter Education Month FAQs

When is Pet Sitter Education Month?

Pet Sitter Education Month runs throughout September 2026. This month-long observance provides a dedicated period for pet care professionals to enhance their skills and pursue certifications.

How large is the pet sitting industry?

The pet sitting and dog walking industry in the U.S. is a significant market, estimated to be worth over $3 billion. This reflects the growing demand for professional, in-home pet care services as pet ownership continues to rise.

Why is professional pet sitter education important?

Professional pet sitter education is crucial for ensuring the safety, health, and well-being of pets. It equips sitters with knowledge in animal behavior, first aid, emergency protocols, and specialized care, distinguishing them from casual caregivers.

What is Pet Sitters International (PSI)?

Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, founded in 1994. It provides resources, certification, and business support to its members, promoting high standards and professionalism in the industry.

How to Observe Pet Sitter Education Month

Watch a P.S.I. Facebook live
P.S.I. regularly organizes Facebook lives for pet sitters. If you’re so inclined, watch one.
Talk about it on social media
Talk about Pet Sitter Education Month on social media. It might help someone access resources they weren’t previously aware of.
Research pet sitting
One aim of Pet Sitter Education Month is to highlight pet sitting as a viable profession. Read up about it if you’re interested.

5 Interesting Facts About Pets

A cat’s whiskers
Cats have four rows of whiskers.
Dalmatian spots
Dalmatians are actually born without spots, and only develop them when they're about a week old.
Canine vocal sounds
Dogs have about 10 vocal sounds.
Cats don’t sweat
Cats do not have sweat glands.
Hamsters blinking
Hamsters often blink one eye at a time.

Why Pet Sitter Education Month is Important

Pet sitting is a viable career
Pet sitting may not be viewed as a viable career option by many. Pet Sitter Education Month moves to change this view.
It makes resources more available
P.S.I., over the years, has created a catalog of resources for pet sitters. Pet Sitter Education Month serves to raise awareness and make those resources available to more and more people.
It’s a standard by which to evaluate pet sitters
Pet Sitter Education Month also makes pet owners aware of these resources. They can ensure that the care being given to their pets is in accordance with a certain level of competency.