Professional Pet Sitter vs. Hobby Pet Sitter

Celebrating 13 Years in Business!

This year is a special anniversary for Cozy Critters. This is our 13th anniversary! Woohoo! Thirteen is my lucky number. I was born on the 13th.

Cozy Critters Pet Sitters was established on Feb. 14th, 2002. What better day to begin a business that is doing not only what I love, but one of my passions, than on Valentine's Day -- the day we celebrate love.

And in addition to it being our 13th anniversary on Valentine's Day, the day before is Friday, the 13th -- another lucky day for me!  :)

We are so grateful for all of the clients we have and have had over the last 13 years. It is so nice meeting other animal loving people and all of their animals. We are not only passionate about animals, we also love being of service to others and bringing them peace of mind while they are away from their beloved pets.

We look forward with anticipation to another year in service.

Celebrating our 12th Year in Business!

2002 - 2014

This Valentine's Day, Cozy Critters of Bellaire celebrates it's twelfth anniversary! We are so grateful for all of our wonderful clients, both two and four-legged. We love meeting other animal-loving people in our area. We love getting to know each and every pet, caring for them and loving them as if they were our own. So many memories and funny stories are made over the years. But most of all, we love providing a great service: Pet Sitting! Looking forward to making more friends and memories....

 To all of our clients...

Pet Sitting for Cats

I just finished reading another great article by one of my favorite holistic veterinarians Dr. Karen Becker called Why Cats Really Shouldn't Be Left Alone at Home. This article, of which I totally agree with, struck a nerve with me. She stated there was a survey that said over half of all U.S. cat owners choose a cat as a companion because they believe cats can be left alone for long periods of time. As a professional pet sitter, over the years I have noticed this trend as well. I often get asked to visit cats every other day or even less often. 

Many people believe that because cats are more independent creatures and because they don't need to be let outside to go to the bathroom like dogs, they can go for longer periods of time left alone. Especially if they are given a big bowl full of dry kibble and a big bowl or two of water and perhaps they even have electric litter boxes, so for the most part, the boxes scoop themselves and that problem is taken care of as well. There are also automatic feeders available.

I've also noticed that cats sometimes tend to get treated as second-class citizens, especially if they share their home with dogs. A perfect example of this is I once had a client tell me (during the interview) when asked what veterinarian they used for their cats: "They're just cats -- they don't go to the vet." This is really sad. Cats need veterinary care just like dogs and they need daily visits when they are home alone. 

Cats may be more independent than dogs but they get lonely and bored just like dogs do. Even the shy ones that may never even make an appearance when I'm pet sitting, like to know that there is a human coming to check on them and give them fresh food and fresh water (and maybe some treats or catnip). I had one shy cat that I took care of that wouldn't come out from under the bed. I tried all kinds of things to make friends. It took a lot of patience and finally after four years she finally gave in and came to me for pets and after that, I couldn't get rid of her! She followed me around talking up a storm. 

Not to mention there are cats who are very people-oriented. They are the ones who talk my head off every time I show up because they have been left alone and they do not appreciate that! They are the ones who stay glued to your lap or are climbing all over you and just want to be smothered in love and affection.

But whether it's a shy or a highly affectionate, very out-going cat or anything in between--they deserve to be cared for like the sentient beings they are. They are not less than dogs, they are just different. Just as dogs teach us a lot not only about them, but about ourselves as well; the same goes with cats. 

Another thing is that just as we are becoming more conscious about our own health and well-being and making new discoveries every day (although slow to change), so are we in regards to the health and well-being of our beloved pets. For example, we now know that giving felines a highly processed dry kibble is a far cry from a healthy, species appropriate diet that promotes well-being. I'm not saying cats can't survive on dry foods. They can and they have. Before I learned otherwise, I fed my cats dry food. But there is a big difference between surviving and thriving. So for cats to thrive they need to be eating either raw, home cooked (you have to know what you're doing here!), dehydrated, frozen or high quality can food, which doesn't allow for leaving cats alone for long periods.

Even if you are feeding dry food, it gets stale and sometimes they throw up in their food. (Cats on dry food tend to throw up more often.) Sometimes ants get in the food. Not to mention they really should be getting a measured amount of food to prevent obesity. And clean, fresh water daily is just basic care. Some cats like to play in the water and spill it. Some cats turn on water faucets! There has been more than one occasion when I arrived at a client's house and there was a sink or bath tub faucet that was going full blast.

