Pet sitters growing in popularity

When pet owners leave town, they traditionally turn to neighbors, friends, vets and boarders to take care of their pets. But recent statistics have shown that many are now turning to professional pet sitters, according to an article in the Times-Herald.

Beth Stultz of Pet Sitters International said that organization has more than 8,000 members who serve an average of 191 clients each and perform 17.4 million pet-sitting engagements annually.

"This information comes from our 2008 State of the Industry Survey and is an increase from the 2006 results, which reflected an average of 126 clients per member business and approximately 8 million pet-sitting engagements per year," Stultz said.

Choosing a professional pet sitter over a neighbor or boarder comes down to personal preference. It can be less stressful on your pets to leave them in your home, but they do not receive constant supervision and you have to be okay with the fact that someone will be entering your home while you are away. Read more on how to find a great pet sitter.

Pet sitting can range from $17 to $65 depending on a number of factors. Kennels and vets are usually between $15-35 or more per night, according to the Times-Herald article.

Image source: Moon Beams and Day Dreams