For instance; one of the top concerns for South Florida pet owners is our hot, tropical climate. What if the air conditioning died while you were gone? A cat should never be left inside of a hot house without A/C or access to fresh, cool air.  

Vivian Fanjul and Michelle Monnar, owners of Fetch! Pet Care in Miami Beach have graciously offered a list of tips on how to keep your cats (or dogs) happy, healthy and safe while you’re traveling:

Home Alone: It is never OK to leave your cat home alone while you are on vacation without someone to care for them. Making sure the house is cool and leaving extra food and water out is not the only answer. There are a countless number of things that can go wrong under this scenario – all of which will make for a very stress-filled vacation.

Find a Reliable Sitter: While friends and family members can certainly be trustworthy, cat sitting isn’t their profession and chances are they won’t put as much effort into the care that you’d like. You should look for someone who considers this as a business opportunity and not someone who would consider it as a favor. Look for a professional sitter who can provide references and works for a company that is fully bonded and insured.

Meet and Greet: Before you leave on vacation, have the sitter over so you can introduce them to your cats and see how everyone interacts. The visit also gives you a chance to familiarize the sitter with your house.

Establish a Procedure: It is important to familiarize the sitter with your cats’ daily routine. Make sure the sitter is available to feed them at their normal times. This will help make sure your pets don’t experience too much separation anxiety.

Take them along: Today there are a host of options for “cat friendly” airlines and hotels that make it easy to bring your pet along. Even though you have your pet with you, that doesn’t mean you’ll have ample free time to care for them. If you find pet-friendly accommodations, look into a professional pet sitting service that will come to your hotel while you’re away – this option ensures that your four legged friend not feel left out of all the fun.

I’ve always been fortunate enough to have a nearby friend or family member who is also a devoted cat lover, so I’ve never been hesitant to leave my kitties in the hands of a non-professional cat sitter. Of course, if you don’t have that luxury, or none of your friends are cat people, a professional sitter is a great option.

For those who simply aren’t comfortable having someone visit their home while they are away, talk to your trusted veterinarian about whether their office offers boarding services or if they have someone that they could recommend. For instance, my cat’s vet, Central Broward Animal Hospital, offers pet boarding service in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

Always exercise due diligence when choosing a boarding facility to ensure your cat will be comfortable and well-cared for; not stuck in some hot room in a tiny cage, surrounded by barking dogs.  

Fetch Pet Care is the leading dog walking franchise in the US. If your looking to own your own pet sitting franchise or pet business, please contact us at www.FetchPetCare.com

Resource: Fetch! Pet Care, 13028 Southwest 120 St., Miami, FL 33186

Phone: (305) 255-2205

Fetch! Pet Care, the nation’s largest provider of professional pet sitting franchise, is devoted to the safety and comfort of pets. Paul Mann*, founder of Fetch! Pet Care (dog walking franchise), provides the following tips to keep your pets safe and happy this Spring Break:

1- Don’t leave pets home alone.
It is never okay to leave your pet home alone while you are on vacation without someone to care for them. Making sure the house is cool and leaving extra food and water out is not the only answer. There are a countless number of things that can go wrong under this scenario – all of which will make for a very stress-filled vacation.

2- Try to find a reliable pet sitter.
While friends and family members can certainly be trustworthy, pet sitting isn’t their profession and chances are they won’t put as much effort into the care that you’d like. You should look for someone who considers this as a business opportunity and not someone who would consider it as a favor. Look for a professional sitter who can provide references and works for a company that is fully bonded and insured.

3- Set up a meeting with your pet sitter.
Before you leave on vacation, have the sitter over so you can introduce them to your pets and see how everyone interacts. The visit also gives you a chance to familiarize the sitter with your house.

4- Lay out a few rules and guidelines.
It is important to familiarize the sitter with your pets’ daily routine. Make sure the sitter is available to feed and walk them at their normal times. This will help make sure your pets don’t experience too much separation anxiety.

 5- If possible, take your pet with you.
Today there are a host of options for “pet friendly” airlines and hotels that make it easy to bring your pet along. Even though you have your pet with you, that doesn’t mean you’ll have ample free time to walk and feed them. If you find pet-friendly accommodations, look into a professional pet sitting service that will come to your hotel while you’re away – this option ensures that your four-legged friend not feel left out of all the fun.

