NAPPS Network - National Association of Professional Pet Sitters

NAPPS offers its members
many valuable benefits
including:
• A Voice in the Association
• Prestige and Professionalism
• Exposure
• Code of Ethics
• Networking
• Bonding Insurance — discounted rate
• Liability Insurance — discounted rate
• Access to Health Insurance
• 800# Pet Sitter Locator
• Online Pet Sitter Locator
• Website
• Annual Conference & Trade Show
• Quarterly Magazine
• Certification Program
• Ezine
• Virtual Library
• Sample Press Releases and Materials
• Business Forms
• Listserv
• Monthly Mentoring Teleconferences
• Publications & Videos
• Trade Show Support
• Credit Card Processing
• Lexis Nexis Background Screening
• New Member Teleconference
NEW • Complimentary Marketing Consultations
NAPPS is continually looking for ways to improve the
association for its members and the
industry. So look for
more important
member benefits
coming soon!
Table of Contents President’s Message
ASSOCIATION NEWS
NAPPS Member Benefit: Business Center . . . . . ..3
Member Spotlight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4
Get to Know Your Board . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Upcoming Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5
Committee Spotlight: Disaster Preparedness . . . .6
Members in Action . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6
New Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
NAPPS Committees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
Candance Labane-Godfrey, President
The last 18 months have
been quite an exciting time
for NAPPS. I have had the
opportunity to address many
operational items and, in the
process, hopefully have provided some new tools to
help you run a more efficient
and successful business.
INDUSTRY EDUCATION
Insurance Risk Management —
Should I Take the Job? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7
Tips of the Trade . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8
Dos and Dont's in Press Releases . . . . . . . . . . . .9
Recognizing Lyme Disease . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11
Phototherapy:
Using Herbal Medicines in Pet Care . . . . . . . . . .11
New Age Navigation: A Guide to GPS . . . . . . . . .12
Bad Client, No Biscuit:
Dealing with Difficult Clients . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
Handicapped and Happy Pets . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .14
Touching Lives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
NAPPS Network
Mission Statement
NAPPS
The mission of the NAPPS
Network is to provide tools for
members to enhance their
business, help them expand
their knowledge of professional
pet sitting, and communicate
association news and events.
Copyright June 2008. The NAPPS Network is published four times a
year in March, June, September and December by NAPPS
Headquarters: 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C, Mt. Laurel, NJ
08054. Periodical mailing privilege pending at Mt. Laurel, NJ and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: send change of address to the
NAPPS Network c/o NAPPS Headquarters, 15000 Commerce Parkway,
Suite C, Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054. The NAPPS Network is free to National
Association of Professional Pet Sitters, Inc. members. No part of this
publication may be reproduced without written permission of the publisher. Editorial offices: 15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C.
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054.
National Association of
Professional Pet Sitters, Inc.
15000 Commerce Parkway
Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 439-0324
Fax: (856) 439-0525
Email: [email protected]
www.petsitters.org
One of the most INVALUABLE tools you have
available is being a part of NAPPS and participating in NAPPS’ committees. Your participation
can be proof to your new and established client
base about your commitment to education and
community services. Other benefits can include
learning new ideas and techniques, exchanging
helpful information, as well as teaching others
from your own learned experiences. You can also
develop a sense of pride and often, a feeling of
“community” in a business where there usually
is no “office environment” to be able to easily
discuss ideas or situations with coworkers.
In the course of conversations with your clients,
you can share your experiences about your special commitments that may be helpful to their
pet welfare. You also have the opportunity to
share this information in local press releases, on
your brochures, flyers, your Web site, and any or
all of your advertisements. Additionally, these
opportunities add even more weight to your own
PROFESSIONAL validation!
In as little as one hour of committee participation
a month (12 hours a year), many useful and
needed member projects have been born, and
resulting benefits have been established.
Through these grassroots efforts, we will continue to improve our own business visibility, the
interest and education of our clients, and the
welfare of all pets.
Would you like to assist children and young
adults about the care and training of their pet
families? The School Program Subcommittee is
currently developing teaching materials about
this program for various age levels. To get
involved, you can go the “Member Center” at the
NAPPS Web site and sign up now!
The NAPPS Member Benefits Committee has
created programs to streamline the daily operations of your own business. This is a “virtual”
library containing a wealth of accumulated information. There are many tools currently available
and, many more yet to come... Join us to
become a part of the change.
Although NAPPS membership is rising, the
Membership Committee continues to develop
new strategies to stimulate membership growth
and retention. All interested members are
encouraged to join this committee and add their
input to the growing strength of the only national
nonprofit U.S. trade association for individuals
with pet sitting businesses.
The Disaster Preparedness Subcommittee has
developed, and continues to upgrade, an already
award winning program. This is an excellent way
to assist your clients and your community with
an effective plan to deal with disaster planning
for pets. See page 6 for more information.
Do you have an interest in any existing or needed pet legislation on the docket in your state?
The Legislative Subcommittee is a community
where you can exchange ideas, help pursue pet
legislative change, or simply monitor current legislative news.
NAPPS Chat is the place we go when we need
advice, sympathy, or just a place to vent...an
hour a month is all it takes for this networking
opportunity and, quite possibly, answers to many
questions.
All of these programs are an integral part of
being a NAPPS member. Enjoy them at no extra
charge. This is what being a NAPPS member is
all about.
As always, NAPPS will continue to work to provide you with tools and opportunities to be more
successful in your pet sitting endeavors, as well
as continuing to promote the welfare of the vast
pet population.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Continued success,
Are you interested in assisting pet shelters and
pet rescue groups in your own community? The
NAPPS Presents 4 Pets Subcommittee is waiting to hear from you.
Candance Labane-Godfrey
President
The NAPPS Network • 1
NAPPS 2008 Board of Directors
Membership Services
President
Candance Labane-Godfrey
Precious Pets In Home Services
E-mail: [email protected]
NAPPS Headquarters
Past-President
Jerry Wentz
Homesitters of Raleigh
E-mail: [email protected]
President-Elect
Monica Leighton
Professional Pet Sitting
E-mail: [email protected]
Secretary
John D’Ariano
A Pet Sitter Plus
E-mail: [email protected]
Treasurer
Vickie L. Reason
Happy Tails Pet Services
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Linda Norton
Precious Pets
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Kathleen Luxton
Ranch Pet and House Sitting
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Susan Reid
Reid's Pet Sitting Service
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Joette White
Park Cities Pet Sitter, Inc
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Jennifer Haralson
A Pause for Paws, Inc.
E-mail: [email protected]
Director
Nancy Stevens
Ark Angels Pet Care
E-mail: [email protected]
Add Extra Income
to Your
Existing Business
www.hpnbiz.com
The NAPPS Network • 2
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
Phone: (856) 439-0324
Fax: (856) 439-0525
E-mail: [email protected]
www.petsitters.org
Felicia Lembesis
Executive Director
Robin Geary
Meeting and Exhibits Manager
Cathe Delaney
Membership Services Manager
Business Insurers of the Carolinas
PO Box 2536
Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2536
Phone: (800) 962-4611 ext. 224
www.petsitterinsurance.com
For Dishonesty Bond and/or
General Liability Insurance
The National Group
Insurance Exchange
3210 Doolittle Dr.
Northbrook, IL 60062
Phone: (800) 955-0418
Fax: (847) 559-9499
Email: [email protected]
www.wwins.com
Contact: Alan Leafman
For Dental and Health Insurance
For pet sitting questions contact:
• Any board member
• NAPPS’ Web site: www.petsitters.org
NAPPS Network Staff
Coordinating Editor
Heidi Zengel
Contributing Writer/Staff Writer
Erik Caplan
Art Director/Designer/Illustrator
Justin Fennelly
NAPPS Network is published quarterly by the National
Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), a nonprofit
organization, and is available through membership subscription.
No portion of the magazine may be reprinted without the written consent of the National Association of Professional Pet
Sitters. The letters and advertisements contained in this magazine do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the association.
NAPPS is not liable for validity or correctness of any claim,
express or implied, made in advertisements or writings of this
magazine.
PLEASE SEND ALL LETTERS TO
THE EDITOR:
Heidi Zengel
15000 Commerce Parkway, Suite C
Mt. Laurel, NJ 08054
E-mail: [email protected]
Letters should include your name, address, and
daytime telephone number. Letters may be edited for length or clarity. Submissions may be
mailed or emailed as a word document.
