News and Events©Petpals (UK) Limited
Last update: 28 Nov 2007
We will be exhibiting at the Wag and Bone Show this year, please come and visit us, we look forward to seeing you there. Windsor Great Park, Saturday 2nd August 08 www.thewagandboneshow.com
We are pleased to announce the successful resale of part of the Southampton territory, Petpals Eastleigh. We wish them every success and warmly welcome Diane and David Jones to the Petpals Network.
The column meets a North-East company where pets aren't just man's best friend but family members too.
EVERY pet has its little ways...
One little dog, for instance, had its own bedroom, its own bed and its own routine, which meant that every night when Sallyann Gray was looking after him, she tucked him up in bed and pulled the duvet snugly over him.
"It was what he was used to and what the owner wanted us to do," says Sallyann, "so, of course, that's what we did."
Sallyann and husband David run the local Petpals, which will basically care for your pets as well as you would, right down to its very special routine.
Dog walking, pet sitting, cat visiting.... they'll look after your pets in your home or have them to stay in theirs, like very honoured guests.
Your dog likes grated cheese on everything? Fine. Your cats like someone to talk to them while they're eating? Fine. Your lizard likes chopped up tomatoes? Also fine. Your budgie, rabbit, parrot, hamster and even your snake, will feel right at home.
"Kennels aren't always right for a dog that's used to being part of a family.
They're used to being in a house, the sound of conversation, television, the washing machine, having people around them all the time," says Sallyann. "And carpets. Hard to get used to a concrete floor when you're used to carpets and comfy chairs."
If it wasn't for the enthusiastic barking from the back of the house, it would be hard to believe, sitting in her immaculate front room, that they regularly have pets to stay, and that this is also home, not just to the Grays and their three children, but also to the Grays' own menagerie - currently a retriever called Jasper, two rescue dogs, two cats, two rabbits, a five foot long corn snake, an aquarium of tropical fish and a pony.
"We know exactly how passionately people feel about their pets. True, we've had some pampered pooches, but pets are a real part of the family and it's hard to go away and enjoy yourself if you're worried about leaving them behind."
Sallyann took over the Petpals franchise for Darlington and Yarm two years ago, loved it so much that husband David joined her and took over the Teesside franchise. They have three vans and a car specially fitted out for the animals - they will take your pet to the vets too, including the night-time emergency vet service in Middlesbrough.
"It's always been a dream to work with animals," says Sallyann, who previously worked in pre-school education - "a lot of transferable skills".
She'd not long come in from walking some dogs. She and her team walk all shapes and sizes of dogs everyday. Armed with bunches of keys ("The bane of my life. David's an ex-policeman so we are very security conscious"), pooh bags and dog biscuits, the walkers take the dogs out for an energetic 40 minutes or so.
"A few years ago, people would never have thought of paying someone to walk their dogs, but now we are all so busy that we have got used to paying for all sort of extra help, and that includes looking after the dogs."
The walkers, all fully insured, never take more than four dogs at once, fewer if they have particularly boisterous dogs, and there are always two walkers when they have a new dog, just in case, but they have never had any trouble. They always write a little report about where the dogs have been. And as owners were intrigued about the places and the other dogs, Sallyann now organises regular walks for all her clients.
"Last weekend we were in Coatham Wood. There were 22 dogs all running free with at least 40 owners, friends and families. It's a wonderful sight. We had lovely weather this time, but even when it's wet and muddy, everyone still enjoys it and it's good to meet the other owners."
When she's asked to board a pet, she has a team of 12 families she can call on.
"It's important that we know the families well and also that we can match the pet to the family. The pets keep to their own routine and get lots of attention, including cuddles. No dog is ever left to howl and wowl and be miserable. We knew of one couple who owned a setter and hadn't been on holiday for seven years because they couldn't leave her. But she was very happy to stay with us. She started off just for one night, then a weekend and now they're happy to leave her for three weeks at a time.
"Our dogs love it when we have others staying here. Dogs are pack animals. They love company."
Cats, of course, are much more independent, which is why the team is more likely to go in and see to cats in their own homes. And water the plants and pick up the post while they're there. They will also make regular home visit to check up on sick or elderly animals, who might need medicine or just a bit of attention and company.
The first time we came across the Grays was when they were nominated for Bouquet of the Week. They had taken a sick dog in their pet taxi to the vet's, sadly, to be put down but were so kind and gentle with both the dog and the owner that they made a difficult situation a lot easier to cope with.
Sallyann is on the go from 8am - 8pm - not forgetting having to see to her daughter's horse and all the paperwork. She produces a regular newsletter and is a keen supporter of the pet blood bank.
"People don't realise that animals need blood transfusions too and so there have to be donors. Jasper's a regular. He's down the vet's every three months to give blood."
It's not just cats and dogs that are welcome in the Grays' home. "We've had snakes, rats, free-flying budgies, house rabbits, tortoises, lizards and an African parrot that sings. All sorts really."
But even for a passionate animal lover, there are limits. "The only thing I don't think I could cope with is spiders. I really don't like spiders. I think we'd have to say no to those."
* www.petpals.com. Petpals Darlington and Yarm tel: 0845 094 0937. Dog walking, dog visits, doggy home boarding, cat visits, home sitting, small pets and exotics.
Specially adapted pet taxi for everything from small pets to huge dogs. Petpals charge £9 a day to walk dogs and £20 per night for dogs to board in a family home.
