NAPPS Spring 2019 - Professional Pet Sitter magazine

Spring 2019

Volume 27 · Number 1

Come Join the NAPPS Regional Events!

Pet Food Myths Dispelled Providing Proof of Insurance Meet Rabbit the Horse Earn Chicken and Equine Certifications

INSIDE SPRING 2019 PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER COVER: Horse and chicken photos are CanStockPhotos Media Mewsings............................................... 4 President’s Message......................................... 5

INDUSTRY NEWS OF INTEREST Pet Sitter Nightmares..................................... 6

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TIPS OF THE TRADE Revealing Pet Food Secrets..............................8 Choose Substance Over Style.........................10

PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER

MISSION

S TAT E M E N T

The mission of the Professional Pet Sitter is to provide tools for members to enhance their business, help them expand their knowledge of professional pet sitting, and communicate association news and events.

Copyright 2019. The Professional Pet Sitter is published four times a year in March, June, September and December by NAPPS Headquarters: 1120 Rt. 73, Suite 200, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. Periodical mailing privilege pending at Mt. Laurel, NJ and additional mailing offices.

Postmaster: send change of address to the Professional Pet Sitter c/o NAPPS Headquarters, 1120 Rt. 73, Suite 200, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. The Professional Pet Sitter is free to National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Inc. members. No part of this publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher.

Editorial offices: 1120 Rt. 73, Suite 200, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054

BUSINESS Selling Your Business?....................................12 Providing Proof of Insurance..........................14 Understanding Google Tools...........................16

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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT NAPPS 2019 Forum......................................17 FEATURES Meet Rabbit the Horse...................................18 Earn Chicken Certification..............................20 Earn Equine Certification................................21 CONNECT WITH NAPPS About Your Association...................................22 NAPPS Chat Message Board..........................23 Member Benefit.............................................24 NAPPS in the News.......................................25 New NAPPS Members................................. IBC NAPPS Marketing Videos.............................. BC

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ONLINE ALL THE TIME www.petsitters.org Like us facebook.com/THENAPPS National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Inc. 1120 Rt. 73, Suite 200 Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Phone: (856) 439-0324 • Fax: (856) 439-0525 Email: NAPPS@petsitters.org • www.petsitters.org

www.petsitters.org

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Follow us @TheNAPPS pinterest.com/source/petsitters.org @the_napps Join us @National Association of Professional Pet Sitters 3

Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

TMIPS ED IA O FMTEHWES T IN RG AS DE

By Arden Moore

Arden Moore, Executive Editor

Pairing Traditional Medicines Making the Doggone Right Choices with Holistic Offerings

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ohn made a bad The are 16-year-old boy minutes, the groups switch to new handlers and ore and moredecision. pet parents bought someinto marijuana anwith undercover dogs. looking options from to pair cop. traditional As a result,medicine John is living at the Illinois All the participants are anxious to spend to address (IYC) Chicago, juvenile detention time with Rou, the pit bull. One boy commented aYouth hostCenter of issues in their pets.a And, facility for theinnext six months. on how Rou resembled his American Staffordshire fast growing popularity is theJohn use is of not a hardened criminal. if he hadn’t been terrier. It was surprising to hear him refer to his CBD oil. That standsAnd for maybe cannabidiol, a caught thisfound early in cannabis the game,and he might dog with the official breed title. “That’s because compound hemp.still be on the streets, nowclients stealing we’ve seen all these different guys fight and we You canperhaps help your by to buying larger quantities them of marijuana—maybe even cocaine or know who the best ones are,” he says. educating about CBD oils. For crack. not all CBD oils are the same.

And this offers the perfect segue to talk starters, But landing IYC isnot perhaps the best thing about dogfighting. “Do you think the dogs like “The CBD oilinshould contain that — could have happened to John andElisa the other fighting?” asks Triptow. Most of the boys nod. “Do THC tetrahydrocannabinol,” says 12-17-year-olds like him.and They’re you think the dogs like being stroked?” All the Katz, DVM, veterinarian ownerreceiving of the the discipline, training,Center counseling, education and Holistic Veterinary in Bourbonnais, programs need to reinvent themselves once IL. “THC isthey’ll the compound that gives ...if you don’t like getting they’ve completed their stay,properties. via a program marijuana its psychoactive So, called Lifetime CBD oils Bonds. made from hemp and not THC hurt and the dog doesn’t like Created Best will not causeby your dogFriends or cat Safe to getHumane, high. this program targets youththe who been involved The CBD oil can help pethave relax.” getting hurt, do you really in illegal In looking activities. for top-quality Each week,CBD a group oil of dog handlers and products, seektheir products dogs visit that are: the teens. think the into a situation • Organic The teams – You teach don’t thewant youngproducts men the proper way tothat approach containafungicides, dog, a few commands solvents or and a like fighting where they most chance pesticides. to socialize with the dog. By receiving the certainly will get hurt? immediate • Not a gratification bargain price.ofThat a happy couldwagging be a tail, friendly signal lick on thatthethehand, oil contains or the roll-over additives request for a belly or a low rub,percentage these youngsters of quality begin CBDto realize— sometimes oil. for the first time in their lives—that boys nod. “Do you like the feeling of being hurt kindness • Display begets a certificate kindness.ofAnd labthat analysis. sets the stage when someone hits you?” All the boys shake their for profound • Sold as behavioral a tincture. change.

Yes, there are head. “Do you think dogs like the feeling of being Best treats CBD Friendsavailable, Safe Humane but the National best Director hurt, like when another dog bites them?” Tentative Cynthia form Bathurst is in a tincture. believes Lifetime This option Bonds is an shakes all around. “So think about it—if you don’t integral enables component you to of adjust the program the pet’sindose that it like getting hurt and the dog doesn’t like getting aims drop to stop by violence drop. in its tracks before it has hurt, do you really think the dogs like going into a a chance • Approved to grow and further. recommended “Safe Humane” by the gives situation like fighting where they most certainly should notshakes contain theseclient’s young men veterinarian. knowledge and skills they canThe CBD will getoil hurt?”

Definite head all around. use to positive advantage for the dogs they and The teens have only participated in the THC — tetrahydrocannabinol. their friends CBD oilsorcan family be safe members for use encounter on dogs in the Lifetime Bonds program for two months, but streets, and catsespecially when givedogs the proper vieweddosage. as ‘fighting dogs,’” already, changes in thought, attitude and she says.

Here is a rundown of some situations in which 4. behavior To ease arechronic evident.orNikki acuteRobinson, pain for pets.

Assistant Superintendent/Programs IYCassociated Chicago, observes CBD oil can be given to a pet: 5.

To assist with symptoms with Changing Beliefsseparation Is The First Step the boys not only look forward to the sessions 1. To help reduce anxiety or noise inflammatory bowel disease.

The young men could hardly waithave for the bell because they’re enjoyable, but that they phobia reactions.

Human studies shown 6.

To reduce chronic inflammation and really to ring, timestress for theand Lifetime Bonds “get”autoimmune why the program is important.

CBDsignaling oils help it’s reduce anxiety. diseases. program, or,fight as they call it,CBD “Dog-Play 2.

To help cancers. oil haveTime.” been 7. To boost appetite and help with nausea.

The group smallereffect groupsand andslow How Can cardiovascular Help shownbreaks to haveinto an five anti-tumor 8.

ToYou promote health. begins each session learning how to approach Best Friends Safe Humane relies on down cancer cellby growth in some instances. a friendly One seizures by one, the take turns donations andline: in-kind from localTHC is 3.

To helpdog. control andboys epilepsy.

Most Bottom CBD services oil not containing holding theseizures backs ofare their hands for the dogs businesses andtoindividuals. you’dcats. like to dogsout with given prescriptions to legal and safe give to dogsIfand n make to sniff, gently the dogs on the side. a donation to the Safe Humane Lifetime Bonds helpthen control theirpetting episodes, but CBD oil may Thenbetheadded. boys hold treats in their hand while program, send a check payable to: Safe Humane asking the dogs to sit and lie down, then give the P.O. Box 7342 Chicago, IL 60680-7342. If you’d treats—and give and receive more love. After 20 like to learn more about volunteer opportunities Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

PROFESSIONAL PET STAFF BySITTER Amy Abern

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Cathe Delaney, Managing Editor Please send all letters to the editor: NAPPS@petsitters.org Letters should include your name, address, and daytime telephone Letters may edited with Safe Humane, call number.

312-409-4790.

Forebemore for length or clarity.

