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March 2004

Santa Barbara News-Press,
May 2002

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March 2001

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September 1998

NEWS

Santa Barbara News-Press, May 2002

by Andrea Estrada

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Petcentric, formerly known as Pets Pampered Plus, is a new dog walking/pet-sitting business established by animal lover Wendy Balleaux. She and her staff offer in-home care for all household pets, including dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, birds and turtles.

“Instead of kenneling them, the pets’ owners leave them at home,” said Ms. Balleaux. “We come by twice a day--or even three times a day if they want--and stay for 30 to 45 minutes. We feed the animals, play with them and walk them.”

The pet sitters also bring in the mail, empty the trash and perform a home security check.

“We keep a daily report card on how the animal is doing, its behavior and condition,” she said.

For animals who can’t stay home alone, Petcentric provides overnight pet sitting.

“I have a client in the Bay Area and we stay overnight with her rabbit.”

For Fidos and Rovers who need more exercise than their owners can accommodate, Petcentric offers dog walks that last anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour or two.

“In Santa Barbara we do neighborhood walks and sometimes on the beach or on a hike, whatever the owner wants,” said Ms. Balleaux.

She opened Petcentric in Santa Barbara after experiencing success with a similar venture in the Bay Area, one she continues to own and operate.

“I have 12 pet-sitters in the Bay Area and two in Santa Barbara," she said.  “I pretty much do the work here.”

Another service she provides is pet transportation for getting animals to and from veterinary and salon appointments.

“I had an older dog that needed to be groomed and the owner was elderly and couldn’t get it there so I brought the dog over and then brought it home,” Ms. Balleaux said.

For information about rates and schedules, contact Petcentric.

Reprinted with permission from the Santa Barbara News-Press
Photo credit: Steve Malone/Santa Barbara News-Press

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