Last-Minute Holiday Plans? PSI Offers Tips for Securing Reliable Pet Care
The association provides guidance for pet parents seeking a professional pet sitter during the busy holiday season.
KING, N.C. (December 3, 2025) — With the winter holiday season in full swing and professional pet-care providers in high demand, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is reminding pet parents to begin the search as soon as possible for a holiday pet sitter.
PSI, the world’s leading educational association for professional pet-sitting and dog-walking business owners, found in a survey of more than 450 pet sitters last year that more than half of respondents (53%) began accepting holiday pet-sitting reservations at least six months in advance.
Fortunately for last-minute travelers, options are still available. While many pet-sitting business do get booked up in advance of major holidays, 34% of survey respondents said last year that they accept last-minute holiday requests (reservations less than one week before the holiday).
“Finding the right pet sitter for your family allows you to truly enjoy your holiday, but it does take time to complete phone interviews and an in-home meeting,” said PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston. “Contact your preferred professional pet sitter as soon as possible to inquire about availability and minimize the stress of a last-minute search for pet care.”
PSI offers the following tips for pet parents still looking for a professional pet-sitting or dog-walking service this holiday season:
- Ask for a referral. If your preferred professional pet sitter is already booked, don’t be afraid to ask them for a referral to another local, reputable pet-sitting company. Most pet-sitting business owners are happy to provide recommendations. You can also search for local PSI member pet sitters at www.petsit.com/locate.
- Do your research. Just because you’re short on time doesn’t mean you should cut corners when searching for pet care. Be sure to schedule a “meet and greet” or “initial consultation” at your home, which allows you to meet the potential pet sitter, see them interact with your pets, and review their credentials and policies to ensure they are a true professional. PSI’s free pet-sitter interview checklist includes several important questions you should ask.
- Pet-proof your home. If you will be traveling out of town for the holidays, don’t forget to ask your professional pet sitter how you can best prepare your home, whether that means moving (or removing) certain decorations and treats to keep them out of pets’ reach, making provision for snow removal, etc.
“Whether you’re planning to travel out of town or will just be gone for a few hours for a holiday concert, professional pet sitters and dog walkers are available to ensure pets get the holiday care they deserve, in the comfort of their own home,” Stultz-Hairston said.
To learn more about PSI or to locate a professional pet sitter in your area, visit www.petsit.com.
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About Pet Sitters International
Founded in 1994 by Patti J. Moran, Pet Sitters International (PSI) is the world’s leading educational association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers. For more than three decades, PSI has set the benchmark for excellence in the pet-sitting profession and is the creator of the first publicly available Global Standards for Professional Pet-Sitting and Dog-Walking Businesses. With members across the United States, Canada, and more than 15 other countries, PSI continues to elevate the industry and provide members with access to the educational resources and business tools they need to succeed in a rapidly evolving field.
