Animal Lover Finds a New Direction

After working for a home builder for 18 years, Brenda Stier became yet another “victim of the economy.”

An animal lover by nature—she owns pugs Tiki and Pasha, and Sadie the cat—she turned to something she had long thought about: starting her own pet sitting business. She recently marked the first anniversary of Paws Plus Pet Sitting Service.

Stier quickly developed several aspects of Paws Plus “for all your pet sitting needs.” This includes taking dogs for their daily walks while the owners are at work or taking the new dog out for a “potty break” to pet sitting, which includes spending 30-minutes with the animal about three times a day while the owner is away—and taking in the mail and watering the plants. Her “clientele” includes all varieties of dogs, cats and smaller animals such as hamsters, lizards and even a tarantula.

She also gets to know her “clients” likes and dislikes, such as the pub beagle who likes doggie ice cream and waits by the refrigerator for his desert or the tarantula who is fee one cricket a week.

For the protection of the animals in her care, Stier is registered with the State of New Jersey and is licensed and bonded. She is certified in pet CPR and First Aid and continues to learn more about the various breeds in her care. If she notices an animal acting abnormally while the owner is away, she does not hesitate to call the animal’s vet.

Stier’s previous career contributed to the success of Paws Plus by instilling in her a sense of organization.

The biggest challenge, she says, was “getting over that fear of whether it would work or not and just putting yourself forward and doing it.”

Then she realized the need for a good website.

“I had to try to put myself out there on the Internet, by leaving business cards at veterinarian offices and pet stores and by posting flyers,” says the eight-year township resident.

Many of her more than 40 current clients came through Google searches and word-of-mouth referrals.

“I like it because it’s rewarding to know that when I go somewhere, 99 percent of the time, someone is happy to see me,” Stier smiles.

To contact Stier and Paws Plus 908-281-5844, visit www.njpawsplus.com or email brenda@njpawsplus.com.