Letters To The Editor
I opened my business two months ago and joined both NAPPS and PSI.
It is RIDICULOUS the difference between the two.
PSI only cares about one thing – making money for PSI. They offer NOTHING but a listing on their Web site.
They show no interest in helping my business.
NAPPS offers me online teleconferencing (which I have found immensely helpful), great content in emails
and magazine and a sincere interest in helping my business to succeed. Not to mention the Web site is
CHOCK FULL of help in the way of forms and resources.
As a Cherry Hill girl, it doesn’t surprise me your headquarters are in Mt. Laurel.
I just have to comment on how much more NAPPS has offered me and how much I appreciate it. Truly a
valuable resource, well worth the membership fee.
Constance McNelis
Connie’s Elite Pet Care
NAPPS
Member
Benefit
r
e
t
n
e
C
s
s
e
n
i
s
Bu
NAPPS offers its members many outstanding benefits to help them conduct
their businesses in a professional way. One of these benefits, the NAPPS
Business Center, included in the Member Center, is an excellent means to
help NAPPS’ members build or grow their businesses.
In the Business Center you, the NAPPS member, will find a step-by-step
guide to help you succeed in growing or maintaining your business with a
number of tools:
• Business Plan – guides you through the building of your business.
• Price Theory Guide – helps you to determine pricing for
profitability.
• Pet Sitting 101 – assists you with office set-up, sales, and marketing.
• Public Relations Essentials and Sample Press Releases – supports
your marketing efforts.
• Business Tools – provides you with an extensive library of downloadable business forms to customize to your business needs and
additional information on insurance, background checks, credit card
processing, and the NAPPS logo to include on all your business
materials.
Check out the Business and Member Centers for the many tools and
programs that NAPPS offers its members to set them apart from the
competition! n
The NAPPS Network • 3
Doug Harris,
Luv Pup Pet Sitting
In CELEBRATION
of Our Members
Reminder!
The NAPPS Membership
Committee would like to celebrate
our members and say “Thank You”
again this year!
How long have you been a pet sitter?
Going on five years, started as a hobby
business.
What inspired you to choose
pet sitting as a career?
Lost my job plus I was close to retirement and
we have been breeding Cavalier King Charles
Spaniels for 14 years, so as you can see we
love pets. We show our dogs and
do agility training with them.
What is the most rewarding aspect
of pet sitting?
It is like therapy being with the animals, I just
love taking them for walks and teaching them
tricks when the weather is too bad to walk
them. I also do basic dog training and it is very
rewarding to meet a new puppy and train it
and watch it grow up to be a super companion
pet.
What is the most challenging?
When a client is not honest with you about
their pets. I think I'm pretty good about my
interviews and can tell about the temperment
with their pets, but I have been attacked and
bitten and all because the client was not totally
honest with me.
How long have you been a photographer
and how did you get your start?
Well I don't claim to be a photographer, but it
all started when I got my first camera at about
11 years old and I have been taking pictures
ever since. Plus I sold and serviced industrial
photographic processing and printing equipment since 1969 and still have a few clients
that call me for help.
The NAPPS Network • 4
One of Harris’ award-winning photographs.
What are some of your favorite things to
photograph?
Well I like to take pictures of everything, but
my favorite are in this order, companion pets,
candid, sports cars at race tracks; my other
hobby is racing a classic 1971 Porsche 911.
How has NAPPS influenced your business?
Well my business is still growing and I need
support from a well informed source and
NAPPS is it. I now have my wife and one other
person working with me and things are really
looking up. Do not let anyone kid you, there is
a big market out there and it is continuing to
grow. Just think with the gas going up, there
will be prospects that will opt not to come
home for lunch to let their pets out so this just
makes one more opportunity for the professional pet sitter business to grow. So you can
turn a negative into an opportunity for your
business. n
If you have renewed, or will be
renewing, your NAPPS membership dues during 2008 (Jan. 1 –
Dec. 31) you will be entered in a
drawing to win one of the following:
• First Prize – Complimentary
trip to the 2009 Annual
NAPPS Conference, inclusive
of registration, lodging, and
transportation
• Second Prize – Complimentary
registration and lodging at the
2009 Annual NAPPS
Conference
• Third Prize – Complimentary
registration for the 2009
Annual NAPPS Conference.
This could be you!
Last year’s winner, Deborah
Cockrell-Cuchemin of Life’s Little
Details was just paying her membership and she says, “I was highly
rewarded with a trip to the annual
conference of NAPPS in Orlando,
Fla. I was completely stunned! At
one point, I didn't believe it when I
received the email from Cathe
Delaney. It was a great opportunity
to get to know the directors and
network with other businesses in
the same industry.”
Get to Know Your Board
Monica Leighton
Monica worked for eight years as a hospital
manager of a local veterinary clinic. In 2003,
she started Professional Pet Sitting in Venice,
Fla. as a one-person operation. She quickly had
to hire two independent contractors. Today, the
business has a staff of nine.
Professional Pet Sitting won the Venice
Chamber of Commerce 2005 Small Business of
the Year Award. The company provides pet sitting and care services, has therapy and search
and rescue dogs, and works with local humane
societies. Leighton was the first known pet sitter to devise a client hurricane plan and develop emergency awareness literature for pet
owners. (see the Committee Spotlight on page
6)
She was a driving force behind the creation of
local pet-friendly emergency shelters. She cir-
culated petitions at businesses and encouraged
others to collect signatures. She ran a media
campaign – placing ads and appearing on local
radio and in newspapers. Leighton enlisted veterinary technicians, veterinarians, and local pet
professionals to volunteer to staff the shelters
and collect needed supplies. Once the shelters
were approved, three were soon opened as a
result of her business plan. Today, there are
permanent shelters throughout Sarasota
County. Leighton is a regular on the local weekly radio show, The Doggy Diva, providing pet
tips and answering questions on veterinary, pet
sitting, grooming, and hurricane issues.
Kathy Luxton
Kathy has turned her retirement to Florida into
a successful pet sitting operation. In late 2003,
she started Ranch Pet and House Sitting, turn-
ing a life long love of animals into a thriving
business. Today the company has more than
135 customers and five independent contractors in its employ.
After joining NAPPS, Luxton volunteered for the
Members Benefit Committee and, ultimately,
became its chair. She was integral in the
launching of the Members Resource Library
and inclusion of sample business forms on the
NAPPS Web site. Currently, she is leading the
committee spearheading a comprehensive revision of the NAPPS certification program.
Prior to retiring, Luxton spent more than 20
years in human resources at Verizon, where
she was responsible for everything from hiring
to mergers to benefits. She has lived and
worked in Washington, D.C., Pennsylvania,
California, and Maryland (where she volunteered at a local humane society). n
UPCOMING EVENTS:
August 2-4, 2008
American Equestrian Trade Association
Baltimore, MD
November 8-9, 2008
Long Island Pet Expo
Hempstead, NY
September 9-11, 2008
SuperZoo West 2008
Mandalay Bay Convention Center - Las Vegas
November 22-23, 2008
PET EXPO
The Meadowlands Expo Center
Secaucus, NJ
September 11-14, 2008
Groom Expo
Hershey, PA
October 3-5, 2008
42nd Annual Pet Industry Christmas Trade Show
and Educational Conference
Rosemont, IL
October 15-19, 2008
Wild West Veterinary Conference
Reno, NV
October 28-30, 2008
ABKA Pet Services Convention and Expo
Pittsburgh, PA
The NAPPS Network • 5
Disaster Preparedness
At this time of the year when natural disasters
such as hurricanes, tornadoes, as well as wild
fires are in the news, the NAPPS Disaster
Preparedness Committee would like to remind
our members about the online Disaster
Preparedness (DP) guides, and the new DP
quick reference flyer (shown at right). This flyer
includes a new pet guardian wallet-sized card
for emergency contact information. Members
will also be able to download a wallet-sized
card for their use as a professional pet sitter to
carry information at all times regarding their
own pets, emergency contact information, and
any other critical pet support needs. Members
can download a copy of the in-depth emer-
gency procedures in the Disaster Preparedness
Guides along with the new DP quick reference
flyer from the member center of the NAPPS
Web site at petsitters.org.
