Betty Pivovarnick’s mission is to give pet owners peace of mind when they leave for vacation. The owner of The Crooked Tail pet-sitting business travels to each of her clients’ homes to take care of the litter box cleaning, daily feeding and medication and playtime, in addition to household chores like bringing in the mail, checking that doors and windows are locked or watering plants.
“Cats — they’re [creatures] of habit, they like to be in their own environment,” Pivovarnick said. “It causes them the least amount of stress … A cat just wants to be home.”
Pivovarnick tends to each cat’s specific needs, even injecting insulin shots for a diabetic cat or an IV drip for a cat in the early stages of kidney failure.
A typical home visit lasts from 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the personality of the cat. For skittish or sensitive cats, Pivovarnick said she tends to all the usual business so as not to upset the cat or make it nervous for any longer than necessary.
She’ll stay longer with a very social cat who needs a lot of attention, especially if she has a light schedule that day.
Pivovarnick said she’s also been known to do numerous odd jobs around the house in addition to taking care of the cats or other little critters.
“Anything that I think would make it easier upon the return of the client, if it’s in my capabilities, I will do it,” Pivovarnick said.
In the past, Pivovarnick said she has gone so far as to shovel snow-covered driveways, fix garage doors and put new batteries in chirping fire alarms. Other times, with the client’s consent, she will replace the current kitty litter with a fresher or less dusty brand before the client returns.
But her main priority is to give her clients the opportunity to take a vacation, knowing that someone will be monitoring their most precious belongings and companions. Pivovarnick’s vehicle is clear of all pet-sitter advertisements or stickers so as not to alert anyone that the client is out of town and instead, wants her parked vehicle to give the illusion someone is home.
“[It’s] really letting them understand that having me coming into their home is like a relative coming into their home,” Pivovarnick said.
When a client first inquires about her services, Pivovarnick sets up a meeting so they can discuss the business, care options, and of course, so she can meet the cat.
The Crooked Tail celebrated its five year anniversary in April.
When she first considered launching a pet-sitting business, Pivovarnick decided she needed a schedule that would be flexible, and the demands of dog care wouldn’t allow her that flexibility. So she decided that caring for cats would be her primary service, but she also cares for small animals like rabbits, lizards and even a snake.
Pivovarnick has a degree in marketing, and spent about 11 years working in architectural design and construction management in the corporate marketing field,
“It’s just day after day working for somebody else, and its just stressful. I was stressed all the time,” Pivovarnick said.
Her husband, Ted Pivovarnick, suggested she simply quit, and find something else she actually enjoyed. Her response was, “I’d really like to do what gives me no stress and I love … walking the cats.”
Pivovarnick is a member of Pet Sitters International, the largest pet sitters association in the U.S. and Canada, is certified in pet first aid and is insured and bonded through PSI. The Crooked Tail services are available in nearly every township in Mercer County; the coverage area is determined by zip code.
For more information about The Crooked Tail, call (609) 586-2941. Email: missbetty@thecrookedtail.com. On the Web: thecrookedtail.com.
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