Article published Sep 20, 2009
Pet sitter cares for people and their pets
Professional pet sitter Marlena Ballard with Moxie at Moxies home. Tribune Photo/BARBARA ALLISON
Marlena Ballard started Furry Friends & More, In Home Pet Sitting and Care six years ago and believes it's the most challenging career she's ever had. Though most people believe pet sitting is an easy job, Ballard says, that couldn't be further from the truth. With seldom a day off and long hours that see her work 365 days per year and at all hours, she cares for pets "when they're fun and healthy" and "when they're sick and dying."
It's not a job for everyone, but she says she wouldn't change it for anything. Ballard recently chatted with Tribune correspondent Jennifer Ochstein about her career as a pet sitter.
How did you become interested in being a pet sitter?
I grew up with a variety of pets. Therefore my love, care and knowledge of pets is in-grown. Before I started doing this, I was working at a mortgage company and business was starting to slow down. I went to the library to find jobs you do from home to supplement my income and came across pet sitting. Pet sitting was relatively unknown about here (and still is) but was very big out east and in the west.
Luckily, my husband worked with someone whose family member was one of the first pet sitters locally and she gave me the basics to get started. We also had a bad sitter once that was not bonded and insured. When we returned from our trip, I bawled my eyes out at the care my cats received. This prompted me even more to want to pursue this career and try to insure other people's pets didn't go through what mine did.What kind of education and experience is necessary?
There are no regulations to monitor Pet Sitters or any required education, which really should change. A typical sitter, though, basically gets their experience from their own pets and family members' pets. A deep love of not just pets, but of their humans, as well, is really all that is needed. You HAVE to take care of them like they were your own children. That is how most people see their pets and that is how you need to care for them. I personally am constantly reading a variety of books and magazines to try to keep up to date on the newer information on advances in medicines, diseases and animal behavior. I am also a member of Pet Sitters International which gives us constant insight into new things going on in the pet care industry and they give us safety tips in caring for pets and clients homes. We are also bonded and insured.
What kind of skills are necessary to do what you do?
Patience, patience and more patience. Of course, a deep love of animals and definitely attention to detail. Everyone has their own way of doing things regarding their pets and their homes, so you really need to get detailed information about what the owners wants and needs are. In addition, you need the patience to sit and get all this information down correctly. Then you need the patience to work with animals who are afraid of new people or the ones who are overly happy to see you and jump all over the place. I am also certified in Pet First Aid through the American Red Cross which has helped out in several cases.
What exactly do you do as a pet sitter?
The quick basics of pet sitting are we do daily dog walks or playtime for people who cannot leave work to let their pets out. If they go on vacation, we do several sits a day for dogs and it varies for other pets. If on vacation, we are also watching their home, bringing in mail, watering plants and things of that sort. Again, it depends on what the client's needs are. The benefits of having a pet sitter as opposed to kenneling are wonderful in the respect that your pet is already stressed and missing you, so why take them out of their environment and stress them more? They can be comfortable at home and get more personalized attention. We also offer pet transport to vets or groomers or will even take dogs for rides.
We also specialize in pet elder care and pet hospice (also known as Pawspice). Many times I have even accompanied a client to have to put their pet to rest. I don't charge a fee for that. I do that because I love the pets and their humans and want them to know that no matter what, I am here for them. I personally like to think of a pet sitter as an extended part of the family, not just a hired hand.
What do you like best about what you do?
It is nice to know so many people out there care. I also have many clients who will help place pets who are losing their homes or help by donating things to Pet Refuge or Hope Rescue Mission. Pet lovers are very giving and caring not only to their own pets but homeless pets and people, as well. I can't imagine not knowing the wonderful people and their pets I have met over the years.
What's most challenging?
The most challenging thing is that some clients tend to be overly high maintenance. As stated earlier, we try to treat each pet as you would a child, therefore most times if a pet has bad habits it is because the owner has allowed it and not taken the proper time to find out why the behavior exists and what they can do to make it better. If you wouldn't let a child do it why would you let your pet? I often refer people to a certified trainer, Kasey LaPlace, who is excellent with positive reinforcement training. While we do offer training ourselves, Kasey is good with the severe cases that are beyond our realm or expertise. The people who have taken my advice whether it be calling Kasey or trying out our suggestions typically see a positive change in their pets if they do it consistently.
Pet sitter cares for people and their pets
Professional pet sitter Marlena Ballard with Moxie at Moxies home. Tribune Photo/BARBARA ALLISON
Marlena Ballard started Furry Friends & More, In Home Pet Sitting and Care six years ago and believes it's the most challenging career she's ever had. Though most people believe pet sitting is an easy job, Ballard says, that couldn't be further from the truth. With seldom a day off and long hours that see her work 365 days per year and at all hours, she cares for pets "when they're fun and healthy" and "when they're sick and dying."