Cats prefer clean litter boxes and will resort to going else where if it doesn't meet their standards. Some cats are pickier than others. (Remember the rule of thumb: one box per cat plus an extra. Although they are making boxes larger now (yay!), some are the size of two boxes!) The boxes need scooped daily. Even electric litter boxes get jammed up and stop working.

Last but not least, anything can happen in just a short time when it comes to animals home alone. A cat can suddenly become ill or pass away. There has been more than one occasion where I had to rush a cat to the vet or emergency clinic. This is one of the many reasons why I do not accept clients that want anything less than one visit per day for cats. Though I have done every other day visits for cats in the past and still have a couple of clients that ask for every other day visits, of which I will still honor (but am not crazy about), I do not accept such assignments any longer.

"Not to hurt our humble brethren (the animals) is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission--to be of service to them whenever they require it... If you have men who will exclude any of God's creatures from the shelter of compassion and pity, you will have men who will deal likewise with their fellow man."  ~Saint Francis of Assisi

We Broke Another Record

Wow! Thank you! to our wonderful clients for making 2013 such a great year for Cozy Critters! This July we broke last year's record (also July) for most visits ever done in a month in our eleven year history. We also had the best March and August we have ever had. Now we are gearing up for the holidays so don't wait until it's too late! Make your holiday pet sitting reservations in advance to guarantee availability.

And Then a Miracle Happened

The week of my birthday was a memorable week. First, starting with my birthday (May 13th), our dog Ellie passed away. Then five days later on the 18th, my father-in-law passed away. Then the next day (19th) a miracle happened.

We were pet sitting a long-time client's Boston Terrier, Lou (pictured above), who will be 13 this year. Though we had been sharing the visits, my husband Clifton happened to be doing that particular visit. He had just given Lou his breakfast which was (chopped up) prescription can food. Lou began eating and Clifton stepped away from the kitchen for 60 - 70 seconds. When he returned Lou was laid out flat on his side. Calling his name, he checked for breathing and heart beat. There was neither. He opened his mouth and reached down his throat and pulled out a piece of can food. Then he gave Lou CPR. Then the miracle happened. Clifton felt Lou's heart start beating again. Lou started coughing and catching his breath. He was back! He was gone but now he was back! Clifton said it all happened so fast yet it was going in slow motion. He instinctively and intuitively knew what to do and just did it. All this took another 60 - 80 seconds. Lou sat up and wanted to get up and walk but Clifton made him stay still with a blanket wrapped around him. Clifton called me and I went over there and we kept Lou in the blanket, holding him, giving thanks to God. This story could have ended differently. We are so grateful it didn't. What a miracle! Lou was fine. He was still hungry and ready to finish eating! Though I don't know for sure if he knew what just happened to him exactly, he knew that Clifton saved him. That was incredibly obvious to us. He would not take his eyes off of Clifton. With his eyes, he was saying "thank you" for saving me.

What a nice gift...especially considering that that day, the 19th -- was the anniversary of Clifton's mother's death. What a week.....

Who would think a dog could choke on can food otherwise known as "wet" food? How many times have we stepped away for a moment to do something else after giving pets their food? How many pets "free-feed" on food? We have been pet sitting for over eleven years and we both have had multiple animals our whole lives. We've fed hundreds, possibly thousands of pets. (I have fed close to 100 animals in a single day before.) We have never had any animal choke on their food....before.

A lot of the prescription can foods are so hard and dry. They are the driest can foods I've ever seen. We started totally mashing Lou's food (which primarily consists of potato with venison) totally and adding enough water to make the consistency of oatmeal or even a little more soupy than that. He seemed to like that better too. (You just have to keep scraping it off the bottom of the bowl into a heap for them so they can get it all.) We noticed that even after adding all that water, when Lou was halfway though eating it, it had soaked up all the water and was becoming dry again. Incredible. So if your dog eats prescription can food, take note!

Those that know me well and all the research I've done....know that this leads me into a topic of which I am passionate about: pet foods. But that's another article for another day. Until then, check my blog (use the search button) for previous articles and videos on pet foods. You can also find a list of helpful website links related to pet foods and nutrition on my website. Just click on the "Links" button.

And remember......EXPECT miracles!   :)

Our 11th Anniversary

2002 - 2013

This month we are celebrating Cozy Critters Pet Sitters' eleventh anniversary! I was still digesting the fact that I've been pet sitting for a decade and now another year has already gone by. Time goes by so fast....

