As any pro pet sitter or dog walker will tell you, running a pet-care business is NO JOKE!

Here at PSI, we always say that pet sitting isn’t for the faint of heart—and on a day that typically focuses on jokes, we want to stop and thank professional pet sitters and dog walkers for the serious work they do!

For any who have ever wondered, “Is pet sitting (or dog walking) a real job?” The answer is ABSOLUTELY.

Professional pet sitters and dog walkers are small-business owners—vital contributors to their communities and local economy.

They have a business license (where required), pay taxes, are insured, bonded, and trained in pet care and pet first aid.

They work year-round to ensure pet parents can have the peace of mind offered by quality, reliable pet care when long work hours or travel keep them from their beloved pets.

Being a professional pet-sitting or dog-walking business owner is more than dog walks and cat cuddles.

Ask any professional pet sitter who has missed holidays with their families, extended pet-sitting visits to ensure an ailing pet was comforted or felt the loss of a client’s pet passing.

Or better yet, ask one of the hundreds of thousands of pet parents who benefit from the services of professional pet sitters and dog walkers every year.

Ask the pet owner who was alerted by his professional pet sitter that his dog’s behavior was unusual and recommended an emergency vet visit—saving the dog from dying from canine bloat.

Ask the pet parent who was able to call her pet sitter at 2 a.m. when she learns that her mother—on the other side of the country—has been admitted to the hospital in critical condition and is able to secure pet care as she rushes to the airport.

Ask the family whose professional pet sitter has graciously agreed to sit with them as their 15-year-old cat with late-stage chronic renal failure has to be euthanized.

Spend a day with a pro pet sitter or dog walker and you’ll know what those of us at PSI know without question:

Pet sitting is no joke! It’s a career…a lifestyle…a passion.

THANK YOU to the pet sitters and dog walkers making the world a better place for pets and their people!

Credit: Pet Sitters International

🎶🎵 Just can’t wait to get back on the bed again. 🎵🎶

I’ll bet you heard Willie Nelson’s voice while you were singing that song in your head. 🤭
Moppet takes her ease.

Did you know January 2nd is all about raising awareness for safe travels with our furry companions? 🐶🐱 Whether you’re planning a road trip or just heading out for a quick drive, here are expert tips from the ASPCA to keep your pet safe and comfortable on the go:

✅ DO: Gradually acclimate your pet to car travel with short drives before a long trip.
🚫 DON’T: Forget to carry your pet’s rabies vaccination records, especially for interstate travel.
✅ DO: Use a well-ventilated crate or carrier secured in place to protect your pet.
🚫 DON’T: Let your pet ride with their head out the window—it’s unsafe and can lead to injury.
✅ DO: Pack a pet-friendly travel kit with essentials like food, water, a leash, and a favorite toy for comfort.
🚫 DON’T: Feed your pet in a moving car—it may cause motion sickness.
✅ DO: Always have bottled water on hand to prevent tummy troubles from unfamiliar water sources.
🚫 DON’T: Leave your pet alone in a parked car, no matter the weather.
Keep these tips in mind to ensure safe, happy travels for both you and your furry co-pilot!
Where are you and your dog(s) headed next? Share your dog-friendly destinations below! ✈️🐕
💡 Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC)

We love our dogs so it’s normal to want to share special treats at Christmas time. While a few bites of plain unseasoned turkey is fine, some other foods are toxic and should be avoided.

I wish I could find my photo of Kevin and Michael as kittens on their one and only Santa visit. It took place at the Christmas party at the apartment clubhouse in San Antonio Texas where I lived at the time, over thirty years ago. Between them and the pet who followed, a squirrel named Rocky, Santa barely made it out alive. I later heard that Santa refused to see pets after that incident.