“How do I know I can really trust someone to take care of my pet?” … This is probably a question you’ve asked yourself time and time again as you navigate the world of pet parenthood. Well, now you know where to look! The industry-veteran association Pet Sitters International (PSI) has officially released the first-ever global standards for professional pet sitting and dog walking, a publicly available framework designed to raise the bar for quality, safety, consistency, and professionalism across the pet care industry.
PSI built these standards upon decades of experience, real-world input from pet-care professionals and pet parents, and expert review. The goal: define what truly professional pet care looks like in a world where much of this field has operated in the “wild west” of unregulated services.
For pet parents, this news is major. It means there’s finally a concrete set of baseline expectations you can point to. And here at Tuckered Out Dog Walking, we’re proud to say we already meet and exceed all of these standards (and have been doing so from day one)!
What Are These “Global Standards” For Dog Walking Anyhow?
Having real business licenses and insurance
Using proper contracts (no “handshake deals” here)
Knowing animal behavior and how to respond to emergencies
Keeping your pet (and your home) clean and safe
Communicating clearly with pet parents (like you!)
Protecting your privacy and keeping keys/codes secure
Having a backup plan in case of emergencies
Supporting local communities and caring for the planet
Business Legitimacy
PSI says: Your business should be properly registered, licensed if required, financially transparent, and tied to sound business practices.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: We operate as a full-fledged legitimate business in Richmond, VA. We carry a business license, file taxes, and maintain our books clearly. We believe pet-care is professional care, not a side gig.
Insurance & Risk Management
PSI says: You should maintain liability coverage specific to pet care, have bonding if appropriate, screen team members, and manage risks proactively.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: We carry specific pet care liability insurance, as well as bonding and background checks for all of our employees. We’ve done the training and certifications our clients expect, and we actively work to identify and mitigate risks (whether it’s weather, leash safety, or health emergencies).
Contracts & Compliance
PSI says: Use clear, legally compliant contracts with your clients. Don’t rely on handshake deals. Comply with local laws around labor, payments, data security, etc.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: Every pet guardian we work with receives a clearly drafted service agreement outlining what we provide, expected routines, communication protocol, emergency procedures, and more. No confusion = stronger trust.
Animal Care & Stewardship
PSI says: Know your animals. Have documented routines and instructions. Be trained in animal behavior, first aid, and base your practices in evidence-based, humane care.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: Our team is certified in Pet First Aid & CPR, uses positive‐reinforcement handling, and prioritizes enrichment (not just “walk and done”). Every member of our team takes an initial dog body language and handling course before going into the field, and is required to maintain a minimum level of continuing education on the subject. Our company owner is even Fear Free certified and regularly showcases her commitment to continuing education by attending pet industry conferences and animal handling workshops. We view every dog or cat we work with as a valued member of a family — just like you do.
Health, Sanitation & Safety
PSI says: Exercise safe leash skills, body-language awareness, biosecurity (hand-washing, sanitation, cross-household risk management), injury prevention, and clear protocols.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: We ensure our gear is clean, our routes are safe, and we observe each dog’s body language, adapt for weather and conditions, and keep backups ready in case something changes unexpectedly.
Emergency Preparedness
PSI says: Have a documented contingency plan for common scenarios (pet illness/injury, walker illness/injury, inclement weather, key malfunctions). Have veterinary authorizations, emergency client communications, and backups.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: We’ve got a full backup plan if one walker can’t make an appointment, or is unable to access a home due to a broken lock. We have emergency contact lists and vet authorizations, and we proactively reach out if something unexpected happens. We never leave our clients, or their pets, guessing.
Client Security & Privacy
PSI says: Secure keys/codes/client data, don’t casually share personal/household info, ensure absence from home is not detectable, and train staff on confidentiality.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: We treat your home and household info with the same respect we would treat our own, and we dedicate an entire day of the new hire training towards confidentiality and data security. Your codes, your schedule, your dog’s routine—they’re safe with us.
Professional & Ethical Conduct
PSI says: Be courteous, inclusive, and professional. Follow laws. Set healthy boundaries. Don’t disparage competitors. Foster inclusive, safe teams.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: We are proud allies to LGBTQ and BIPOC communities. We view our fellow pet care businesses as collaborators, not competitors, and actively work together to find the best care possible for each individual pet. We treat pet guardians as team partners, not customers, and we believe care is inclusive and respectful and based on trust.
Client Communication & Reputation
PSI says: Meet potential clients first, onboard thoroughly (pet profile, emergency contacts, and home walkthrough). Provide clear service descriptions/pricing/policy. Send timely updates. Manage feedback professionally.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: We love the Meet & Greet stage! We walk the neighborhood, talk through your dog’s quirks, map out routines, discuss our services and pricing, and even give you a tour of our app so you know exactly how to schedule a walk when you need it, without any confusion or second-guessing. And when we’re working? You’ll get photos, updates, and consistent communication. Because you deserve nothing less.
Sustainability & Community Responsibility
PSI says: Try to operate thoughtfully—reduce waste, efficient routing, environmentally responsible choices, build local relationships (vet/trainer/referral network), and support animal-welfare.
What that means at Tuckered Out Dog Walking: We pick eco-friendly materials where possible, plan our walks in efficient clusters (less driving = less carbon), and are active in supporting local rescue and advocacy work in our local area (shameless plug for our Shelter Sponsorship Program with Richmond Animal Care & Control!) Because our community matters.
Why This Actually Matters for Richmond Pet Guardians
Your dog isn’t just a “client” to us—they’re family. And when you partner with a business aligned to true industry standards, you get more than walking time. You get peace of mind.
You don’t have to guess if your walker is qualified. Now there’s a public standard to reference.
You get safe, consistent experiences for your dog, even if your schedule changes.
You’re working with someone whose values align with yours: respect, clarity, professionalism, inclusivity.
Because we’ve already been living by these standards, you’re going to see them in action from day one.
A Quick Note on Making Your Choice
When you’re vetting a dog walker or pet sitter in RVA, here are a few questions inspired by PSI’s standards you can ask:
Are you licensed and insured specifically for dog walking and pet sitting?
Do you use a written contract that outlines services, expectations, and emergency plan?
What training do you and your team have in animal behaviour, first aid, emergency response?
How do you communicate during walks and visits? Will I get updates? Photos?
What’s your backup plan if something happens and you can’t make a scheduled visit?
How do you secure my home info, keys, alarm codes, and protect my privacy?
Do you have any animal advocacy or environmental practices in place?
If those questions sound like a yes-yes from the walker you’re talking to, that is great sign!
Final Thoughts: We’re Already There — And We’re Just Getting Started
At Tuckered Out Dog Walking, we’re proud to say we’ve already aligned with every section of PSI’s new global standards, and we’ve been operating this way not because it’s trendy, but because it’s right. Because your dog deserves more than a default walk — they deserve thoughtful, safe, enriching care.
And yes, we’re going to keep leveling up. Because standards like these aren’t the ceiling. They’re the floor. And excellence is still above and beyond.
If you’re a Richmond-area pet guardian looking for a team you can trust, let’s connect! Whether your dog wants a short stroll, a long adventure, or some focused enrichment time, we’ve got you covered. Schedule your Meet & Greet right now at tuckeredoutRVA.com/get-started. We can’t wait to meet you!🐾