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PSI recently conducted its 2019 Pet-Sitter Holiday Survey to get feedback from members on all things holiday pet sitting, and 876 members responded to the survey, offering insight into their holiday business practices as well as surcharges and holiday gifts.

‘Tis the season to be…busy

The holiday season—spanning from mid-November to early January—is certainly one of the busiest times for professional pet-sitting businesses. Ten percent of PSI members responding to the survey indicate they typically book more than 100 pet-sitting assignments during the holiday season! (For the purposes of this survey, an assignment does not mean individual visits. For example, a client who books for twice-daily visits for three days would be defined as one “assignment.”)

These numbers highlight how important it is for pet owners to book early, and 12% of PSI members begin accepting holiday pet-sitting reservations a year or more in advance. Nearly 34% of members indicated they begin accepting and booking holiday assignments between four to six months before the holiday season.

The majority of PSI pet sitters get booked up at least a week in advance of holidays, but there’s still hope for pet owners who make last-minute plans—nearly 42% of members indicated they accept last-minute requests (less than one week before the holiday).

Do pet sitters charge more for holiday visits?

According to PSI’s recent survey, 58% of members charge a surcharge for holiday pet-sitting assignments. For those sitters who charge a surcharge:

• 93% add the surcharge for Christmas Day
• 92% add it for Thanksgiving (U.S.)
• 89% add it for New Year’s Day
• 74% add it for Christmas Eve
• 71% add it for New Year’s Eve

Nearly 28% of pet sitters charging a holiday surcharge opt for a “per day fee,” but the majority apply the holiday surcharge per visit. Twenty-seven percent of pet sitters responding to the survey indicated their holiday surcharge is $5-$7 per visit, and 18% indicated it is $8-$10 per visit. Only 4% reported a holiday surcharge of more than $10 per visit.

In the spirit of giving...

Nearly 33% of PSI pet sitters responding to the survey indicated they leave behind gifts for all clients during holiday pet-sitting assignments. Almost half (45%) indicated they leave gifts for certain clients, and 22% said they do not leave holiday gifts.

Nearly 53% of pet sitters said they send holiday cards to all pet-sitting clients, and 20% said they only send them to certain clients. Twenty-seven percent of pet sitters said they do not send holiday cards to clients.

Bonus tip: Need a last-minute, inexpensive holiday gift idea for a pet-sitting client (or want to share a gift idea)? Join in this recent conversation in PSI’s private members-only Facebook group.

And receiving…

Nearly 86% of PSI members responding to the holiday survey indicated that their clients typically leave them holiday gifts.

The most common gifts received included:

• A special cash tip (received by 92% of respondents)
• Gift cards or gift certificates (received by 85%)
• Store-bought chocolates or candies (76%)
• Home-baked goods (64%)
• Wine/liquor (46%)
• Household items or décor (41%)

It seems that these clients know what their pet sitters like. When asked about their preferred gift, 53% indicated a special cash tip. But while these may be the preferred holiday gifts, most pet sitters indicate they don’t expect anything and are grateful for any gift they receive. Knowing their clients are appreciative of their services is a gift in itself.

What’s your favorite holiday gift to give clients or receive from clients? Let us know in the comments section below.