New North Tyneside pet business is blossoming

Feb 23 2010 by Karen Dent, The Journal

A FORMER freelance florist has given flowers the brush-off in favour of looking after other people's furry friends.

Karen Oliver gave a home to two dogs from her local cat and dog shelter last year and was inspired to start her own business because she enjoyed walking them so much.

Longbenton-based Ms Oliver researched the market and spoke to other dog walkers when she was out with her own two, Roxy and Olly, before launching CDA Pet Services.

She said: “Kids often get pets as Christmas presents and after the New Year when people need to return to work these new pets are often left to fend for themselves during the day and can end up chewing furniture and shoes. I see CDA Pet Services as an ideal solution for these people.

“I realise that each pet is different and has different needs so the length of walks I take the dogs on and the places we go to vary depending on which dog I’m looking after. I’ll take dogs to beaches, parks, farm tracks – wherever their owner wants.”

In addition to dog walking, she also looks after small pets including hamsters, rabbits and birds while their owners are on holiday. The business operates across Tyneside and Northumberland.

Ms Oliver worked with Tedco in Jarrow to put together her business plan and the organisation is also helping her to source funding to pay for a website.