National Professional Pet Sitters Week occurs during the first full week of March and celebrates those who work as pet sitters. Without the services of these hardworking and dedicated individuals, many of us wouldn’t be able to leave our homes without wondering if our pet was okay or if they were tearing up the house.

According to statistics, it’s estimated that over 65,000 pet sitters will be needed by 2030, and pet care employment is expected to rise by almost 25%. This is part of the larger trend of pet owners willing to spend more money to ensure that their pets are well taken care of.

The History of National Professional Pet Sitters

This week was first created in 1995 by Pet Sitters International—the world’s leading educational organization for pet sitters. This organization was founded in 1994, and the following year, they created this week to raise the profile of pet sitters and help them gain access to the information they need to succeed at their jobs.

Interesting Facts About Pet Sitters

Below are some interesting facts about pet sitters that we think everyone might find entertaining and informative. Let’s take a quick peek at these facts before we continue our discussion about how this week should be observed.

• In 2010, the average pet sitter had 103 clients and an annual revenue of about $48,000.
• About 84% of pet sitters carry bonding insurance and liability insurance.
• The majority of pet sitters are women aged 41 to 60.
• Single females are twice as likely to use pet sitters as single males.

Observing National Professional Pet Sitters Week

One of the best ways to observe this week is by giving thanks to the person who pet sits for your home or giving them a gift such as flowers, candy, or even a card. This is also a good week for people who are considering becoming a pet sitter to actually do it.

As we said earlier, Pet Sitters International has a ton of information that might be helpful on their journey. People can also spread the word about this week by using the hashtag #NationalProfessionalPetSitters on social media.