General Info:
It was my dog's idea, says Robin Perdue, of how the business beganit was part of Dog Vader's dream. Perhaps not all humans take career advice from a canine. But, then, not all companies boast a ( fictitious ) board of directors comprised of four-legged friends. All animals have a voice here, Perdue adds with tongue planted firmly in cheek. Elvis, the hamster, represents our minority population of rodents and reptiles. It's this steady and careful direction that has allowed VIP Pet Sitting to go from a one-woman relief brigade to a multi-city in-home professional pet sitting company that was voted Best in Dallas by D Magazine. As a busy professional working long hours and traveling more and more frequently, Perdue found herself unsatisfied with the pet care options available when she couldn't be home. She and her pets would not accept anything less than the high standard of living to which they'd become accustomed ; therefore, boarding was just not for them. So, in 2001, Perdue listened to her gut, and her mutt, and left a lucrative career in marketing communications to make Dog Vader's dream a reality. She opened Very Important Pets, LLC, a full service pet sitting, dog walking and animal wellness company created for today's busy pet owners. By demonstrating a uniquely strong commitment to providing a convenient, reliable pet-care solution, VIP Pet Sitting has surely become something Dog Vader would be proud of. Today, the company has more than 30 professional pet sitters and dog walkers on staff to deliver top-notch care to pets in more than 30 areas in each of two major Texas markets, Dallas and Austin. Perdue recognizes how much the pet sitters and dog walkers on staff contribute to the company's success because it is such a trust-based, service-oriented business. We've taken calls from clients in the hospital, or on their way to the airport, Perdue says. We've taken calls at 4: 00 in the morning. When our clients need us, more importantly, when their animals need us, we're here. Perdue conveys her feelings about how seriously she and her sitters take their work in this way: We're dealing with lives here. Each pet sitter and dog walker is hand selected. We only hire pet people. Our staff has to have experience caring for animals in order to understand what pets' need. Sure, the company does thorough background and criminal checks to find sitters who are trustworthy and responsible, but the final hiring decisions are made by who else? the pets. No sitter is hired without first being observed interacting with Perdue's dogs. If Wishbone doesn't like you, you're not hired, Perdue says, with a laugh. VIP pet sitters and dog walkers live in or very nearby their service areas. The company is structured so that visits can be made within optimal time frames without rushing or sacrificing quality. We think it's really important for sitters to spend time giving our clients' pets affection and attention that goes beyond just meeting their basic needs, so we make sure not to over-schedule or stretch our folks too thin. A visit from a VIP pet sitter or dog walker usually lasts 30 minutes and includes treats, ear scratches and games along with walking, feeding and freshening water. For Perdue and her staff, dog walking and pet sitting are labors of love. You can never forget the warm, fun side of working with animals. They offer so much love, Perdue says. And entertainment. So it's with a sense of humor and honor that VIP 's pet sitters and dog walkers take on the job of spoiling pets across Texas. And, more than forty-nine dog years after VIP began, Perdue continues to live her and Vader's dream of spreading the love and dedicating time and attention to enhance the health and well-being of animals. It's our pleasure to walk your dog, play chase the string with your cat, or simply snuggle for awhile. Whatever your request, our professional