TLC House and Pet Sitting Services, LLC

Finding Animal-Friendly Apartments : The Humane Society of the United States

2010-04-07T09:33:00.002-07:00

Finding Animal-Friendly Apartments : The Humane Society of the United States

TLC in NAPPS Network Magazine

2010-03-05T08:49:00.004-07:00

This article was first published in Winter 2009 in The NAPPS Network - The Magazine of the National Association of Pet Sitters.

It’s Not Just WHAT You Know . . .

by Steve Milano

Success in the pet sitting business
depends not just on what you
know, but who you know, as well.
At least that’s the philosophy of
Kara Jenkins, owner of TLC House
& Pet Sitting Service in the Phoenix
metro area.
For most of her 10-year-career,
Kara has been building relationships
with other pet sitters, groomers,
veterinarians, kennels, trainers,
pet stores and anyone involved in
the pet care profession. She belongs
to both local and national pet
sitter associations in order to meet
and learn from others. She attends
the NAPPS annual conference not
only to listen to the speakers, but to
meet other pet sitters from across
the country, as well.
Through her careful and continual
cultivation of professional contacts,
Kara has built a business which
today has 10 pet sitters and more
than 500 customers.
Growing up in Bartlett, Illinois; Jenkins had
many pets as a child, including dogs, birds,
fish, gerbils and cats. She rode horses her
family owned, and took up animal photography.
Her mother bred champion Golden Retrievers,
and Kara was a junior show handler from age
nine to eleven, traveling the Midwest showing
dogs.
During her college years, Kara majored in
special education and minored in exercise
sport science at the University of Arizona. It
was during college that Kara was first asked
to pet sit by a classmate, and she began
sitting for fun, making apartment visits and
overnight stays. During her time back home,
she worked at her mother’s boarding and
grooming business.
After college, Kara worked with children who
were disabled. It was during this time misfortune
struck—Kara’s hearing, damaged in a
skiing accident age 16, began to worsen and
left her hearing impaired in her right ear.
She left her job to find work she could do
with her hearing loss, but was unsuccessful
in her search, and eventually enrolled in
vocational rehabilitation. After taking a variety
of tests to determine what type of career
would be best for her, Kara realized the right
path for her was to start her own business.
She began working on creating a pet sitting
business, attending classes, working with
counselors and developing a business plan.
In 2001, after 18 months of working on her
business plan while also working part time,
Kara was ready to launch her pet sitting
service. She began building her business
primarily through word-of-mouth customer
referrals and networking with other pet
professionals in the Phoenix Metro area. She
joined a local pet sitting association which
sponsored monthly meetings with guest
speakers and offered other support. This
allowed her to obtain additional business via
other local pet sitters who had no backup
when they went on vacation. Building trust
through verbal agreements not to “steal” her
competitors’ clients allowed her to build her
network of contacts.
Kara continued to improve her business
skills, turning to her family for more business
It’s Not Just WHAT You Know . . .
By Steve Milano
Napps Network • 11
advice, working with a financial
consultant and building a network
of contacts in the pet care profession.
Like all successful entrepreneurs,
Kara grew by trial and error,
learning from early missteps. One
lesson she learned as she began
to grow her business was not to
service too large an area in order to
chase more dollars.
“I provided service in a very large
area to reach more affluent people,
but it was more travel and work,”
she said. “Now, I keep the business
close to home.”
Today, TLC operates within a 20-30
mile radius of its home base and
her business strategy is growth
by increasing local market share.
The business serves mostly dogs,
cats and small pets. In order to
build its business, TLC has made
contacts in the offices of the many
local apartment complexes in the
area, where office managers and
concierges recommend pet sitting
services to their tenants.
Pet sitting Web sites were not
standard for the pet sitting profession when
Kara formed TLC, so Kara supplemented her
word-of-mouth marketing with flyers (which
helped) and coupons (which didn’t). TLC now
has an expansive Web site (www.tlcpetsitter.
com) and sends an e-newsletter to its clients.
Because TLC is not a full-service pet sitting
business, Kara prices her services in the midmarket
range to attract more business. TLC
provides daily, mid-day and overnight visits,
but does not offer transporting, grooming, or
live-in services. As she started her business,
Kara collected payment at the time of providing
service; today, she collects payment in
advance.
As part of her initial business plan, she had
made plans for when and how to add contractors
as TLC expanded. Within two years,
she began hiring, and retained a consultant
to help her hire her first contractors. She
has received as many as 150 responses to
an ad for help, and has set hiring criteria for
contractors (available for viewing at TLC’s
Web site).
Some criteria include:
• Volunteer and/or other pet care industry
experience with local vet clinics, animal
shelters, groomers, pet stores, etc.
• Experience in the administration of injections
for both cats and dogs
• Pet CPR and First Aid must be completed
within 120 days of hire
• Ability to pass a background check and
have excellent references.
Each potential hire is first screened on
the phone before qualifying for a personal
interview. Contractors are expected to sign a
no-compete clause.
For those interested in getting into pet sitting,
Kara suggests getting some free, hands-on
experience, first.
“Go to work at a kennel or the humane
society,” she recommends. “You get to learn
breeds and behaviors and reactions. You get
to see aggression and fear in the animals. It’s
important to see those,” she said.
To broaden the services you can
offer your clients, she suggests
educating yourself on pet health
and maintenance. “Most clients are
grateful for your advice.”
Not content to coast on her current
success, Kara is continually looking
for ways to build her knowledge
base and network.
“I can’t say enough about how
helpful NAPPS has been,” she said.
“I use all the NAPPS tools, like
the business forms and NAPPS
Chat and teleconferences. I’ve
reviewed my contract because
of what I learned from NAPPS. I
realized I needed business hours
and I needed time for myself, after
talking with Candance (Labane-
Godfrey, NAPPS past president who
conducts the monthly mentoring
teleconferences).”
Kara is participating in this year’s
NAPPS Presents 4 Pets program
and will be going through NAPPS’s
online certification program.
Kara is now at a point in her career
where she wants to give back to
the profession. She has taken on
the vice presidency of the Arizona Professional
Pet Sitters Association and serves on the
Membership Committee of NAPPS, reaching
out to new members.
Whether you are a veteran in the pet sitting
business or just starting out, Kara suggests a
path that has served her well.
“Building relationships is very important,”
she said. “Get to know the local veterinarians
and groomers. Join your local pet sitter association.
I would advise anyone who wants
to be a pet sitter to join NAPPS. NAPPS is
wonderful. It has changed my life,” Kara said,
and she invites any NAPPS members with
any questions she may be able to answer to
contact her via her Web site.
Based on Kara Jenkins’s history of getting
involved with others in her profession, NAPPS
members can expect to see more of this
committed pet sitter involved in NAPPS—
learning, expanding her professional network,
giving back and increasing not only what she

