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RIFLE — Michael Wilson of New Castle used to take his cat, Rodney, to someone else's place or a kennel when he was leaving town.
But these days, he hires a pet sitter who comes into his home and stays with his beloved cat as he is out of state about 12 days out of the month.
“This way it doesn't interfere with (Rodney's) schedule,” Wilson said. “He's in his bed and his place.”
It's a growing trend and provides peace of mind for many pet owners who go away during the holidays and can't take their pets with them. And there are several in-home pet sitters up and down the valley.
Judy Parks of Rifle operates Critter Sitter Extraordinary and provides in-home animal care. Parks watches pet sits from El Jebel to Rifle and will look after any type of animal, be it dog, cat, reptiles, birds or fish.
“I started this business in 1986 because I didn't want to see animals being boarded up in little kennels. The only complaint I've gotten from the owners is that when I would sit for them in their home, the pets didn't miss them as much,” Parks joked.
Parks works as a manager at PetCo in Glenwood Springs since 2001 and says she has worked with animals all her life.
“I was doing veterinary work in the 80's,” she recalled. “I grew up as one of six siblings and my mother said I was the one that always brought animals home.
Her goal of going into a person's home is to help alleviate the animals' stress by being in their own safe environment.
“For me, it's all about going into their environment where they feel comfortable,” Parks said.
She comes equipped with toys and treats and says she will walk the pets, take them for rides and administer any medications or special requirements they need.
“I try to keep them as close to their routine as possible,” Parks said. “I call my clients my ‘nieces and nephews.'”
Parks has no restrictions on the length of time a person will be gone, but she does ask that people book as much in advance as possible, especially during the holidays. However, she still has some time open for this Christmas.
To book a reservation, call Critter Sitter Extraordinary at 625- 8090 or (303) 883-7905.
Stacey Linman of Glenwood Springs, is the owner of Clutter Busters, a company which provides both in-home pet sitting services along with a de-cluttering organizational service from Carbondale to Rifle.
“My purpose is to keep the animals where they are most comfortable and keep their stress level at a minimum,” Linman said. “I come to you and take care of your home and lavish lots of love on your animals.”
Linman will feed, walk, administer medicines and even bathe your pet if they need it.
“I have no problem giving shots or giving meds,” she said.
Her only requirement, due to her other employment, is that it be possible she can access the Internet on her laptop or cell phone from the client's home.
“My other employment allows me to work from home, so I don't need to work at an office,” she explained. “That means I can spend more time with the animals.”
Linman, who has had her business for several years, has watched goats, chickens, rats and ferrets, along with dogs and cats.
“The only thing I won't deal with is spiders,” she said with a laugh. “I won't touch anything with eight legs.”
Linman provides all her own food and bedding and will even clean the house before you come home.
“I don't want to leave a mark while I'm there,” she said. “I clean before I leave.”
Linman also advises to book as far in advance as possible and currently has no bookings available until 2010.
“A lot of people book one year in advance,” she said. “When you make your travel reservations, you should make your pet reservations.”
She has no restrictions on minimum or maximum days. In fact, if you get home before noon, she will not charge for that day. The cost is generally $50 a day, regardless of the number of pets.
To book a reservation with Linman, call 379-0363.
For Wilson, he said having someone come into his home to take care of Rodney is worth it for both of them.
“I don't have to worry about him,” he said. “It's irreplaceable and comfortable.”
But these days, he hires a pet sitter who comes into his home and stays with his beloved cat as he is out of state about 12 days out of the month.
“This way it doesn't interfere with (Rodney's) schedule,” Wilson said. “He's in his bed and his place.”
It's a growing trend and provides peace of mind for many pet owners who go away during the holidays and can't take their pets with them. And there are several in-home pet sitters up and down the valley.
Judy Parks of Rifle operates Critter Sitter Extraordinary and provides in-home animal care. Parks watches pet sits from El Jebel to Rifle and will look after any type of animal, be it dog, cat, reptiles, birds or fish.
“I started this business in 1986 because I didn't want to see animals being boarded up in little kennels. The only complaint I've gotten from the owners is that when I would sit for them in their home, the pets didn't miss them as much,” Parks joked.
Parks works as a manager at PetCo in Glenwood Springs since 2001 and says she has worked with animals all her life.
“I was doing veterinary work in the 80's,” she recalled. “I grew up as one of six siblings and my mother said I was the one that always brought animals home.
Her goal of going into a person's home is to help alleviate the animals' stress by being in their own safe environment.
“For me, it's all about going into their environment where they feel comfortable,” Parks said.
She comes equipped with toys and treats and says she will walk the pets, take them for rides and administer any medications or special requirements they need.
“I try to keep them as close to their routine as possible,” Parks said. “I call my clients my ‘nieces and nephews.'”
Parks has no restrictions on the length of time a person will be gone, but she does ask that people book as much in advance as possible, especially during the holidays. However, she still has some time open for this Christmas.
To book a reservation, call Critter Sitter Extraordinary at 625- 8090 or (303) 883-7905.
Stacey Linman of Glenwood Springs, is the owner of Clutter Busters, a company which provides both in-home pet sitting services along with a de-cluttering organizational service from Carbondale to Rifle.
“My purpose is to keep the animals where they are most comfortable and keep their stress level at a minimum,” Linman said. “I come to you and take care of your home and lavish lots of love on your animals.”
Linman will feed, walk, administer medicines and even bathe your pet if they need it.
“I have no problem giving shots or giving meds,” she said.
Her only requirement, due to her other employment, is that it be possible she can access the Internet on her laptop or cell phone from the client's home.
“My other employment allows me to work from home, so I don't need to work at an office,” she explained. “That means I can spend more time with the animals.”
Linman, who has had her business for several years, has watched goats, chickens, rats and ferrets, along with dogs and cats.
“The only thing I won't deal with is spiders,” she said with a laugh. “I won't touch anything with eight legs.”
Linman provides all her own food and bedding and will even clean the house before you come home.
“I don't want to leave a mark while I'm there,” she said. “I clean before I leave.”
Linman also advises to book as far in advance as possible and currently has no bookings available until 2010.
“A lot of people book one year in advance,” she said. “When you make your travel reservations, you should make your pet reservations.”
She has no restrictions on minimum or maximum days. In fact, if you get home before noon, she will not charge for that day. The cost is generally $50 a day, regardless of the number of pets.
To book a reservation with Linman, call 379-0363.
For Wilson, he said having someone come into his home to take care of Rodney is worth it for both of them.
“I don't have to worry about him,” he said. “It's irreplaceable and comfortable.”
