Beth Stultz-Hairston

Love animals? Looking for a career that gives you flexibility and purpose? Starting your own professional pet-sitting business in 2026 could be the perfect fit. With more pet parents than ever and a growing need for trustworthy, in-home pet care, there’s never been a better time to jump in.

Being the go-to resource for pet-care information doesn’t just benefit your clients—it can also benefit your business. By establishing yourself as a local pet-care expert, you can introduce your services to a much wider audience of potential clients.

Pet Sitters International explains why global industry standards were needed, how they benefit pet-sitting and dog-walking business owners (and pet parents), and how they can impact the pet-care industry at large.

Pet-sitting business owners with ADHD may face unique challenges, but your neurodivergence can be your superpower! This blog post discusses how to understand and address the unique obstacles you may face so you can pave the way for pet-sitting success.

Even if you do not have ADHD, as you grow your team you may find that you will be managing staff with ADHD—and you may be wondering how you can best support them while also ensuring they are a good fit for your business and asset to your team. In this blog post, PSI shares best practices that can help!

If you're considering a career in professional pet sitting, one of the first questions you probably have is: How much money can I make as a pet sitter? The good news is that pet sitting can be a rewarding and profitable career if you are willing to take the steps needed to establish a strong foundation for your business.

Whether you’re walking dogs in the pouring rain, juggling cat visits while emailing prospective clients, or trying to create the perfect Instagram Reel to promote your business, you may need some inspiration.  Well, here’s one name you might not expect to inspire you on your pet-sitting journey: Taylor Swift.

The pet-sitting industry’s growth, along with pet parents’ better understanding of what pet sitters do, has brought a greater appreciation for the legitimacy of pet sitting as a career—but you may still hear from pet parents who think you just “play with dogs and cats all day,” or have a spouse or partner who isn’t supportive of what they think is your “pet hobby.” Let’s look at the facts.

What should I charge for pet sitting? What should I charge for dog walks? What should I charge for overnight pet sitting? These are questions we often receive at Pet Sitters International, and in this blog post we share factors you need to know and consider as you set your rates for services.