Kat's Corner: Why Pet Sitters Need to Prepare Now For The Changing Pet Care Industry

Grimm

Across the country, new laws and regulations are being introduced that are reshaping the pet sitting and dog walking industry. On a recent episode of the Pet Sitter Confessional podcast, hosts Meghan and Collin discussed how these changes are signaling a new era of accountability and professionalism for pet care providers.

While they’re not lawyers, their message was clear: the pet care industry is under increased scrutiny, and it’s only going to grow. Now is the time for sitters, walkers, and in-home pet care professionals to prepare—before these laws come to your state.

🏛️ A Wave of New Legislation

Several recent laws illustrate how serious states are becoming about animal welfare and professional standards:

• Texas (HB 285 – Poncho and Layla’s Law): Adds criminal negligence to animal cruelty statutes. Harm caused by negligence can now result in prosecution, meaning businesses must prioritize training and documentation.

• Massachusetts (H4919 – Ollie’s Law): Requires licensing and standardized care for all boarding and daycare operations, including in-home providers.

• Washington (ESHB 1149): Expands animal cruelty definitions and gives authorities power to enter properties without a warrant if animals are in immediate danger.

• Kentucky (HB 258 – Ethan’s Law): Makes severe abuse or neglect of a dog or cat a felony on the first offense.

• Nevada (AB 381 – Reba’s Law): Establishes prison time for willful neglect or abuse leading to an animal’s death.

• Florida (HB 225 – Dexter’s Law & HB 455 – Animal Abuser Registry): Counts each abused animal as a separate victim and introduces a statewide registry for animal abusers in 2026.

• New Jersey (A1456 & S264 – Pet Groomer Licensing Law): Proposed legislation to license and regulate pet groomers — a move that could easily extend to sitters and walkers.

• Maryland (SB 80): Increases penalties for neglect or abuse leading to an animal’s death or euthanasia, with potential lifetime bans on animal ownership.

These laws have one thing in common: they raise the bar. The days of loosely structured pet care businesses are coming to an end.

⚖️ What This Means for Pet Care Providers

These changes aren’t just for the big companies—they’ll affect everyone, including independent sitters and small local operations. To stay ahead of the curve (and keep serving your clients without disruption), start preparing now.

Here’s how:

1. Stay Informed. Follow local, state, and national legislation that impacts animal care. Join professional associations like Pet Sitters International (PSI) or NAPPS, which often provide updates and resources.

2. Tighten Up Your Paperwork. Review and update your service agreements, policies, and contracts. Make sure they clearly outline care procedures, responsibilities, and emergency protocols.

3. Keep Records of Everything. Documentation protects you and demonstrates professionalism. Keep logs of visits, feeding, medication administration, and client communication.

4. Prioritize Training. Regularly update your knowledge of pet behavior, safety, and emergency care. (If you haven’t yet, get Pet CPR and First-Aid certified—it’s an investment that saves lives and adds credibility.)

5. Reassess Your Insurance Coverage. Verify that your liability insurance is up to date and adequate for potential new compliance standards.

6. Plan for the Financial Impact. Compliance often comes with new costs—training, licensing, documentation systems. Build those into your pricing now instead of scrambling later.

7. Use Your Voice. Don’t wait until legislation is passed—get involved. Reach out to local representatives, participate in industry discussions, and advocate for fair, realistic regulations that protect both pets and professionals.

   
   

🐕 Why Preparation Matters

It might feel overwhelming, but these changes are rooted in something every pet care provider values: the safety and well-being of animals.By preparing early, you’re not just protecting your business—you’re ensuring that pets in your community continue to receive quality, reliable care.

When legislation passes (and it will), those who are already compliant and organized will be the ones who can keep serving their clients without interruption. Those who wait could find themselves scrambling—or worse, unable to legally provide care.

Let’s make sure that doesn’t happen.Because at the end of the day, this isn’t just about paperwork or policy—it’s about making sure no pet is left in the lurch.

If you’re a professional pet sitter or walker, now’s the time to get your house in order. Our industry is evolving—and the best way forward is together, prepared, and proactive.