If you have been thinking of starting your own pet business and want more information on the perfect dog franchise, please visit Fetch! Pet Care

The nation’s largest at-home dog franchise is looking to embark upon an adventure in paradise and provide service to Hawai‘i’s many “pet parents.” FETCH! Pet Care is a national dog walking franchise that provides professionally trained, bonded and insured pet sitters for any kind of pet. They look forward to expanding their customer base in the next few years across the Hawaiian Isles—particularly Maui. FETCH! Pet Care has continued to expand rapidly, opening 10 to 15 new franchises monthly across the nation. An Internet company, Allbusiness.com, ranked FETCH! Pet Care as the No.10 fastest growing franchise of the nation’s top 300 franchises in 2010. Caregivers can be hired for regular daily services, on weekends and during holidays or travel. For more on their services and information on starting a pet sitting franchise with FETCH! Pet Care, visit http://www.fetchpetcare.com/franchise or call (866) FETCH-ME.

If you are interested in starting your own pet business, please go to Fetch Pet Care.com for more information on the largest dog franchise operation in the country.

2010 03 01 FranchiseTimes

Charley Moore, a Gulf War veteran from San Francisco, left the military behind and went on to start two successful Internet companies. And Eddy Solis of Wilmington, North Carolina, who also served in Iraq, decided to open a pet sitting franchise.

While we may think of military folks as being used to following orders, most end up with experience that is a perfect fit for entrepreneurship. “Those that have been deployed have had a lot of responsibility and made a lot of decisions on their own, and worked under pressure,” says Larry Carr, a veteran who is a management professor at Babson College in Massachusetts. That’s the ideal profile of an entrepreneur, he notes.

And an increasing number of vets are looking at entrepreneurship as an alternative to working for someone else, says Carr. About 1.6 million vets are self-employed today, according to recent data from the Small Business Administration.

Carr says many are turning to self-employment because they’re frustrated with the tough economy, which has made it difficult to find a job. He adds that a lot of ex-military personnel don’t want to go to a company and have to start at the bottom. “They’ve gotten used to a certain level of decision-making,” he notes.

Indeed, Moore feels the military prepared him. “You’ve seen a lot of tough things and you know how to deal with adversity,” he says.

“When I was 23 I had a division on a ship and 30 people who reported to me. You end up, whether you’re enlisted or an officer, with responsibility that isn’t commensurate with age,” he explains. And through it all, he says, you persevere. “Entrepreneurship is all about perseverance.”

Fetch! is a national pet sitting franchise that was started by CEO Paul Mann in 2004. In the midst of an unforgiving economy for small businesses, this dog walking franchise has experienced growth and success in 2008. The franchise is launching an expansion into the Phoenix area and I took the opportunity to talk to Paul about his success and business philosophies.

Leona Charles: “Why did you choose Phoenix”?nu

Paul Mann: “It’s a great area for expansion. Right now it’s one of the top 10 markets for pet services. Also the people in Phoenix are great people”.

LC: “Your company research shows an annual growth of 5%, do you expect this type of success in the Phoenix market”?

PM: “Last year our franchise saw a growth of 153%, so we do expect similar growth in Phoenix. The demand is still there despite the economy. Baby Boomers are big customers for us and the younger crowd still has the expendable income and is spending it in animal services”.

LC: “What will Fetch! bring to the Phoenix market”?

PM: “We want to provide professional love and care to the animals we look after. We also work with a lot of charities that focus on adoption and animal rescue, but ultimately we will be providing the Phoenix with jobs and support to the local economy”.

LC: “You came from a very different background (an IT industrybackground), how did you transition and what did you need to learn”?

PM: “I started the business in 2002, but I didn’t franchise it until a year and half later. I worked as a dog walker before I franchised the pet business. I had to understand the pet care business from a software perspective and I really needed to understand what the pets and the customers needed”.

LC: “Do you have any pearls of wisdom for would be or budding entrepreneurs”?
PM: “Do something that you’re passionate about. It’s not about the money; totally commit yourself and don’t waiver. Get as much help as you can and always be a student”.
 