Top 10 Dog Breeds Affected By Periodontal Disease | Pet and Animal News | PetPeoplesPlace.com

2010-03-03T09:34:00.001-07:00

Top 10 Dog Breeds Affected By Periodontal Disease | Pet and Animal News | PetPeoplesPlace.com

Valentine's Day Safety Tips

2010-02-04T11:26:00.003-07:00

Valentine’s Day is a special day for your pets too. We profess our unconditional love and spoil them with affection.

Since dangers pop up North Shore Animal League America has offered a few tips on how to keep pets safe from potential Valentine’s Day hazards.

Chocolate
The number one belly ache for pets on Valentine’s Day is chocolate since it’s so readily available. Depending on the amount ingested, chocolate is potentially poisonous to many animals. A good rule of thumb to remember is the less sweet the chocolate, the more toxic it could be. These particular chocolates contain theobromine, which is a substance similar to caffeine. Even in small, non-toxic doses, chocolate can still cause stomach upset, diarrhea, vomiting, hyperactivity, dehydration and seizures. It's best not to tempt fate with tempting chocolates. Leave the sweets for your human sweetie.

Candy and Gum
Many sugar-free candy, gum and baked products today contain xylitol. Xylitol is a sweetener found in plants that is used as a sugar substitute and is highly toxic to dogs, so be sure not to leave these snacks laying around where your pet can find them. Dogs ingesting significant amounts of gum or candies solely or largely sweetened with xylitol may develop a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression, vomiting, loss of coordination, seizures and even liver failure. Symptoms come on very quickly. If you suspect that your pet has ingested any amount of xylitol, call your veterinarian immediately.

Plants and Flowers
Many different varieties of flowers and plants are poisonous or harmful to pets. Different plants and flowers have varied effects. Some of the more popular varieties that may be found around Valentine’s Day are: Baby's Breath, Chrysanthemums, Daffodils, various Lilies, Ferns, Hyacinth, Hydrangea, Impatiens, Lily-of-the-Valley, Rubber plants, and Tulips. Cats, especially, find grass-like plants irresistible and have access to just about everywhere. There are many more flowers and plants that can cause upset and even death to your pet, so please be aware to keep all varieties of flora and fauna away from them.

