The resurgence of the pet-sitting industry

Recent research by Pet Sitters International (PSI), an association for professional pet sitters and dog walkers in the US, says that overall pet sitter revenue has increased in the last year.

The association’s Post-Pandemic State of the Industry Survey 2023 concludes that its members hit a revenue of $94,563 (€86,095) in 2022, an increase of 37.6% from $68,699 (€62,547) in 2021, a year when COVID restrictions were in fuller force.

The number of visits performed increased from 2,849 in 2021 to 3,667 in 2022.

“The resurgence of travel, return of pet parents to work and increased number of pets adopted during the pandemic have all contributed to the increase in average pet-sitter revenue and households served,” says PSI President Beth Stultz-Hairston.

Adapting to client demand

In a conversation with GlobalPETS, Stultz-Hairston noted that the services offered by pet sitters have increased since the pandemic to adapt to client demand.

“From offering deep litter box cleaning packages to transportation to the vet or groomer, [PSI] adopted additional safety protocols, such as contactless dog walking or paperless payment and forms,” she adds.

According to Stultz-Hairston, professional pet sitters are already achieving unprecedented financial success, surpassing their pre-pandemic earning potential.

Currently, the average cost of a basic pet care visit in the US is $24.18 (€22), while a dog-walking visit costs $22.55 (€20.40).

Most of the services offered by PSI members are for cats (96%), dogs (94%), small animals (73%), birds (70%), freshwater fish (66%) and reptiles & amphibians (56%).