Peak vacation season is here. Spring break in April and the summer months from June through August are prime time for family travel and vacations. The question becomes, “Do you take Fluffy or Spot with you or leave them with a pet sitter?” When that isn’t an option, a trusted pet sitter, especially one who offers in-home care, has become increasingly popular.
Vickey Whitfield worked in pet grooming at Rags to Riches in Columbus for almost 13 years. About a year ago in May 2025, she opened her own business, Vickey’s VIP Pet Taxi, initially offering pet transportation, but a few months later expanded her services to include pet sitting.
“The decision to start my business came about because of demand, but it was also because I love caring for pets,” Vickey explained. “ I have flown with dogs for military families and driven pets to locations where their families have moved, short or long distance.”
It’s a labor of love for Whitfield, who has raised pets all of her life and still has three dogs, a cat, snakes, a leopard gecko, and a bearded dragon. Her trusted companion, Jack Skellington, is a Jack Russell Terrier who goes with her everywhere.
What drives the pet services market, according to Pet Sitters International, is that people treat their pets as family members.
- Pet Humanization: The trend of treating pets as family members drives the demand for specialized in-home care rather than kennels.
- Convenience: Pet owners prefer in-home care to reduce pet stress and often use services offering photo updates, and time stamps.
- Demographic Shifts: Millennials and “empty nesters” in Generation X are driving increased spending on pet care.
- Dominant Service Types: Dogs represent over 80% of the market, with care visits being the most popular service type.
Services offered
Vickey’s VIP Pet Taxi and Pet Sitting offers a full line of services, whether you are on vacation or moving.
“I have repeat clients because they know I wouldn’t retreat their pet any differently than I would my own.”
Lessons learned
“As a small business owner, I have learned not to give in to people who want to lowball on pricing. They are paying for experience in grooming and pet care skills, and most importantly trust, which is invaluable.”
Whitfield is also trained in CPR for pets. For more information or to contact Vickey Whitfield, you can follow Vickey’s VIP Pet Taxi and Pet Sitting services on Facebook, or Email: vickeysvippettaxi@gmail.com , or call 706-604-0365.