It's not a job for everyone, but she says she wouldn't change it for anything. Ballard recently chatted with Tribune correspondent Jennifer Ochstein about her career as a pet sitter.
How did you become interested in being a pet sitter?
I grew up with a variety of pets. Therefore my love, care and knowledge of pets is in-grown. Before I started doing this, I was working at a mortgage company and business was starting to slow down. I went to the library to find jobs you do from home to supplement my income and came across pet sitting. Pet sitting was relatively unknown about here (and still is) but was very big out east and in the west.
Luckily, my husband worked with someone whose family member was one of the first pet sitters locally and she gave me the basics to get started. We also had a bad sitter once that was not bonded and insured. When we returned from our trip, I bawled my eyes out at the care my cats received. This prompted me even more to want to pursue this career and try to insure other people's pets didn't go through what mine did.What kind of education and experience is necessary?
There are no regulations to monitor Pet Sitters or any required education, which really should change. A typical sitter, though, basically gets their experience from their own pets and family members' pets. A deep love of not just pets, but of their humans, as well, is really all that is needed. You HAVE to take care of them like they were your own children. That is how most people see their pets and that is how you need to care for them. I personally am constantly reading a variety of books and magazines to try to keep up to date on the newer information on advances in medicines, diseases and animal behavior. I am also a member of Pet Sitters International which gives us constant insight into new things going on in the pet care industry and they give us safety tips in caring for pets and clients homes. We are also bonded and insured.
What kind of skills are necessary to do what you do?
Patience, patience and more patience. Of course, a deep love of animals and definitely attention to detail. Everyone has their own way of doing things regarding their pets and their homes, so you really need to get detailed information about what the owners wants and needs are. In addition, you need the patience to sit and get all this information down correctly. Then you need the patience to work with animals who are afraid of new people or the ones who are overly happy to see you and jump all over the place. I am also certified in Pet First Aid through the American Red Cross which has helped out in several cases.
What exactly do you do as a pet sitter?
The quick basics of pet sitting are we do daily dog walks or playtime for people who cannot leave work to let their pets out. If they go on vacation, we do several sits a day for dogs and it varies for other pets. If on vacation, we are also watching their home, bringing in mail, watering plants and things of that sort. Again, it depends on what the client's needs are. The benefits of having a pet sitter as opposed to kenneling are wonderful in the respect that your pet is already stressed and missing you, so why take them out of their environment and stress them more? They can be comfortable at home and get more personalized attention. We also offer pet transport to vets or groomers or will even take dogs for rides.
We also specialize in pet elder care and pet hospice (also known as Pawspice). Many times I have even accompanied a client to have to put their pet to rest. I don't charge a fee for that. I do that because I love the pets and their humans and want them to know that no matter what, I am here for them. I personally like to think of a pet sitter as an extended part of the family, not just a hired hand.
What do you like best about what you do?
It is nice to know so many people out there care. I also have many clients who will help place pets who are losing their homes or help by donating things to Pet Refuge or Hope Rescue Mission. Pet lovers are very giving and caring not only to their own pets but homeless pets and people, as well. I can't imagine not knowing the wonderful people and their pets I have met over the years.
What's most challenging?
The most challenging thing is that some clients tend to be overly high maintenance. As stated earlier, we try to treat each pet as you would a child, therefore most times if a pet has bad habits it is because the owner has allowed it and not taken the proper time to find out why the behavior exists and what they can do to make it better. If you wouldn't let a child do it why would you let your pet? I often refer people to a certified trainer, Kasey LaPlace, who is excellent with positive reinforcement training. While we do offer training ourselves, Kasey is good with the severe cases that are beyond our realm or expertise. The people who have taken my advice whether it be calling Kasey or trying out our suggestions typically see a positive change in their pets if they do it consistently.
Marlena Ballard of the Furry Friends& More pet sitters company straightens up clothes at the pet sitters rummage sale to raise money for South Bend Animal Care and Control Friday. (South Bend Tribune/ROBERT FRANKLIN) (June 8, 2012)
ALEXANDRA KILPATRICK South Bend Tribune
6:41 p.m. EDT, June 8, 2012
SOUTH BEND — Three petsitters from the South Bend-based petsitting company Furry Friends & More are spearheading an effort to raise money for the animal shelter South Bend Animal Care and Control through an extended rummage sale.
Marlena Ballard, Keri Kunkel Phelps and Pam Winn organized the rummage sale, which will run on and off until July 16 at 52670 Primrose Road in South Bend.
The goal is to raise enough money to make South Bend Animal Care and Control a “No Kill” animal shelter. A “No Kill” shelter reserves euthanasia only for animals considered terminally ill or dangerous rather than killing animals that could be adopted.
Because of low funds, South Bend Animal Care and Control is currently a kill shelter, but 100 percent of proceeds from the sale will go to the shelter.