We are so grateful for all of our wonderful clients, both two and four-legged. We love meeting other animal-loving people in our area. We love getting to know each and every pet, caring for them and loving them as if they were our own. So many memories and funny stories are made over the years. But most of all, we love providing a great service: Pet Sitting! Looking forward to making more friends and memories....

Happy Valentine's Day!

All Kinds of Critters

"Luna" Hedgehog

We can now add another type of critter to our list of pets we have cared for: a hedgehog! Besides cats and dogs (of course!) we have cared for horses, rabbits, birds (a large variety), fish (fresh and salt water), guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils,  iguanas, bearded dragon, chameleon, leopard gecko, turtles, tortoises, frogs, tad poles (yes, tad poles!), sugar gliders, snakes, rats, mice, chinchillas, tarantula, scorpion, hermit crabs and chickens. Whew! 

Celebrating 10 Years in Business!

It is with great pride that I am able to say that Cozy Critters Pet Sitters is celebrating their 10th anniversary! It's hard to believe a whole decade has passed since I first started the business in the Spring of 2002. It has gone by so fast! We have done well over 36,000 pet sitting visits! These last ten years have been filled with many wonderful memories, lots of funny stories and a whole lot of unconditional love from all the wonderful pets we have cared for. We have learned a lot too, and continue to every day. Not to mention it's been a real pleasure to get to meet and provide a great service for so many animal loving people like ourselves! We have the greatest clients! We couldn't ask for more! A big "thank you" to all of our clients and we hope to be your pet sitters for many more years to come.

Another big "thank you" goes to MeyerLand Animal Clinic, who not only has treated our pets (and some of our clients' pets) for the past few decades but has also referred many clients to us. All the veterinarians and staff there are great! Thank you for your continued confidence in us. We really appreciate all that you do.

Pet Sitting Industry Survey

Pet Sitters International, the largest trade organization for professional pet sitters (currently has over 8,000 members world-wide), of which I am a member, is the only source for statistics, data and information on the industry of professional pet sitting. The last survey which was conducted in 2008, with a total of 1,814 members (24% response rate) responding, was tabulated and analyzed by an outside marketing research firm. Although this survey is a little old, I'm sure the results haven't changed that much in the last couple of years. When they do a new survey, I'll be sure to update you with the current findings.


The survey says.....
The typical member is Female (92%), age 41 to 60 (60%), Caucasian (94%), Married (59%) and owns her home (82%). Additionally, she has completed at least some college (88%), entered the pet-sitting industry due to her love of animals (55%), and has been in business for 5 years or less (61%). 98% of all businesses are independently owned.


Pet sitters most commonly own dogs (79%) and cats (61%). Of these, members typically own two dogs and three cats. Approximately one-third of all members belong to an animal rescue or shelter organization. A large majority of members carry both liability and bonding insurance (84%).


Nearly all PSI members service both dogs and cats, while two-thirds service fish, birds and cage pets. The average number of clients (for 2007) was 191, and the average number of pet sitting assignments was 2,169. More than 90% of all members advertise; through word of mouth (98%), business cards (96%), and PSI Pet Sitter Locator Web (94%). 68% of all members advertise through their own website. (This percentage may be bigger now.)


On average, the typical pet sitter client is a married couple between the ages of 36-50. Survey respondents reported that there are more married couples without children (40.5%), than couples with children (28.9%) who utilize their services. Single females tend to use pet sitters at a higher rate than males. Individuals ages 26-65 appear to utilize pet sitters at the same rate, while those under 25 years old made up only 4.2% of all clients. The top three reasons for the use of pet sitters are vacations, midday walks/visits and work schedules.


So where did Cozy Critters stand in 2007? (I am definitely a "typical" member and one who entered this profession because of my love for animals.) We had serviced dogs, cats, horses, birds, rabbits, fish and various other caged critters. We had been in business 5 years, had 175 active clients (259 clients since we began but we lose a percentage to moving or death of pets) and did 4,218 visits that year (351 visits per month average). 


Something else a lot of people don't realize about pet sitters is that we typically work 365 days a year (those of us who do it full time). Our busiest times are holidays and summertime. In the (now) 8 years I've been pet sitting, I've been trying to think of any other profession or job that requires you to work every day of the year and I cannot come up with any. If you can think of one, let me know. I also cannot think of another profession or job you could have where every time you show up, you are greeted with such love, excitement and enthusiasm!