Submissions may be mailed information on Best Friends, visit their Web site at or emailed as a word document.

www.bestfriends.org. n

Professional Pet Sitter is published quarterly by the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a nonprofit organization, and is available through membership subscription. No portion of the magazine may be reprinted without the written consent of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. The letters and advertisements contained in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the association. NAPPS is not liable for validity or correctness of any claim, express or implied, made in advertisements or writings of this magazine.

MEMBERSHIP SERVICES NAPPS Headquarters 1120 Rt. 73, Suite 200 Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054 Phone: (856) 439-0324 Fax: (856) 439-0525 Email: NAPPS@petsitters.org www.petsitters.org Cathe Delaney Administrative Director Matt Reid Administrative Assistant Kattie Krewer Media Contact kkrewer@petsitters.org Business Insurers of the Carolinas PO Box 2536, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2536 Phone: (800) 962-4611 ext. 224 www.petsitterinsurance.com For Dishonesty Bond and/or General Liability Insurance The National Group Insurance Exchange 3210 Doolittle Dr., Northbrook, IL 60062 Phone: (800) 955-0418 Fax: (847) 559-9499 Email: tngie@aol.com www.wwins.com Contact: Alan Leafman For Dental and Health Insurance For pet sitting questions contact: www.petsitters.org www.petsitters.org

PR ESID EN T ’ S M E S S A G E

By Jessica Abernathy, President

Let’s Embrace Change and Grow Together As we near the end of the first quarter of 2019, I am excited to unleash news designed to help you continue to grow professionally and to adapt to the everchanging challenges we face in the pet industry.

For starters, I encourage you to participate in our regional events taking place March 7 in honor of Professional Pet Sitters Week. Here is a terrific opportunity to learn, network and celebrate with fellow pet sitters in your area.

To arm you with knowledge on how to provide pet sitting care for pet chickens and horses, we now offer online home study courses. Upon completion, you can earn CEUs for NAPPS re-certification. Nice, right?

Major changes and improvements are also set for this fall. Look for a complete redesign and re-launch of our NAPPS website. Our new website will be designed to make navigating our various offers easier and more relevant for you.

In January, we launched a private NAPPS Facebook page for members only. We see the value of the page to be a place for our members to share ideas and address topics facing professional pet sitters. Purposely, it is a Facebook page only open to you — NAPPS members — as a way to communicate effectively and quickly with your NAPPS colleagues.

“Let’s get ready for change and together, we can continue to make NAPPS be your go-to place for learning, growing and sharing.”

– Jessica Abernathy, NAPPS Volunteer and President

And, finally, we invite you to a mega-brain trust at the NAPPS 2019 Forum Webinar Program set for Sept 16-19.

Here is your chance to learn from the best in our industry. We have eight stellar speakers ready to give you tips and strategies to make you enjoy success in your business and your life.

Yes, 2019 is the year of change and growth for us. I share with you two on-target quotes from a couple of famous people discussing change: From singer/actress Madonna: “No matter who you are, no matter what you did, no matter where you’ve come from, you can always change, become a better version of yourself.”

And from the late motivational speaker and author Leo Buscaglia: “Change is the end result of all true learning.”

So, let’s get ready for change and together, we can continue to make NAPPS be your go-to place for learning, growing and sharing.

Jessica Abernathy Dedicated NAPPS Volunteer and President www.petsitters.org

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Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

I ND USTRY N E W S O F I N T E RE S T

By Arden Moore

Pet Sitter Nightmares — And Solutions

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alking through the front door of a client’s home, savvy professional pet sitters learn to expect the unexpected and how to react quickly and appropriately.

No one said being a pet sitter would be a bore. In fact, surprises — pleasant and otherwise — are more commonplace than you would imagine. We reached out to a few key NAPPS members to share their tales.

Yvette Gonzales, immediate NAPPS past president, is president of As You Wish Pet Sitters, based in Highlands Ranch, CO. Her advice: make sure you ask

“Make sure you ask your client if anyone may be in the house when you are making a pet sitting care visit.”

NAPPS board member Antonio Garcia, who owns GBA Pet Service with his wife, Barbara, in San Antonio, TX, recently had a friendly reminder about the impact of technology — specifically, in-home surveillance. He was caring for a pair of cats at night for clients who were out of the country.

Garcia started talking to the cats and singing to them. Then he heard a voice coming over the web cam: “Please stop singing. We can hear you on our phone” came the plea from the out-of-town owners.

Gonzales and Abernathy have had their fair share of clients who seek professional pet sitting care for say a dog or a cat, but when they arrive, the clients conveniently “forget” to mention the household has other animals in need of care, such as lizards, turtles, hamsters or gerbils.

“When we call to confirm the appointment, we always ask if there are any new pets, or changes made to the house. Is there a new alarm system? Have the security codes been changed?” says Abernathy.

“Maintaining communication with clients is key. And make sure to get a lot of information during your initial meet-and-greet.”

Final tip: Take advantage of the many resources available at NAPPS to help you continue to be a successful pet sitter. n

your client if anyone may be in the house when you are making a pet sitting care visit. And, definitely have clients fill out what she calls an “unskilled caretaker form” in advance.

“We strive to avoid situations in which a teenager or an adult child are unexpectedly lounging in the house when we arrive,” she says. “It is our policy to ask if there is a chance of anyone being there when we arrive, and that includes the housekeeper. Our forms clearly state what we will do for the pet, including administering medication.”

NAPPS President Jessica Abernathy, who is the chief executive officer of Professional Pet Sitters, Inc. in Chicago, arrived to a client’s house at night only to witness a teenage party with loud music taking place.

“No one was supposed to be in the house except me, so I called 911,” says Abernathy. “And then I called the owners. This has happened three times. Play it safe. Report and call and do not put yourself — or your staff — in danger.”

Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

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T IPS O F T H E T R A D E

Revealing 10 Pet Food Secrets (Editor’s Note: This post appearing on the Fidose of Reality website is reprinted with permission.)

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mart marketing is one of the basic tenets of any industry.

In the case of the dog food industry, it’s all about caveat paw emptor: pet parent buyer beware.

Working in the pet industry for close to a decade, there are things I’ve learned that every dog parent should know about dog food labels.

Ignore that enticing photo of a dog running through a field on the front and turn that bag, can or container around. Reading a label isn’t easy, but do pay close attention to this.

Keep in mind: Pet food labeling is one thing; pet food ingredients and facts are another. Labels are deceiving, and sadly there’s no one stopping dog food makers from continuing to fool us into our dogs must consume their product. Dog food labels are confusing. That’s why the emphasis seems to be on what is on the front of the bag. Ignore that.

In fact, read a dog food label with a discriminating eye. You may need to supplement. Here are 10 secrets pet food manufacturers try to squeeze past you and hope you won’t notice.

#1. Made with Human Grade Ingredients There are some very interesting and startling facts about dog food labels. “Made with human grade ingredients” is a bunch of malarkey. Made with human-grade ingredients does NOT mean a finished product is actually legally, human grade.

An ingredient might start off being fit for people to eat it, but once it is shipped to a pet food plant and processed according to regulations for feed grade products, the term “human grade” can no longer apply. By true definition, that ingredient is not human grade.

#2. Feed Grade Feed grade refers to the quality of a finished product which is not suitable for consumption by humans according to FDA standards. It is only legally allowed to be served to animals because of the ingredients it contains or how it has been processed. Further, it may include by-products, chemicals, fillers, and parts from “4D” meats: animals which are dying, diseased, disabled, or deceased.

Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

This means dead pets from shelters can end up in dog food. ID tags from euthanized dogs may end up in dog food. Does it happen? There is no mandate that dead pets must not be in pet food. The folks at DogFoodAdvisor.com are unable to locate any current regulation forbidding the use of euthanized pets in commercial dog food.

#3. Organic There are no formal definitions for organic pet food. Organic, according to the USDA, is food raised without chemical fertilizers and meet very stringent guidelines. The definition of organic in pet food is based on human standards. Those human standards may not apply to animals.

The FDA’s website has this to say about organic labeling: “There are no official rules governing the labeling of organic foods for pets at this time.”

#4. Made With If you see “made with” on a dog food label, it means that only three percent of something is included for the “made with” label to be applied.

It could be real meat, organic meat, or some combination of who know what. Three percent.

#5. Holistic Dog Food Labeling There is zero legal requirement in order for something to be called ‘holistic’ on a dog food product. Holistic is slapped on dog food labels in an attempt to get dog parents to purchase — and it works.