NAPPS encourages all members to advise their
clients about the Disaster Preparedness Guide
for pet owners and the new DP quick reference flyer for consumers which can be
accessed from the home page of the NAPPS
Web site. Your clients and other emergency
management organizations will appreciate the
value of the services that you can provide as a
result of your membership with NAPPS. n
Members in Action:
How One Presents 4 Pets Participant Made a Big Difference
The first thing we did was make connections
with our local Chipotle and PetCo promotion
managers. We told them what we were doing
and asked them if they would like to help.
Chipotle gave us one day to have people come
in and donate a pet supply; in return they
would offer a free menu item. PetCo allowed us
to put bins in several locations. We thought it
would be a great idea to make dog houses out
of cardboard. It was very eye-catching! We had
news coverage from NBC and CBS on Presents
4 Pets collection drive.
Dogs On The Run also had a dog wash to raise
money for our local shelters and rescue
groups. We earned 50 percent of all funds
received and gave 50 percent to Dunk N’ Dog
The NAPPS Network • 6
SENT
E
R
4
S
Dogs On The Run thought it would be a wonderful idea to join the Presents 4 Pets committee. We wanted to help pets in our local community and knew that our clients as well as the
public could get involved with this campaign. It
would not only be amazing for the pets in need,
but also an excellent opportunity for people to
know who we are and what we do.
P
By: April Cook
PE TS
(do it yourself dog wash). We raised $400 cash!
It was a huge success. I think we washed more
than 50 dogs and also had a raffle, which consisted of items we had donated.
Local pet stores like Dexter’s Deli, sold items at
wholesale for our cause. These items were
Kongs, beds, food, and more. They loved what
we were doing and gave us a lot of support. Vet
offices and groomers also gave us the opportunity to put bins in their locations.
We collected more than $6,000 of pet supplies.
Then, out of nowhere, San Diego encountered a
tragedy. We had fires all over the county. Many
people were evacuated and lost their homes.
Dogs On The Run was contacted by Red Cross
and asked to go to the local shelters and offer
professional advice and assistance to families
with pets. We loaded up 75 percent of our supplies and took them to the shelters. Many of
the families cried when they saw us. We were
called “pet angels.” Several people left their
house in such a hurry they forgot leashes, collars, bowls, food, and beds. Dogs On The Run
was able to provide a comfort not only to the
pets, but also the pet owners.
The gratitude we received was priceless and
worth all the efforts! n
Insurance Risk Management —Should I Take the Job?
David Pearsall, CIC
Business Insurers of the Carolinas
Throughout the years, we have received hundreds of calls from sitters asking whether or
not they should accept a particular job. Many of
them have some of the same characteristics: a
dog that has been known to bite in the past, a
client who also has a neighbor who will have
access to the house, a prospective client who
seems shady and/or demanding, or a sick pet
that may not make it another night. Most sitters
who have been in business for a while have
encountered at least one of these types in his
or her career. Therefore, I would like to give you
some real life claims examples and give you
some food for thought going forward.
1) Pet sitter did not feel comfortable taking
on the job where a cat required insulin
shots. Client reassured the sitter that it would
be fine as their cat was used to the shots. They
went on to explain how easy it was to administer. Sitter took the job and proceeded to give
the cat the insulin, but unfortunately exceeded
the correct dosage amount. The cat became
very sick and was taken to the vet for medical
attention. Total paid $2,150.
2) Pet sitter was reluctant to take on a job
where the client had a doggy door. This
doggy door gave the dog access to come and
go as he pleased inside and outside of the
house, but not outside the fenced-in yard.
Against her better judgment, the pet sitter took
the job. When she arrived at the house, she
proceeded to open the gate to the fence.
Unfortunately the dog ran past her into the
street and was hit by a car, as it had been waiting inside the gate unbeknownst to the sitter.
Total paid $1,230.
3) Pet sitter was told to only come in the
morning because the teenage child was to
take care of the pet in the evening. The pet
sitter did not like this situation because she
was worried that if something happened, she
would be blamed for it. Sitter arrived, took care
of dog, put him in his crate and left the house.
Later that night, she got a call from the client
stating that when their child got home the dog
was not in the crate and had destroyed the carpet in the living room. Sitter was sure she had
locked the crate but could not be 100 percent.
She did not want to lay blame on the child
because the clients were already very upset.
Total paid $980.
“Although the prospect of the
potential client may appear bright,
always be sure to consider both the
direct and indirect effects of dealing
with the consequences of a claim.”
The NAPPS Network • 7
4) Pet sitter was contracted to pet sit a dog
that had many health problems and
required a lot of attention and medication.
Pet sitter did not feel comfortable about this job
because she realized by speaking with them
that if the dog did die from old age or illness
that they would be devastated and they could
try and blame her. After much thought, the pet
sitter decided to take the job anyway because
the dog was very precious. As instructed, she
gave the dog his medicine and watched his
every move. When she arrived at the home the
next day the dog had passed away. The owners
were very upset with the pet sitter because
they felt that the sitter must have either not
given the dog his medication or should have
noticed something was wrong and taken him to
the vet. The pet sitter was devastated and her
heart went out to the client, but she could not
understand why she was the target of their
grief. Claim was filed, but nothing was paid as
adjuster determined there was no negligence
on behalf of the sitter.
5) Pet sitter met with prospective client and
felt the client was a bit demanding and
seemed to be suspicious. The sitter took on
the job and was instructed to walk the dog
once a day in the nearby park. Pet sitter had
asked the client if there was anything that she
should know about the dog, such as what he
likes or dislikes and if he was well-behaved
around other dogs. Client stated he loved going
on his walk and everything should be fine.
Sitter arrived the next day for the walk.
Everything started out fine until a pedestrian in
the park attempted to pass them with their
dog. The client’s dog completely lost it and
before the pet sitter could get control and tighten the leash, he jumped on the passing dog
and hurt him severely. The dog was taken to
the vet and treated for injuries. Claim was
reported and during the claims process the
client stated to the adjuster that they had told
the pet sitter to make sure when she walked
the dog to stay clear of other dogs because
their dog does not play well with others. Pet
T i p s
O f
T h e
I also have a motto that says, not just a pet sitter, but a member of the family.
Submitted by: Patty Scholl, Prima Donna Pets Plus
I put all local vet phone numbers in my cell phone address book so they are readily handy. I
also put in all local, non-emergency, contact numbers for police stations in the areas I serve.
Submitted by: Linda Norton, Precious Pets
If you are sitting for a pet that is used to kids running around or someone in the house most of
the day, suggest that that owner leave either a radio or TV on for background noise while they
are gone.
I have suggested this to some of my clients and they say, “Wow, what a great idea! I didn’t
think of that.”
Submitted by: Amy Thompson, Pet Sitting At Its Best
For flea protection, I mix Critter Oil and water in a spray bottle. I spray my legs and shoes. I
also spray it on my dogs before we go for a walk or to the park. It keeps them from picking up
hitchhikers of all kinds. Living in Florida, fleas are a year-round business.
Submitted by: Suzanne Golden, Calling All Dogs, Inc
The NAPPS Network • 8
Based on these examples and the many, many
others we have incurred throughout the years,
it is our recommendation that if you don’t feel
comfortable with a particular job for one reason
or another, thank the prospect for the opportunity and move on to the next one. If you
absolutely feel the need to take the job,
address your concerns upfront with the client. If
the client refuses to listen and take your concerns into consideration, walk away. Although
the prospect of the potential client may appear
bright, always be sure to consider both the
direct and indirect effects of dealing with the
consequences of a claim. In the end, we think
you’ll agree with the sitters in the claims
above, it just isn’t worth it. n
Tr a d e
Not only do I send my customers a sympathy card for their pet who dies, I also have them
choose which organization they would like me to send a donation to in their pet’s name. When
I work on a holiday such as St. Patty’s day, I leave them a card and a carnation to celebrate
the day, or if it’s Easter, a small plant or tulips. You can write these items off as a business
expense as well.
Also, Critter Oil is 100 percent uncut herbal oils, which critters don’t like.
Mosquitos don’t like it either.
sitter was devastated because she was not told
any of this information and felt she had been
betrayed. Total paid $3,100.
Calling all pet sitters!
Have some favorite tips of the
trade you’d like to share?
Send in your helpful hints to
[email protected] and they
will be posted in the library as
well as included in the next
issue of NAPPS Network!