It seems that the core company philosophy of value is sustaining the impressive growth. Fetch! currently operates more than 200 dog franchises and shows no signs of slowing; the true spirit of business is alive and well within this organization.

For more information on this company, you can view the company’s website at http://www.fetchpetcare.com/own_a_franchise/page/7/-/page.php.

Leona Charles: “Why did you choose Phoenix”?nu

Paul Mann: “It’s a great area for expansion. Right now it’s one of the top 10 markets for pet services. Also the people in Phoenix are great people”.

LC: “Your company research shows an annual growth of 5%, do you expect this type of success in the Phoenix market”?

PM: “Last year our dog walking franchise saw a growth of 153%, so we do expect similar growth in Phoenix. The demand is still there despite the economy. Baby Boomers are big customers for us and the younger crowd still has the expendable income and is spending it in animal services”.

LC: “What will Fetch! bring to the Phoenix market”?

PM: “We want to provide professional love and care to the animals we look after. We also work with a lot of charities that focus on adoption and animal rescue, but ultimately we will be providing the Phoenix with jobs and support to the local economy”.

LC: “You came from a very different background (an IT industrybackground), how did you transition and what did you need to learn”?

PM: “I started the business in 2002, but I didn’t franchise it until a year and half later. I worked as a dog walker before I franchised the business. I had to understand the pet care business from a software perspective and I really needed to understand what the pets and the customers needed”.

LC: “Do you have any pearls of wisdom for would be or budding entrepreneurs”?

PM: “Do something that you’re passionate about. It’s not about the money; totally commit yourself and don’t waiver. Get as much help as you can and always be a student”.
 
It seems that the core company philosophy of value is sustaining the impressive growth. Fetch! currently operates more than 200 dog franchises and shows no signs of slowing; the true spirit of business is alive and well within this organization.

For more information on this company, you can view the company’s website at http://www.fetchpetcare.com/franchise.

A Farmington resident, Jensen has turned her love of animals into a new career by caring for animals at her home or at the pet owner’s house.

Her business called Fetch Pet Care of Northwest Arkansas is a national dog franchise that is locally owned and operated.

Jensen owns the only franchise in Arkansas and serves northwest Arkansas.

Jensen had worked in the legal business for about 15 years and said she was ready for a career change when a friend asked if she was interested in buying the pet franchise.

The decision was not a hard one, Jensen said.

“I love animals, every single kind.”

At first, she continued in the legal business, along with operating Fetch Pet Care, but now she is in the pet care business full-time and has three employees.

The business provides a variety of services. Jensen provides cage-free boarding at her home and has a large fenced-in yard.

She lives near Creekside Park and uses the park to walk her boarded animals.

Jensen and her workers also go to the pet owner’s home to feed and water animals, walk dogs and just give attention to the pets.

She provides this in-home service for many clients who cannot come home during the work day to care for their animals.

“This really is an alternative to kenneling your dog or other animals,” Jensen said. “People can leave their pets in their own environment and we will come and sit with the pet.”

A big part of her business, she said, is emergency situations. People will call because they have to work overtime and need someone to feed their animals and let them outside for a short while.

Jensen’s work is different every week, she said.

Over the holidays, she boarded 11 dogs at her home and provided in-home care for 15 other animals. Since the holidays, business has slowed down and she has three dogs at her house.

Jensen said she believes her business provides a need for people who are concerned about their pets.

“When we travel there always is a concern aboutwhat to do with our pets,” she said. “We’ll lean on a friend or family member but a lot of times, they get busy and forget.”

She said Fetch Pet Care is insured and bonded and is in the business of taking care of animals.

Jensen said she especially enjoys her new career because she knows that petowners appreciate the care and love she gives their animals.

“I enjoy it when I see the look on their faces when they bring animals and pick them up,” she added.

For more information, contact Jensen  nwa@fetchcare.com.

For more information on the pet business, Fetch Pet Care, and their national dog walking franchise and pet sitting franchise, please visit their website.

source: Northwest Arkansas Newspapers

Charley Moore, a Gulf War veteran from San Francisco, left the military behind and went on to start two successful Internet companies. And Eddy Solis of Wilmington, North Carolina, who also served in Iraq, decided to open a dog walking franchise.