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#6. First Ingredient Fooled Ya’ The first ingredient in a bag or can of dog food does not mean that is the primary ingredient. The moisture content of meat in a dog food is about 75 percent. That sounds fantastic, right? It would be if 75 percent of real safe meat went into your dog’s food. Food gets processed, dried, and the meat ends up being under 10 percent. Beef that starts out as 75 percent of the content in a dog food ends up at less than 10 percent when it goes into dry dog food. Sad!

#7. Glucosamine for Strong Joints Glucosamine is anti-inflammatory in its properties and can help dogs with stiffness and arthritis. I know because my dog has been on a glucosamine/chondroitin supplement for many years, with great results. Glucosamine and chondroitin have taken a stronghold in the pet food additive arena. Buyer beware because glucosamine and chondroitin are considered nutraceuticals (not pharmaceuticals) and are not strictly controlled by the FDA. Even if a can or bag of dog food claims to be a ‘rich source of glucosamine,’ don’t be fooled. How much of the dog food would the dog need to eat to get benefit of the glucosamine? According to Dogs Naturally Magazine, a 50-pound dog would need to consume about 1,000 mg of glucosamine supplementation per day to reap the benefits. Your dog would have to eat over 20 cups of kibble in some cases to get this amount. www.petsitters.org

By Carol Bryant

#8. Carbs Are Not Required on Dog Food Labels It’s not easy to find the carbohydrate content in dog food because it isn’t required on the label. To roughly calculate the percentage of carbohydrate in a dog food, look at the guaranteed analysis on the label, and subtract the amount of protein, fat, moisture, and ash from 100 percent. The carb content is what’s left over. (You may have to contact the company to get the food’s ash content; it’s not required on the label, either.) Not all carbs are bad and we could write a mini novel on the topic. Bottom line: the “ideal” carbohydrate amount a dog should consume varies by dog. Just like people! Carbs are not an enemy, but everything in moderation.

Dogs with cancer should not be consuming large amounts of carbs or sugar, so there’s that.

#10. Does AAFCO Matter?

AAFCO is the Association of American Feed Control Officials, a non-government body comprised of federal and state employees. Note the key word ‘feed’ and not ‘food’ in their name.

AAFCO does not approve pet foods to market and they do not regulate pet food. So, animals eat feed; people eat food. Feed can contain dying and diseased animals and all sorts of contaminants and pesticides on animals. Food cannot. Ack! A dog’s food should meet AAFCO nutrient profile requirements for sure. That said, Whole Dog Journal points out, “The organization is painfully slow to adopt changes that reflect newer research; the current guidelines date back to 1995! They have been arguing over and delaying implementation of changes based on the 2006 NRC updates for more than eight years now.”

If you want to really go down a rabbit hole, try searching for “lies about pet food” in your favorite web browser. Check out the credible sources and reports there.

You aren’t a bad person if you feed your dog kibble. You aren’t a bad person if you feed your dog kibble that you can afford. Dogs do have special nutritional needs. Their bodies do react to the food and supplements, vaccines and topicals we put on them and in them. Is it any wonder that cancer and other diseases are on the rise in the canine world?

What you can do is understand your dog’s nutritional requirements. What you feed a 10-pound Yorkie will vary from what you feed an 80-pound Rottweiler. No two people are alike in their dietary requirements and the same goes for dogs. Oh, and you don’t have to feed a raw

No two people are alike in their dietary requirements and the same goes for dogs.

What we do know is this: Fresh, whole food is good for dogs. Kibble loaded with corn and other fillers/sugars can lead to problems in a dog.

#9. Chubby Dog Syndrome Veterinary nutritionists say that dogs eating fresh food diets as opposed to kibble are usually not chubby, as their carbohydrate intake is lower.

They also tend to have better muscle tone, less dental tartar, and better skin and coat quality with no “doggy odor.”

www.petsitters.org

Bonus Tip: How to Read a Dog Food Label If you use your favorite search engine and type in, ‘how to read a dog food label,’ you’ll see results on pages one and two that are written by big brand pet food companies. It’s not that the information is amazing; it’s that they know how to properly SEO optimize a post. Meaning, the right words in the right place targeting the right people at the right time. SEO is search engine optimized. Those results get there because they are big companies, they know what they are doing, but you want your information from an objective source that isn’t associated with the pet food brands.

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diet for a dog to thrive. I don’t, but if that is your thing and it works for your dog, more power to you. I am not anti-anything unless it lies and/or can harm a dog. n Carol Bryant is a pet influencer, writer/blogger, speaker, social media pro and dog mom. She is the 2019 president of the Dog Writers Association of America. Learn more by visiting her site: https:// fidoseofreality.com.

Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

T IPS O F T H E T R A D E

Choose Substance Over Style to Win Loyal Clients When I think of the pet care services landscape today, the things that are top of mind for me are “tech” and “on demand.”

I think tech is fantastic, and nothing will ever convince me that having client info on index cards was a better way of doing business. But the “on demand” part — that can be problematic.

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few weeks ago, I read an article in the Washington Post titled, “Dog walker wanted.

Creative writing skills required.” It explained how more and more pet parents expect photos and lengthy texts containing the minutiae of every dog walk. To stay competitive (and employed), dog walkers are responding to that requirement with dozens of pictures and mini-essays detailing every movement — bowel, bladder, and otherwise.

So, here’s my question: Are we sacrificing our pets’ safety on the altar of cutesy prose, Instagram moments and plain old convenience? Or is this the new normal?

The best, most trustworthy pet care professionals have a standard skill set and Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

scientific vocabulary for animal handling and reporting. The majority of entry-level, on-demand workers don’t have either, and that training needs to happen industry-wide, from the top down. I have known a lot of people who choose not to travel or stay out late because they don’t trust anyone to take care of their pets. Not only because they worry about the level of competence in a pet care provider, but because they also worry about the background checks performed on a revolving door of strangers with access to their homes.

In a time where we all have greater access to affordable pet care than ever before, many are reverting to the “friends and family” model of pet sitting, such as “I’ll watch your dog in April if

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you’ll watch my dog in July.”

That’s not what I call progress.

Education is one of the things that most pet care professionals and business owners struggle with. And it’s not only the ongoing task of onboarding and training employees that throws up stumbling blocks, but also the arguably more difficult issue of educating pet parents on what great pet care really looks like.

But it doesn’t have to be that way, because educating your clients starts with the simple act of setting and managing expectations right up front. In my first company, I would routinely tie myself in knots trying to make customers happy while at the same time trying to keep myself, www.petsitters.org

By Jamie Migdal, CPDT-KA and CEO of FetchFind

my employees, and the pets safe. In retrospect, I should have erred more on the side of safety rather than on the side of “the customer is always right”. But it wasn’t until I became a dog trainer that I learned how to set both the two-legged and the four-legged clients up for success. With dog training, you have to consistently apply best practices and effective methodology, and that rigorous (but not inflexible) mindset was and is key to achieving results and reducing risk while doing the least amount of harm to pets, their people, and your business.

If you already have a training and onboarding program in place for your staff, congratulations! you’ve already won half the battle. Now you can focus on educating your clients on what they can expect from you, a dedicated pet care professional.

After 25 years in the pet care space, these are the principals I’ve found most helpful when onboarding a new client.

Explain up front what pet parents should expect from their pet sitter/dog walker: • Timeliness: Your sitter will show up within the agreed upon time frame.

• Reporting: You’ll cover all the basics in a standard format — peeing, pooping (and what the stool looks like using a standard scale such as 1=normal to 5=explosive diarrhea), interactions with other animals, behavior challenges, routing, and any other problems or concerns. This also includes photos of the pet before and after the service; I prefer what I think of as “proof of life/health/service” photos rather than a dozen artistically posed outdoor shots.

• Accountability: If something goes wrong — e.g., you’re running late for an appointment, the cat needs to go to the vet, or (dog forbid) the pup has slipped the leash and run away — that information is conveyed in a timely and transparent manner, if not by the pet sitters themselves then by their managers. In a worst case scenario, the fallout for not being honest, compassionate, www.petsitters.org

and responsible can make the entire situation ten times more tragic and antagonistic for everyone involved.

Side note: I don’t blame the pet care providers for the problems inherent in the on-demand pet care model. The upfront costs of training well-intentioned but inexperienced staff to a basic, safe sufficiency can be considerable if you’re not doing it right, and when the turnover is high those costs can bite even harder.

But having a pet escape or die under your care has a much higher price, even before you factor litigation, public censure, and loss of reputation into the mix.