Sallyanne Grey and her husband David run Petpals (Darlington and Yarm), an all purpose pet service that includes walking caring, dog sitting and pet taxis. They were very helpful when a darlington reader had to take her dog to the vet. But when a few weeks later, the same reader had to take her dog Nell and have her put down, Sallyanne and David were really brilliant.
"Arriving within ten minutes of my calling them, they stayed for over two hours while the vet tried in vain to save my pet. They offered comfort, support and even a lift home. Although there is normally a charge for this pet taxi service, but on this occasion there was no charge whatsoever. Their caring attitude helped me so much at this very upsetting time."
The clocks going back, bonfire night and gathering of leaves in the gardens are all signs that winter is fast approaching and with it the fact walking the dog in the daytime becomes more difficult to the working family.
The PDSA recently published a survey that found a third of dog owners found that their dogs were affected by SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) with the dark winter months inducing depression. Half of all dog owners found that their animal spent longer asleep during winter and 20% said their best friend was less lively.
A third of cat owners and 25% of dog owners reported their pets eating more during winter, which could indicate comfort eating in the same way humans do to feel better.
The PDSA recommend a kick start to your pet’s winter health routine with regular daytime exercise and a well balanced diet.
Petpals, a nationwide professional pet care provider, is expanding its local walking services throughout Middlesbrough, Billingham, Stockton and Yarm.
Petpals Prides itself on being able to provide a professional, friendly and flexible pet care programme to suit all owners needs. Their dog walking programme utilises the learning from the famous dog whisperer, caeser milan.
Using the dog whisperer’s methodology Sallyann, David and their dedicated dog walking teams tackle the needs of all sorts of dogs and their owner’s lifestyles by incorporating mental stimulation and social skills into their walking programme.
“It was a enormous privilege to spend time training with the dog whisper,” explains David,
“We walk dogs in social groups and interact with them throughout their walk the result is very contented and happy dogs return home to their owners.”
Petpals provide a number of other core services including puppy visits and socialisation, doggy home boarding, pet sitting, small animal and cat home visits, pet taxi and nationwide pet relocations.
Whatever your requirement, going on holiday, out at work or the spontaneous day out petpals will provide you piece of mind by taking of your family pet.
Call Sallyann or David today to take advantage of petpals opening offers on 0845 094 0937 or see them at www.petpals.com
A copy of the press article is here. Visit the Darligton Yarm area page here.
Following the success of Petpals Darlington & Yarm, husband and wife team Sally and David launched Petpals Tees Valley to run in tandem in September 2007.
Petpals are please to announce that with effect from today Petpals Chelmsford is under new ownership. Ellie and Peter Martin have taken over the successful area franchise previously operated by Sarah and Jamie. We wish them every success fir the future.
Petpals launches the South Durham territory covering the Aycliffe Village, Newton Aycliffe, Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Bishop Middleham, Bradbury, Cornforth, Crook, Foxton, Gainford, Mordon, High Consicliffe, Manfield, Roddymoor, Shildon, Spennymoor, Staindrop, Trimdon, Winston, Willington and surrounding areas. The franchise opened in June 2007.
Nick Skinner had a good job with a substantial salary and drove an impressive, powerful car.
But he was fed up of spending his life trekking up and down the country's motorways as a sales and marketing man in the construction industry and wanted to be his own boss.
"I wasn't sure what else I could do and having no experience of running my own business, taking on a franchise seemed like the simplest and safest route into self employment, says the 48 year-old from Sandhurst.
"Having only limited savings, I released some equity from my home. I decided it was a good cause compared to the popular things such as cars and holidays so I had no hesitation doing this," he adds "I chose PetPals, which offers pet services such as dog and cat sitting, walking and pet food and accessories, because I liked the package they offered - the training, support and back-up - which I knew I would need.
"And having pets of my own I already had the experience and passion that would help me to make a success of the business."
Nick is delighted that he made the move three-and-a-half years ago.
He now has almost 400 clients, one full-time and two part-time employees and has increased the area he covers. "I've had many challenges over the years," he explains. "Having been in a comfort zone for so long, it took real determination and courage to step out on my own.
"Friends and family were initially sceptical, then cautiously supportive and finally full of respect for what I'd done.
"I'd advise anyone thinking of buying a franchise to check out the company thoroughly.
Talk to people already in the chosen business to get the lowdown on the pros and cons and then make a decision.
"And they must be able to support themselves for at least six months while getting established."
Nick is now selling on his business - not for negative reasons, he loves what he does - but he is moving to the Isle of Wight.
"I can't wait to start a new PetPals franchise there," he says. "I really enjoy it."
The full article is available on the daily mirror website, by clicking here and a copy of the press article is here.
Visit Nick's area pages of Crowthorne and Bracknell.
Following the success of Petpals Darlington & Yarm, husband and wife team Sally and David launched Petpals Tees Valley to run in tandem in September 2007.
Petpals are please to announce that with effect from today Petpals Chelmsford is under new ownership. Ellie and Peter Martin have taken over the successful area franchise previously operated by Sarah and Jamie. We wish them every success fir the future.
Petpals launches the South Durham territory covering the Aycliffe Village, Newton Aycliffe, Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Bishop Middleham, Bradbury, Cornforth, Crook, Foxton, Gainford, Mordon, High Consicliffe, Manfield, Roddymoor, Shildon, Spennymoor, Staindrop, Trimdon, Winston, Willington and surrounding areas. The franchise opened in June 2007.
eCommerce, eBusiness & eMarketing Cenetrix.com