This letter/article originally appeared in the  January-February edition of
"The World of Professional Pet Sitting"
The PSI Mailbox

A Letter To My
 Fellow
 Pet Sitters,
 from Kerni Hunter- Woodman
Kerri’s Cat Care
Pet & House Sitting Services
 Philadelphia, PA

     I came home yesterday from a long, tiring day of cat pans and dog walks. Now some would say, “Same s*** different day,” but today was different. It's a month since September 11, when everyone's world view changed. Don't get me wrong, I love my job. In fact, I'll be the one in the coffin with a litter scooper and leash in hand instead of the rosary. But when I got home, I had a call from a suburban colleague wanting desperately to start a monthly pet sitter's meeting in her area—like the one we do in Manayunk, PA.  She not only had this question, but others as well.

Common Questions

Is a recession coming?, Is it here already?, Do I get a part time job?, My pet sitting business has dropped tremendously, has yours?  These are some of the questions I am getting from my colleague, who's the sole provider in her home. These are very valid questions and we all need reassurance and to know that others are going through the same thing. I told her I lost $1,000 a month and that I'm hearing the same thing from others in our industry. That statement alone totally reassured and encouraged her. She didn’t feel so alone anymore.

Focus or Fold

Under pressure—be it extreme or light—people have two options: 1. Focus, or 2. Fold. If you want to put a Focus Factor  into Fruition, why not revisit the veterinarians, groomers, pet shops, etc., and drop off some business cards? Reintroduce yourself to possibly a new staff at these locales. Things are changing all the time. A “newcomer” to pet sitting has this motivation over us “oldtimers” or “pioneers.” So business is slow for whatever reason; what are you going to do about it? Take a nap or start making rounds meeting new contacts and possible customers?

You don't have to tell me that the glass is half empty or half full. It's what you do with it that matters. Are you guzzler or a sipper?

Thanks, Donna, for inspiring this article. Hang in there; it does get better!

Wag those tails,
Kerri

(If you want to attend the Manayunk, PA, pet sitters meeting, see my Web site at www.kerriscatcare.com for location and time. I also made up a thick handout on how to start your own pet sitting parties from small, medium, to large. If you would like a copy, don't hesitate to contact me.  Additionally, the brochure will soon be available for download on my website.)