July 1, 2005

In-home pet sitting service ‘Au Pair of Paws’ launches in Evergreen

Animals have always been part of Kim Buckhout’s life as members of her family.

Kim Buckhout, sitting with her Irish terrier Mick, her pug Lucy and her chihuahua/terrier mix Hannah, just launched Au Pair of Paws, an in-home and pet care companion service. Lucy and Hannah are also rescue dogs.

“It doesn’t surprise me that a mid-life career shift led me to the wonderful world of animals,” said the former human resources manager and operations director for the Santa Clara County Association of Realtors.

Buckhout recently launched Au Pair of Paws, an in-home pet care and companionship service for busy pet people in the Silver Creek, Ever-green, Almaden Val-ley, Blossom Valley and Santa Teresa areas.

She fills a need for the growing number of conscientious pet owners who demand personalized pet care for their animals, while reducing the stress on both their animals and themselves.

In-home pet sitting is not a new concept. It’s provided a convenient alternative to pet care and companionship, saving time and money, for more than 20 years. Yet pets have evolved within the family unit, and with this new status, pet sitters are busier than ever in the Santa Clara County and nationwide.

“After much research, I discovered that the business of caring for someone else’s pets in the comfort of their own homes has landed me in one of the top five growing industries, which has attracted mostly women with an impressive amount of life, business and animal care experience to offer,” said Buckhout.

“As a busy pet owner myself, I understand the anxiety, risk and cost of making arrangements for your pets outside their home. The convenience for the pet owner speaks for itself. There’s no running around before your trip and no hurrying back to make a pick-up deadline to avoid being charged for an additional day’s boarding.”

Buckhout said that last summer she and her husband boarded their two dogs at a wonderful kennel because she was too embarrassed to impose on neighbors again. The cost for a 10-day stay, however, was the cost of a roundtrip plane ticket to Europe.

“But more importantly, I saw two little faces that pleaded with me to take them home to the smells and sounds they know and trust,” she recalled. “With that, I choked up, wrote my check and loaded the car with blankets, crates, medications and food, knowing there had to be other options for all of us.”

While Buckhout’s main focus is undivided interaction and routine care for the animals, she offers the pet owner other services that include plant care, mail/newspaper pick up, garbage/recycle cans, rotating lights and ‘watchdog’ security of the home. She also offers transportation if a pet has a vet or grooming appointment.

“Personality and chemistry is important before you let a stranger in your house,” said Buckhout, who is bonded and insured and treats her clients’ pets and homes as if they were her own. Although she does not offer overnight services, she belongs to Pet Sitter’s International and Pet Care Network of Silicon Valley and can provide referrals.

Buckhout is certified in pet first aid and CPR, and her volunteerism includes the Humane Society, NARF and Pug Pros Rescue.

Whether you are working long hours, traveling, recovering from an illness or injury, or need assistance due to age or a disability, a pet sitter may be just what you need. For more information on Au Pair of Paws’ services and rates, contact Kim Buckhout at (408) 421-8676 or e-mail her at aupairofpaws@sbcglobal.net.