“Our goal is to provide the best care for your furry loved ones while striving to create a fun and engaging community around responsible pet care…we do this through ongoing education and information to help you be a great pet parent.”

About WestStar Pet Care

At WestStar Pet Care:

• We serve western Pasco and Hillsborough Counties
• We have years of experience caring for animals in a high-stress shelter environment
• We are a nationally certified professional pet-sitter with the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS)
• We are trained in feline behavior through the Jackson Galaxy Project Cat Pawsitive Program
• We are a multi-year recipient of the President’s Volunteer Service Award, completing between 300-500 volunteer service hours per year at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay
• We are fully insured and bonded to protect your pet, home, and financial interests
• We always donate 5% of our earnings to Tampa Bay shelters and rescues

Our Role in Animal Welfare

My name is Michael and I own and manage WestStar Pet Care, LLC.  Prior to opening my business in 2018, I worked in the corporate financial services industry for over 25 years. In 2016, my cat passed away after 16 years.  To help me during my grieving process, I started to volunteer at the Humane Society of Tampa Bay.

Volunteering at the shelter is where I reinforced my life-long passion for animal welfare.  Not only did I learn about animal behavior working with experienced animal experts, I learned that animals in a high-stress environment like a shelter need a lot of attention and care.   A big part of my role as a volunteer is helping to educate potential adopters about positive animal ownership and the responsibilities that go along with having our furry friends in our lives.

I care greatly about animals and believe their unconditional love and loyalty to us demands that we act responsibly as pet owners.  It is important that we do our best to understand our pet’s needs, from their health and nutrition, to their social enrichment and exercise.

I was able to take my experiences in the corporate world and at the animal shelter and apply them as the principles that guide me in my pet care business.  I respect each of my clients, their pets, and their homes.  Being a professional pet sitter is a significant responsibility and one that should not be taken lightly.

What is NAPPS Certification?

The NAPPS Certification is a broad-range, in-depth curriculum covering all topics relevant to pet sitting, including; pet care, health, nutrition and behavior for a variety of animals.  Certification also includes business development and management, pet safety and a complete pet first aid course.

 

The program includes these important topic areas:

• • Bird Studies
  • Cat Studies
  • Dog Studies
  • Exotics
  • Rabbits
  • Business
  • Pet First Aid (American Red Cross)

What Does This Mean For Our Clients?

In a nutshell, it means at WestStar Pet Care we are serious about our profession.  When you hire a Certified Professional Pet Sitter, you are gaining the advantage of a knowledgeable and experienced professional who values you and your pet’s best interests.  The learning, which spans from animal nutrition to behavior and health, can be applied in our day-to-day interactions with your pets as well as benefit in the event of an unexpected emergency