Siamese cat needs a new home ( owner passed away)

2010-02-01T14:02:00.000-07:00

A beautiful affectionate pedigree 4 year old Siamese cat needs a new home. His owner wanted him to have a good home as he gave her constant companionship. She recently passed away and the family is allergic to cats. Her daughter contacted me and asked if I knew anyone interested. If there is a cat rescue
please let me know. The daughter's name is Gerry and her phone number is 239-248-2227.

Finding Animal-Friendly Apartments : The Humane Society of the United States

2010-01-31T10:53:00.001-07:00

Finding Animal-Friendly Apartments : The Humane Society of the United States

San Tan Sun News Article about P4P

2009-12-02T16:09:00.009-07:00

See us in the San Tan Sun Newspaper about our Presents 4 Pets Canpagin. Click on the link below and go to page 18.

http://content.yudu.com/Library/A1iwgv/SanTanSun112109Issue/resources/index.htm?referrerUrl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.santansun.com%2Fsantan_home.htm

Presents 4 Pets Campagin

2009-12-02T16:06:00.001-07:00

TLC House & Pet Sitting Service, LLC collected approximately 1,272 items worth $3,508.40 to benefit the following worthy organizations:

• AZ Animal Welfare League: www.aawl.org
• Lost Our Home: http://www.lostourhome.org/
• AZ Humane Society:http://www.azhumane.org

Tucker needs a home

2009-11-20T14:56:00.001-07:00

A woman named Teresa ran into an old acquaintance today at the shelter who was surrendering his (boxer mix) dog, Tucker. He lost his home...etc..etc... She would not let him leave the dog in a cage at the pound and currently has the dog in her yard. However, she can't keep him and is anxiously trying to find a home for him. Can someone help this dog so he'll never have to see the inside of the county pound? Here's his ad and a link to his slideshow. You can contact Teresa ANY time.

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/pet/1474033153.html

2009-11-08T09:57:00.002-07:00

Presents 4 Pets- we currently have collected 1203 items for a total of $2,655.00 and still counting.

2009-11-06T21:10:00.001-07:00

Currently 594 itmes have been donated for a total of $1,597.30

FREE KITTENS

2009-10-21T15:40:00.006-07:00

Two kittens need a home. They are both little girls... 6-7 weeks old... no shots.. eating kitten food and using the litter box already.. mommie cat still nurses. They just made a home in one of my client's yards. To adopt these kittens CALL CAROL at 480-844-0636 before 8pm for e-mail her at tvlhoes@yahoo.com.

Presents 4 Pets Donatations Locations

2009-10-16T18:30:00.006-07:00

Presents 4 Pets is a nationwide program designed to help support local shelters and rescue groups as well as the animals they serve.

Items Needed:
This is a list of always needed items for all types of pets: we can take slightly used items

Toys – Treats – Blankets – Towels – Rugs
Food – Beds – Leashes – Collars – Litter

Rescue Groups:
AZ Animal Welfare League: www.aawl.org
Lost Our Home: http://www.lostourhome.org/
AZ Humane Society:http://www.azhumane.org

Donation Locations:
TLC clients are encouraged and welcomed to leave donations at their homes for their pet sitters to collect while they are providing pet sitting services. Receipts for donation items will be provided by TLC upon request. All donated items are tax deductible. All donations will be distributed to local animal shelters and rescue groups.

Dogs Day Out : 2015 N. Dobson, Suite 10, Chandler,AZ 480-786-5686 ( Dobson & Warner)
McClintock Animal Care Center: 1836 E. Elliot Rd, Tempe,AZ 480-820-2822 ( McClintock and Guadalupe) www.accvet.net
Sunflower Pet Supply: 1840 E Warner Rd. Ste.135,Tempe AZ, 85284 ( Warner & McClintock) 480-775-2891 http://www.sunflowerpetsupply.com/
University Animal Hospital: 2500 S Hardy Dr, Tempe,85282 (Southern and Hardy) 480-968-9275 http://www.universityvet.com/
Islands Animal Clinic: 1530 West Elliot Road
Gilbert, AZ 85233 (Elliot and McQueen) 480-892-3558
http://www.islandsanimalclinic.net/
Choice Pet Market: 7119 E Shea Blvd, Scottsdale, AZ‎ 85254-6107 (Scottsdale and Shea) 480-575-9292‎ choicepetmarket.com‎
Canine Preferred: 4450 N Saddlebag Trail, Scottsdale, AZ 85251-3412 (Scottsdale and Camelback) 480-947-0687caninepreferred.com‎
The Pet Club - Mesa: 55 S Country Club Dr, Mesa, AZ 85210-1222 (Main and Country Club) 480-834-7387
The Pet Club - Gilbert: 2556 S Val Vista Dr, Gilbert, AZ 85295-1697 (Val Vista and Williams Field) 480-899-7387
The Pet Club - Chandler: 3165 S Alma School Rd, Chandler, AZ 85248-3762 (Alma School and Queen Creek)480-821-7387 http://www.thepetclub.net/
The Natural Pet Mobile Groomer: East Valley Service Area 480-777-2362 (Donations will be picked up at scheduled grooming appointments)