“I’m a big advocate for No Kill Nation, which people can look up,” said Ballard.
“It’s thenokillnation.org. And I know that all shelters can become ‘No Kill.’ The reason I’m supporting South Bend Animal Care and Control, and a lot of people chastise me for it, (is) because they are a kill shelter, but if nobody helps them, they’re never going to be ‘No Kill.’ ”
While such shelters as PetsConnect and Pet Refuge are no-kill, they often turn pets away due to space and resources. South Bend Animal Control and Care, on the other hand, takes every pet that comes to the shelter’s door. Ballard’s ultimate goal is to convert South Bend Animal Care and Control to a “No Kill” shelter by 2021.
“A lot of people complain about the shelter being a kill shelter,” she said, “but if people don’t start stepping up and getting educated and helping South Bend Animal Care and Control, they’re never going to be ‘No Kill.’ And we need people’s help. We need people to educate. We need people to spay and neuter. We need people to contact Michiana Feral. And get feral cats fixed so that they don’t keep procreating.”
“I just can’t stress enough how this new shelter is a golden opportunity for South Bend to become that 21st century city that they claim that we are. Let’s prove it and take care of the animals.”
In addition to the rummage sale, Ballard, Phelps and Winn will throw a pet food drive in late autumn through South Bend Animal Care and Control.
“We do it through South Bend Animal Care and Control,” said Ballard, “but that way, they donate the food out to people who are poor who would most likely not care for their pets. Or relinquish them, because they can’t feed them. So we do the pet food drive to help the people feed their pets. And that way, it keeps them out of the shelter.”
Ballard, a full-time petsitter, has always fostered a fondness for animals.
“I can’t imagine not ever having an animal in my life,” she said, “so right now, we have six cats, but I’ve always had dogs and snakes and chincillas. Everything.”
The rummage sale takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ballard encourages people to drop off donations at the sale’s site at Primrose Road.
Staff writer Alexandra Kilpatrick:
[email protected]
Copyright © 2012, South Bend Tribune
6:41 p.m. EDT, June 8, 2012
SOUTH BEND — Three petsitters from the South Bend-based petsitting company Furry Friends & More are spearheading an effort to raise money for the animal shelter South Bend Animal Care and Control through an extended rummage sale.
Marlena Ballard, Keri Kunkel Phelps and Pam Winn organized the rummage sale, which will run on and off until July 16 at 52670 Primrose Road in South Bend.
The goal is to raise enough money to make South Bend Animal Care and Control a “No Kill” animal shelter. A “No Kill” shelter reserves euthanasia only for animals considered terminally ill or dangerous rather than killing animals that could be adopted.
Because of low funds, South Bend Animal Care and Control is currently a kill shelter, but 100 percent of proceeds from the sale will go to the shelter.
“I’m a big advocate for No Kill Nation, which people can look up,” said Ballard.
“It’s thenokillnation.org. And I know that all shelters can become ‘No Kill.’ The reason I’m supporting South Bend Animal Care and Control, and a lot of people chastise me for it, (is) because they are a kill shelter, but if nobody helps them, they’re never going to be ‘No Kill.’ ”
While such shelters as PetsConnect and Pet Refuge are no-kill, they often turn pets away due to space and resources. South Bend Animal Control and Care, on the other hand, takes every pet that comes to the shelter’s door. Ballard’s ultimate goal is to convert South Bend Animal Care and Control to a “No Kill” shelter by 2021.
“A lot of people complain about the shelter being a kill shelter,” she said, “but if people don’t start stepping up and getting educated and helping South Bend Animal Care and Control, they’re never going to be ‘No Kill.’ And we need people’s help. We need people to educate. We need people to spay and neuter. We need people to contact Michiana Feral. And get feral cats fixed so that they don’t keep procreating.”
“I just can’t stress enough how this new shelter is a golden opportunity for South Bend to become that 21st century city that they claim that we are. Let’s prove it and take care of the animals.”
In addition to the rummage sale, Ballard, Phelps and Winn will throw a pet food drive in late autumn through South Bend Animal Care and Control.
“We do it through South Bend Animal Care and Control,” said Ballard, “but that way, they donate the food out to people who are poor who would most likely not care for their pets. Or relinquish them, because they can’t feed them. So we do the pet food drive to help the people feed their pets. And that way, it keeps them out of the shelter.”
Ballard, a full-time petsitter, has always fostered a fondness for animals.
“I can’t imagine not ever having an animal in my life,” she said, “so right now, we have six cats, but I’ve always had dogs and snakes and chincillas. Everything.”
The rummage sale takes place Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and again Friday, June 29 and Saturday, June 30 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Ballard encourages people to drop off donations at the sale’s site at Primrose Road.
Staff writer Alexandra Kilpatrick:
[email protected]
Copyright © 2012, South Bend Tribune