(PRESS RELEASE) KING, NC — The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the professional pet-sitting industry is clearly reflected in PSI’s 2022 State of the Industry Survey results released today, with 85% of Pet Sitters International (PSI) members indicating they experienced a 50% or greater decrease in business at the height of the pandemic.
However, with minimal ongoing pandemic restrictions, increased travel and more pet parents returning to work, the outlook is much more optimistic. In fact, 78% of professional pet sitters expect their business revenues to increase in the next year.
PSI, the world’s leading educational association for professional pet sitters, released a sneak peek of its survey results during its FOCUS 2022 online summit. The association’s State of the Industry Survey—conducted every two years—is the most comprehensive survey of its kind for the professional pet-sitting industry. PSI will be sharing additional survey data in the coming months.
“There’s no question pet-care services were hit hard by the pandemic, but we were encouraged to see this new data reflect the optimism that professional pet sitters and dog walkers share for the future,” said PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston. “These pet-care professionals have weathered the storm and have come out with increased pet-care knowledge, enhanced safety protocols, and in many cases, new service offerings.”
The release of this survey data also coincides with the 28th annual Professional Pet Sitters Week (March 6-12). PSI introduced Professional Pet Sitters Week in 1995 to celebrate professional pet sitters and also to highlight the viability of professional pet sitting as a career and the importance of using professional pet-care services.
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Download Survey Data Images: Pet Types | Dog Care | Cat Care | Revenue
Additional data shared today from PSI’s 2022 survey included:
- Cats (96%) and dogs (95%) are the most common pet types cared for by professional pet-care businesses.
- A majority of PSI members also offer services for small animals (75%), birds (73%), freshwater fish (70%), and reptiles and amphibians (59%).
- 94% of PSI member businesses offer basic pet-care visits as part of their services, while 87% offer dog-walking visits, 59% offer overnight visits and 57% offer pet transportation.
- Many pet sitters offer a variety of other services as well, including house sitting (no pets) (43%), limited in-home boarding (27%), and wedding assistance (21%), among others.
“The good news for pet parents is that professional pet sitters and dog walkers are available to offer a variety of services, whether pet parents need someone to provide pet care while they’re traveling, returning to the office, attending community events, or even working from home,” said PSI Founder and CEO Patti J. Moran.
PSI conducted its 2022 State of the Industry Survey exclusively online from Jan. 13 to Feb. 15, 2022. Nearly 30% of PSI’s more than 4,000 member businesses contacted completed the survey.
The association plans to share additional survey data throughout the year. To learn more about PSI or professional pet sitting as a career, visit www.petsit.com.