Sponsors:
TLC would also like to give special thanks to sponsors who provided much needed resources in order to make this campaign possible. Thanks to:

Storage West Self Storage: Donated boxes and storage shed. 1262 North Arizona Avenue, Chandler, AZ 85225 480-963-7175 www.STORAGEWEST.com

Alphagraphics of Chandler: Donated posters and flyers
2535 W Fairview, Suite 104Chandler, AZ 85224 480-821-0985 us124.alphagraphics.com

Hunter and by boys playing September 2009

2009-10-12T17:08:00.004-07:00

Presents 4 Pets

2009-09-30T17:02:00.003-07:00

Presents 4 Pets is a nationwide program designed to help support local shelters and rescue groups as well as the animals they serve.

The “Presents 4 Pets” campaign, an annual collection drive benefiting pets in shelters by providing items desperately needed to help keep shelters operational while maintaining animals' comfort and safety.

This national program, sponsored annually by NAPPS, will run until the first week of November, coinciding with National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week observed November 1-7.

Items Needed
This is a list of always needed items for all types of pets:

Toys – Treats – Blankets – Towels – Rugs
Food – Beds – Leashes – Collars – Litter

Rescue Groups
Tthe following worthy rescue groups:
AZ Animal Welfare League: www.aawl.org
Lost Our Home: http://www.lostourhome.org/
AZ Humane Society:http://www.azhumane.org

Donation Locations
Those interested in making a donation can find drop boxes at participating establishments listed below. TLC clients are encouraged and welcomed to leave donations at their homes for their pet sitters to collect while they are providing pet sitting services. Receipts for donation items will be provided by TLC upon request. All donated items are tax deductible. All donations will be distributed to local animal shelters and rescue groups.

Dogs Day Out:
2015 N. Dobson, Suite 10, Chandler,AZ 480-786-5686 ( Dobson & Warner)

McClintock Animal Care Center:
1836 E. Elliot Rd, Tempe,AZ 480-820-2822 ( McClintock and Guadalupe) www.accvet.net

Sunflower Pet Supply:
1840 E Warner Rd. Ste.135,Tempe AZ, 85284 ( Warner & McClintock)
480-775-2891 http://www.sunflowerpetsupply.com/

More locations coming soon...

Sponsors
TLC would also like to give special thanks to sponsors who provided much needed resources in order to make this campaign possible. Thanks to:

Storage West Self Storage- for the boxes and storage shed. www.STORAGEWEST.com

TWO LABS NEED A HOME

2009-09-02T13:39:00.004-07:00

Sam is the tan lab and Jake is the black lab. They both are about 12 years old.
Please contact Cheryl at #281-781-0055 to get more information on adopting/fostering these sweet dogs, or she can be contacted by her e-mail address: cheryl.lang@imstoday.com

K9 Kredentials

2009-09-01T14:50:00.002-07:00

K9 KredentialsTM

Product Features:
K9 KredentialsTM features your pet in a handy
passport size booklet containing all necessary
information about your pet, including your pet’s
microchip number. Perfect for the vet, pet resorts
or pet sitter, K9 KredentialsTM includes pages for
completing information on health history, dietary
needs, medications, likes and dislikes. There is
even plenty of space for a chronology of trips to
the vet, pet resort or pet sitter.

Your pet’s important information all in one place!
When you are away, you will never have to worry
about the well-being of your four-legged friend!

Features include:
Customized photo
Personal pet information
Convenient passport size
Navy blue vinyl with gold foil embossed logo
Long lasting
Built for durability

32 pages
Size 4 1/4 x 5 1/2

For the person who has everything, what better
way to show how much you care for your friend
and their four legged friends. Purchase a Gift
Certificate at $ 24.95 plus shipping/handling good
for one K9 KredentialsTM.

If you prefer to order on-line,
check out our website:

www.baciedolcetta.com
www.k9kredentials.com

Tell all your friends -
we love rufferals!!!!

