Chester County, PA - The Critter Sitter Pet Care Services. Pet Sitting and Dog Walking Services.

Jennifer

Critter Sitter, Owner

My educational background includes West Chester University, Penn State University and Saint Joseph's University. While completing studies in Music Education at West Chester University, I spent my summers as a member of the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps and had the opportunity to travel across the United States and gain experiences that are unique to the activity. I remain active in the activity today as an alumna of the Crossmen and work with USSBA/Youth Education in the Arts (YEA).

Starting [the critter sitter] is a labor of love in many ways. I feel so blessed to be able to work with some of the best critters (and their humans) in Chester County! When not in school, my son is by my side helping me with the critters, which he enjoys tremendously! The critters enjoy his company and are always eager to play! I am a strong advocate of "responsible pet ownership" and animal rescue, which helps keep critters out of shelters and in loving, stable homes and am proud to work with local pet care professionals, including fellow professional pet sitters, to help promote both. In the spirit of St. Clare and St. Francis of Assisi, I am dedicated to providing the best care possible for the critters in my care - as well as providing resources and educational opportunities for their humans.

We're proud to be a family-oriented and family-owned business dedicated to our local community. We support local shelters, particularly the Chester County SPCA and PAWS in Northeast Philadelphia as well as local rescue organizations. As [the critter sitter] pet care services continues to grow and evolve, we will be adding more features, benefits and services to the list!

MaryKate was part of a litter born to a barn cat. Her human couldn't keep her and decided to put the brood up for adoption. When we first met, we fell in love immediately. Over the past twelve years, MaryKate has been a loyal and affectionate member of our family. She is definitely "Mommy's Girl." She was named for MaryKate Danaher in the 1952 classic, The Quiet Man.

When Bailey came to live with us, she was a little unsure about us. She originally lived with our next door neighbors, who could no longer care for her. She was rescued just prior to being taken to the SPCA. Bailey hid under the bed for a few months and would growl and hiss, attacking our feet as we got in and out. We were patient with Bailey, giving her lots of love and affection despite her disgruntled manner. Two years later, Bailey has become a very sweet loving little girl who greets us with a "chirp" in the morning and lots of purrs! She loves to play with stuffed animals and is known to have quite a sense of humor!

Frodo is our resident "hobbit cat." He is named after the infamous Frodo from Lord of the Rings. He gets into about as much trouble on a daily basis as his namesake. Frodo became a member of our family when he was about six weeks old. He is not yet convinced that he is of the feline persuasion and prefers to spend his time playing with Lego's and Matchbox cars. He has been a loyal, loving companion who also proves that cats can be anything but aloof and snobbish!

Reagan, our black lab mix, was rescued from PACCA in April 2007. When we first met Reagan, he was a quiet, gentle dog. We were not sure if he even knew how to bark! He had been a stray and was surrendered by a caring human who had found him wandering the streets. After a month of a dismal life in the shelter, Reagan's time was about to run out. Sure, the volunteers and staff gave him lots of love and affection, but what he really needed was a furrever family who would give him all the love a pooch could get. When Reagan was told he was going home, his ears perked up and we detected a "pup smile." On the way home, he enjoyed a shopping spree at Petsmart to pick out new toys! He was definitely smiling and enjoying all of the attention!

Reagan quickly adopted his humans and has become an integral part of the family. He has put on weight and is looking much healthier. Reagan has proven himself to be a highly intelligent and loving pooch with a big heart and lots of energy.

He loves to spend his time watching Fox News Channel, chewing everything in sight, playing, exercising and snuggling with his humans. He has even made friends with the kids next door - and the mailman! We suspect Reagan is much happier these day and is thankful for the humans who helped him get his second chance and his furrever family! These days, he enjoys being spoiled with his favorite stuffed elephant, chewie and squeakie toys - and of course, Giggybyte treats!

Gracie came to us as a rescue/foster girl from PACCA/Paws. Gracie was severely abused by her previous owners and the only touch she had known was that of an abusive hand. We suspect she may have been a 'bait dog" in a dog fighting ring as the scars remain, both physically and emotionally. When we first brought her home, she was so fearful that she would cower as she walked and did not want to leave the yard to go on a walk. We literally had to carry her home at times. She has come a long way since and is now playfully bouncing around the house and yard, but still has a way to go in learning how to trust others. She is so appreciative of the love that she receives that her tail never stops wagging! We quickly realized that we had 'failed the foster program' and that Gracie was meant to be a part of our family. She had wiggled her way into our hearts!

Gracie and Reagan have become best of buddies and enjoy wrestling with each other and begging mom to make more treats from the Three Dog Bakery. Gracie has come out of her shell and has shown us that she does indeed have a playful side and is quite capable of getting into an equivocal amount of mischief as her brother. After a hard day of play, you can find Gracie snuggled up with Reagan and mom on the sofa or gnawing away on one of her favorite chewie bones.

Feedback!

Thank you very much for taking care of Matryx while we were away. She truly enjoyed your visit and all the yummy food that you give her. She loves it when we're gone! Special attention from you and all the petting she can get - all done her way!

Jon, Lynn and Fat Cat Mates!

Thank you for the pictures of Henry and Macy. They are so cute, we love them... You are very thoughtful and we know that you truly care about the dogs and we can't even express how much we appreciate what you do.

Thanks again!

Lisa, Joe, Jordan and of course, Henry and Macy

I want to double and triple the thanks - our handyman said to us "I can tell you how many people have burned out their wells, ruined their floors, destoryed their wells and worse, from those stupid bolts rusting out on toilets.' So you really saved us!

Jim and Cindy - Fasty and Scarlet's parents

(We had noticed their toilet was leaking!)

Jen has been kind and gentle with our animals and the dogs are thrilled when she is here. She pays attention to all details of care (feeding, walking, and playing). She is very reliable and conscientious.

I highly recommend Jennifer as an animal caretaker.

Judy - Ginger and Harley's mom

Miss Sadie is the most recent feline addition to our family. She came to us in the spring of 2007 when her owner could no longer care for her and was about to drop her off at the SPCA. Poor Sadie had known six homes prior to joining our family. Sadie is a dear sweet and absolutely gorgeous Ragdoll who isn't afraid to tell you what she is thinking. Her favorite place to curl up is on the steps, where she'll wait until we follow her up the steps. We're glad Sadie is here with us!

After working in a corporate setting for about twelve years, it was time to make the transition into working from home in order to be a full time mom. I started a Virtual Assistant service that provided small business services to local small business owners, contractors and attorneys. While this had been a rewarding experience, it still was "just missing something." I enjoyed being home with my son and all of our critters tremendously and caring for their needs. After a period of careful and prayerful discernment, the decision was made to follow my heart. Making the transition from Virtual Assistant to Critter Sitter has been the perfect move. I grew up in a house full of critters - dogs, cats, a few guinea pigs and rabbits, freshwater aquariums, a parrot and a few turtles and toads over the years. My mother owned her own dog grooming business. By helping my mother, I gained exposure to working with a wide variety of breeds and even a few reluctant felines who were a little less than thrilled with the concept of a flea dip. These days, our home includes four cats, Reagan - a black Labrador retriever mix and Gracie - a pedigree-challenged beautiful little girl with a chronic wagging tail!