Raising the Pet Care Standard: Our Story
Abby Strong's kind heart and lifelong passion for animals lead her to a decision that introduced a new standard of pet care professionalism in Des Moines. In 2019, Strong ventured into professional pet care after spending years as an employee in different care capacities, including a full-time job as a nanny.
Considering her upbringing, it wasn't a difficult leap for the Des Moines Southside native.
"I grew up in a family with all sorts of animals," Strong said. "We had dogs, cats, horses, fish. All sorts of small pets."
Strong attributes much of her nurturance and compassion for animals to her parents, who cultivated not only a respect for all living things but how to properly care for them.
"My parents really instilled a deep love and affection of animals within me. They also role-modeled what responsible, caring pet ownership looked like."
Strong shifted her focus to pets after identifying a need for at-home pet sitters in the Des Moines metro. She began her solopreneurship advertising her services to friends who spread the word about Strong's professionalism and dedication to their pets.
It wasn't long until her services were in high demand and she knew she needed to add staff.
"I quickly realized there was a huge market of families here in Des Moines who were looking for quality in-home pet care and it was a much greater need than I could fill on my own," Strong said. "At that point I decided I'd grow a team of professionals who genuinely cared and loved for pets as much as I do."
Auntie Abby's Pet Care services most of the Des Moines metro with more than a dozen part-time professional pet caregivers. They offer dog walking and at-home pet sitting services customizable to the client's needs.
"I recognized that pets are really their most comfortable in their own home environment," Strong said. "It's beautiful when someone can come and provide one-on-one care and attention in a client's home."
Each member of Auntie Abby's Pet Care is thoroughly vetted and insured. The staff attends regular training sessions and are each CPCR-certified and skilled in body language and behavior protocol.
"They truly love my pets as if they were their own," said Daphne Paulsen, one of Auntie Abby's Pet Care's original clients.
"Pet owners will go to extreme lengths, and I'm really glad that there's a company that understands that," Paulsen said, praising the team who cares for her three outdoor cats and her dog who struggles with anxiety.
"I set out to build a professional team and have really worked to raise what the standard of professional pet care in our community looks like," Strong said.
Early on in her business Strong got involved with Pet Sitters International to help raise the standards of pet care.
"Pets are such important members of our family," Strong said. "They provide companionship, they provide entertainment, they provide joy. They really just enrich our lives."
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