More Than Loving Pets: Why Pet-Sitter Education Matters

September is Pet-Sitter Education Month, which makes it a great time to talk about something that is very important to us at Buckaroo Buddies: continuing education.

Pet sitting has changed a lot over the years. What was once commonly thought of as a job for the neighborhood teenager has grown into an entire professional industry. At the same time, pet sitting and dog walking remain largely unregulated. There is no license required to call yourself a pet sitter, and no standard training that someone must complete before being trusted with another person's pets and home.

Raising the Bar for Professional Pet Care

Thankfully, several organizations are working to change what professionalism looks like within our industry.

Pet Sitters International (PSI) is a professional education and membership organization for pet sitters and dog walkers. In 2025, PSI introduced its Global Standards for Professional Pet-Sitting and Dog-Walking Businesses, which provide a set of best practices covering everything from animal care and safety to insurance, emergency planning, client privacy, and business practices.

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) also provides education, certification, and resources specifically for professional pet sitters.

There are even a few organizations working at the state level. Here in Texas, the Texas Pet Sitters Association (TPSA) brings pet care professionals together for education, networking, and an annual conference. These smaller organizations give pet sitters the opportunity to learn from other professionals, build connections, and share the challenges and experiences that come with running a pet care business.

Fear Free takes a different approach. Their education focuses on recognizing and reducing fear, anxiety, and stress in the animals in our care. Their Pet Sitter Certification teaches pet professionals about behavior, body language, handling, enrichment, and other skills that can make pet care less stressful.

Education at Buckaroo Buddies

Continuing education is something we have built into Buckaroo Buddies from the beginning. Every member of our team is trained in Fear Free practices and completes an 8-hour Pet First Aid and CPCR certification course before beginning hands-on training with pets. Continuing education remains part of our regular team training.

For me personally, that education has included becoming a member of both PSI and NAPPS, earning the Certified Professional Pet Sitter designation through PSI, becoming Fear Free Certified, attending both state and national pet-sitting conferences, and continuing to learn about animal behavior, health, safety, and the business of pet care.

Because loving animals matters. But when someone trusts us with their pets and their home, we believe they deserve more than that.