Good media coverage can help to differentiate
your business from the competition and hence
the resulting increase in clients. Once you have
identified stories regarding major news within
your industry or organization, you will want to
make your own announcements. Follow these
powerful guidelines to can increase your
chances of getting the right press coverage.
You should ALWAYS…
• Produce your press release on letterhead
with the standard company logo at the
top or clearly indicate your company’s
information in the boilerplate (ending
paragraph) of the release.
• Put the date on the press release. If it’s
for immediate release, say so, otherwise
put “Embargoed for Release” and indicate
the date.
• Include a contact name of someone who
will be available for further comment and
who also has good knowledge about the
story. This will allow journalists to follow
up and personalize their stories. It should
include the person’s phone number and
email address, if possible.
• Include your company’s standard ‘boilerplate’ on all material sent to the press. A
boilerplate is a description of the company and its activities presented in one or
two paragraphs.
• Target your story – Since the basic idea
behind good media coverage is selling
your story, make sure you send the press
release to the most appropriate journalists only. Sending press releases to journalists who have no interest in the subject will only reduce your chances of getting their attention for another occasion.
• Always check and double check spelling
and grammar!
• Less is more – Don’t get fancy with the
paper, emails, letterhead, pictures, etc.
Simple is best!
• Keep the release short and punchy. The
first paragraph should include only two or
three sentences summarizing the whole
story with the add-on details only coming
later on the page. Try to keep the content
of the releases to one page if possible, or
two at the most.
• Keep a checklist to ensure that you have
Follow these
powerful guidelines
to increase your
chances of getting the
right press coverage.
The NAPPS Network • 9
not left out any detail in the story. The
simple checklist must comprise of the
questions: Who, What, Where, When, and
How, which you must ask yourself to
make sure that the press releases contain the answers to the same.
You should NEVER...
• Send out meaningless releases that
have no news value. Doing so can run
the risk of important stories being overlooked in the future as the journalist
automatically spikes your releases.
• Take it personally if a journalist doesn’t
cover your story.
• Become upset when a journalist phones
for further comment. Remember that
journalists are often cynical (it comes of
hearing hype from our competition) and
usually working on a deadline. Hence,
by giving him/her valuable information
you will be able to eventually change
their attitude and win their respect.
• Talk ‘off the record’ – Since journalists
are always competing with each other to
get a scoop, remember that the only
safe way to talk to journalists is to
assume that everything you say may
appear in print.
• Use inappropriate language – While
making a press release, there are two
important things to remember regarding
the usage of language
o Never use jargon - Jargon gets in
the way and may not be well
understood.
o Never use strong language - Strong
language looks terrible in print!
• Forget to get written approval from the
third party (if any)- The consequences of
failing to get written approval from any
third party mentioned in your release
such as customers, suppliers, etc., could
be very unpleasant.
Press Release Checklist
4 Company letterhead or logo, name,
address, phone number, Web address
4 Contact person’s name and best way to
4 Immediate Release or Release Date (all
reach him/her
4 Headline or title (bold face, bigger font)
4 BODY-Date/City-who, what, when,
caps, bold)
4 Catchy Text
4 Sum it up...
4 Company boilerplate n
where, why, and how.
The NAPPS Network • 10
See How This NAPPS Business
Builds Its Public Image
Sue Reid, Reid’s Pet Sitting Service
Participating in local events is one of the best ways to get your company
name out there, and the events you choose will tell folks, in a subtle way,
what you’re all about.
This April was my third year sponsoring a team and participating in the
“Relay 4 Life” event that the American Cancer Society holds. We have a
booth and I display literature about cancer in our pets as well as my brochures
and business cards. I give away inexpensive pink ribbon items with my name
on them and usually hold some sort of raffle, so that my company name is
announced over the loudspeaker all weekend.
Not only am I doing something great for my fellow man, but I also put my
name out there as someone who cares. Next time a potential client is looking
for a sitter, and they see my name listed in the Yellow Pages, they will stop
and think “Oh yeah, Reid’s Pet Sitting was at the event.”
I always try to participate in the local pet related events, such as the SPCA
dog walks, the AKC Responsible Dog Owner event, local fundraisers, and the
best event is Presents 4 Pets! You can donate gift certificates for a free visit,
etc., as door prizes or have an informational booth. I spent $35 at Staples and
got a large vinyl banner that works great!
The single most effective way to advertise for FREE is to keep sending press
releases – two or three times a year to the local paper to mark milestones such
as: conference participation, event participation, business anniversary,
Presents 4 Pets drive – anything that will warrant a release! I usually add 2030+ new clients every time I do this, and I tell you that people hang on to
those stories for months until they need a sitter!
Don’t be shy, send out those press releases! You can find some great samples
on our Web site’s Member Center (www.petsitters.org) that you can tweak to
fit your needs!
Recognizing Lyme Disease
By Erik Caplan
Lyme disease as a condition was only identified
in the past 30 or so years—formerly, it was
often misdiagnosed as Rheumatoid Arthritis
(RA). In 1975, when there were an unusually
high number of cases of RA diagnosed in children in Lyme, CT., further research was carried
out, and a discrete condition was identified. The
resultant condition was named “Lyme disease.”
The disease is caused by a bacterium called a
spirochete. In the United States, the actual
name of the bacterium is Borrelia burgdorferi.
In Europe, another bacterium, Borrelia afzelii,
also causes Lyme disease. Certain ticks found
on deer harbor the bacterium in their stomachs. Lyme disease is spread by these ticks
when they bite the skin, which permits the
bacterium to infect the body. Lyme disease is
not contagious from an infected animal to
another. The disease can cause abnormalities
in the skin, joints, heart, and nervous system.
At least three known types of ticks can carry
the bacteria causing Lyme disease in dogs, but,
by far, the majority of ticks carrying the bacteria are deer ticks, also called the Black-Legged
Tick. A deer tick bite, therefore, has a relatively
high likelihood of transmitting the bacteria
causing Lyme disease.
Canine Lyme disease is prevalent in the
Northeastern states from Maine to Maryland, as
well as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Oregon, and
Northern California. It is also found in most
parts of Australia, particularly bush and country
areas, as well as in parts of Europe, China, and
Japan.
Symptoms to Look for in
Cats
Cats may show lameness, fever, loss of
appetite, fatigue, eye damage, unusual breathing, or heart involvement. Many cats do not
show noticeable symptoms, despite being
infected.
Symptoms to Look for in
Dogs
Infected dogs may be lethargic, have a
poor/loss of appetite or a fever. Dogs may also
experience lameness shifting from one joint to
another, fatigue, kidney damage or failure,
heart disorders, or neurologic involvement (e.g.
aggression, confusion, overeating, seizures).
Dogs can be infected with the Lyme bacterium
but not exhibit any noticeable symptoms. Dogs
appear to have the same expression of disease
as humans, therefore, humans have been considered an animal model for dogs.
Treatment generally consists of a course of
antibiotics, taken orally.
Needless to say, preventing tick bites is the
obvious key to preventing Lyme disease. n
Phytotherapy: Using Herbal Medicines in Pet Care
By Erik Caplan
Herbal medicine, or phytotherapy, is based
upon the use of medicinal plants to help aid
healing and treat health problems. According to
practitioners, plants form an integral and vital
part of the ecosystem—maintaining the atmosphere, supplying a source of food, heat and
building materials, and providing an important
means of natural healing. For these reasons,
they claim using plant-based medicines to
maintain health and well-being is logical. In
fact, approximately 85 percent of the world’s
population still relies on plant-based remedies
as a primary source of medicine. And, of
course, when humans treat themselves with a
form of medicine, it’s only a matter of time
before they treat their pets with the same
things.
Any pet owner knows, given the opportunity,
cats and dogs will seek out and eat wild plants
such as garlic, dandelion, and nettles, amongst
many others. Of course, there are varying theories about the reasons the animals choose
these plants, but it is possible they are choosing them for medicinal purposes.
The use of herbal medicines in the treatment of
animals is certainly not a new idea. They were
once widely prescribed by vets, but few, if any,
remain in regular use today. However, herbal
remedies and a good diet can produce excellent benefits in maintaining the good health and
well-being of pets.
Many of the modern pharmaceutical drugs are
actually compounds considered to be the active
principles in herbs. Herbalists, however, contend the pharmaceutical derivatives and the
whole plant of their derivation are not the same
due to the unique and complex properties of
the original natural substance. As in many situations, the whole is more than the sum of (or
one of) its parts, due to synergisms occurring
both within the plant and within the body.
