Pet Sitter Associations
If you have a pet day care business or want to start one, but do not have the certification or insurance required to do so, you may want to look into joining a pet sitter association. With member benefits and business tools that could help you gain certification or build a stronger business, you can use your affiliation with the association to take your pet day care business to the next level. Here is what you need to know about pet sitter associations and the fees required to join them.
Function
Pet sitter associations like the National Association for Professional Pet Sitters and the Pet Sitter Associates, LLC, work to provide educational tools and resources to professional pet sitters, educate the public about pet sitting services and the merits thereof, and champion the rights and welfare of all animals (see Resources below).
Significance
All pet sitter associations require a membership fee. This fee will vary by association and state, but generally ranges in price from $95 to $175 per year, depending on the type of membership. Individual membership is generally less than professional membership, which can cost as much as $500, and in some cases, more. Membership to an association also permits the member to purchase liability and bonding, as well as health, dental, life and liability insurances.
Benefits
The benefit of joining a pet sitter association will vary by association. However, most members enjoy the benefits of professional affiliation and the networking potential inherent therein, educational resources and industry related information workshops, business courses (which, in some cases, can lead to certification), and a directory of members and affiliated organizations (which can lead to network and referral potential).
Effects
Pet sitter associations make insurance affordable for individuals. Most membership to pet sitter associations eliminate the minimum insurance premium required to start a pet day care business. In some cases, the insurance offered through an association can provide $1 million liability coverage per occurrence with an annual aggregate of $2 million. This would allow the business owner to cover his business against bodily injury and property damage. Additional employees can be added for an added fee.
Warning
All pet sitter associations require an application as well as upfront payment. Most pet sitter associations have online applications. To increase Web use, most associations offer member centers and online tools. Members can access these features with a username and password to gain access to the association directory, referral network and other educational tools and features.
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