Animals get royal treatment at centre
Last updated 13:36, Thursday, 11 September 2008
A PRUDHOE woman who spent seven years as a gunner in the Royal Horse Artillery has set up a new pet care business.
Laura Blenkinsop (26) joined the Army aged 17, and took part in parades throughout the world, even riding at the Queen Mother’s funeral.
Fancying a change, she worked for a year in a dressage yard in Surrey, before returning to the North-East to live with partner Wesley and their black labrador, Bob.
After taking on work riding horses, she decided she could care for dogs as well.
Since launching her business in June, she has been working with pets of all shapes and sizes.
“I have ridden horses for around 18 years and have had dogs all my life,” she explained. “I have trained guide dog puppies and had a small pet-sitting business when I left school.
“I decided to set up the business as I love animals and wanted to care for them in a homely environment.
“I knew I could offer a fantastic service, giving people the peace of mind their pets would be in safe hands.”
The essence of Home From Home Pet Care is flexibility and listening to pet owners, with Laura catering for everything from hamsters to horses for up to three weeks.
She also offers a home-sitting service for anyone who wants their pets to be looked after in the environment they are used to.
“When the customers ring, they ask, ‘what do you offer?’ and I say, ‘what do you need?’” said Laura.
“I try to be pretty flexible and work around them rather than myself.
“Gradually, it’s taken off. I’ve had one or two people come back to me, and it’s helped that I’ve now got a website up and running.
“One woman has brought her Staffy to me for day care since the business started out. She drops the dog off in the morning for me to take it out for walks and picks it up again at night.”
Home from Home Pet Care is fully checked and insured.
For more details visit www.homefromhomepetcare.co.uk
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