Herbal medicines are generally seen as a safe
way of dealing with many common problems in
cats and dogs and can be given alongside conventional medicine. Since plants represent such
a complex mix of compounds, it is hardly surprising to find most herbs have several uses.
The real art of using herbal remedies lies in
understanding the actions and effects of individual herbs and in being prepared to consider
a more natural approach to health.
It can be difficult to find fresh herbs, and fresh
herbs often are not the most pleasant tasting to
the animal. Herb combination products have
been developed for certain syndromes and are
distributed as tablets and capsules. They can
be obtained from many of the herbal companies and are generally classified as Western
Herbs or Chinese Herbs. Chinese herbal combinations have been around for thousands of
years and have a long track record.
So, what kinds of pet care issues are
addressed by herbal medicine? Well, a quick
look around reveals puppy and kitten health
aids: a chamomile-based powder for soothing
the sore gums of a teething puppy or kitten; a
skullcap-based liquid for calming down overanxious dogs; a tea-tree oil for eliminating fungal infections; and a fiber-and-aloe solution to
hairballs in cats.
In short, there appears to be an herbal treatment for nearly every malady in the animal
kingdom, and there is plenty of evidence to
indicate these treatments are both safe and
effective. n
The NAPPS Network • 11
New Age Navigation: A Guide to GPS
By Erik Caplan
In times past, there was something of an art to driving directions. Some people just knew the best landmarks, always remembered street names and
kept track of the number of blocks between the highway exit and the right little shortcut street. And there was always one friend everyone wanted to
act as the navigator or co-pilot when headed out on a car trip to parts unknown—that one person with the mystical ability to look around, sniff the air
and get “un-lost.” Wouldn’t it be great to have someone like that around for every trip?
Of course, knowing the best way to accurately arrive at a location becomes a rather serious concern when it is part of one’s business, and, naturally,
it’s not always feasible to bring a navigationally gifted person along to every job. This is where portable navigation systems, also known as Global
Positioning Systems (GPS), come into play.
Using satellite technology to provide up-to-the-minute mapping abilities, these systems are compact, simple to use and can help you get from point A
to point B with audible driving directions, color maps, points of interest, and much more. While once a novelty tech toy for early adopters and gadget
hounds, GPS devices have gained in popularity, and the market is now flooded with them. On the plus side, some of them are downright affordable
and can be tax deductible as a business expense.
Generally speaking, most GPS devices tend to function in a similar manner—program in the addresses of the starting and ending points, and they’ll
tell you exactly where to go while showing a map of the route in the process. Most systems allow for the programming of multiple destinations and
will also provide alternate routes if traffic is heavy.
Garmin Nuvi 660
They’re costly, but if you can swing it, the
Garmin Nuvi 660 delivers a solid-performing
and versatile GPS device with navigation basics,
tools for the world traveler, Bluetooth and more.
If the Nuvi 660 is too much for you, Garmin
offers other models in the Nuvi series with the
same level of performance. • $289-$699.99
HP iPaq rx5900
Travel Companion
Movers and shakers will like the HP iPaq rx5900
Travel Companion. This device delivers a sleek,
all-in-one solution that can keep you on track
throughout your travels as well as provide a
place for your schedule. This PDA-GPS combo is
one of the sleekest. • $599
Mio C520 Navigation Receiver
(left)
The Mio C520 provides a strong GPS device
with advanced navigation features, a large
screen and other extras for an affordable price.
It can even be used as a video player. Excellent
value. • $230-$399.99
TomTom GO 720 (right)
Portable navigation systems are a dime a dozen
these days, but the sleek TomTom GO 720 differentiates itself with a new Map Share community tool, which gives access to constant map
updates and a useful safety option in case of an
emergency. • $293.95-$499.99
The NAPPS Network • 12
Magellan Maestro 4250
The Magellan Maestro 4250 is one of the first
portable navigation systems with a voice command feature. While the ability to operate the
GPS device with the sound of your voice is cool,
the accuracy and solid performance of this midlevel system is also impressive.
$289.95-$499.99
Bad Client, No Biscuit: Dealing with Difficult Clients
By Kristin Morrison, San Rafael, CA
One of the biggest business epiphanies I’ve
had happened a few years ago and completely
changed my life. Let me share it with you…
I’d had a challenging phone interaction with a
person who was the poster child for being a
bad client. She was demanding, nit-picky with
my staff, cheap, (she had a huge fit each time I
raised my prices) and was generally unhappy
about the service we provided, no matter how
much we bent over backward to help her. This
challenging phone conversation with her was
one of the many I’d had throughout the years
and like all the others, it left me feeling socked
in the stomach and depleted for hours afterward. I realized that nothing we could do would
make her happy and that left me feeling very
confused about what to do next.
Before I became a pet sitter and a business
coach for pet sitters, I worked in the restaurant
business where the old adage is, “The customer is always right.”
This adage has served me well in my pet sitting business because it’s helped me cultivate
stellar customer service and instilled in me loving kindness toward my clients even when I’m
grouchy and don’t feel like being loving and
kind. My clients’ well-being is very important to
me as is my commitment to providing them
with the best pet sitting and dog walking service that I possibly can.
However, after having this phone interaction
with this bad client, I realized that 5 percent of
my energy was going to 95 percent of my
‘well-behaved’ clients and 95 percent of my
energy was going to the 5 percent of really difficult, demanding, and nit-picky bad clients.
Let that statement really sink in and see how
that percentage applies to your business.
That epiphany changed the way I looked at my
clients.
With this lightning bolt of awareness, came the
realization that I could actually do something
about the quality of my business relationships.
Here I was simply accepting that bad clients
were something every business must deal with
and even cater to, but what if this way of thinking was untrue?
Because dealing with the handful of difficult
clients was taking up so much of my time and
energy (and even causing me to spend less
time with the majority of clients who were easy
to work with) I decided to do some spring
cleaning of my client list and let the bad clients
go.
Here’s what I did and how I did it:
1. Recognizing Problem Clients
I looked at my client list with honest eyes and
wrote down who the difficult clients were. As I
wrote down the difficult client names I would
find myself rationalizing: “Well, this one isn’t so
bad, they pay us $____ a month and the work
really isn’t that hard.” I had to keep bringing
myself back to “Does having interactions with
this client deplete me and cause me a lot of
stress?” If so, they went on the list, despite my
money rationalizations.
2. Assessing the Value
of Good Clients
After writing down the difficult client names,
then I examined whether the money they were
paying us was worth the stress they were
causing to me and my staff. Have you heard
the term ‘golden handcuffs’? This term applies
to what having a well-paying, difficult client is
like. I had to look at how much having peace in
my business was worth and if I was ready to
truly let difficult clients go. I also realized that I
wanted – and was committed to – 100 percent
of my client base to be clients I enjoyed caring
for and working with.
3. Taking Action
with Confidence
Once I decided that having a peaceful business
and harmonious client relationships was worth
more to me than all the money in the world, I
was ready to take action. I began to realize that
I was spending a lot of money on self-care
(massages, etc.) because I needed to reward
myself after feeling emotionally beat-up by certain bad clients. So here I was actually spending the money that I’d made from them to take
care of myself because of my depleting interactions with them!
I began the process of calling the difficult
clients and letting them know that we were no
longer able to provide service for them. When
they asked why, I said I didn’t think our service
was a fit for what they were looking for.
Some clients got angry that we were ‘firing’
them. I stayed strong in the occasional emotional outburst from these clients because I’d
come to the firm resolution that having a
peaceful business was priceless. Also I was
aware that the emotional outbursts from these
clients were the last ones I’d have with them
and that made it much easier to remain
detached!
4. Finding and Nurturing
Good Clients
Realizing the truth of the adage “when one
door closes, another one opens,” as I weeded
out my bad clients, an amazing thing happened: I began to make even more money and
had less stress.
Within a couple of weeks of letting the bad
clients go, new good clients magically started
calling. Now that I had more energy to deal
with them, I was quick to respond to new client
calls, happy to be on the phone with those
clients, and eager to take care of their pet care
needs.
5. Listening to the Inner Voice
Being vigilant about not taking on any new bad
clients, I developed an intuitive ear. I hear them
coming from a mile away now! I can hear the
whine in their voice and I listen when they say
they’ve gone through five pet sitters and
haven’t been happy with anyone. This is not
the kind of new client I want.
