Wanted: Serious Pet Lovers!

Catching Up on All the News

Smokey the cat says,
"Stay informed!"

It has been a crazy, busy winter and spring for us.  I hope you'll allow me a few minutes to fill you in on some exciting and important changes with Bright Star Pet Services, starting with this:  

We are...

Looking for New Customers

If you've been driving around Crystal Lake or Lake in the Hills lately, you might have seen the new signs on my car:

Eby Graphics did a fantastic job with the wrap on my car!

     
    It is hard to miss the bright red, orange, and yellow that announce Bright Star Pet Services.


    This year we are ready to grow and take care of new customers. I have added mobile advertising on my vehicle to help spread the word.  A huge "Thank You" to Matt Eby of Eby Graphics in Crystal Lake, who designed this amazing car wrap for us!

Safety and Security

     Some people might be worried about their home safety if a car pulls into their driveway that could be perceived to say, "Nobody is home." Obviously, we don't want you to worry about the safety of your home and your pets, nor do we want to risk walking into a home being burglarized!  For this reason, when you see this car, it will be parked on the street, some distance away from client homes.  We also have a completely unmarked car which can be used as well.

     I don't know if burglars read car signs, but ours announces "Dog Training" and "Dog Walking"-- did you know we also do that?  So even if they see the car in your neighborhood, they won't know which house, and if that house has a big, scary guard dog in training, or  some other kinds of pets.

Spread the Word and Save 

Customer referrals are one of the best ways for us to get new business.  I'll bet you know some serious pet lovers in your circle of friends and family.  We greatly appreciate any customer referrals, and we'd like to thank you for your trust and support.   For each referred household that books a visit through us, you will earn a $20 credit for your next pet sitting, dog walking, or dog training service! They just need to tell us who referred them.

Other Exciting News:  Employees and More

For nearly three years, I worked this business almost completely solo.  In February, when my backup pet sitter decided to quit her business for a corporate job, I realized I needed to hire help. It took a long time to get all the pieces together and find the perfect sitter for your very important pets! More than just a person who loves animals, it had to be someone with dedication, passion and commitment to work with pets and their owners every day. I wanted someone interested in furthering their education about animal behavior, with excellent communication skills, and a willingness to go the extra mile for you. They had to be tested with my own large, loud, and crazy dogs.  They had to be willing to learn each customer's routine to our exacting standards, added to my business insurance, and willing to learn pet first aid and CPR.  After finding a few good candidates, checking credentials, and running extensive background checks, I am pleased to announce our new employee!

Anita has earned paws of approval
from my Giant schnauzers, Atlas and Phoebe!

Anita T. is a pet sitter extraordinaire, having had a variety of experiences in all kinds of pet care and an eagerness to learn more about animal psychology and behavior.  She has been training with me for two weeks now, and she is outstanding with pets of all kinds!  She will be taking on many of the dog walking and pet sitting visits, and will be learning the care for each customer's pets under my watchful instruction.

A short biography on Anita:  She grew up in Northwest Chicago, and for most of her life has owned cats and other assorted animals.  Specifically, she has owned 3 Amazon parrots, 2 parakeets, 2 cockatiels, a Collie, a turtle, and both saltwater and freshwater fish.  As a kid she was fascinated with animals, especially reptiles, spiders, and dangerous pets, and considered becoming a veterinarian.  She is currently a married mother to two teenagers and an 8 month old kitten, and has lived in Crystal Lake for 15 years.  The adorable photo of "Smokey" the cat, at the top of the blog, is hers.

Coming Soon...

We will be hiring a backup pet sitter and/or dog walker soon!  If you know someone who might be interested in a very flexible, small part-time job, and who fits the qualifications above, be sure to let them know.  Within the next few weeks, I hope to update my website with information about joining the Bright Star Pet Services team.