Here’s the thing: It doesn’t have to be an either/or situation. You can be a big-mediumsmall company with an on-demand business model AND train your contract workers and employees to be safe, caring, and great at what they do. I, of course, highly recommend

Jamie Migdal: The Founder and CEO of FetchFind, Jamie has been a successful pet industry innovator and entrepreneur for nearly 25 years. She is a member of the PetSmart Independent Review Board and the Women in Entrepreneurship Institute - DePaul

FetchFind staff training and business solutions, but what I want most is for all pet care companies to have a thoughtful and comprehensive education program for their workers as well as their clients.

It’s a win-win situation for everyone involved — the pets stay safe, the workers stay employed, the clients have peace of mind and realistic expectations, and the company makes money.

And that, my friends, is the kind of progress we can all agree on. n

University Board of Advisors. Under her leadership, FetchFind was selected as one of the top five most innovative pet care companies via the Purina Pet Care Innovation Prize. Jamie is also a sought-after industry expert, consultant, and public speaker, and presents on a variety of business and pet care service topics at conferences throughout the year. She loves her job.

Boost Your Pet Skills!

Take your professional cat care skills to the next level with a special NAPPS discount on our Feline Fundamentals subscription (developed by cat behavior and pet health expert Arden Moore). Use NAPPS50FELINE at checkout to get half off your first month!

Key FetchFind Links Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FetchFind Twitter: @FetchFind, @k9entrepreneur Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fetchfind/ 11

Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

B USINESS

Where Are You in Your Exit Planning Process?

Your business is likely one of the biggest assets you will ever sell, yet few people do any advance planning to ensure a happy and successful outcome when it does come time to sell. If you are planning on selling your business in the next several years, the time to start planning is now!

Do you plan on selling your business one day? If so, what kind of exit planning are you doing now to ensure the best outcome when it is time to sell?

If you are like most business owners, the answer is unfortunately, “none.”

In January of this year I watched a webinar hosted by John Warrillow, author of the book, Built to Sell: Turn Your Business into One to Sell, who also has a great podcast called “Built to Sell.” In it, he said that 75 percent of business owners regret their exit from their business one year after leaving. Even more frightening, he said that only 5 percent of business owners are actually happy with the net proceeds they received after selling. Yikes, that does not sound like something to look forward to, does it?

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here are a multitude of reasons someone could be unhappy after selling their businesses. Here are some of the most common ones: • The owner did not receive the amount for their business that they thought it was worth.

• The owner did not realize the tax implications Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

of selling their business, and received a hefty tax bill after selling it.

• The owner lost many of the social connections they had from running the business.

• The owner did not like how their staff was treated after the company sale.

• The owner sold the business because of

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a personal reason (a health emergency, divorce, a family move, their spouse was retiring), and did not really want to sell the business when they did.

• The owner did not have a plan for how they would spend their time after the company was sold. www.petsitters.org

By Erin Fenstermaker, of EF Consulting

How to Avoid Negative Outcomes Many of these negative outcomes could have been minimized or avoided altogether if thoughtful exit planning had been conducted prior to selling. So, what exactly is “exit planning”? Exit planning is a process by which all of the business, personal, financial, legal and tax questions involved in selling a privately-owned business are asked and answered, prior to going through the actual selling process. The exit planning process also includes defining contingency plans for owner illness, divorce, burnout or even their death.

When your company first started and was fairly small, you may not have worried about any of these things. However, as your company grows and you have more staff, your overall responsibilities as a business owner increase. With every person you add to your team, you have more people who are depending on you and your company for their livelihood.

In addition, as a company’s revenue grows and becomes more successful in the market, a business owner may be counting more and more on the proceeds of the future sale of their business to fund part of their retirement. If that is the case for you, then being able to maximize the net proceeds you receive from the eventual sale of your business, and knowing what the amount you will likely receive for your business — prior to its sale — is critical.

Work with an Exit Planning Pro Ideally, you should begin the process of exit planning at least three years prior to when you actually want to sell your company. While that may seem like a long time, there is good reason for it. With that length of time, you can prepare yourself and your business by working with an exit planning professional. The teaming up can help you to: • Review the current status of your business.

• Identify areas for improvement that can be tackled prior to selling, that would result in a greater valuation.

• Identify business brokers(s) that may be able to assist you in the sale of your business, possibly provide a current valuation range for your business, and give you information on what the sale process would entail.

• Assess your overall financial goals from the sale, and refer you to a financial advisor, if you are not already using one. www.petsitters.org

Ideally, you should begin the process of exit planning at least three years prior to when you actually want to sell your company.

• Provide specific questions you should address with tax and legal advisors prior to selling in order to maximize the net proceeds you take away from the sale of the business and minimize taxes paid.

• Address personal and life goals related to the sale, and how the sale will impact you and your family.

Your business is likely one of the biggest assets you will ever sell, yet few people do any advance planning to ensure a happy and successful outcome when it does come time to sell. If you are planning on selling your business in the next several years, the time to start planning is now!

Depending on the size of your business, you may choose to find an exit planning advisor in your area to help manage the process, or you can start building your own team of business, finance, legal and tax advisors independently. Either way, make sure you have asked these professionals all of the prudent questions before beginning the sale process. Investing a little bit of time and money now with these professionals will have a significant return on investment when it is time to sell your business. It will also minimize the chance of surprises during a sale process and increase the likelihood you can secure a premium price for your business. n Erin Fenstermaker is a business consultant specializing in the pet industry. She is a CEPA (Certified Exit Planning Advisor), holds an MBA, and is a certified dog trainer. She has worked in the pet sitting and dog walking industry since 2005. Learn more at www.erinfenstermaker.com.

Test Your Knowledge and Earn CEUs! Take the NAPPS Professional Pet Sitter Test to earn renewal CEUs. Answers can be found in this issue. Be sure to email your answers to cdelaney@ahint.com and include the subject line: Spring19 Issue Quiz.

1. What are the dates for the 2019 NAPPS Forum Webinar Program?

A. May 16-19 B. July 16-19 C. Sept. 16-19 D. Nov. 16-19 2. What ingredient should not be in CBD oil when given to a dog or cat?

A. Hemp B. THC C. Coconut oil 3. In Erin Fenstermaker’s article on deciding to sell your business, what percentage of business owners regret their decision one year after selling their businesses?

A. 15 percent B. 45 percent C. 60 percent D. 75 percent

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4. What is the name of the speaker for the NAPPS Forum Webinar whose talk is entitled, “You Can Do Well by Doing Good – Help Pets Be Happy and Healthy?”

A. Dr. Marty Becker B. Dr. Lynn Bahr C. Rita Reimers D. Amy Toman 5. Who is the author of the book, The Chicken Chick’s Guide to Backyard Chickens?

A. Lisa Hiley B. Deanna Cook C. Kathy Shea Mormino D. Colin Vogel 6. What was the worker comp claim amount paid for a pet sitter who was bitten by a client’s cat?

A. $301 B. $401 C. $501 D. $601

Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

B USINESS

Documenting You Have Insurance Coverage Handling Client Requests for Certificates of Insurance We receive many requests every day in our office to provide proof of insurance coverage. Most of these requests come from you, our professional pet sitting and dog walking clients, but in some cases, we receive requests from your clients or your landlord or another entity. They are all looking to obtain a certificate of insurance as evidence you are properly insured, and in some cases, they want to see that they are listed as an additional insured under your policy.

F

or this article, I would like to explain certificates and additional insureds to give you a better understanding of why these client/landlords and other various entities are making these requests.

As most of you know, certificates of insurance are what we send out when you purchase your NAPPS Liability policy or request proof of your insurance coverage. These insurance certificates are basically a snapshot of the coverages and liability limits that are covered under your insurance policies. They always list the name of the insurance company, the named insured, the effective dates of the policy, and the limits of liability.

Seeking Copies of Insurance Certificates It is common practice in the insurance industry to provide a copy of the certificate of insurance to clients and other people or entities that you may have contracts with, to serve as proof of current insurance coverage. The majority of these folks are satisfied when they receive a copy of your certificate, however, in some cases, Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

these clients and/or other entities may request that they also be named as an additional insured under your policy and listed on the certificate.

So, what does additional insured mean?

Good question! An Additional Insured is simply an endorsement to your liability insurance policy, where the party (person(s) and/or entities), is added onto your policy and shares in your insurance policy limits. By adding a party to your policy as an additional insured you are protecting that party against your company’s negligence while working on their premise(s) (landlord or municipality). Your insurance policy will now defend the additional insured as well as your business for all suits arising out of your business activities.