While we may think of military folks as being used to following orders, most end up with experience that is a perfect fit for entrepreneurship. “Those that have been deployed have had a lot of responsibility and made a lot of decisions on their own, and worked under pressure,” says Larry Carr, a veteran who is a management professor at Babson College in Massachusetts. That’s the ideal profile of an entrepreneur, he notes.

And an increasing number of vets are looking at entrepreneurship as an alternative to working for someone else, says Carr. About 1.6 million vets are self-employed today, according to recent data from the Small Business Administration.

Carr says many are turning to self-employment because they’re frustrated with the tough economy, which has made it difficult to find a job. He adds that a lot of ex-military personnel don’t want to go to a company and have to start at the bottom. “They’ve gotten used to a certain level of decision-making,” he notes.

Indeed, Moore feels the military prepared him. “You’ve seen a lot of tough things and you know how to deal with adversity,” he says.

“When I was 23 I had a division on a ship and 30 people who reported to me. You end up, whether you’re enlisted or an officer, with responsibility that isn’t commensurate with age,” he explains. And through it all, he says, you persevere. “Entrepreneurship is all about perseverance.”

My 9 month old pet dog, Theodore is a wimp. He is petrified of the car, hates the trash truck and vacuum cleaner and distrusts anyone or anything new.  His fear of the car means that nine times out of ten, he throws up even on the shortest jaunt.  An empty box left on the floor following the arrival of a package from the Fetch! Pet Care online store is cause for code red alert and high suspicion.  He stretches out his 30 pound body as far as it will go to approach and sniff the demon box without actually touching it. Although barking madly seems like the thing to do, it inevitably fails to ease his concern. He whimpers and whines and avoids the offending object or person. Even the sight of another dog walking by triggers an anxious response from my little man.

My other pet dog is Theodore’s brother, Alvin. He is a dog’s dog.  Nothing bothers him.  He loves to ride in the car and gives the trash truck nothing more than a passing glance.   If a new pet sitter comes to visit, he is ever so happy to make friends.  The empty box is proudly carried about and chewed up into little bits. The dog walking by is a new buddy he hasn’t met yet.

What does this mean when we’re talking about dogs and their fearful behavior?  Don’t feel guilty if this description fits your dog.  It’s not your fault and there is hope.  It would appear that at least some of Theodore’s fear comes from who he is, from how he is put together.  How do we help the fearful dog? 

Do we throw him into challenging situations, like enrolling him in a dog daycare? Go for dog walks when the trash truck is rolling by?  Have a big, noisy party and just hope he conquers his fear of strangers by exposure?  Perhaps we take the opposite approach and avoid the things that frighten him. No dog walking on trash day. Stay away from the dog park, stop having people over to visit, and never run the vacuum cleaner (great idea!).

The answer lies somewhere in between.  Ease your pet dog into new situations.  Start by not always being so predictable.  Put on a crazy hat now and then, not to scare your pet dog, but to show him that familiar things can be different, but still safe. Take a different route on your next dog walk. Don’t put him in the car (or force him into any situation), but be patient enough to condition him into accepting it as a part of his world and allow him to approach gradually over a period of days. This is a great lesson for all pet dogs.  Don’t avoid walking on trash day.  Instead, take him out, but start by walking the opposite direction from the truck.  Let him hear it first, then after a week or two, be a little bolder.  Be sensitive to his body language, tail and ears up means he’s enjoying himself.  Tail, head and ears down shows he is not feeling confident.  Be gentle, but not overly sympathetic. Don’t shower him with stroking and “Oh you poor thing” attitude. Let him figure it out for himself and be a consistent, calm presence. With patience, confidence and consistency you can help your anxious pet dog overcome his fears.

This article was written by Phyllis Durborow, owner of Fetch! Pet Care of North Indy.  Phyllis can be reached at 317-644-1465.  Fetch! Pet Care is the largest national pet services and pet sitting company in the United States; serving 38 states in more than 2,000 cities and towns.