5 Benefits of Joining a Professional Association

Filed Under Pet Business Tips |

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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