This month, we're thrilled to introduce you to Lauri, the owner of Professional Pets Florida, who has been setting the standard for professional pet care since 2014, when her own journey working with animals began as a receptionist at a veterinary office. From there, she went on to become a Veterinary Technician and Animal Control Officer, working with a wide range of pets in pursuit of a lifelong passion for animal welfare.
Lauri's unique background has given her the ability to shape Professional Pets Florida into one of the most trusted pet care companies in all of Florida. Operating from the core belief that every animal deserves to be safe and treated with dedication, patience, and compassion, Lauri and her team of qualified pet care professionals have made it their mission to better the lives of every pet that comes under their care.
In addition to running a highly successful pet care business and volunteering at animal shelters on weekends, Lauri is also actively involved in the community, serving as the Tampa Bay Regional Director for the Florida Pet Services Association and founding a local non-profit organization called Pizza For Pets. In addition to helping shelter pets find their forever homes through her non-profit, Lauri also donates 10% of Professional Pets Florida's profits each month to local organizations. To learn more about her incredible business and the wonderful work they're doing, visit their website here!
What caused you to get into pet sitting/dog walking?
I entered this field because I saw a clear gap between casual pet care and professional services. I wanted to combine my lifelong passion for animal welfare as an Animal Control Officer with my professional background in veterinary medicine as a Veterinary Technician to create a reliable, high-integrity company. Our goal from day one was to move beyond just "walking" or "feeding" to providing a comprehensive, detail-oriented experience that gives pets routine and owners total peace of mind.
What is the most fulfilling part of owning a pet sitting/dog walking business?
Without a doubt, it's the profound sense of trust and community we build. The fulfillment comes from two places: seeing our furry clients genuinely happy and comfortable in their own homes, and knowing that we are essential in allowing their owners to travel or work without worry. We become a valued, reliable extension of their family, and that feeling of truly making a difference in a pet's daily life is why we do this.
What is the most challenging?
The biggest challenge is managing rapid, sustainable growth while ensuring our exceptionally high standard of care never wavers. This involves recruiting, training, and retaining the best team members and constantly refining our operational systems. We have to be experts in not just pet behavior, but also in logistics and client communication to handle the volume and detail required to deliver five-star care to every single pet, every single day.
Where do you see your business in five years?
In five years, Professional Pets Florida will be recognized as the market leader for professional, in-home pet care across Florida. We plan to strategically expand our service area and significantly grow our team. We'll enhance our services, but our focus will remain the same: delivering unparalleled, personalized attention to our clients and being the most trusted name in the industry.
What has Time To Pet changed the most about how you run your business?
Time To Pet is truly the backbone of our professionalism. Before TTP, vital client, pet, and scheduling information was scattered, consuming valuable time and resources. Now, everything from secure client/pet profiles and scheduling to GPS tracking, invoicing, and real-time communication is centralized. TTP has allowed us to scale our business efficiently and dedicate our full energy to what matters most: providing exceptional care and building strong relationships with our clients and their pets.
