A former teacher has swapped the classroom for the great outdoors as she launches a new pet care service in Blackwood.
Sarah Davies has left a 20-year teaching career to launch a We Love Pets franchise on 1st May; the fourth for the franchise business in Wales.
Excited about becoming a business owner, Mrs Davies said:
“I began thinking of a change in career around two years ago during a stressful time at work. Having always been surrounded by animals ranging from three Beagles, hamsters, rabbits, mice, guinea pigs and a chinchilla, I knew that this would be an exciting change of direction. I started looking at pet businesses and dog walking services in my area so I could pursue something I enjoy.”
The mother-of-three contacted We Love Pets in October and immediately started to receive training and support in order to open her new business. Even prior to launching, she found herself receiving lots of enquiries from local people looking for a professional pet services, including one customer asking if she would look after a chicken.
She is now pet first aid trained, police checked and fully insured and has also completed a City and Guilds qualification in dog walking.
As a keen runner, Sarah will be taking the dogs for a walk herself, and she says there’s no better place than Blackwood for this.
She said:
“I can’t wait to get started. We’re so lucky to live here as you are never too far away from the stunning, beautiful rolling hills and countryside of Wales. There are many country lanes, woods, canals, valley walks, mountains and parks nearby like Cwmcarn Scenic drive, Sirhowy valley walk, Pen Y Fan pond, Penallta park, Cwmbran boating lake and Pontypool park.”
Sarah’s vision is to be the number one dog walking and pet sitting company in the area and aspires to take on a second We Love Pets franchise locally too.
She added:
“I want to provide the best care possible for pets; a top-quality service which builds strong relationships with customers and staff, is professional at all times, punctual and consistent whilst ensuring the wellbeing of employees, customers and pets.”
Joanne White, We Love Pets company director, said:
“We are so happy that Sarah has joined us and is starting the fourth We Love Pets franchise in Wales. We are committed to driving the business forward and expanding by delivering excellent customer service and staff training. Franchisees are trained in managing staff performance, motivating and looking after a team, and there is also an e-learning platform plus an intranet site providing a one-stop shop to training, advice and support.”
We Love Pets Blackwood is the fourth Wales franchise following the launches of Newport, Swansea and Bridgend last year. We Love Pets was the winner of the Emerging Franchisor of the Year Award category in the prestigious annual bfa HSBC Franchise Awards 2018.
