Princeton woman opens home pet care service

PRINCETON — Pet owners looking to prevent potential problems with their pets when they go on vacation or leave for a day or two now have an alternative to placing them in a kennel.

Beth Harrison of Princeton opened Comforts of Home Pet Care, a business from her home where she will come and take care of others’ pets in their own homes while their owners are gone for a week or two or as little as a day.

“When we went on vacation, we put our dogs in a kennel while we were gone,” she explained. “One of our dogs got sick because she was not in her own home.”

Harrison intends to not stress out pets like Bella, her Yorkshire terrier that got sick when they left on vacation, when their owners leave through her home-based business. She also has a silky terrier called Molly, a fish, and a tortoise.

“Not many people love animals as much as I do. I would have a larger menagerie of animals if my husband would allow me. I wish I could give a home to all of the stray animals that are in shelters, but I can’t. So many animals need homes.”

An animal lover since she was a little girl, Harrison remembers taking care of stray birds, rabbits and others when she was younger.

“I thought why not make a career out of this passion of mine,” she added. “I have put up fliers and talked to groomers in the area who say there is a real need in Princeton for this type of service.”

Harrison said she has taken care of pets of neighbors, friends and family members for years when they were gone and decided to start this business. “It is a brand new adventure for me about a month ago,” she said.

Harrison is willing to take care of all kinds of domesticated animals like reptiles and amphibians as well as cats and dogs.

“There is no animal too big or too small for me,” she said. “I have lots of experience because we also have a tortoise in our back yard.”

Harrison said she will not only walk and feed animals, but she can give them their medication they need when their owners are out of town.

“People can contact me and I will give them a price based on how many times a day I will need to do something for their pet,” she said.

Harrison said her business will give pet owners peace of mind knowing their pets, which many people consider part of their family, will be taken care of when they are gone.

Harrison offers daily and even hourly rates. People interested in her business can call (815) 878-2624.

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