For example, if you lease an office space for your business, you will find that most leases today will require the tenant to maintain a certain amount of liability insurance and name the landlord as an additional insured. If the landlord is brought into a suit due to your (the tenant’s) negligence, the landlord would then be defended by your liability insurer and covered for any claims up to the limit on your policy. Under some leases, you may also see additional requirements such as your insurance must be primary and non-contributory and/or include a waiver of subrogation.

Defining Insurance Terminology Primary and Non-Contributory simply means that your policy must cover the landlord and pay before any other applicable policies pay out, and without contribution from any other policies.

Waiver of Subrogation means your insurer agrees to relinquish its right to collect from another party for damages paid on behalf of the insured.

In other words, even if the landlord was at fault or partially at fault for damage, your insurance

14

company would be stuck with the bill and there is no possible recourse against the landlord’s insurer.

Another example of an additional insured request we see a lot is from municipalities.

Typically, the municipality is asking to be named as an additional insured on your policy if you are walking or hiking with pets at a city or town park or on public property/lands. The city or town simply wants to be protected if a suit is brought against them for injuries arising out of you/your business, or the pets in your care that you bring on their property.

A good claims example would be if a child is bitten in the park by a client’s dog you are walking, and subsequently his or her parents sue you, your client, the town, etc. The municipality simply wants your insurance policy to be primary, and to protect them under your policy for your negligence, as they do not wish to have their policy pay claims for the additional liability exposures that come with operating your business (walking dogs) on their property. If the claim were to exceed your policy limits, the municipalities liability policy would be excess, and pick up over and above your limits of liability.

So what effect does this have on your coverage? Again, great question! At first glance, it may seem that it is no big deal to add additional insureds on to your policy as you can cover everybody! However, be careful, as insurance companies typically can charge $25-$50 to add an additional insured and often another $25 -$100 or more for waiver of subrogation / primary and non-contributory endorsements.

And what’s worse is you are paying to share your liability limits with others. The more additional insureds you add to the policy, the more you lessen coverage for your own business, as the www.petsitters.org

By David Pearsall, CIC, CWCA

insurance company must defend these additional insureds under your policy and pay on their behalf as well as yours. In many cases, when contracts are involved, you will have no choice but to do so, but please be mindful that it may not always be in your best interest. You should carefully consider each request, and make sure it is worth your time and interest to take on the additional insured(s).

On the flip side of the additional insured equation, if you are utilizing independent contractors in your business, and they carry their own liability policy, you should consider having them all add your business as an additional insured for all jobs they perform on your behalf. The reason for this is that you do not want your liability insurance having to pay for suits due to your Independent Contractor’s negligence.

By having the Independent Contractor add your business as an additional insured under their policy, you will now be covered under their policy for all claims that are brought against them, while working for you (if you are named in the suit, which will likely be the case if the client came through you, and you subcontracted the work to your Independent Contractor).

The Independent Contractor’s policy would then be primary, and protect you/your business as well as your Independent Contractor. Your liability policy would then become secondary, to defend and cover only you/ your business, if the Independent Contractor’s policy limits are exhausted by a claim. n David Pearsall, CIC, CWCA, is vicepresident/co-owner of Business Insurers of the Carolinas, a multi-line commercial insurance agency specializing in insurance for pet service professionals since 1995. He is a licensed insurance agent in all 50 states and has held the Certified Insurance Counselor (CIC) designation and the Certified Workers Compensation Advisor (CWA) designation since 2002.

David can be reached at 1-800-962-4611, ext. #214, or via email at DP@businessinsurers.com. www.petsitters.org

On the flip side of the additional insured equation, if you are utilizing independent contractors in your business, and they carry their own liability policy, you should consider having them all add your business as an additional insured for all jobs they perform on your behalf.

Here are some examples of general liability claims paid: • Two dogs in the care of the pet sitter got into an altercation and one dog was injured and taken to the veterinary clinic for treatment. Total paid: $1,931.

• A dog escaped from a pet sitter and was hit by a car and required medical attention. Total paid: $4,600.

• A pet sitter accidently shut off a valve to a client’s koi fish pond causing the death of the koi fish. Total paid: $9,335.

• While a pet sitter was taking a client’s dog for a walk, the dog bit a third party on the face. Total paid: $232,999.

• A pet sitter’s car was broken into and a bag that contained the client keys was stolen. The client’s home had to be rekeyed. Total paid: $2,500.

• While picking up another client dog at the home, the dog ran out of the house and attacked the dog the sitter already had on a leash. Total paid: $833.

• A cat ate a toy that the pet sitter provided that caused a blockage. The cat required surgery. Total paid: $3,014.

• A dog got into a pet sitter’s cabinet and ate freeze dried food, resulting in pancreatitis. Total paid: $2,772.

• A dog under a pet sitter’s care got into a cabinet and ate a bag of cat food. This caused the dog to become very sick. Total paid: $1,099.

• A dog under a pet sitter’s care jumped off a bench and tore his ACL. The dog required surgery. Total paid: $4,121.

Recent Workers Compensation Claims • A pet sitter was bitten by a client’s cat during a pet visit. Total paid: $501.

• An employee fell while walking a client’s dog and injured her back. Total paid: $2,026.

• A pet sitter was knocked down by an excited dog when attempting to enter client’s home. This caused an injury to the employee’s neck. Total paid: $1,416.

• An employee was petting a client’s dog and was bitten on the hand. Total paid: $3,781.

• While on a dog walk, a pet sitter fell and broke her wrist. Total paid: $7,866.

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Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

B USINESS

By Amy Toman, The Pet Sitter SEO

Tools: Messaging in Google My Business Listings Messaging is a new(ish) option in Google My Business Listings, and one you should definitely consider. It allows potential clients to contact you quickly and efficiently.

W

hat is Messaging? This tool appears as a button on your listing on mobile, right next to Call. It allows potential clients to send a text to the cell number you designate. The potential client then sees a message in response to what they sent.

How does messaging work? Potential clients see “Message” on your Google Business listing.

When they click it, either their text app comes up or a dialogue box allows them to enter their message to you. They do not see your cell number (as far as I can tell). Once they press send, they get a message (from another phone number) acknowledging their message has been sent (or a custom message you designate). Once the listing owner receives the text, they can respond accordingly.

How do I get it started? To get this up and running, log into your Google My Business dashboard and click Messaging. You then need to enter the cell number to which you’d like to receive the messages, and a short response message. You can then toggle this function to be one or off (this is good in case you’re away for a weekend and can’t respond to messages). More detailed info may be found here. And here.

The response messages I’ve seen so far have fallen into these categories: • Thanks for contacting us. We’re caring for puppies and kitties now, but will contact you soon.

• Thanks for contacting us. Our office hours are 9 – 5. We will return your message as soon as we can.

• Thanks for contacting us. To request service, please go to our Scheduling page on our website.

Things to consider You should consider this tool carefully.

Texting inherently means the person expects a near-instant response, so if you’re not a texting person, this may not be your thing. Also, if you’re busy, this may not work for you.

Another thing to consider is whose number you should use. You may want to use your phone or a work one, or maybe a Google Voice number or something similar. But you may also want to hand Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

And remember: nothing’s permanent. If you set this up and it doesn’t work, turn it off. And if you change things, turn it back on again. This is a free service, remember, and it’s easy to activate. It can be adjusted as needed. this responsibility to an office manager or staffer who may be more sedentary (in an office) and more able to respond. In any case, just remember that you need to respond to every inquiry.

And remember: nothing’s permanent. If you set this up and it doesn’t work, turn it off. And if you change things, turn it back on again. This is a free service, remember, and it’s easy to activate. It can be adjusted as needed.

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How will it benefit my business?

Having messaging on your Google My Business Listing shows that you’re available and ready to chat. It tells potential clients that you are responsible and ready to work for them soon.

And it MAY give you the edge over competitors who don’t have it, because you have immediate availability and they don’t.

Bottom Line: Messaging in Google My Business is a really cool new tool that is proving effective for pet sitters. It is set up in Google My Business, and allows potential clients to contact you directly. Because it appears in your Google My Business listing, it may be the first time a potential client views you. Seeing you’re available and ready to get back to them shows them that you’re responsive and interested in their business.

And who, as a potential new client, doesn’t want to see that?

If you’d like a review to learn how to optimize your Google My Business listing, contact me at Amy@PetSitterSEO.com or call (or text!) me at 732 820-0103. n www.petsitters.org

Something

BIG

is Coming...

