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There’s great truth to the statement, “There’s strength in numbers.” Pet sitting can be lonely. And whether you are just starting your pet-sitting business or are a pet-care veteran, you have questions—and there’s no one better to help answer your questions and share in your daily challenges and joys than a fellow pet sitter.

PSI members have a network of nearly 7,000 fellow PSI members and pet-sitting business owners, and PSI is always looking for ways to help our members connect with one another. From PSI’s annual conference to the private Facebook chat group, PSI is always seeking out new avenues to allow our members to find support, advice and new ideas from fellow pet sitters.

PSI’s Pet Sitter Spotlight series has that same goal. Each month, we’ll feature a different PSI member and share his or her answers to our pet-sitting survey. The responses will help you get to “know” this pet sitter and provide you with some tips and advice for your own pet-sitting business. You can view past Pet Sitter Spotlights here.

Meet Cynthia Johnson, owner of Copy Cat & Dog Care Pet Sitting in Lebanon, Ohio…

Your Name: Cynthia Johnson

Business Name: Copy Cat & Dog Care Pet Sitting

Location: Lebanon, OH

Year you started your pet-sitting business: The company was founded in 2005, but I took over the leash in 2008.

What was your previous job/profession? USPS City Mail Carrier 1996-2008, USAF 1985-1995

What is your current business structure? (sole proprietor, LLC, etc.): sole proprietor

Number of current clients: 175

How many visits do you typically do per day? 10-15

Is your service area urban, suburban or rural? Semi-rural

Is your pet-sitting business insured? Yes

Is your pet-sitting business bonded? Yes

Do you provide clients with proof of your clear criminal history (background check)? Yes

Briefly describe any educational opportunities you have taken advantage of since you became a pet sitter.

• Attended PSI’s annual conference since winning the Dotty Shantz Scholarship in 2012
• Trained in Pet First Aid/CPR
• Taken several business seminars via our local Chamber of Commerce 

How long did it take you to build up your clientele? When I initially assumed ownership, there was a small client base in place. I hit the ground running & immediately started to grow the business.

Do you use staff sitters? I currently use ICs as their availability allows. I still do 60-75% of the total pet-care visits. It can be challenging, but I find it works best for my business model. I have no desire to have employees.

Do you offer any services besides basic in the client's home pet sitting and dog walking? (pet taxi, etc.) Yes, we offer pet taxi as well.

Which advertising methods worked best when you were a new business? Since I started with a base, initially I kept things status quo. I quickly started networking and also jumped on Facebook. Existing client referrals and having area veterinarians recommend our service became our best advertising methods.

Do you still use the same advertising methods? If not, what do you do differently now? Yes. I rely heavily on client and veterinarian referrals. Any advertising (paid) I do now is more in support of local events which helps in promoting our brand.

What's one mistake you've made as a professional pet sitter (when you were just starting out or at any time during your career)? What did you learn/what do you do differently now? I’m not really sure I'd call it a mistake because it makes sense at first, but looking back, I wish I had chosen my clients more carefully. When you're a newbie, you tend to say "Yes!" to everyone and everything. I'm grateful to be in a place now where I can be selective with regards to whom I choose to work with. I recognize that I'm not always the right fit for every client and vice versa.

What advice would you give to new pet sitters? Pet sitting is a marathon, not a sprint. Building a pet-care business takes time. Be willing to tweak things as you grow. Recognize the importance of cultivating relationships--with clients, with fellow pet-care professionals and with local small-business owners.

Are there any must-have business tools your business could not do without? A good accountant who understands the nature of the industry

Do you schedule vacation time and/or days off? If so, how often? YES! I typically schedule time off for the yearly PSI Conference and I also take days off here and there throughout the year. I find that if I give ample notice, clients are not only fine with it but encourage me to take time for myself.

Are there any tips you would share for establishing a healthy work/life balance? The nature of pet sitting can be ALL encompassing. I am extremely fortunate to have a wonderful support system. It's key to remember that we can't be ALL things to ALL people ALL of the time. Set boundaries. Self-care is critical and needs to be a priority.

Is there any other information about your business and/or what has helped you create a successful pet-sitting business that you'd like to share? When I left secure employment with benefits nearly seven years ago to become a professional pet sitter, I had my share (and then some!) of naysayers. Many people thought I was crazy. Thank goodness for thick skin! Belief in myself and the willingness to follow my heart despite the "Debbie Downers" has proven to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I think my success is largely due to my passion for pets and their people. Pet sitting is personal and for me, relationships are the key. No two clients are the same. Every pet is unique. Every home is different. I pride myself on not being a cookie-cutter, one-size-fits-all type of sitter. I recognize my strengths and I own my weaknesses. “What you see is what you get” and so far, that's working well for me…very well!