This page is designed for pet owners to learn first-hand what it means to be an APSE Accredited and Certified pet sitter through our organization.
All About Pet Sitting Certification
The APSE pet sitter certification program is based around the 3 keys to pet sitting excellence - implementation of marketing, operations, and team building business systems. Pet sitters completing the certification have not only read and learned these principles but have demonstrated that they have applied them in their business.
All APSE certified members have also signed the APSE code of business ethics and committed to act with honesty and integrity when performing all business tasks associated with marketing and managing their pet sitting business and providing pet sitting services. (Click here to open a copy of the APSE Code of Ethics Agreement - .doc format).
When you hire a pet sitter who has completed one of the APSE certifications you will know that they run their business professionally, have in place procedures to safeguard your pets and your home, and that they are committed to providing the highest standard of pet care and customer service.
Level 1 — Certified Pet Sitter
Designed for business with no staff sitters
Initial Price: $230 [Renewal: $80]
Businesses who have completed this program have submitted to the APSE the following documents for review:
- Evidence of current insurance and bonding
- Certificate of completion of Pet First Aid Training
- A current business Plan
- A complete marketing plan
- A copy of their current client contract form
- Signed APSE Code of Ethics Agreement
- Completed APSE Business Policies Form
- Completed APSE Emergency Procedures Form
They have also submitted to APSE evidence that they have documented systems for each of the following business processes:
- Scheduling pet sitting services
- Initial client pet sitting interview
- Completion of pet sitting visits
- Client payment and follow-up systems
- Management of customer keys and contracts
The APSE has received at least 5 customer testimonials from the clients of the business that provide evidence that the pet sitting service is providing high quality pet care and customer service. These testimonials were solicited directly by the APSE. The APSE sent testimonial requests to client contacts provided by the pet sitting business and the testimonials were returned directly to the APSE for review.
Level 2 — Certified Pet Sitting Business
Designed for business with staff sitters
Initial Price: $299 [Renewal: $109]
Businesses who have completed this program have submitted to the APSE the following documents for review:
- Evidence of current insurance and bonding that covers all current staff
- Certificates of completion of Pet First Aid Training for all current staff pet sitters
- A current business plan
- A Complete marketing plan
- A copy of their current client contract form
- Signed APSE Code of Ethics Agreement
- Completed APSE Business Policies Form
- Completed APSE Emergency Procedures Form
They have also submitted to APSE evidence that they have documented systems for each of the following business processes:
- Scheduling pet sitting services
- Initial client pet sitting interview
- Completion of pet sitting visits
- Client payment and follow-up systems
- Management of customer keys and contracts
- Assignment of jobs to staff sitters
- Staff hiring, screening and payment processes
The APSE has received at least 5 customer testimonials from the clients of the business that provide evidence that the pet sitting service is providing high quality pet care and customer service. These testimonials were solicited directly by the APSE. The APSE sent testimonial requests to client contacts provided by the pet sitting business and the testimonials were returned directly to the APSE for review.
Certified Pet Sitting Excellence Champion
Initial Price: $79
Businesses honored with the Pet Sitting Champion certification hold either current Level 1 or Level 2 certification and have provided evidence that they have completed 80 certification points by completing any combination of the following activities:
- Online or offline pet behavior coursework — 1 point per number of class hours
- Education of pet sitting clients by providing classes in pet first aid, pet care skills, or pet behavior — 1 point per number of classroom hours
- Involvement in community pet events and/or volunteer work for community pet rescue or shelter — 1 point per number of hours of involvement
- Teaching of educational tele-seminars for APSE members on specialized knowledge or skills — 10 points per 1 hour class
- Completion of business education classes (SBA/IRS/Marketing) - 1 point per number of class hours
- Pet Tech pet first aid instructor certification class — 1 point per number of class hours
- APSE courses / workshops / conference attendance — 1 point per number of participation or class hours
We offer two levels of certification to cater to both sole owner pet sitting business owners, and larger pet sitting businesses with staff.
We also offer a high level certification for pet sitting business owners who demonstrate their commitment to excellence by promoting and investing in ongoing learning, giving time to complete community service work, and are involved in the education of pet owners and their fellow pet sitters.
In the sections above, you will see exactly what pet sitting owners have completed to gain each certification.
All levels of certification must be renewed every 3 years.
