Pet Sitting & Grooming

Q. If you were a customer, what do you wish you knew about your trade? Any inside secrets to share?

A. If I were a customer, I would want to know if my pet-sitter or groomer could tell if there was something wrong with my pet. Since they can't talk, one needs to notice if there is any problem the pet is having that they are taking care of.Would they call the owner if they thought something was wrong?

Q. What important information should buyers have thought through before seeking you out?

A. Customers should know how far away from me that they live and how many times a day that they would want me to come for a visit and whether or not they prefer someone to spend the night at their house or not.
They need to know that I am easily contacted at any time about their pet while they are away, whether by phone or e-mail.

Q. Why does your work stand out from others who do what you do?

A. I have 20+ years working as a vet tech and therefore know a lot about animals , including how to handle them, recognizing problems, and being able to deal with them. Since I have been a vet technician, working mostly in surgery and with critically ill pets, I can give subcutaneous fluids, get blood from an animal for purposes of giving insulin to those non-regulated animals, give pills (sometimes not easy with a cat) and injections. Lots of veterinarians recommend me for patients with special needs. Plus , the main thing is that I am reliable and trustworthy which is why my clients stick with me once they use me. I keep in touch with them and am not a bit afraid to
call an owner to ask questions or report a problem.

Q. What do you like most about your job?

A. The animals, of course, and working at getting into their world-especially the stand-offish type. My clients that I have now are a blessing because they are all so wonderful and I feel at home in places where I spend the night. Its just so easy for me because I have been drawn to animals and creatures of all kinds ever since I can remember.

Q. What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?

A. I'm not sure what to say- the usual-would I do this or that. Like I'll bathe a dog or trim a cats nails and I take care of the home too. How much do you charge? I have clients ask me to drop by their house at the last minute when they can't make it home in time and things like that which I usually do.

Q. What do you wish customers knew about you or your profession?

A. That with so much experience in the veterinarian business, I have a lot of knowledge about what can be done in certain situations, such as an animal that starts drinking and urinating a lot. How to care for older pets and make their life easier. What to do when your vet can't find the solution to a problem.
One big fact that a lot of people don't know is the worst thing you can do to a pet is board them at a veterinarian clinic!

Q. Tell us about a recent job you did that you are particularly proud of.

A. I was taking care of a diabetic cat that didn't look very well when the owner left. The cat was not eating well and you really shouldn't give insulin to a cat that is not eating. I couldn't give it its insulin a few times since it didn't eat. I finally went to the vet to get some A/D, which is a very rich in nutrient type of can food that a vet would feed to a very sick animal or one that was not eating. THis type of food is great but its something you use when all else fails and you are somewaht at the end of the line of resources to use. I couldn't get hold of the women that owned the cat to explain the problem that I was having. Since I get a lot of phone numbers from people before they leave, I happened to get a hold of her Father, who agreed to pay for blood work for the cat. We found out it was way off of the amount of insulin it was getting and started it on the right dose, the cat started eating and was much fatter and healthier by the time the women returned. She and her dad were so thankful and it was very rewarding to have helped that situation.