I am a seasoned pet care provider, and have been a PSI member for several years. I have taken advantage of some of the benefits, but I don't particularly find membership that valuable given the cost. PSI is a for-profit organization, NAPPS is not with higher membership dues! I have made past attempts to "network" with others in my profession but they don't seem all that interested, so i stopped. My bux. is going well, and growing. My clients, both two and four legged like me and I get plenty of repeat bus. once I establish a relationship with a new client. Most of my work is in-home hosting via two online services, which PSI and it's members seem very threatened by. Competition is good! We may all provide similar services, but what distinguishes one pet care provider from another is superior and unmatched customer service. I can provide that very successfully without membership in any of these groups, and I still consider myself a professional and always learning and growing. I have observed plenty of so-called professionals in various fields act in very unprofessional ways. Just being a member of a trade group will not automatically turn you into a professional, or a successful business operator.
I am new to the professional pet sitting world, so I find my PSI membership very worthwhile. I am trying to absorb everything and PSI provides a wide variety of ways to do that; PSI accreditation program, forum, magazines, webinars, insurance/bonding/background checks. I recently achieved accreditation with PSI. Some have told me that it "means nothing to the clients," but I do not view it as a marketing tool- I view it as an education.
I think also that membership in a professional organization implies that you are a "real" business and not just a hobby. It shows that you care to engage with others in the profession and continue to add to your education.
I can see how a seasoned pet sitter may not find it very beneficial, but as a nuby I think it is well worth it!
I absolutely get a benefit out of my PSI membership. But like most things in life, you get out of it what you put in to it. You can join the locator and sit back and wait for the masses to find you, or get involved!
PSI offers so much more. There are member forums, where you can meet pet sitting colleagues and talk about some of our common issues; a trove of printable articles; teleconferences on a myriad of subjects; one-day mini conferences held around the country and the larger Quest for Excellence held yearly.
They are only a phone call away, and they are here to educate and help when they can. I have found them to be very hands-on. And of course they offer their Accreditation program - another member benefit.
I'm not a member and can't speak of NAPPS, but I've been debating it - just so I can particpate in more conferences!
I am a seasoned pet care provider, and have been a PSI member for several years. I have taken advantage of some of the benefits, but I don't particularly find membership that valuable given the cost. PSI is a for-profit organization, NAPPS is not with higher membership dues! I have made past attempts to "network" with others in my profession but they don't seem all that interested, so i stopped. My bux. is going well, and growing. My clients, both two and four legged like me and I get plenty of repeat bus. once I establish a relationship with a new client. Most of my work is in-home hosting via two online services, which PSI and it's members seem very threatened by. Competition is good! We may all provide similar services, but what distinguishes one pet care provider from another is superior and unmatched customer service. I can provide that very successfully without membership in any of these groups, and I still consider myself a professional and always learning and growing. I have observed plenty of so-called professionals in various fields act in very unprofessional ways. Just being a member of a trade group will not automatically turn you into a professional, or a successful business operator.
I am new to the professional pet sitting world, so I find my PSI membership very worthwhile. I am trying to absorb everything and PSI provides a wide variety of ways to do that; PSI accreditation program, forum, magazines, webinars, insurance/bonding/background checks. I recently achieved accreditation with PSI. Some have told me that it "means nothing to the clients," but I do not view it as a marketing tool- I view it as an education.
I think also that membership in a professional organization implies that you are a "real" business and not just a hobby. It shows that you care to engage with others in the profession and continue to add to your education.
I can see how a seasoned pet sitter may not find it very beneficial, but as a nuby I think it is well worth it!
I absolutely get a benefit out of my PSI membership. But like most things in life, you get out of it what you put in to it. You can join the locator and sit back and wait for the masses to find you, or get involved!
PSI offers so much more. There are member forums, where you can meet pet sitting colleagues and talk about some of our common issues; a trove of printable articles; teleconferences on a myriad of subjects; one-day mini conferences held around the country and the larger Quest for Excellence held yearly.
They are only a phone call away, and they are here to educate and help when they can. I have found them to be very hands-on. And of course they offer their Accreditation program - another member benefit.
I'm not a member and can't speak of NAPPS, but I've been debating it - just so I can particpate in more conferences!