Celebrating 20 Years as Ocala's #1 Professional Cat Sitting Service!
Less Stress, More Purrs.
Professional Overview
For more than two decades, Shannon Hendon has been committed to advancing the standards of professional pet care through leadership, education, speaking, professional development, and collaboration within the pet care industry.
As the owner of Ocala Pet Sitting and Co-Founder of Built for Cats, Shannon regularly contributes to the profession through conference presentations, podcasts, leadership roles, published articles, continuing education, and industry initiatives. Her areas of expertise include professional pet sitting, professional cat sitting, feline care, pet business operations, hiring, employee development, client experience, professional training, networking, and business leadership.
🎤 Speaking Engagements
August 2026 - Conference Speaker presenting on professional cat sitting, feline care, pet business profitability, and employee team development | Florida Pet Services Association Summit | Jacksonville, FL
August 2024 - Summit Organizer, Conference Speaker & Panelist presenting on professional pet sitting, feline care, pet sitter mental wellness, and industry collaboration while helping organize Florida's premier conference for professional pet care businesses | Florida Pet Services Association Summit | Naples, FL
August 2023 - Founding Member, Summit Committee Member & Attendee supporting the launch of the Florida Pet Services Association’s first summit, professional pet care education, industry collaboration, and statewide networking for pet business owners | Florida Pet Services Association Summit | Orlando, FL
🎙️ Podcasts & Interviews
May 2026 - Roundtable Guest discussing professional cat sitting, feline behavior, feline enrichment, pet business operations, pricing, staffing, and the growth of the professional cat sitting industry | Episode 703: Cat Sitting Roundtable: A Maturing Industry | Pet Sitter Confessional Podcast
January 2026 - Podcast Guest discussing overcoming fear, entrepreneurship, business growth, leadership, and building a professional cat sitting business | The Pet Business Hiring Podcast with Doug Keeling
March 2025 - Interview Guest discussing professional pet sitting, recognizing client and pet red flags, risk management, safety, and business decision-making | Pet Sitter Stories Ep. 4: Spotting Red Flags as a Pet Sitter with Doug the Dog Guy
November 2024 - Featured as Vice President of the Florida Pet Services Association in a podcast discussing professionalism, industry leadership, pet business networking, conferences, and advancing professional pet care standards | Pet Sitter Confessional Podcast
March 2024 - Podcast Guest discussing professional pet sitting, professional cat sitting, pet business leadership, client experience, networking, and building a sustainable pet care business | Creating a Business to Prioritize Yourself | Pet Sitter Confessional Podcast
September 2023 - Interview Guest discussing professional cat-only pet sitting, feline care standards, minimum daily visit recommendations, and raising professional pet care standards | Doug the Dog Guy Interview | Pet Sitters International Pet Sitter World Conference | Winston-Salem, NC
🤝 Leadership
January 2026 – Present — Co-Founder developing professional education, business training, and resources for professional cat sitters and pet business owners | Built for Cats: The Business of Feline Care
2025 – Present - Vice President leading professional education, statewide networking, webinars, conference planning, and industry advancement | Florida Pet Services Association
August 2026 - Summit Committee Member supporting conference planning, speaker coordination, and professional education | Florida Pet Services Association Summit | Jacksonville, FL
August 2025 - Summit Organizer leading conference planning, sponsor coordination, and educational programming | Florida Pet Services Association Summit | Tampa, FL
August 2023 - Summit Committee Member supporting conference planning and professional networking | Florida Pet Services Association Summit | Orlando, FL
January 2023 - Present - Founder connecting local pet care businesses through education, networking, collaboration, and professional development | Ocala Professional Pet Business Network
📚 Professional Development
June 2026 - Webinar Attendee completing advanced continuing education in feline emergency recognition, behavior, medication safety, travel preparedness, and preventive veterinary care | "When to Act Fast: Emergency Red Flags" with Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior)
September 2025 - Graduate completing advanced training in professional hiring systems, recruiting, and employee management | Pawsitive Hiring Course with Doug Keeling
January–December 2025 - Graduate completing advanced business coaching in marketing, leadership, financial management, and business growth | DogCo Business Mastermind
January–December 2024 - Participant completing advanced coaching in pet business systems, operations, leadership, and marketing | PetBiz University Mastermind with Janie Budnick
September 2023 - Conference Attendee participating in continuing education for professional pet sitting, business operations, marketing, and industry trends | Pet Sitter World Conference | Winston-Salem, NC
July 2022-December 2023 - Mastermind Member participating in advanced coaching focused on business strategy, leadership, mindset, accountability, and professional growth | PetBrainy Mastermind with Shelley Beyers
November 2022-January 2023 - Diamond Member participating in advanced coaching for pet business leadership, marketing, business growth, and entrepreneurship | Pet Business Mastermind with Dominic Hodgson
October 2022 - Seminar Attendee completing advanced education in pet business growth, marketing, client acquisition, and business operations | Grow Your Pet Business FAST Live Seminar with Dominic Hodgson | Orlando, FL
December 2020-Janurary 2021 - Participant completing the 30-Day Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Business Challenge focused on pet business growth, marketing, business strategy, client acquisition, and adapting a professional pet sitting business during the COVID-19 pandemic | Kristin Morrison
📰 Publications & Media Features
December 2025 - Author of "10 Smart Questions to Ask Before You Hire a Pet Sitter," providing professional guidance on selecting a qualified pet sitter, pet care standards, and informed decision-making for pet owners | Life at the Creek Magazine | Stone Creek, Ocala, FL
January 2024 - Featured Business Owner sharing expertise on professional pet sitting, professional cat sitting, entrepreneurship, business leadership, and raising the standards of professional pet care | Voyage Tampa Magazine