PSI Recommended Pet Sitting Standards

1. The sitter is bonded, insured and a member of a professional organization.
2. The sitter provides references.
3. The sitter has experience in caring for pets and is clearly mindful of their safety and well being.
4. The sitter visits the client's home before the first pet-sitting assignment to meet the pets and get detailed information about their care.
5. The sitter shows a positive attitude during the initial meeting and seems comfortable and competent in dealing with the animals.
6. The sitter wants to learn as much as possible about the animals in his or her care.
7. The sitter provides a service contract which specifies services and fees.
8. The sitter is courteous, interested and well informed.
9. The sitter takes precautions to make sure a client's absence from home is not detected because of any careless actions or disclosures by the sitter.
10. The sitter conducts business with honesty and integrity and observes all federal, state, and local laws pertaining to business operations and animal care.
11. The sitter has a veterinarian on call for emergency service.
12. The sitter has a contingency plan for pet care in case of inclement weather or personal illness.
13. The sitter service screens applicants for employment carefully.
14. The sitter calls to confirm or has the client call to confirm that the client has returned home.
15. The sitter refrains from criticizing competitors.
16. The sitting service provides initial and ongoing training for its sitters.
17. The sitter exhibits courtesy and professionalism in all dealings with staff, customers and industry colleagues so as to present the pet sitter and the pet sitting industry positively.