Raising the Bar: Pet Sitters International’s Global Standards

Pet Sitters International (PSI), the world’s leading educational organization for professional pet sitters and dog walkers, has taken a historic step with the release of its first-ever Global Standards for Professional Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Businesses. Announced in just this month, the initiative represents a major milestone for an industry that, while rapidly expanding, has long operated without universal regulation or consistent benchmarks for best practices.​ Today, we’re diving into Pet Sitters International’s Global Standards, which we believe in wholeheartedly.

A Short History of PSI

Pet Sitters International was founded in 1994 by Patti J. Moran, author of Pet Sitting for Profit and one of the pioneers who helped transform pet sitting from a hobby into a professional, respected career. After starting her own pet sitting business in North Carolina in 1983, Moran recognized the need for education, resources, and community among independent pet care providers. Her efforts led to the formation of PSI, which quickly became the largest educational association of its kind. For more than three decades, PSI has offered certifications, access to industry insurance, and educational tools to promote professionalism in pet care worldwide.

I have been a PSI member since ​March 2022, but had been following them for a long time prior.

Why Global Standards Were Needed

Although the pet sitting and dog walking industry continues to grow, it remains largely unregulated in throughout the world. This lack of oversight has sometimes left both professionals and clients without a clear understanding of what constitutes quality, ethical, and safe care. PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston, whom I recently saw at the annual PSI conference in San Antonio, explained that the new standards were designed to bring consistency, legitimacy, and accountability to the pet care profession. The goal, of course, is to provide peace of mind for pet owners, trustworthy care for pets, and specific, attainable standards for pet care businesses.​

Pet Sitters International’s Global Standards were reviewed by leaders in related fields, including insurance, veterinary care, and animal safety, as well as a panel of pet owners, to ensure they reflected both professional expertise and client expectations. The intention and oversight that went into these standards highlight PSI’s ongoing commitment to shaping the future of professional pet care. They don’t do anything halfway. PSI takes these initiatives very seriously, providing reliable guidance despite a lack of governmental regulation.

Pet Sitters International’s Global Standards

Pet Sitters International’s Global Standards set a comprehensive framework covering critical aspects of operating a professional pet sitting or dog walking business. They outline best practices in ten key categories:

• Business legitimacy and licensing
• Contracts and compliance
• Insurance and risk management
• Animal care and stewardship
• Health, sanitation, and safety protocols
• Emergency preparedness
• Client security and data privacy
• Professional and ethical conduct
• Client communication and reputation management
• Sustainability and community responsibility​

These standards are not meant as maximum requirements, but as the foundational “floor” upon which excellence can be built.

As explained in Pet Sitter Confessional’s 2025 discussion of these standards, they set the baseline for professionalism, helping businesses self-audit, improve training, protect client data, and demonstrate accountability; all while elevating the industry for generations to come.​

Pet Sitters International’s Global Standards

Pet Sitters International’s Global Standards are the industry’s first universal benchmark for ethical, safe, and business-savvy pet care. The standards not only help independent sitters strengthen operations but also prepare the profession for future recognition by insurers and regulatory bodies.

In doing so, PSI once again leads the way in ensuring that professional pet sitters and dog walkers remain trusted advocates for the well-being of pets everywhere while supporting busy pet parents in meeting their animal companions’ needs.

The Best Pet Sitters in Yorktown, Poquoson, Hampton, & Newport News