I realize that due to my resolve not to take on
bad clients, I occasionally may let some potential good clients slip through my fingers.
However, I’d rather let that happen than take
on another draining, bad client.
I wish you courage in letting the bad clients go
and having 100 percent of your energy be used
toward caring for your good clients.
Kristin Morrison is a pet sitting business owner
and business coach. Kristin is a firm believer in
working smarter (not harder) and has created a
six-figure pet sitting business while working
three days a week. She coaches other pet sitting business owners on the fine art of creating
a successful pet sitting business while maintaining a fun and successful life.
You can email Kristin at:
[email protected] n
The NAPPS Network • 13
Handicapped and Happy Pets
Mark C. Robinson
“My dog was chasing a ball in the
house, slipped on the hardwood
floor, now he won’t put any pressure
on his left rear leg...”
“… he was hit by car and now
his back end is paralyzed…”
“… cancer…”
“Degenerative myelopathy, (DM)
makes it hard for him to walk…”
“He’s an older dog with arthritis…”
“He’s over 16 years old and
can’t control his bladder…”
Johanna, a dachshund from Tennessee had a broken spine and, incontinent, was tied outside day and night.
A group of 4th graders from Oklahoma raised money to buy her a cart and send her to her new home in
Maine where she enjoys life with the help of a wheelchair and disposable dog diapers.
These are common stories that, at one time, often had very sad endings
– but not anymore. Advances in health care for pets, products for handicapped pets, and a general acceptance of a pet’s role as a member of
the family have turned what was once a potential tragedy to a mere
inconvenience. Pet care professionals need to understand how use these
devices and how to care for a disabled, injured, or handicapped pet.
Johanna, a dachshund from Tennessee had a broken spine and, incontinent, was tied outside day and night. A group of 4th graders from
Oklahoma raised money to buy her a cart and send her to her new home
in Maine where she enjoys life with the help of a wheelchair and disposable dog diapers.
Innovative products like the rear end support leash, the Walkabout
Harness, the Belly Sling, dog leg splints, and dogkarts (or wheelchairs for
dogs) offer the opportunity for a handicapped pet to enjoy many years of
quality life and happiness.
Rear End Support Leash
The Rear End Support Leash is a nylon strap with two large loops at the
end. The loops go around the back legs of the dog and allow you to give
support for the back end. With this, the caretaker is able to support some
of the pet’s weight. Neoprene comfort sleeves add padding under the
dogs back legs. Typically, these cost between $40 and $50. One size fits
almost all dogs. Dogs more than 150 lbs. may need the “big dog” version
of this leash. For very small dogs, the leash can be slit in half, lengthwise
to make the straps thin enough to fit between their legs. Often, you’ll
need to use this in conjunction with the dog’s normal leash so that you
are guiding him from his collar (like he is used to) and supporting his
weak rear end.
The NAPPS Network • 14
A rear end support leash.
Rear and Front Harness
Although this has the same effect as the rear
end support leash, the rear harness is more
like an article of clothing that the animal
wears. This neoprene garment has leg-holes
and wraps completely around the back end
while allowing freedom for urinating and
defecating. It stays in place with the help of
velcro and clips. Fit is important and the animal needs to be measured to determine the
correct size. These cost between $40 and
$70 and are available for both front and back.
Front harness (top), rear harness is shown
below, used with a leash.
Belly Sling
Many pet owners have used a towel under
the animal’s belly to help him stand, or give a
little extra support. Although this does give a
dog the necessary support, it can be uncomfortable for the caretaker to bend over to hold
the ends of the towel. This fleece-lined belly
sling is softer and has handles to help a person lift the pet without bending. These cost
between $40 and $70 depending on size.
A front harness.
Dogkarts – Wheelchairs for
Dogs.
Most dogkart owners attract a lot of attention
when they walk down the street. It’s quickly
becoming commonplace, though, to see a
happy dog in wheels running through the
park, chasing a ball or playing with other
dogs. A dog wheelchair uses wheels to support the back end of a handicapped dog while
the healthy front legs provide the propulsion.
Dogkarts are custom built based on careful
measurements. Different models provide support in several ways and some research is
required to choose the right cart for your animal. Carts come in rear, front, and quad support and can be used for any animal from a
ferret to an Alpaca. Different brands of cart
require different methods to get the animal in
and out of them. Fixed saddle carts require
that the digs back legs be lifted into the cart.
Sling-based carts use a product like the support sling (shown above) that clip to the
frame of the cart.
A rear harness.
A belly sling.
Other handicapped pets products solve the
problems faced by caretakers on a daily
basis. Most of these devices were invented
by handicapped pet owners to help their own
pets.
Custom-fit wheelchairs provide support for any animal that needs it: from a bunny to an alpaca.
The NAPPS Network • 15
Leg Splints
Injuries to the lower limbs of small animals frequently need to be splinted or braced. Leg splints are
modeled after the human splints for lower leg, ankle,
and foot injuries. Dog splints are positioned behind
the leg and the adjustable velcro straps are placed
over the front of the leg. A soft, pliable lining helps
keep the animal comfortable. They cost between $45
and $70 depending on size.
Pet Boots
Pet boots have a wide range of uses including protection from road chemicals, preventing abrasions,
mud control, and relief from hot pavement. Pet boots
are suitable for handicapped pets to keep them from
sliding on hardwood floors, protecting wounds, and
adding support for the foot. Prices range from $5 to
$25 depending on size and quality.
Pet Diapers
It’s not unusual for older or injured dogs to become
incontinent. This causes a number of problems for
both the dog and caretaker. Often an incontinent dog
is no longer allowed in bed and is kept confined
when left alone so as not to soil floors and furniture.
A pet diaper solves this problem. Pet diapers are
available in washable and disposable form.
Disposable pet diapers cost between $10 and $20
for a pack of 10 or 12.
Pet boots.
Leg splints.
Elderly, disabled, and handicapped pets around the
country and around the world are living longer;
enjoying happy and healthy lives with the help of
products and services for handicapped pets and the
love and care of their families.
Sites with Products
for Handicapped Pets
HandicappedPets.com
(all products for elderly, disabled, and injured pets)
DogKarts.com (carts and wheelchairs)
BottumsUpLeash.com
(holds a dog up from the rear end)
SeniorPetSupply.com (products for elderly pets)
PetDiapers.com
(disposable and washable dog diapers)
PetBoots.com (various brands of boots for pets)
K9Brace.com (orthotics and prosthetics for animals)
SleePeeTimeBed.com
(special bed for incontinent pets)
HandicappedPets.Net (pet care discussion board)
Mark C. Robinson is the creator of
HandicappedPets.com, a website for the caretakers
of elderly, disabled, and injured pets. The website
includes all the products, services, and support that
a family needs. Mark is a noted speaker and an advisor to the board of directors of the National Cancer
Society for Animals. n
The NAPPS Network • 16
Pet diapers.
By: Lee Van Kirk, Tartan Media
Charles de Gaulle said “The better I get to know men, the more
I find myself loving dogs.”
Obviously that quote can extend to all of our beloved pets
because as professional pet sitters we have a deep love of all
animals. As I talk with NAPPS members across the country, I
have come to realize that many of our professionals provide
much more than their business or professional responsibilities.
An example comes to us from Monica Leighton, NAPPS president elect, and her staff in Florida after Hurricane Katrina.
“After the hurricane, a client’s business was badly damaged
and inside the damage a mother cat had given birth to five kittens. The mother did not survive, so my staff took the kittens
from the client, bottle fed the little ones every three hours
around the clock and weaned them onto kitten food later in
addition to finding a home for all the kittens.”
I hear stories like this that present the professional NAPPS pet
sitter as someone who not only cares for their pet wards, but
also provides services for the pet parent that go beyond the
call of duty, such as the case of Helen Farmer of Northern
California.
Mrs. Farmer is a retired elementary school principal who is
physically challenged as a result of a stroke. In 2004 her
beloved golden retriever Sam passed away from cancer and
Candance Labane-Godfrey owner of Precious Pets Pet Sitting in
Sacramento (and the current president of NAPPS) arranged for
Mrs. Farmer to receive another golden retriever, a rescue dog,
soon afterward. Three years later, that pet succumbed to cancer also and once again Candance found a third rescued golden retriever to be with Mrs. Farmer. Last Mother’s day Mrs.
