5 Benefits of Joining a Professional Association

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When you decide to start a career in pet care the first action that I recommend that you take is to search out and join a professional association that is related to your career of interest. Joining Pet Sitters International was one of the first steps that I took to learn more about the profession and meet others already working as pet sitters.  Over the years I have always remained a member because of the following benefits:

1) Education - associations provide their members with opportunities to learn and improve their skills through accreditation programs, magazines, and conferences.

2) Networking - associations give you a access to other members and their experience through web forums, conferences and locally organized networking groups.

3)  Discounted services - some associations offer members reduced rates on group health and business liability insurance. Discounted legal services and pre-employeement screening services are also offerred through the pet sitting organization.

4) Marketing - associations give listing of members on their sites so that visitors can find a local representative. Consumers can search by zip code to find their local provider. Membership in a professional association often gives consumers more confidence in the service.

5) Add on services - and opportunities to provide related products are often made to association members.  Associations often partner with companies that offer complementary services that can be used by it’s members to boost income. An example of this is the video monitoring system offered to pet sitters to place in customers homes so that clients may watch their pets play when they are away from home. Pet sitters can charge clients a monthly rate to have the cameras installed in their home and are given a special rate on the camera service and equipment through Pet Sitters International.

Whatever pet profession you are interseted in there is an association out there for you. Some other examples are:

National Dog Groomers Association

Association of Professional Animal Waste Removal Specialists

National Association of Veterinary Technicians

American Veterinary Medical Association

Association of Pet Dog Trainers

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Unusual Pet Careers - Pet Acupuncturist

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Acupuncture is a therapy that orginated in China around 4000 years ago. The therapy aims to balance the bodies energy by stimulating selected points of the body using small thin needles. It is often used as an alternative therapy when conventional techniques are having adverse effects or when surgery is not feasible.  It can also be used to keep the energy in the body of the pet in balance to prevent problems.

Usually accupuncture treatments last from 10 seconds to 30 minutes, depending upon the problem being treated.  The treatment will be repeated 1-3 times per week for 4-6 weeks. A positive response is often (but not always) noticed within the first 4-6 treatments, sometimes earlier, depending on the condition treated.Some of the conditions that may respond to acupunture include:

1) Musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, intervertebral disc disease  

2) Dermatological conditions such as chronic ear infections and chronic allergic dermatitis  

3) Respiratory conditions such as asthma and chronic viral infections

4) Neurological conditions such as traumatic nerve injury and epilepsy

5) Gastrointestinal conditions such as chronic diarrhea and constipation.

6) Urogenital conditions such as chronic urinary infections, bladder stones or incontinence

The American Academy of Veterinary Medical Acupuncture, in conjunction with the Colorado State University College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (CSU-CVMBS) and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association offer a couse in Veterinary Acupunture at their website. Other courses are offered by the International Veterinary Accupunture Society.   

Accupuncture is provided by some veterinarians as a supplementary service to their clients and others choose to specialize solely in holistic medicine techinques such as accupuncture.  A directory of veterinary accupuncturists can be found online at the International Veterinary Accupuncture Society and the American Academy of Veterinary Accupuncture.

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Summer Pet Care - How to Prevent Heat Stress

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Summer is almost here and all pet professionals should be aware of the dangers of the summer heat to our pets.  

Last summer my husband relayed to me an incident that a workmate had with his dog. He and his wife left their two dogs out in the yard while they attended church on Sunday morning. The dogs had plenty of shade and water but when they returned home and let the dogs in the house one of them collapsed on the floor. Believing that the dog was suffering from heat stress they doused him with cold water and then consulted the internet to check on the typical symptoms. Their research told them to check the gums of their dog as the gums of pets suffering from heat stress will be bright red. When they checked their dog they found that the gums were grey. They rushed him to the vet and their dog was diagnosed with a ruptured tumor in the stomach. 

