Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world's largest educational association for professional pet sitters. The professional pet-sitting association represents nearly 7,000 independent professional pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and abroad.
Pet Sitters International was established in 1994 by Patti Moran, author of Pet Sitting for Profit, a how-to book on the pet sitting industry often referred to as the "bible of professional pet sitting." PSI is headquartered in King, North Carolina.
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Association Benefits and Resources
Pet Sitters International partners with Business Insurers of the Carolinas and Binks Commerical Insurance Broker to offer United States and Canadian members access to pet-sitter business liability insurance and bonding at special group rates. PSI also hosts an annual conference, the Pet Sitter World Educational Conference and Expo, to educate pet sitters at every stage of business on best business practices and animal care.
The organization provides educational resources to its members, including free member webinars, e-books, monthly e-newsletters, and a subscription to their bimonthly magazine Pet Sitter's World. PSI is the creator of the PSI Certification Program, a professional course of study designed specifically for pet sitters. Pet sitters who successfully pass the course's comprehensive final exam, agree to adhere to PSI's Recommended Quality Standards in Pet Sitting, agree to adhere to PSI's Member Code of Conduct and Ethics, and commit to obtaining 30 continuing education credits every three years are able to earn the designation of CPPS(TM) --Certified Professional Pet Sitter(TM).
Through partnerships with companies in related industries, PSI also offers members exclusive discounts on business tools and resources including pet-sitter software, background checks and staffing/hiring tools.
Pet owners have access to PSI's Pet Sitter Locator, the largest online directory of professional pet sitter, to search free of charge for local, professional pet-sitting businesses.
Psi Pet Sitters Video
History and Timeline
- In 1994, the year of its founding by Patti Moran., PSI produced The WORLD of Professional Pet Sitting, the first magazine for professional pet sitters.
- In 1995, Pet Sitters International created the Pet Sitter of the Year Award, considered to be the industry's highest honor. 1995 also brought about the creation of Professional Pet Sitters Week. It is celebrated annually during the first full week of March. This same year, PSI also launched the first Accreditation Program for pet sitters.
- In 1997, Pet Sitters International successfully campaigned to have "pet sitting" added to the Random House Dictionary.
- In 1999, Pet Sitters International created Take Your Dog to Work Day®. It is celebrated annually the Friday following Father's Day. Take Your Dog To Work Day® and Take Your Pet To Work Week® are registered trademarks of Pet Sitters International.
- In 2005, Pet Sitters International redesigned PSI's Accreditation Program, later to be renamed the PSI Certification Program--the first step for pet sitters seeking to earn the Certified Professional Pet Sitter(TM)(CPPS(TM)) designation.
- In 2007, The PSIStoreOnline, the largest specialty retailer for pet sitter products, was launched. It is now named The Pet Sitter Shop.
- In 2008, Pet Sitters International released the results of the first State of the Industry Survey, a biannual survey that gathers demographics and data on the professional pet sitting industry.
- In 2010, Pet Sitters International partnered with Garfield to promote professional pet sitting.
- In 2011, Pet Sitters International introduced its new webinar series, Pet Sitting for Smarties©.
- In 2014, Pet Sitters International launched its Get a Real Pet Sitter Campaign to educate pet owners on the importance of using a professional pet sitter for their pet care needs.
- In 2016, Pet Sitters International received the Torch Award for Ethics from the Better Business Bureau of Northwest North Carolina.
Membership Requirements
Pet sitting is a requirement of membership. Pet sitting is defined as "the act of caring for a pet in its own home while the owner is away." Dog walking is considered to be a form of pet sitting as well since it involves coming to the pet's home to provide exercise and companionship. Caring for pets in the clients' homes is what separates pet sitters from boarders and dog daycares. PSI recognizes that many pet-sitting businesses are rapidly growing and diversifying. PSI membership is open to pet sitters who offer supplemental services (grooming, training, waste removal, etc.), but it must be in addition to pet sitting.
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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