petloveshomecare

Published Date: 13 March 2008
By Sarah Hall
DO you ever feel guilty about leaving your dog alone for the day while you go out? Or ever felt a pang as you leave your cat in a strange environment at the cattery while you go on a week's holiday?
If you have then help could be at hand thanks to Tingley animal-lover Gill Lucas.

Gill, who used to run Morley Pets in the town centre, has given up the life of manning a shop for one of the great outdoors with her new business venture.

Pet Loves is a dog walking and pet care service she set up in January and so far, paws crossed, things are going well.

From exercising dogs to changing kitty litter, Gill offers a service which means that people who are unable – or just too busy – to give their pets the full attention they need have someone on hand to help.

Services include visiting people's homes when they are away to feed their cats and change their litter and all small animals, such as rabbits, gerbils and hamsters, can have the Pet Loves service.

For no extra charge she'll even do small household jobs such as watering plants and drawing curtains.

Gill, who owns a labrador and two malamutes, also exercises any breed of dog for people who are out at work or maybe can't do it themselves for health reasons.

She walks dogs on and off lead and she doesn't take groups so each person's animals get her undivided attention. She also does some very basic training for puppies

Gill spent a number of years working in education before realising her dream of working with animals and opening Morley Pets.

"I just wanted to work with animals but I never really knew how to get into it," she said.

"I opened the shop but something like this is really what I've always wanted to do."

And so far, so good, as the business has taken off really well.

"I'm very busy at the moment. It has taken off quite nicely," she said. "The dog walking in particular has proved really popular."

Once an animal owner gets in touch she will visit their home and meet their pet and get to know its needs.

"I'll find out about its behaviour, if it has any health problems, what sort of food they like, that kind of thing," she said. "I also get the details of their vet and other information I'll need."

Gill is now on the look-out for around half-an-acre of land to rent, preferably in the Tingley area, where she can exercise dogs off-lead and do agility work.

"There's nothing like that in this area so if anyone has anything like that it would be superb," she said.

"There are fewer places for dogs to go because of various laws. A lot of people don't even realise there are laws and what they are. There are so many places now you can't let dogs off lead. Because of that some dogs don't get the exercise they need.

"If I had some land then they could be supervised and they'd be able to get a good run, which all dogs deserve."

Although starting any business has its risks, so far Gill is loving what she's doing.

"I'm getting to know lots of different areas and I'm meeting some really nice people," she added.

For more information, visit www.petloves.co.uk

Last Updated: 12 March 2008 7:40 PM
Source: Morley Advertiser
Location: Morley

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