NAPPS 2019 Forum Webinar Program MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2019 7:00 pm ET – 8:00 pm ET

You Can “Do Well, by Doing Good” ~ Help Pets Be Happy & Healthy Speaker: Dr. Marty Becker, DVM

8:00 pm ET – 9:00 pm ET

Medicating Your Domestic “Lion” & Kitty 911 Speaker: Dr. Lynn Bahr,DVM

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2019 7:00 pm ET – 8:00 pm ET

Take Care of You Speaker: Nicole Ryan, Pet Sitter Self Care / Pet Biz Empire

8:00 pm ET – 9:00 pm ET

Technology and the Millennial Generation: Are Changing Our Industry: Pay Attention or Get Left Behind Speaker: Erin Fenstermaker, EF Consulting

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2019 7:00 pm ET – 8:00 pm ET

Body Language ~ Setting Yourself Up For Success Speaker: Deb Nabb, The Mutt Master

8:00 pm ET – 9:00 pm ET

Managing and Changing Unwanted Cat Behaviors Speaker: Rita Reimers, Rita Reimers, Inc. & Just For Cats

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 7:00 pm ET – 8:00 pm ET

Managing Automation in Your Business Speaker: Mikaela Samuels, Pet Marketing Unleashed

8:00 pm ET – 9:00 pm ET

Getting More Business from Your Website in 2020 Speaker: Amy Toman, Pet Sitter SEO *Program speakers and times are subject to change*

www.petsitters.org

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Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

The Tale of a Horse Named The Rabbit

By Christi Moore

Sharon learned that a supposedly quiet

(Editor’s Note: The original author is Sharon Williams with this story condensed

by Christi Moore and Kay Limbaugh for NAPPS members.)

O

nce in a while, in a horse owner’s life, there comes a horse that is extraordinary. Special. Unique. Unforgettable. For Crooked River Ranch resident Sharon Williams, who has owned and raised horses all of her 76 years, that horse was

The Rabbit.

Rabbit lived his first five years as a semi-wild stallion in California, leaping fences to breed mares of neighboring ranchers. With ranchers planning to shoot him, a sympathetic horse lover saved his life by trapping him and taking him home. She put him in a 6-foot high panel round pen only to watch as he completely cleared the fence to eat the goats’ feed in the pen next to him, earning himself the name of The Rabbit. He could and would “hop” over any fence he didn’t want to be in.

Rabbit Was Branded As Unsafe Rabbit was then sold to an owner in Oregon. Within a short period of time, that owner hated Rabbit. And the feeling was mutual. Rabbit was a difficult horse. He was opinionated, hard to catch, spooky and nasty under saddle. Unsafe and unpredictable. He would rear, spin or bolt when asked to do something he didn’t want to do. His owner was ready to sell him to the kill buyers!

Sharon bought Rabbit out of pity, to save him from going to slaughter.

By that time, he was a seven-year-old with terrible elf-shaped hooves, rain rot and a bad attitude that wouldn’t quit. It was the second time he was saved from death.

After many months of Sharon working with him, Rabbit’s attitude changed and he so loved to get out and go. Being bold, forward and tough as they come, Sharon thought he might be a good endurance horse.

horse could have a high heart rate not because of exercise, but because of fear!

Sharon started conditioning him and he was great, pulsing down in almost record time until the first and second recorded rides. His pulse would sky rocket when a male vet checked him! It dawned on her he was terrified of men. When a female veterinarian checked him, he was fine, with his pulse way under limit. From that experience, Sharon learned that a supposedly quiet horse could have a high heart rate not because of exercise, but because of fear! Sharon and Rabbit spent a joyful year riding endurance and then she put him out to pasture when other matters took her attention. Rabbit had proved himself a success.

When Rabbit was brought in for regular hoof trimming and his annual dental work, Sharon noticed one of his eyes looked smaller and he was hesitant about being led into the barn. She didn’t think much of it at first, but grew concerned after carefully looking into his eyes. A veterinary exam revealed Rabbit was totally blind due to glaucoma. Nothing could be done.

It was hard for Sharon to believe Rabbit was blind. Because his sight loss was gradual, he learned to move around pasture fences and water troughs. He interacted with other horses. He adapted so well no

The fly mask was used while riding to protect Rabbit’s eyes from branches and brush he could no longer see.

Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

18

www.petsitters.org

one realized he was blind. Sharon considered euthanization, but decided Rabbit was coping so well it wasn’t necessary.

After pasturing Rabbit for a few months, Sharon wondered what could be done with a blind horse. When Rabbit had his vision, Sharon trained him in “dancing” steps like trotting and cantering in place, half pass at the trot and canter, changing leads at every other step, rearing and walking on his hind legs, etc., but didn’t know if he would do them blind. Being a high spirited, “hot,” hard-headed horse, it was a crap shoot whether he’d go nuts or work with her again under saddle.

She started by asking Rabbit to walk in the arena, depending on her for voice and body cues. He was hesitant at first, but when asked to trot, became more comfortable. The next session she asked for a canter and he did, without hesitation! She was so awed by his courage and trust, she stopped and broke down crying in his mane, hugging his neck, telling him how awesome and brave he was.

Although blind, Rabbit heard and smelled the horse outside his pen and wanted to be there, too. He put his chin on the top rail, as if measuring it, took ONE step back and cleared the 5-foot 6-inch fence without touching the top rail! jump over, etc.,” he became a safe, sure-footed mountain horse that could and would do anything a sighted horse could. She paid attention to where his feet were to cue him at any time on any terrain, but he never slipped, tripped or stumbled in the many years they spent on some very difficult trails. He was so dependent on cues they became almost a part of each other.

Many times, Sharon wasn’t aware of cueing him but, with her body and voice, he knew exactly what was necessary to keep them safe. Steady and dependable, Sharon often used him to pony other green or nervous horses or be the lead horse on scary trails, giving young horses the confidence, they needed to navigate safely.

Rabbit Amazes Camping Buddies

Imagine a horse having enough guts and trust to canter in an arena with solid walls, knowing he might crash into one any minute if his rider didn’t cue him correctly! He was so excited to have Sharon for his eyes that he snorted, danced and pranced like a silly colt! Being a hot-natured Paso Fino horse that loved to move out and go places, he learned he could do that without fear because he had Sharon for his eyes.

Sharon and Rabbit progressed to trail riding, each time trying increasingly difficult terrain. Learning quite a vocabulary of words, including “step up, step down, big step, rocks, snow, water, step over,

One time during a camping outing with friends at Cyrus Springs, one of Sharon’s friends let her horse loose to graze around the pets. Although blind, Rabbit heard and smelled the horse outside his pen and wanted to be there, too. He put his chin on the top rail, as if measuring it, took ONE step back and cleared the 5-foot, 6-inch fence without touching the top rail! This amazing feat by Rabbit was witnessed and applauded by the six camping buddies!

Sadly, nine years later during a close lightning strike, Rabbit lost his hearing. This was his important “sonar” that kept him from running into trees and objects, that let him know where people and other horses were.

The loss of his ability to hear terrified and confused him. Sharon made the heartbreaking decision to euthanize him. He was 19 years old and thanks to Sharon, had been given an opportunity to live a long and enriched life.

Rabbit showed blindness isn’t a death sentence. A blind horse can live a good, useful, full life despite a disability. Rabbit and Sharon had many years of good times together.

RIP Rabbit, good, sweet, brave friend. You were an inspiration! n For information about the activities of the CRR Riders Horse Group, please contact Sue Silver at SFArabs@aol.com or 541.977.6621.

Business of the Year Clarification In the Winter issue of Professional Pet Sitter magazine, we need to clarify the choice of words used in the feature on Kelly’s Kanine Pet Services, named the NAPPS 2019 Business of the Year.

The words, “hired” and “trained” were used in the article regarding an Independent Contractor when the correct terminology should have been “contracted.” We regret the error and have made the correction in the article posted on the NAPPS website.

www.petsitters.org

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Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

Take a Course in Chicken Care!

The Chicken Chick’s Guide to Backyard Chickens: Simple Steps for Healthy, Happy Hens takes enthusiasts through all aspects of small-flock ownership. You’ll find all the information you need on feeding, housing, flock health, and more. The book is written by Kathy Shea Mormino.

Cost: $35.00 NAPPS Members The cost of the course does not include the textbook.

The online home study course includes the test questions for the The Chicken Chick’s Guide to Backyard Chickens: Simple Steps for Healthy, Happy Hens,

by Kathy Shea Mormino (2017).

The book is available online and local bookstores. You may order it from any source you choose.