Adopt Bella

2009-09-01T14:27:00.002-07:00

Please pass on to anyone who might be able to help. Attached is a picture of a lost puppy found by one of TLC sitter's (Amanda’s) neighbors. Amanda’s neighbor contacted the owner they do not want her back. The original owner got her from someone at a Circle K and said he was going to take her to the pound. She needs to be spayed and needs a home. The Amanda’s neighbor is going to see what she can do about getting the dog spayed. She was going to take her to the pound, but was able to get a friend to foster her for a little while. She is very sweet and good natured and cute. If anyone can help in finding her a home, please advise.

Amanda’s neighbor also has a calico kitten, a male Russian Blue, 2 brownish tabby females and 3 black kittens (2 females and 1 male). All are spayed and neutered and just over 4 months old. They were all bottle fed since babies and are very social and sweet and get along with other cats and have been around a dog. Pictures of any kittens can be provided.

You can contact Jacey, at jalynbrwn@cox.net or 480-464-4765.

Presents for pets

2009-08-18T16:40:00.003-07:00

The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters in conjunction with the Humane Society of the United States’ National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week is proud to announce our annual collection drive to benefit shelter and rescue pets!

National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week
November 1 – 7, 2009

Presents 4 Pets is a nationwide program designed to help support
local shelters and rescue groups and the animals they serve.

These abandoned pets need your help!
You can provide for their comfort by donating:

Toys – Treats – Blankets – Towels – Rugs – Bleach
Beds – Leashes – Collars – Coupons – Newspapers
…and more!

For donation pick-up or a drop-off location near you,
please call TLC House & Pet Sitting Service at:

TLC House & Pet Sitting Service, LLC
“An Alternative to Boarding”
480-588-1364 (1DOG)
www.tlcpetsitter.com

All donations will be distributed to local animal shelters and rescue groups

Be a Foster Parent

2009-08-14T10:01:00.001-07:00

Here is a note from Barbara E. DunningGuild Certified Tellington TTouch Practitioner,

Would you like to help out some very nice animals and be a foster parent? I volunteer TTouch at Four Peaks Animal Rescue, and they really are desperate for foster homes for dogs, cats and kittens. Nancy Borkowicz runs FPAR, and she is a dedicated, compassionate animal lover who is very much in need of help for her animal orphans. You can reach Nancy at 480-471-3520. Also, Four Peaks is having an adoption this Saturday, August 15th, at Ace Hardware at Tatum Blvd. and Dynamite Road in Cave Creek from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. You can sign up there, too!

Please think about it. With this slow economy, more animals are being left behind or dropped off at shelters and doorsteps. They deserve better ... they deserve good homes, even if they are temporary. Thank you!

Barbara E. DunningGuild Certified Tellington TTouch Practitioner PETential Paths L.L.C.Cave Creek, AZbarb.PETentialPaths@cox.net www.PETentialPaths.com 602-793-7277

Midnight Searching for a Home - Mix Black Lab

2009-08-03T13:37:00.008-07:00

My name is Midnight.......I am homeless. Every rescue dog has a story, my story is not a very happy one. But I will tell you any way.

I lived in Gilbert, Arizona I had a house with a yard and a dad I thought loved me. I think I lived there for quite a while. I lived with my doggy friend, Sadie and also two cats.
It was just another day hanging out in the yard bathing in the sun, when I heard a noise I had never heard before, it was loud and the noise scared me.......after the noise I heard silence. Something was wrong and things felt different. I knew my dad was sad and things are tough in the world right now, but I did not know he would take is life he shot himself and he is gone,.......there I was no dad and all alone.

We must have had an angel watching over us....after a few days of being alone in the yard and in the heat...I a kind rescuer came and saved us. I am now living in a kennel and its lonely and I don’t understand why this happened.

I am a happy three year old black lab, I love other dogs and kids, and I lived with two cats. I would enjoy being a part of a family that will love me forever, long walks and family trips and perhaps a big fluffy dog bed to lie on would be nice too!!. I think I’m quite deserving of a loving forever home. Are you my new friend? I will do anything to be loved by someone again.

Here is my video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1g3ouAhdqc

Please contact my rescuer Jill Lenz to meet me
(Work) 602-258-0073
(Home) 602-438-1144
or e-mail at jill@cdsframing.com

New Addition to Kara's Family

2009-07-24T15:51:00.009-07:00

I would like to introduce Hunter Jenkins, our new Golden/Lab mix rescue. He is about 9 weeks old. He is cute, cuddly, and full of energy. He loves to nibble our ankles and keep us up at night! Brownie and Niko were unsure about him at first, but they seem to be warming up to him.