Mozart the cat writes about his mom, Kristin:

Hi. I'm Mozart. My mom asked me to write a little something about her and her pet care company. You can see my picture below. I like lounging in our veggie garden.  

On the left here is Kristin with Bijoux, one of her many dog friends. Kristin has always had a thing for us animals so it makes so much sense that she would own a pet sitting service.  Even when she was a little, little person she could really understand us and relate to us. When she runs into people who knew her when she was young and they hear what she does now they always laugh and say,  “Of course  you work with animals!”  Oh, and Kristin likes humans a lot, too, which is pretty unusual for an animal person.

Let’s see…what else?  Though she’s done a lot of travel abroad, she has always come back to roost in her native Marin County.  She started WOOF! Pet Sitting Service in 1995 thinking it would be a fun business to run. Now, years later, WOOF has become one of the oldest (and according to her clients) most well-loved pet care companies in Marin.  Kristin lives with me and 2 goldfish named Grace and Rex. She often comes home to us with stories of all the animals she has visited with including:  horses, dogs, cats, mice, birds, and rabbits.  I love hearing of her adventures. When she is not running her own pet sitting company, Kristin is busy coaching other pet sitters from around the country on how to run their businesses more effectively and successfully.

What else to tell you?  We live in an old and wonderful yellow cottage in San Rafael with high grass that I love to hide in.  We are currently dog-less and looking for the right dog to add to our cat and fish family.  I guess that’s it. Meow. (bye)

Kristin’s note: Mozart died at the age of 18 on May 25, 2007 after a very long and full life of chasing cats off our property and eating bugs. I feel so grateful to have had such a unique, talkative and dog-like kitty for 16 years (I got him when he was 2). My experience in finding Mozart at the shelter was that he chose me to be his cat-mom. I’m hoping to be chosen by another animal at some point soon.

Kristin writes about Melanie (WOOF's Top Dog):

Melanie is the guardian of a female black lab mix Guinevere and two kitties who are littermates named Jaz and Mae (you can see Guinevere to the left here). Melanie is very sensitive to the needs of both humans and clients and brings that skill to her work with WOOF. She is also deeply in love with an Arabian horse named DreamWalker's Hison.

Melanie originally started on staff with WOOF as a dog walker and pet sitter. When it came time to hire a Client Services Manager she was a perfect fit with her love of both people and animals and her strong customer service background. I was amazed and delighted at how easily she slipped into the role of manager for WOOF and she continues to amaze me with her wisdom and insight into how we can all make our client's experience an even better one with WOOF…from start to finish. Thank you Melanie.

When Melanie's not working with WOOF as a pet sitter and client services manager for our clients, she is busy learning to become an Equine Rehabilitation Specialist. She also loves to make art, dance, write and sing…her life is a creative act! I feel so fortunate to work with such a generous, loving person. She really puts her heart and soul into her work with WOOF and clients get the benefit of that in their interactions with her on the phone.

Kristin writes about Linda (WOOF's Pack Leader):

Linda has been an animal lover since she could first venture out in the yard and bring a cat, rabbit or a dog home. Linda has been active in cat rescue for both feral and domestic cats for various non profit groups for over 10 years. She has a medical background which gives her skill in administering fluids and medications for cats and dogs. Linda also has a corporate background in business which provides her with organizational and interpersonal skills which she uses in her work as a client service manager for WOOF! Pet Sitting Service. Linda lives in Tiburon with her felines who rule the roost and she wouldn't have it any other way. She loves working with WOOF because it provides her with a job that enables her to work with kitties and dogs as well as assisting clients in their pet care needs.

Kristin writes about Joanne:

Like some of our other staff members, Joanne first came to us a few years ago as a client.

She was the loving dog mom of "Flicka", her little Sheltie. When Flicka passed on, Joanne called me to inquire about working with WOOF because she wasn't quite ready to get another dog and yet she really missed being around dogs.

She began her work with WOOF in early 2007 as a dog walker and dog vacation visitor. You can see her to the left here with one of her dog walking buddies, Mancha.

I am not picky when it comes to animals. They are all deserving of attention, a walk, a game of catch and a lot of loving words.  I find a great deal of joy in spending time with pets. I grew up with dogs and my awareness of their needs allows me to understand the responsibility that goes along with taking care of pets.  It has been very fulfilling to work for Woof! as it allows me to make new friends in the animal community.

For me, spending time with animals is not a job but a healing experience.  Each individual being expands my heart and lifts my spirit.   I love getting to know them, understanding their personalities, their quirks.  It never fails that when I spend time with Woof! pets, I end up laughing.  A lot.  What a gift!

