Kerri Hunter-Woodman started her business, Kerri's Cat Care, in Philadelphia, PA, more than 15 years ago.  She was caring for other peoples' pets in her job at a veterinary clinic and left to continue caring for other people's pets—as her own boss. “I reasoned that if there are baby sitters for children and in-home nursing care for the elderly, then why not be a baby sitter for animals?” she recalled. “There was the demand, but no one actually offered this service in the area. I was the first in a major city to start up such a business— and the demand outweighed the supply.”

    When asked about her business specialties, she said, “In addition to feline care, I hold certifications in avian and canine care and as an Emergency Animal Rescue Technician and in animal CPR. I also keep my PIJAC (Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council certifications up to date.”

    Diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis in 1998, Kerri has been forced to make changes in her pet sitting routine, but continues inspire and educate a new generation of pet sitters. Her years of experience and continuing education have set her apart as a educator and mentor to many hopeful “newbies.” She currently teaches a seminar in pet-sitting basics at Harcum College in Bryn Mawr, appears frequently in local and regional media as a pet care expert and recently began writing a regular column for The WORLD called Kerri ‘s Konclusions (page 28). Her advice for the newbie sitter is this: “Get disability insurance, get an IRA, take a course in starting your own business instead of jumping in without looking. And most important of all—network, network, network with others in the pet-sitting industry! I've written a handout on Starting Your Own Pet Sitting Get Together and have been promoting this concept to pet sitters across the United States.”

    Kerri is also a tireless fundraiser for her “pet” charities, including the Multiple Sclerosis Society and Heifer Project International She has raised almost $10,000 for MSS and more than $7,300 for HPI, which provides animals and agricultural training to hungry families around the world, giving them a way to feed themselves and become self-reliant. She is also active in her local park foundation, as an advocate for designated play areas in city parks where dogs can safely be let off leash for fun and exercise.

    In reflecting on the honor of being named as a Top 5 Finalist in the 2002 Pet Sitter of the Year competition, Kerri said, “I'm just like any other PSI member; I have my pets, my family and my friends. I am not that much different from other pet sitting professional who give 100 percent of themselves to a job that requires nothing less. Working as a pet sitter is more of a calling than a job description!”