Farmer received flowers and gifts from Candance and their
friendship continues far beyond a business relationship. It is
this spirit that brings all of us to pet sitting and its rewards
beyond business.
Mrs. Farmer says of Candance “She is not only someone who
cares about my pets and all animals, her heart is so warm and
welcoming. I value her as a caring and valuable friend. She has
consoled me at the loss of my beloved Sam and then Dusty.
Her personable manner has been of great comfort to me.”
As professional pet sitters we have a responsibility to care for
those beloved pets entrusted to us but it is obvious that many
NAPPS members far surpass the business obligations and
become of great service also to pet parents. n
Calling all pet sitters!
Have some favorite tips of the trade
you’d like to share?
Send in your helpful hints to [email protected] and
they will be posted in the library as well as included
in the next issue of NAPPS Network!
The NAPPS Network • 17
The NAPPS Network • 18
New NAPPS Members
NAPPS Welcomes the Following New Members
(joined between February 1 and April 18, 2008)
Arizona
Melony Ellzey, Pawzcare 4-U, Peoria
Mike Mitchell, The Dawg Walk, Peoria
Lisa Nelson, Free To Roam Home and Pet Services, LLC, Tempe
Teri Ann Tate, Comfy Pets Of AZ, Laveen
Penny Webb, Creature Comforts Pet Sitting, Apache Junction
California
Tatyana Aleksandrova, American Dream Pet Care, Los Angeles
Andrea Bonnett, Altadena
Lisa Cook, Doggie Hotel and Spa, La Verne
Caitlin Davis, Pawsitive Guidance Dog Training & Pet Sitting, Vista
Corinne Davis, Release the Hounds! Pet Care, Los Angeles
Steve Ehrlich, Dogbikerider.com, Culver City
Jennifer Emrick, Bark-in-the-Park, Los Angeles
Michelle Giusti, Blue Willow Lifestyle Management, Concord
Julia Hemenway, Legs and Leafs, Arcata
Tracie Hoffman, Tracie’s Pet Service, Huntington Beach
Robyn Kesnow, Animal RN, Santa Rosa
Caryn Magenreuter, PET~PAL Pet Sitting Service, Roseville
Heather Maldonado, Devoted Dane Daycare, Oceanside
Charlotte McKinley, Whiskerhood Watch, Culver City
Susan Myles, Go Dawg Go! Pet Care, Poway
Yvette Navarro, The Pet Companion, Sherman Oaks
Gail Neeley, Professional Animal Sitting Services, Inc., Yucaipa
Aimee Porter, It’s A Dog’s World SF, San Francisco
Jo Anne Pulley, Barney & Charlie Companion Animal Care, Canyon Country
Petra Reynolds, Petra’s People Training for Dogs, Richmond
Andee Rivera, Grandma Dee’s Pet Care, San Diego
Monica Rode, Pet Pleasers Pet Sitting Service, Costa Mesa
Diana Thompson, Home Sweet Home, San Diego
David Wichman, Davids Daily Dog Walks, San Francisco
Susan Windham, Homebodies Home and Pet Sitting Service, Monrovia
Daniel Wisti, Lamorinda Pet Services, Moraga
Robin Longstreet, Island Pet Services, Ft. Pierce
Erika Love, A Passion For Paws, LLC, Hollywood
Janet Mitchell, Janet’s Pet Sitting Service, Orlando
Judy Pieretti, Beaches Pet Nanny, Jacksonville Beach
Cynthia Preziosi, Pampered Pooch Pet Sitting, Sunrise
Shannon Conner Van Benthuysen, Your Pet Caretaker, Clearwater
Teresa Viala, A+ Critter Care, Bradenton
Georgia
Mallery Chabot, Happy Paws Dog Training & Pet-Sitting, Dawsonville
Heather Clarke, The Dog Den Pet Sitting Service, Brunswick
Kathy Cooper, Passion for Paws, Acworth
David Files, Paws-itively Purr-fect Pet Services, Cataula
Melissa Miller, Bone Jour Pet Sitting, Lawrenceville
Rick Roberts, Happy Pa.ws, Atlanta
Hawaii
Christy Deutsch, Mobile Pet Pampering, Honolulu
Idaho
Roaalee Hall, Affectionate Care, Boise
Illinois
Jeannie Carsello, Jeannie’s Pet Service, Hoffman Estates
Julie Di Giovanni, All About Paws Pet Sitting, Homer Glen
Tamara Jackson, Evanston
Lori Kay Thuestad, PetTender, Elburn
Indiana
Amanda Briggs, Downtown Doggie Walking Service, Indianapolis
Brooke Cunningham, HappyTails Pet Sitting, Indianapolis
Joan Parker, Happy At Home Pet Care, Indianapolis
Caroline Woelfel, Cherished Pets, Newburgh
Iowa
Abbey Floyd, DSM Pets, Des Moines
Kansas
Danelle Brewer, All Fur Paws In Home Pet Care, LLC, Goddard
Colorado
Toni Duncan, Critter Sitters Of the Springs, Colorado Springs
Kim Jankowski, Rocky Mountain Critter Service, Monument
Michelle Jones, Paws-itive Pet Sitting, Parker
Sonia Martinez, Wags N Walks Co, Aurora
Yvonne Coyle, Fetch! Pet Care Of the Bluegrass, Lexington
Crystal Groce, Neu Horizons Pet Sitting / Dog Walking, Lexington
Jona Kessans, Zen Dawg Pet Care Services, LLC, Covington
Connecticut
Louisiana
Amy Bifano, Capricorn Crossing Pet Sitting, Voluntown
Christina Kirkwood, Pack Tracks, Inc., Canton
Ellen Dearden, HomeHeart Pet Care,
Delaware
Donna Carroll, Pet’s Best Friend, Wilmington
Claudia Todd, The Content Critter, Newark
District of Columbia
Stacey Dunlap, Love Your Dog Pet Care, Washington, D.C.