My first interaction with WOOF was when I hired them to take care of my kitties, Boots and Muddy.  I was so impressed by their professionalism and their complete adoration for animals that I decided that I wanted to work for them!  It started with doing a few cat visits; but has grown into dog walks as well!  That was almost 2 years ago!  I grew up with dogs and realize what joy having dogs and cats in one’s life brings.  Every day that I take the dogs for their walk, they are so happy to see me; which makes me happy!  Lunchtime with a group of dogs in the fresh air?  What could be better!!

I have been on staff with WOOF since 2004 and am a HUGE animal lover.  I have two cats:  Max and Sophie. I hope to get a dog soon but for now showering other dogs with attention is the next best thing. I just love my WOOF dogs and cats!  You can see me on the left with one of my beloved dog walking charges,  Picolla.

Dogs, cats, fish, rats and more. These are the critters that make me the warm and fuzzy human that I am. And because I love animals so much, I work for WOOF! Pet Sitting Service. WOOF! offers me the opportunity to know and care for many more animals than I can afford to feed. I have worked with WOOF! off and on for over 3 years and have received an abundance of 4-legged joy and the gratitude of their happy humans. Perhaps I'll be the one to share a smile and a wag with one of your fuzzy pals next time you need an overnight pet sitter.

When I was a child, my siblings and I begged our parents for a cat and a dog but instead...we got goldfish! Then one day, when I was eight years old, my wish came true. A beautiful tabby cat adopted our family, we gave him some love and food and he stayed. Thus began my love for cats, dogs and all pets in general. I LOVE the tender brush against my leg that cats provide along with the loud purr. It's so fun to hear the pitter-patter of excitement from a dog's paws on the kitchen floor when I arrive, letting me know that s/he's so happy to see me and is ready to play. I currently do not have my own pet because I don't have the space for one so working with WOOF and giving all my love and affection for our clients and their pets is the next best thing.

I've heard it said that cats decrease your negativity whilst dogs increase your joy! And isn't that just so true? Cats remind us of the great mysteries (scientists don't even know how they are able to purr, for example) and dogs allow us to experience unconditional love and loyalty. I believe we can all learn to be better humans by interacting with them. I have been blessed and enriched in my life by being loved by some delightful dogs as well as being chosen by some very special cats. We all have so much love to give and, personally, I am happiest when I can share that love where it will be truly appreciated. Through WOOF! Pet Sitting Service, pets don't have to lonely and I get the wonderful opportunity to lavish them with affection and adoration. What bliss!

I have always loved and bonded with animals. My neighbors growing up happily allowed me to walk or play with their pets after I wore mine out. They are more than pets to me: they are my buddies. We hang out, laugh, and play. Whether it's the animals in my day to day life, or the animals under my care through Woof!, I'm always filled with happiness and a sense of calm after spending time with them. I feel very lucky to be able to exchange love and affection from so many wonderful animals.

Growing up with cats, dogs, rabbits, hamsters, rats and fish...life has always been full of love, laughter and companionship. My favorite part of the day was always coming coming home to the excited smiling face of my dog or watching my cat bound out of the bushes and rub against my leg as I opened the front door.

Since my current housing situation does not allow animals, I have felt a major void in my life. My mom has used WOOF! when I was not able to take care of her dogs and so a couple of years ago I decided to contact WOOF! about a job so I could get my animal fix. Working for WOOF! is such a great opportunity to interact with animals of all kinds and fill that void that was missing.

I am an animal lover having grown up around dogs, cats, horses and practically anything else I could bring home. This love has led me to my career as a horse trainer and my volunteer work with animal rescues. For the first time in my life I don't have a dog or cat and am thankful for the opportunity to care for and spend time with the dogs and cats of WOOF! clients.

Working with WOOF! has been a great experience for me thus far! I love animals and since I am not able to have any more (my husband thinks the three dogs we have is plenty) I decided share the love I have for animals with WOOF! clients. Through WOOF I have met many wonderful creatures (and of course dog and cat Moms & Dads too)! Each one is different and makes me smile. It is very rewarding to be able to care for these animals and put the client's mind at ease. I enjoy caring for each of the WOOF dogs and cats as if they were mine. Since I have three dogs of my own, I know just how important it is to find loving, caring, and trusting people to care for them. WOOF! does just that and everyone benefits, including the animals.

I love the animals and they love me. I have enjoyed my connection with animals my whole life. I find something special about all animals! As I continue to develop my understanding of pack mentality and the practice of being a calm assertive pack leader it allows the dogs I'm walking to become calm, balanced and happy. I enjoy being a loving and attentive caregiver to the WOOF pets. Working with WOOF allows me to take care of all types of animals and this makes me very happy.

I was born in West Marin into a family with a dog, cats, ponies, chickens, ducks and a Holstein cow! I have always had a cat---now I have four! Animals are good for the soul...more fun than Disneyland!