As pet care professionals we should be able to immediately recognize the symptoms of heat stress. I did my own research and found that heat stress can set in within 10 minutes of a pet’s exposure to high heat environment and can have serious long term effects such as blood clotting and organ failure.  But don’t be too alarmed - heat stress can be easily prevented. With the summer months of high temperatures ahead of us it’s important for us all to be aware of the risk to our pets, minimize the danger, and be able act quickly to recognize the symptoms and take the correct treatment steps. Typically we hear about dogs suffering from heat stress but cats are also at risk. Pets with dark, heavy coats, and dogs with short noses such as Pugs, Pekinese and Boxers are most susceptible to heat. Heat stress occurs when the pet’s body temperature rises above 107F. Above this temperature cells begin to break down and die, and can also produce chemicals that damage the surrounding cells. 


To minimize the risk of heat stress never leave pets in vehicles or tied out in the direct sunlight during warm, sunny days… even a few minutes can be critical. Always provide them with plenty of cool water to drink. Flea markets and other outdoor activities are often the worst place to bring a dog on a hot summer day.   Factors that increase an animal’s risk of developing heat stroke include:  -  water deprivation, enclosed space,  excessive humidity, obesity, exercise, age, cardiovascular disease and lack of acclimatization 

Symptoms of heat stress that you should look for include:  - intense, rapid panting, wide eyes, salivating, staggering, weakness, dark red gums ,  respiratory distress or hyperventilationAdvanced heat stroke victims will collapse and become unconscious. If you notice your pet suffering from any of these symptoms and are close to a veterinary hospital it is advisable to take you pet immediately. Otherwise, you need to get the pets body temperature down by placing them in a tub of cool running water or spraying with a hose. Be sure that the water contacts the skin and doesn’t simply run off the coat. Thoroughly wet the belly and inside the legs. Take the pets temperature rectally if possible. Cool only until body temperature lowers to 103F. It is possible to cause hypothermia if the pets body temperature falls to low. Once the pet has been cooled veterinary attention should be sought as soon as possible.

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Pet News - Relaxing with Goldfish in the UK

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Pet Goldfish A report in UKpets this week reported that Travelodge hotels in the UK now have a Goldfish Hire Service to help their stressed clients get a good nights sleep. Patrons can request a fish therapy room complete with goldfish bowl at check-in and are encouraged to watch the fish for 15 minutes before retiring to bed.

The introduction of this service follows studies that have shown that people associate aquariums with tranquility and serenity.  Watching fish helps calm the human mind and relieve stress that prevents a good nights sleep.  They have hired an animal psychologist and sleep expert to develop their goldfish service and sleep guide.

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Pet Care Marketing Tricks - Simple Eye Catching Brochures

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Pet Care Brochure MakerThis week Lynn at Clicknewz introduced me to some great new free online software that will make it easy for you to create eye catching brochures to advertise your pet care business.  My Brochure Maker by HP is very simple to use and leads you step by step through the design process using ready to use layouts.

A tri-fold brochure gives you plenty of room to provide details of your service or product and makes your business look professional.  You can print them at your local Kinko’s and they also provide an economical tri-folding service.

Some things to make sure to include on a brochure are:

1) All about you - who you are, your vision and why you have a passion for your business

2) Details of your service - what you do, when you do it, and how much you charge. Extra perks or ad on services that distinguish you from the competition.

3) Benefits of using your service - what will be easier, faster or more convenient about using your service

4) Phone and website contact - give them a place to find more information

If you need some images of pets for your brochure try browsing 123rtf.com for royalty free stock photos that you can purchase for commerical use.

You can place your brochures in a clear plastic stand at the counter of pet retail stores, restaurants, health food stores, hair and nail salons, groomers or local bulletin boards at grocery stores and apartment buildings.

When I started my pet sitting business these simple tri-fold brochures placed in local stores helped me get my first customers. I haven’t put any out for several months but the brochures seem to be something that people will hold on to and I often get calls from people who have picked them up and have been keeping them until they needed my service.

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