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Retired and Feeling Restless? Consider a Second Career as a Professional Pet Sitter!

Pet Sitting Proves to be an Ideal Second Career for the Retired

When it’s finally time to take off your tie, bid farewell to the working world, and enjoy the long-awaited years of retirement, you may find yourself wondering what comes next. It’s not uncommon for retired individuals to feel restless or anxious during their first few months out of work. In fact, trends show that an increasing number of retirees are rejoining the workforce and launching a second career, as professional pet sitters.

“Pet sitting allows retirees the freedom to operate on a flexible schedule, grow at a pace that best fits their lifestyle, and utilize those savvy business skills that had been developed from a previous career,” said Sherry L. Suhosky, president of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS). Suhosky, a retired Marine Corps officer adds, “Pet sitting is the perfect blend for my passions of business management, customer service, and giving animals the care they deserve. I can’t think of a better way to enjoy my retirement.”

As a member-driven non-profit association, NAPPS provides retirees the business tools, marketability, and education to establish, strengthen, and promote their pet sitting services. Additionally, membership provides pet sitters with access to over 2,000 industry peers committed to mutually supporting, encouraging, and mentoring their fellow NAPPS members.

Additional member resources provided by NAPPS include:

  • Step-by-step guides on how to start and grow a pet sitting business, along with other tools, forms, and marketing/public relations resources
  • Member exclusive discounts on pet products, provided by corporate partners of NAPPS
  • Inclusion in the NAPPS “Pet Sitter Locator” online directory for pet parents
  • Monthly mentoring teleconferences and access to an exclusive online message board in which pet sitters discuss business challenges and solutions
  • Quarterly magazine, Professional Pet Sitter, with informative and educational articles
  • Discounted member pricing for all NAPPS University continuing education courses
  • Group pricing for pet sitter insurance, credit card processing, and background screening
  • Member pricing at the NAPPS Annual Conference and Small Business Forum

For many years, pet parents had limited care options for their pets and were often obligated to board their furry loved ones at a kennel while traveling away from home. Today, the growing industry of in-home professional pet sitting focuses on providing quality care for animals, in the comfort of their own home. As a result, pets experience less anxiety when their pet parent is away and are less likely to feel as though they were left behind or forgotten.

If you’re considering a career as a professional pet sitter, you don’t have to wander down the path alone. NAPPS can help guide you to building your business and creating a satisfying career that will supplement your retirement benefits.

About NAPPS
: NAPPS is the only national nonprofit trade association dedicated to serving the needs of professional pet sitters. The Association aims to help the pet owning public, those interested in pet sitting, and professionals engaged in the in-home pet care industry by fulfilling its vision statement, serving as "the most respected authority in professional pet sitting." It does so by providing the tools and support to foster the success of its members. NAPPS recently launched a membership designed with the pet parent in mind—the NAPPS Pet Parent Membership is the ultimate resource for pet lovers; offering guides, education opportunities, networking and exclusive discounts and deals to help pet parents care for their animal companions.

To find a pet sitter in your area, check out NAPPS' nationwide "Pet Sitter Locator" at www.petsitters.org. For more information on NAPPS, please follow @TheNAPPS on Twitter or join us on Facebook at facebook.com/TheNAPPS.
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