Who’ll let the dogs out?

Pet-sitting service does that and more

By JENNIFER THOMAS

Does your family include a cat or dog? If so, you are certainly not alone. Some 63 percent of all U.S. households own a pet, according to a recent survey by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association. In fact, there are approximately 162 million cats and dogs owned, loved and cared for by American families.

Summer is here, and that means vacation time for many families. Animal lovers know how hard it can be to leave a furry friend behind when they travel. Many popular vacation spots now feature accommodations that welcome pets, but let’s face it; there are places you just can’t take them. Fido can’t ride a roller coaster, and Fluffy just doesn’t belong on a cruise ship.

So, what do you do with your beloved pets when you can’t take them with you?  You could call a pet sitter.

Four local animal lovers recently started All Paws and Claws Pet Care Service LLC. Certified veterinary technicians Jessica Carroll of Somers Point and Kim Brown of Egg Harbor City, and Courtney Holmes and Sue Orr, both of Woodbine, met while working together at South Jersey Veterinary Emergency Service in Linwood. Through their work there, the four women found there was a need for the service.

“Many pet owners don’t like to leave their pets at a kennel when they travel because many pets, especially older pets, may become stressed and sometimes even sick when they are in unfamiliar surroundings with other strange animals and people,” said Carroll.

But with a pet sitter, animals can be comfortable in their own homes, she said, and owners can feel confident that their pet is receiving individual, quality care and attention.

She said that pet sitting can be more affordable than many kennels.  All Paws and Claws Pet Care Service fees are based on the number of visits the company pays to your home.

“Some dog owners like their dogs to be walked several times a day,” Carroll said, “while others just need service once per day to walk and feed their pet.” She added that the company even offers overnight in-home service, if that is requested.

Carroll, the owner of a bulldog with hearing loss, said the company’s owners understand that many pets today have special needs. All Paws and Claws offers sitting for dogs and cats with special needs, including those requiring medications prescribed by a doctor, including injections.

The company services most of Cape May and Atlantic counties.

For a free in-home consultation or information call (609) 861-0810.