If you are NAPPS Certified, this course will earn you 3 CEUs toward re-certification.

MEMBERS, login to the NAPPS website above using your login and password.

Once you are in the Members Area, scroll down to the Member’s Area Features section and click on the Online Learning icon (left).

Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

20

www.petsitters.org

Take a Course in Equine Care!

Pet sitting isn’t just about small and exotic pets!

Pet sitters across the nation are surrounded with horse care opportunities. Many may not even have given it a thought, assuming anything outside of small animals doesn’t count as pet sitting. Why not open a door into equine care? It will allow you to discover a world you never knew existed, never knew would bring you so much personal growth and satisfaction.

Start or increase your knowledge and confidence in being around and handling horses and being responsible for their care. Don’t turn down that pet sit job because you were asked to care for horses — you can accept the jobs that include horse care and do that care with more confidence and safety for yourself as well as the horse.

The book, The Complete Horse Care Manual written by Colin Vogel, DVM is a visually engaging guide to everything you need to know about horse care, from daily chores to caring communication to emergency medicine.

Cost: $35.00 NAPPS Members The cost of the course does not include the textbook.

The book is written by veterinary surgeon and horse specialist Colin Vogel, and includes a detailed diagnostic guide to help identify and treat common ailments and figure out when something is serious enough to call a veterinarian.

Whatever your level of skill and knowledge about horses, sitters should keep building on that foundation; chances are there is new information out there.

If you are NAPPS Certified, this course will earn you 3 CEUs toward re-certification.

MEMBERS, login to the NAPPS website above using your login and password. Once you are in the Members Area, scroll down to the Member’s Area Features section and click on the Online Learning icon (see previous page). www.petsitters.org

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Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

AB O U T YOU R A S S OCI AT I ON EXCITING EVENTS FOR NAPPS MEMBERS IN 2019 NAPPS accomplished a great deal in 2018 and we look forward to the opportunities 2019 will bring. Below are just several examples of what to look forward to in the coming year —

NAPPS PRIVATE FB Page ~ rolled out on January 22nd This private page will allow NAPPS to directly communicate our various benefits and programs as well as share information regarding various committees and how you can participate.

NAPPS Is Celebrating......and You Are Invited!

Professional Pet Sitters week will take place March 4-8, 2019.

2019 Regional Events will take place on Thursday, March 7th.

Learn, network and celebrate with fellow pet sitters in your area.

Visit the NAPPS website for event locations.

NAPPS 2019 Forum Webinar ~ September 16-19, 2019 Register now and take advantage of the early bird rate.

Complete Website Redesign We look forward to a mobile responsive design with added functionalities, which will enhance both the current and prospective member experience as well as enhancing the encounter for pet parents in general.

Professional Pet Sitter ¡ Spring 2019

22

www.petsitters.org

NAPPS CHAT HOW MUCH DO YOU TELL A CLIENT ABOUT HEALTH ISSUES WITH THEIR PET? QUESTION:

RESPONSES:

The background: I was taking care of a cat recently for regular clients — a young couple living in an apartment. The cat is a younger male, extremely active, usually a real wild man when it comes to playing and also very busy and talkative. The first couple days I was there, I noticed he had not urinated in the box, and the second day he was there, he went in the box and squatted in there for a very long time — like two to three full minutes. When he was done, there was not much of a pee spot. I also noticed that this weekend he was not as playful as usual, a bit subdued, which is unusual for him.

I agree with what you did! It is certainly better to be safe than sorry, and I’m sure the clients were impressed by your observatory skills.

I notified the clients and let them know that I was seeing something I thought was unusual for him. I asked them to watch his potty habits in case they were to see anything like this. I mentioned that male cats can get urine crystals or blockages and that it was very important to take him to the veterinarian if they noticed that he wasn’t going, or was straining and not producing anything. I assured them that while he seemed a little unusual, I wasn’t saying he was sick. If I did think he needed to be seen by a veterinarian, I would call them immediately. I always tell clients that I am not a veterinarian and am not making any diagnosis, but am noting observations.

Today, I went back to the house and it seemed everything had returned to normal. The cat had urinated several large spots in the litter and was back to his old wild man self. I texted them immediately and told them what I had seen.

Part of me feels like, if I see something that is off, particularly for a pet I know well, I should say something to the owner. But part of me wishes I hadn’t said anything, because I know they worried about it a bit, and then it turned out to be okay. I don’t want to ruin anyone’s vacation. And yet if there is something that seems odd about a pet, I feel compelled to say something. What if it had turned into something more serious and I hadn’t said anything? Cats in particular are very subtle about signs of illness.

I was just wondering what your thoughts were on mentioning health issues to clients?

Kristen, Tate’s Creek Pet Sitting www.petsitters.org

I also contact clients if I notice anything unusual in their pets’ behavior, and ask if I should keep watching or take him/her to the veterinary clinic. Since 90 percent of my clients are long timers, they trust my judgment to decide, but are happy that I did contact them.

Fortunately, in 23-plus years, I’ve only had to take two cats to a veterinarian, and had to call a veterinarian once for a horse with colic. All the others that had unusual physical behavior bounced back on their own.

Rusty, Fur Feathers and Fins Pet Care ______________________________________ Would definitely inform owners if something seems off.

They should be given the chance to weigh in on whether to seek a medical exam. While your judgment comes from actual eyes on the ground, so to speak, the client might prefer, out of an abundance of caution, that you take their pet in to be checked out, even if you may not feel it’s necessary.

Pamela, Fuzzy Buddies Pet Services, LLC ______________________________________ I’m going to weigh in on this, because of this particular issue, not the more general one. My apologies if I come across as insensitive, argumentative, whatever — this just happens to be a hot-button.

I lost my first “my” cat to severe blockage when I was 21. He was 4. I have had several cats with varying degrees of UT issues throughout my life — the last one was my Sooty, who blocked so badly that he got the PU (let me know if you want to know what any of these are).

What I read from Kristen is a situation that would have had me calling the owners on the way to their 24-hour veterinary clinic.

This particular issue is why I started this business with this focus. Not only have I had several first-person issues, I did take a Vet Assistant class and got the certificate so I do have some medical training to back up when I say, it’s time to “vet now.”

I would still be contacting the owners — but I do make it clear from the initial meeting that if I see a cat,

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especially a male, sitting in the litter box and nothing happening, that is why they are hiring me. I’m not a veterinarian, but I have the background to know when one is needed STAT. The cat will not look like it is in pain (that hunched meatloaf position). Instead, the cat will freeze in place. If you have ever had a bladder infection so bad it hurts to move — you’ll understand.

Anyway, PLEASE for the sake of the cat, if you see one in a litter box not moving; if you don’t hear pee coming out; if there are drops in the box or around it; put into your contract that any symptoms like this are at least as bad if not more so than a seizure, and that you will be taking the cat to the vet immediately.

Diana, Home Medi-Cat ______________________________________ Thank you, Diana! I agree with you 100 percent! I, too, have lots of experience with blocked cats, some being my own! That is an immediate trip to the vet clinic, no questions about it. Thank you for your post!

Staci, Friendly Paws Pet Sitting ______________________________________ You were absolutely right to notify the clients of a possible health problem in their pet — especially if it is a potentially serious issue. Not being able to pee can kill a cat. I would also advise the clients to take the cat to the veterinarian for a checkup, especially the issue of possible crystals in the urinary tract or a problem with the urinary tract.

I always watch carefully the “bathroom” habits of my pets, as that indicates whether and how much they are eating, or if there may be a possibly serious health problem.

Sometimes, pets don’t eat well for the first few days.

By the third day I contact the client, usually by email (and keep a record of this email) to notify them of the problem and ask their advice on how to handle it. For dogs, I have had to occasionally mix a little wet food in their dry food to get them to eat. One client forgot to tell me that one dog wanted me to sit next to her while she ate!

Notifying clients of possible health problems in their pets is not only an ethical responsibility, it is a moral responsibility as well.

Lori, Coastal Comfort Pet Sitting, LLC Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

NA P P S ME MBE R B EN EFI T S PRIVATE NAPPS FACEBOOK PAGE

You Asked ~ We Listened!

NAPPS is pleased to announce the NAPPS PRIVATE Facebook group!

This private group is another way to connect with our members.

Having this page will allow NAPPS to directly communicate our various benefits and programs as well as share information regarding various committees and how you can participate.

