595: Pet Aftercare and Ethical Standards with Donna Shugart-Bethune
Release Date: 05/14/2025
608: Why You Shouldn’t Skip Your Mid-Year Review
Pet Sitter Confessional
How is your year going—really? In this episode, we share why doing a mid-year review is essential for personal and business clarity. We explore common reasons pet business owners avoid this process, from fear and overwhelm to unclear goals, and offer a practical roadmap to reflect, adjust, and move forward with purpose. We also dive into what to track, how to celebrate your progress, and how to simplify or pivot your goals. Mid-year is not just about performance—it’s about direction, clarity, and peace of mind. Main Topics Mid-year business reviews Setting and tracking goals Common...
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607: Sustainability, Stress, and Success with Wendy Mackay
Pet Sitter Confessional
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606: The Power of Both/And Thinking
Pet Sitter Confessional
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605: Innovate & Elevate: Pet Care Synergy with Ines McNeil
Pet Sitter Confessional
What happens when dog training meets pet sitting? Ines McNeil, APDT Chair, dives into how the pet care industry can benefit from cross-disciplinary collaboration. She explores innovative training methods, shared challenges, and evolving client expectations. Her conversation also highlights the impact of emerging regulations on pet care practices. Ultimately, she showcases how working together can transform care for both pets and their owners. Main Topics: Bridging Pet Training and Sitting Navigating Industry Legislation Challenges Innovative Dog Training Techniques Building...
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604: Marketing Pet Sitting in a Modern Experience Economy
Pet Sitter Confessional
How should pet sitters adapt as client expectations shift? Camp Bow Wow is celebrating 25 years as a market leader in daycare and boarding. Their recent brand refresh and national pet parent survey offer valuable clues about where the pet care consumer mindset is heading — and what we, as dog walkers and pet sitters, can learn to better serve clients and compete in an increasingly emotional and experience-driven marketplace. In this episode, we explore insights from the survey, including the rise of the emotional experience economy, the power of community connection, and the growing demand...
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603: The Mission of Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates with Kristin Holzapfel
Pet Sitter Confessional
What does local collaboration mean in 2025 and beyond? Why should pet sitters care about it? Kristin Holzapfel, founder of Midwest Pet Sitter Affiliates, joins us to share her journey of building a thriving community of pet sitters across the Midwest. She talks about the importance of educating both pet sitters and clients, how to move beyond third-party platforms, and why fostering an open-minded, collaborative culture matters for the future of the pet care industry. We cover how local organizations can raise industry standards, support professional growth, and create lasting connections that...
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602: From Pastels to Pet Care: Crafting a Lasting Legacy
Pet Sitter Confessional
How can a centuries-old art supply company teach us about running a pet care business? This episode draws lessons from La Maison du Pastel in Paris, a 300-year-old handcrafted pastel maker, to explore what it means to build a business rooted in quality and culture. It highlights the importance of prioritizing craft over scale, using thoughtful service offerings to meet specific client needs, and collaborating with clients to create personalized care. The conversation also emphasizes the power of storytelling in marketing and preserving company culture through growth and change. You’ll walk...
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601: Not One More Vet with Gigi Tsontos
Pet Sitter Confessional
What is life really like behind the scenes at your vet’s office? Collin sits down with Gigi Tsontos, Executive Director of Not One More Vet, Inc. (NOMV), to discuss the hidden mental health crisis facing veterinary professionals. Gigi shares the mission of NOMV, the complex stressors vets face, and the resources NOMV provides—from peer support to emergency grants. They also explore how pet sitters and pet parents can shift the culture through empathy, gratitude, and everyday check-ins. It’s a call to action to recognize, respect, and support the emotional toll behind every diagnosis....
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600: Knowing When to Take Action
Pet Sitter Confessional
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599: Standing Out in a Saturated Market with Natalie Durack
Pet Sitter Confessional
How do you take a pet sitting business from one city to two, grow a team of 30+, and develop a thriving brand? In this episode, Natalie Durack of Happy Hounds Pet Services shares how she expanded from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, navigating market differences and competition. She discusses the importance of client communication, onboarding team members, and building a recognizable brand. Natalie also explains how she introduced wedding pet attendance and proposal services, creating new ways for pet parents to include their furry friends in big life moments. Tune in to learn how she sets herself...
info_outlineWhat happens after a pet passes away, and how can pet professionals support owners through this difficult time? Donna Shugart-Bethune, Executive Director of the International Association of Pet Cemeteries and Crematories (IAOPCC), shares the importance of ethical pet aftercare. She discusses the industry’s lack of federal regulation, the role of IAOPCC in setting standards, and why transparency and trust are essential. Donna shares insights on the evolution of pet cremation, the impact of grief, and how professional pet sitters can guide clients in making informed aftercare decisions. This conversation highlights the importance of self-regulation and education in ensuring pet owners receive compassionate, reliable services.
Main Topics:
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The Evolution of Pet Aftercare – How cremation became the dominant choice.
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Self-Regulation in an Unregulated Industry – Why setting ethical standards is crucial.
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Transparency & Trust in Pet Cremation – How IAOPCC ensures accountability.
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Supporting Clients Through Pet Loss – The role of pet sitters in aftercare discussions.
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The Future of Pet Aftercare – Trends in cremation, memorialization, and eco-friendly options.
Main Takeaway: “The biggest factor we have within our industry is trust. It’s so important to know that you can trust the person taking your baby into their care.” – Donna Shugart-Bethune
Losing a pet is heartbreaking, and pet owners deserve to know their beloved companion is treated with dignity and care. In our latest episode, we sit down with Donna Shugart-Bethune of IAOPCC to discuss the importance of transparency, ethical pet cremation, and how pet sitters can support clients through pet loss. Because trust matters—especially in the moments that mean the most. Listen now! #PetAftercare #PetSitterConfessional #TrustMatters
About our guest:
Donna Shugart-Bethune is a part of the Shugart Family operations of Pet Angel Memorial Centers in Atlanta, Georgia. The Shugart Family has been in the pet aftercare industry for more than 53 years. Pet Angel Memorial Centers operates four office locations and two pet cemeteries specializing in pet and equine cremations. Considered one of the nation's premier pet funeral homes, Pet Angel Memorial Center in Atlanta features three counseling rooms, two chapels, and the largest showroom in the nation offering more than 450 memorial products. Offering Same Day Services, Viewings and Visitations, along with superior client care, Pet Angel Memorial Centers has led the way in establishing excellence in pet aftercare.
Donna, who grew up in the Shugart family business, has more than 36 years of experience in the pet aftercare industry. She has served as the Executive Director for the IAOPCC for more than 14 years.
Donna played a crucial role in developing the IAOPCC's online certification programs, which are available today. She also introduced Digital Badging Certification Programs for IAOPCC Members and implemented the Accreditation Mobile App Program, providing worldwide access to Accreditation.
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