Florida
Dondi Allen, Kitty Kritter Sitter, Cocoa Beach
Gregory Baber, Combination Services LLC, Port Charlotte
Jack Bishop, On The Road Pet Sitting, Fernandina Beach
Bonnie Botteon, THE Poo Fairy ‘LLC’, Fountain
J. Robin Cara, All Ears Pet Sitting, Saint Augustine
Victoria Costanza, Oakland Park
Sandra Dolan, CAMP OVER with ROVER, Lithia
Nanette Gordon, Auntie Nanette, Nanny for Your Pet, Boca Raton
Joni Hough, Crazy For Cats, Pompano Beach
Artimissie Koche, Home Alone Preferred Pet Care, Orange Park
Kentucky
Maine
Cheryl DeCaro, River Dog Professional Dog Walking Service, Topsham
Maryland
Sherri Callahan, The Kitty Care Lady, Olney
Robert Cameron, The Suburban Scooby, LLC, Camp Springs
Brian Cook, Bash’s Pet Taxi, Easton
Anne Heaney, Arnold’s Best Pet Sitting & Dog Walking, Arnold
Gary Macciocca, Gary’s Critter Sitters, Westminster
Sheila Pasquini, Buster’s Buddies, Mechanicsville
Bonnie Perlow, Main Street Pet Nanny, Reisterstown
Leslie Rush, 4 on the Floor, Owings Mills
Kathy Vasquez, Cat Calls, Frederick
Massachusetts
Rachel Burlen, Furever Friends Pet Care Services, Rutland
Peter Ewaszko, Reigning Cats ‘N Dogs, Fairhaven
Lisa Gurney, Paws Of Joy, Worcester
Jennifer Haggerty, Happy Tails, Hingham
The NAPPS Network • 19
Laura Kirwin, Pets Are People Too, Attleboro
Cherus Carey Lanman, Doggon Running, Plymouth
Kyrah Rodriguez, The Doggy Divas, Newton Highlands
Nancy Spitzley, Nancy Spitzley *BIG MOMMA, Newburyport
Michigan
Ohio
Ingrid Cawthorne, Scales Tails & Paws, Columbus
Scott Ginter, Scott’s Pet Care, Willowick
Carol Kane, Diva Pet Care & Dog Walking, Columbus
Lisa Keaffaber, The Pet Nanny, Ottawa Hills
Angela Surace, Angela Surace LLC, Columbus
Susan Weston, Purely4Pets Pet Sitting Service, Kalkaska
Oregon
Mississippi
Gail Gastineau, A Petz Paradise, Olive Branch
Missouri
Anita Campbell, The Mutt Strutter, Lees Summit
Erin Schneider, Sit and Stay Pet Services, Saint John
Donna Williams, The Pet Nanny, Columbia
Antoniette Ford, The Pet Nany, Hines
Amy Frankwick, Reigning Pets Northwest, LLC, Portland
Bruce Freeland, Wee Beasties Pet Sitting, Portland
Jill James, PetStead, LLC, Corvallis
Pennsylvania
Gwen Deurell, Capitol Pet Sitters, LLC, Concord
Jackie Dempsey, Canine Concierge, Oxford
Jamie Everett, Mantis Pet Services, Mechanicsburg
Alan Markovitz, Paws To Enjoy Petsitting, Bath
Amy Shook, Amy’s Pet Sitting, Zionsville
Jack Trautenberg, Fetch! Pet Care Of the Main Line, Lansdale
Cherie Vargo, Chocolatetown Home and Critter Care, Hershey
Richard Whiteside, Blue Beagle Promenade, Philadelphia
New Jersey
Puerto Rico
Tara Burns, Tailblazers Pet Care, Clinton
Jennifer Choromanski, Pawfect Pet Sitting, Fanwood
Helen Despirito, Williamstown
Helen DiGuardia, Helen’s Happy Tails Pet Sitting Service, Lebanon
Vicky Durnye, Purr ‘N Pooch, Inc., Tinton Falls
Dierdre Egizi, Joyful Paws, Seaside Heights
Michele Fawcett, Rockaway Pet Sitting Plus, Rockaway
Nicole Furina, Bayonne
Heather Gaida, Wagging Tails Of Hoboken, Hoboken
Alice Genese, Diamond Dogs (& Cool Cats), Hoboken
Kathleen Hamelin, Concierge Concepts, Somerset
Kathleen Hayes, Sitting4Paws, Ocean City
Dawn Larson, Pawz & Clawz Petsitting Service, Hoboken
Chaundra Maurizi, Pet Care Plus, Sparta
Deborah Metzger, Hounds Around Town, Westfield
Sharon Milonas, Sharon’s Little Rascals Pet Sitter / Dog Walker, Burlington
Brian Shorr, Got To Go, Manalapan
Vicki Sincoff, 4 Legs Good Pet Sitting, Madison
Ken Wolman, Ken’s Furry Friends, Sea Bright
Valerie Mont, Dog Spot, Inc., Bayamon
Nebraska
Bonnie Munch, In Your Home Pet Care, Elkhorn
New Hampshire
Tennessee
Sue Beaty, Shady Rest Farms Pet Sitting Service, Chattanooga
Jessica Jenkins, Harpeth Pet Sitting, Franklin
Christine McInerney, Pounding Paws, Franklin
Jantratip Piluek, Family Pet-Sitters, Maryville
Virginia Tyler, Gracie’s Pet Watchers, Collierville
Texas
Ronda Bailey, Sit N Stay Pet Sitters, Johnson City
Shelley Hesse, All Dogs Resort, LLC, Temple
Stacy Middleton, Chuck Wagg’n Pet Sitting, Boyd
Lisa Poth, In Town Pets, Austin
Christina Ramos, Dallas Pet and House Sitter, Dallas
Trisha Stetzel, Fetch! Pet Care Of Clear Water, League City
Utah
Shirley Gallegos, Peace Of Mind Pet Sitters, Sandy
New Mexico
Virginia
Natasha Chornesky, Be Pupular!, Albuquerque
Carrie Bromberg, Creature Comforts Pet Sitting, Arlington
Gretchen Chomas, Monster Puppy, Winchester
Kim Doucette, Commuter Pets, Fredericksburg
Michaela Liles, Busy Body Pet Sitting, Front Royal
Isabel Martin, The Wag Pack, LLC, Annandale
Toska Mungo, Toano Neighborhood Pet Sitters, Toano
Cindy Padgett, The Cat Lady, Burke
Katherine Schmauss, HappieTails, Vienna
New York
Thomas Burns, Tom’s Pets NYC, New York
Mabel Chau, In Home Pet Services of Clinton Hill, Brooklyn
Diane DuBois, 16 Paws Pet Care, Tribes Hill
Lucia Granite, Pawz and Pet, Monroe
Brandon Iurato, Fetch! Pet Care Of Southern Orange & Northern Sussex, Port Jervis
Phyllis Klein, PLK Pets, Brooklyn
Paul Lauro, Walkapet, Medford
Pam Maichin, Abel Keeper Pet Services, Inc., Glen Cove
Laurie Schierman, Sittin’ Pretty Kitty, Forest Hills
John Stanford, The Posh Pups, New York
Washington
Carol Rieger, Ultimate Pet Sitting, Reno
Ryan Bartman, SOS Pet Services, Seattle
Kari Kells, Kari Kells, Olympia
Kimberly Lammers, Dog Gone Bizzy Pet Services, Everett
Sara Paulik, Spoiled Rottern Pet Sitting, LLC, Gig Harbor
Marilyn Rahn, Head Over Paws, East Wenatchee
Shelley Stephan, Ellensburg
North Carolina
Wisconsin
Robyne Arrington, Furry Friends Sitting Service, Denver
Debbie Garner, Passionate Pet Sitters, Kernersville
Tara Lemmon, Your Pets Companion, Cleveland
Dennis Money, Guardian Angel Home & Pet Care, Raleigh
Colleen Montesi, Fetch! Pet Care Of Apex-Cary, Apex
Lauren Sage, While You’re Away, Enka
Amy Smith, Kernersville
Bonnie Tanner, Lucki Pawz, Knightdale
Pamela Genz, Animal Magnetism Pet Sitting Service, Lake Geneva
Nevada
The NAPPS Network • 20
NAPPS COMMITTEES
As a member of NAPPS, you play a part in the exciting growth of the in-home professional pet care industry, and
you have a voice in the association’s affairs and governance. You can help shape your association by becoming
more involved in the programs and activities that NAPPS offers. Your time commitment is up to you. You can be
involved as little or as much as you like. By serving on a Committee, you learn new skills and network with your
peers. Get involved today by visiting www.petsitters.org!
BENEFITS
GOVERNANCE
The mission of the NAPPS Member Benefits Committee
is to enhance the value of NAPPS membership by developing and providing access to education, resources,
tools and materials to foster the growth and success of
member businesses.
The mission of the NAPPS Governance Committee is to
formally establish an annual strategic planning system,
identify, educate and position future leaders and help the
board assess and improve its operations.
Volunteer Needs: The Benefits committee brings our members all of the great benefits. The committee is tasked to
research and implement new benefits for our membership
and review and improve current benefits. Average committee
member time is estimated at one to two hours per week
based on the project and your availability.
Volunteer Needs: This is a new committee that will be keep
current on the association’s governance issues as well as
provide research on legislative issues relevant to our industry.
Ideal committee members are individuals with background in
governance or legislation but that is not required. Average
committee member time is estimated at one to two hours per
week based on the project and your availability.
Monthly Meeting Dates: The 2nd Wednesday of every
month at 11:00 AM Eastern Time
Monthly Meeting Dates: The 3rd Wednesday of the month
at 1:00 PM Eastern Time.
Chair: Monica Leighton, [email protected]
Chair: Monica Leighton, [email protected]
MARKETING
MEMBERSHIP
The mission of the NAPPS Marketing Committee is to
build awareness about NAPPS, NAPPS programs and the
pet sitting profession.
The mission of the NAPPS Membership Committee is to
serve NAPPS by developing strategies to increase membership, retain existing membership and provide a
resource for existing members.
Volunteer Needs: The Marketing Committee is looking for
people that would like to work on the ongoing efforts in
regard to the NAPPS vision and direction. One hour a month
is a great contribution and goes a long way towards setting
goals and developing programs to benefit you and other
NAPPS members.
Chair: Candance Labane-Godfrey, [email protected]
Volunteer Needs: Creative, innovative people are needed to
assist in planning and implementing programs to stimulate
and sustain NAPPS membership growth. We anticipate the
time commitment to be four to five hours per month.
Monthly Meeting Dates: 2nd Tuesday of each month at
11:00 AM Eastern Time.
Chair: Vickie Reason, [email protected]