Meet Chris the Critter Sitter

Chris the Critter Sitter began her pet sitting journey in 1999 after reading an article about a new career in pet care in Cat Fancy Magazine. With just a simple blip in the classifieds, All God's Creatures began. The very first client was a corgi dog and a ferret. Chris had never cared for a ferret before, but she figured "Why Not?" Those two words have been Chris' motto ever since. Her second client was a white dog and a black cat that was old, like really old. The cat got sick, so Chris called the veterinarian and he agreed to meet her at the office, even though it was after hours. That veterinarian recognized Chris' care and compassion for animals and began to tell his clients about her and Chris was up and running. Chris ran her pet sitting business as a side job to a full-time career until later, in 2006, when Chris and her late husband opened a doggy daycare and pet hotel. The idea of a doggy daycare was still a new concept, but they did well. Chris continued to make visits to pets in their homes as well. Through it all, Chris' compassion never wavered. Sadly, in 2012, Chris sold the doggy daycare and pet hotel to care for husband who was facing health issues due to diabetic complications. The next year, Chris' husband passed away.

Soon after that, Chris joined with that same veterinarian from her beginnings who now had a larger veterinarian clinic. The clinic was moving to a new facility and expanding their boarding to add doggy daycare. Chris had the privilege of helping with the expansion, but soon realized her passion was still one-on-one care for pets so she left the clinic and, for the first time, went completely on her own as Chris the Critter Sitter.

Now, Chris not only cares for pets in their homes, but she also welcomes furry guests into her own home, with her own pack, which is made up of four dogs and four cats. There are nights her bed is really full to accommodate guests, but she wouldn't have it any other way. She even has a few dogs that come just for a day of play.

Chris' love for animals had taken her on many adventures. It has taught her many things about pet care and given her many experiences. The adventures are not always positive...there have been a lot of challenges and heartbreaks along the way, but it all comes with the territory of pet care. Some of the lessons learned have been hard ones, but they were lessons, nonetheless. And, yes, there are times that burnout creeps in as being a pet sitter calls for the sacrifice of weekends, holidays and birthdays...something else that comes with the territory. However, at the end of the day, this career has been a rewarding career. Being in the pet care industry allows people to travel for vacations, family moments, business trips, etc. Not only that, Chris has met some amazing people and made lifelong friends along the way.

Over the years, Chris has not only cared for many dogs and cats, but also parrots, chickens, horses, donkeys, goats, hamsters, guinea pigs, reptiles and even pigeons, all because of that motto, "Why Not?" Her most interesting client had dogs, cats, ferrets, hermit crabs, tortoises, an iguana, and prairie dogs...yes, prairie dogs. With that motto, Chris is sure to encounter more...there's never a dull moment in the life of a pet sitter.

God has truly blessed Chris the Critter Sitter.