All of this while allowing you to connect with your NAPPS colleagues across the country.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ACCESS: *Search either National Association of Professional Pet Sitters PRIVATE group or use the link here *Submit a request to join (you will need to answer a few questions regarding your NAPPS membership) *Once membership has been confirmed, you will have access to the group

Please become familiar with the rules of the private FB group as they are in place to make this a pleasant, informative place to share and network. Moderators are available if you have any questions or concerns.

This is a NAPPS member benefit so please be aware that if your membership falls into a lapsed status, your connection with this private group will be removed.

Enjoy!

Professional Pet Sitter ¡ Spring 2019

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www.petsitters.org

NA P P S IN THE NE WS NAPPS PR EFFORTS Your association has an active public relations and marketing campaign that raises the visibility of NAPPS and its programs, and establishes NAPPS as the authority in professional pet sitting.

Each month, the NAPPS PR team provides regular story ideas to national media outlets designed to increase awareness of the organization and the entire profession.

PR efforts have surpassed many milestones!

• NAPPS has a total number of Facebook “likes” of over 6,000.

• NAPPS has increased the number of Twitter followers to 5,800 as of December 13, 2018.

• NAPPS is helping to increase awareness of pet safety and caring for animals during extreme weather conditions through shareable content like digital media and infographics.

Reduce the amount of snow that collects between your pet’s toes by clipping the fur between toe pads. Also, be sure to rinse their paws with warm water before wiping them dry, each time you both return indoors.

www.petsitters.org

When people think about adding a new pet to the family, birds are usually not first on the list, leaving many birds waiting to find a loving home. To bring awareness to this issue, the ASPCA has named the month of January as AdoptA-Rescued-Bird Month.

Learn more: https://bit. ly/2BVmjQs 1,254 people reached January 3, 2019

Stay indoors and enjoy a quiet night with your fur friends during the coldest month of the year on National Cuddle Up Day! 1,682 people reached January 6, 2019

1,098 people reached October 16, 2019

January is Walk Your Dog Month! While January usually brings cold, ice and snow, it’s never a wrong time to go for a walk.

Looking for someone to take care of Fido while you’re away at work? We have you covered! Our Pet Sitter Locator makes it easy for you to find a professional pet sitter near you: http://bit.ly/2y0CoFd

However, does it look like your dog is walking you instead of the other way around? Now is a good time to work on that. Learn more: https://bit.ly/2Qzq3wk

3,019 people reached January 17, 2019

1,434 people reached January 13, 2019

Seeing Eye Dogs are specially trained to be their owner’s eyes.

Celebrate these incredible dogs with us today! Learn more: http://bit.ly/2DSNfU3

Change A Pet’s Life Day is a day dedicated to spreading awareness of Animal Shelters and the impact Pet Parent’s make when they choose to adopt. Learn more: http://bit.ly/2BihqyG

1,069 people reached January 29, 2019

2,917 people reached January 24, 2019

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Professional Pet Sitter · Spring 2019

Video 1: When You Can’t Be There — Find a Professional Who Can. Hire a NAPPS Professional Pet Sitter

New NAPPS Videos — Tune in Now! We invite you to dash over to the NAPPS homepage where you will get to view not one, but two important videos designed to help you in the pet sitting industry.

Kattie Krewer, NAPPS Media Contact, states: “NAPPS members have a great opportunity to take advantage of the videos NAPPS produces by sharing them on their own social media platforms, emails, and even websites! Videos on social media and in emails consistently garner a higher click-rate. Recent studies have found that 64 percent of consumers say that watching a marketing video on Facebook has influenced a purchasing decision and including a video on your homepage can increase conversion rates by 20 percent.”

Video 2: Benefits of NAPPS Membership

Welcome Our New Members NAPPS welcomes new members who joined between November 11, 2018 and January 2019.

Here they are in alphabetical order by state: Arizona

Massachusetts

Rachael Dugan, A Place 4 Pawz, Scottsdale

Emily Gubitose, Gone Fur a Walk, Boston Devin Miller, Ijamsville Stephanie Eyler, The Pet Keppers of MA, Hanson

California Liz Conway, Liz’s Sitting Service, Santa Cruz Sharon Grennan, K-9 Cruzer Pet Care, Santa Cruz Eesha Chhabria, Los Angeles Sunny Key, Santa Barbara Pet Sitters, Santa Barbara Debbie Vance, Debs Dog Days, Menifee Vanessa Ashby, Stressless Pet Services, Clayton Heidi Hoffacker, 1980, Capitola

Colorado Tanya Buck, Tanya Buck, LLC, Pine Theresa Webb, Purrfect Pet Sitting, Longmont Beth Humphrey, Rover’s Ride, Louisville

Michigan Darlene Stewart, Dee Dee’s Dog Walking, Pinckney

Minnesota Mark Reisdorf, Paw Print Pet Sitting, Saint Paul Park

Nevada Leanna Shields, Lucky Dogs Vegas, Las Vegas

New Hampshire

Sarah Smolak, Pampered Pals Pet Care, Stamford

Emily Davis, Southern NH Pet Services, Londonderry Carol Fleming and Kristen Stratton, Pet Pals LLC dba The Happy Pet Caregivers, Newport Kellie Katwick, Kellie’s Pawsitive Pet Care, Lee

Florida

New Jersey

Connecticut

Crystal Bondar, Kritter Sitters, North Port Ann Dierick, Ann’s Pet Care, Largo Christina MacDonald, Beach Pupps, LLC, Apollo Beach Michael Lazo, WestStar Pet Care, Odessa Carla McClellan, Tallahassee Lassie Pet Care, LLC, Tallahassee Aimee Thomas, Leashes to Leads Pet Care, LLC, Ocala

Illinois Dennis Armbruster, DigiDog Walkers, Cary Cheryl Griffith, Time Out Pet Care, Oak Park Mary Miller, Far Fetched Pet Care, LLC, Chicago Michelle Noga, Michelle’s Dog Walking and Pet Care Services, Brookfield Laura Gay, The Pet’s Home, LLC, Oswego Candy Oppman, Candy’s K9s Ltd., Buffalo Grove Catherine Pace, Catherine’s Canines, Highland Park Margaret Sammarco, Peg’s Pampered Paws, Wheaton

Maryland Emily Johnson, Bonnie’s Pet Baby Sitting Service, Forestville Brenda Daniel, Brenda’s Pet Care, New Market Dominick Etienne, DC Doggo, Silver Spring Megan Gray, Paws & Talk, Pasadena

Lauren Kravitz, Pawsitive Daycare, East Rutherford Nicole Morvant, How’s the Dog? Stockton Nicole Blankiet, Metuchen Pet Club, LLC, Metuchen Elizabeth Garcia, Cutest Critter Pack, Passaic

New York Claire Moody, Claire’s Petsitting Services, Spenceport Suanne Connolly, Suanne Connolly, LVT, Selden Kim Schneider, All Paws Aboard, Inc., Hawthorne Veronica Alford-McGlothan, Nanny Canine, LLC, Poughkeepsie Callum Costello, The Pet Connection, Yonkers Maureen Piccione, Moe’s Happy Cat, Brooklyn

North Carolina Caroline Lavigne, WNC Pet Care, LLC, Candler Christina Merritt, Christina Janet Pet Nanny, Wilmington Patrick Mimms, Patrick’s Pawsitting and Walking, Chapel Hill Jessica Creamer, Mi Casa Su Casa Dog Sitting, Raleigh

Ohio Lisa Kliever, Pup Luv Professional Dog Sitting/Walking, Wickliffe

Halle Shanker, Falls Pet Sitting, Chagrin, Falls Stephen Pastor, The Doggo Watchers, Columbus

Pennsylvania Kyle Thorpe, Kyle the Dog Walker, Warminster

Rhode Island Lisa Baxter, Home Away From Home Canine Services, Foster

South Carolina Paula Gregg, Sweet Purrfections, Lexington

Tennessee Jessica Mangrum, Doting Dixie’s Pet Care, Spring Hill Christy McIennan, Furry Angels Pet Sitting, Murfreesboro Taylor Patton, Calm Dog, Clean House, Spring Hill

Texas Alexandra Knoll, Alex’s Pet Sitting and Boarding, Seguin Valerie Suhr White, Witty Statements, Fort Worth Meredith Griffin, Pet and Go, Austin April Long, Wag Westlake, Austin

Virginia Lauren Heath, Presidential Pet Care, LLC, Lorton

Wisconsin Laura Reuter, Stay Gold Academy, LLC, Silver Lake Briana Schroeder, Madison DogMa, Madison

British Columbia Karin Howland, Pets Stay Home Training & Care, Parksville