This month we're thrilled to shine a spotlight on the founder of Berks Pet Care, Jill Vasquez and her incredible team! Thirteen years ago, a simple vacation sparked a passion that would turn into a thriving business. After boarding her dog Jack at a traditional kennel and seeing how stressed he became, Jill realized there had to be a better way. What started as a desire to help Jack find a more comfortable alternative quickly grew into a full-fledged pet sitting and dog walking business. Today, Berks Pet Care serves over 1,000 clients, offering pet parents peace of mind knowing their furry friends are in the hands of a caring, professional team.
Be sure to check out the Berks Pet Care website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
What caused you to get into pet sitting/dog walking?
Thirteen years ago, I boarded my dog Jack at a kennel while we went on vacation. When we picked him up, he just wasn't himself. At the time, I didn't realize there were other options beyond traditional boarding. Jack was a sweet, sensitive boy who thrived at home and adored people. Being surrounded by constant barking and the unfamiliar environment of a kennel was overwhelming for him, especially since he was an only dog. After doing a bit of research, I discovered the world of pet sitting and thought, "Wow, this is exactly what Jack needed and something I'd love to do to help other pet parents, too."
What is the most fulfilling part of owning a pet sitting/dog walking business?
One of my favorite things is hearing from pet parents about how at ease they feel with our sitters and our company. We've had clients who hadn't taken a vacation in years because they couldn't bear the thought of leaving their pets behind - or putting them in a kennel. It's incredibly rewarding to give people the freedom to travel or enjoy time away without the guilt or worry.
I also love how much of a constant we become in our clients' lives. Some of them we've known since before they got married - and now we get to watch their families grow, from weddings to babies to new pets. Even though we don't always see the humans often, we still feel like we're part of the family.
What is the most challenging?
A lot of people don't realize that pet sitting is a real business. It's often seen as just a fun little hobby, but there's so much more to it. This is a full-time job, and it takes real work to do it well. I often find myself explaining that we're not just "playing with pets all day" - we're running a professional operation. We have a team of 8 amazing sitters and serve over 1,000 clients. It's a lot to manage, and we take it seriously!
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
While I'm happy with where we are right now, I'd love to continue growing and expanding our team, welcome more clients in our area, and keep building on the momentum we've created.
What has Time To Pet changed the most about how you run your business?
Time To Pet has completely transformed the way I run my business. Before using it, everything was done manually - paper schedules, constant emails, calls and texts at all hours. I was spending so much time on tasks that didn't actually improve the client experience or help the business grow. Now, Time To Pet handles so much of the day-to-day operations, allowing me to focus on what really matters: our clients, our team, and continually improving the overall experience. It's been a game-changer for both our clients and our sitters. Honestly, I don't think we'd be where we are today without it!
