Pet Sitters International announces finalists for 2026 Pet Sitter of the Year™ Award
Five professional pet-sitting business owners move on to the next round of judging for the industry’s highest honor.
KING, N.C. (November 3, 2025) — Five professional pet-sitting business owners have been named top finalists for Pet Sitters International’s 2026 Pet Sitter of the Year™ Award, the industry’s highest honor.
Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational association for professional pet-sitting and dog-walking businesses, congratulates the following top five finalists who will move on to the next round of judging for the 2026 award:
- MiKayla Anders, Adventures in Pet Sitting, Salina, KS
- Cynthia Hess, Your Fairy Catmother, Temple, PA
- Michelle Hilaire, 4 Pet’s Sake Pet Care, La Plata, MD
- Amy Munns, Leash4Lease, Inc., Poulsbo, WA
- Maris Sonnabend, House of Paws Pet Care, Eureka, MO
The five finalists submit additional documentation regarding their business practices, community involvement, pet-care training, marketing efforts and proof of clear criminal history as they move on to the next phase of the judging process.
“The 2026 Pet Sitter of the Year will represent the professionalism, pet-care expertise and commitment to excellence that continue to elevate the pet-sitting industry worldwide,” said PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston. “These top finalists not only excel in pet care and business operations, but they also model the ethical, compassionate practices that set professional pet-care businesses apart.”
“Selecting only one winner for this honor will not be an easy task,” she added.
Since 1995, PSI has selected one professional pet-sitting business owner annually to be named Pet Sitter of the Year. Nominees are evaluated on stringent criteria including client and professional references, commitment to quality pet care and professionalism, contributions to the local community and industry-at-large, and commitment to continuing education.
The 2026 Pet Sitter of the Year will be announced in January 2026.
For more information about PSI or this award, visit PSI’s website.
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To download photos for the individual finalists, please click on the names below:
MiKayla Anders | Cynthia Hess | Michelle Hilaire | Amy Munns | Maris Sonnabend
About Pet Sitters International
Founded in 1994 by Patti J. Moran, author of Pet Sitting for Profit, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters, with member pet-sitting businesses in the United States, Canada and more than 15 other countries. PSI members have access to the widest array of business services and educational resources available in the professional pet-sitting industry. PSI’s Pet Sitter Locator is the largest online directory of professional pet sitters, and pet owners can visit petsit.com/locate to find local professional pet sitters.
