Well, the next time you jet off on a business trip or a vacation, you may want to consider a more pleasant alternative: hiring a pet sitter.  And Paws-itively Purr-fect In-home Pet Sitting, which services furry babies in Coconut Grove, Coral Gables, South Miami, and Brickell, just may be the answer.

Owned and operated by Jane Winston, Paws-itively Purr-fect In-home Pet Sitting can save you money on costly boarding and save your pet the stress of being parted from you and their home at the same time.  With in-home pet sitting, they can stay curled up in their favorite chair and still get expert care from a licensed, bonded and insured professional.

"I've loved and cared for animals my whole life," Winston said.  "So this is an ideal business for me."

It was a friend of Winston's who, after noticing her natural way with animals, suggested she start her own pet sitting service. "I was the person who neighbors, friends, and family members always relied on to watch their pets when they traveled and I really enjoyed doing it," said Winston.  "I just found I looked forward to seeing those happy, furry little faces."

Winston began pet sitting on a part-time basis five years ago when she moved to South Florida from Washington, D.C.   Before she knew it, there were wagging tails everywhere and her business expanded.  Two years ago, Winston became a full-time substitute mother to a host of four-footers.

If you have one pet or three, Winston charges a flat fee of $15 for a standard 40-minute visit.  Some clients ask her to stop by periodically, while others request three or four visits a day.  For each $15 visit, Winston comes to the home, exercises and plays with the pet, administers vitamins and medication and generally makes sure the animal is happy and well cared for.  She is also able to care for exotic pets such as snakes and iguanas, and for pets that need a bit of extra attention, such as diabetic animals that need daily insulin shots. Taking pets to the vet and visiting them during major holidays costs a bit more, but the prices are reasonable when you consider that your animal is safely snuggled at home and not locked up in a strange environment.

An added bonus to Winston's pet sitting skills is her house sitting skills.  For no added charge, Winston will take in your mail and newspapers, set out the trash, water houseplants, and even rotate lights and draperies so your home looks "lived in" while you're away.

Prospective clients fill out a comprehensive questionnaire, which includes such questions as whether the pets are on medication and if they have allergies or other medical conditions that need to be monitored.  Winston's questionnaire even covers a pet's fears--whether it's thunder, firecrackers or general separation anxiety--so that she can help keep the stress level at a minimum.

Paws-itively Purr-fect In-home Pet Sitting is a major change from Winston's previous career.  For 20 years, she served as an accreditation associate and office manager for the American Psychological Association in Washington, DC, where she grew up.  But longing for warmer weather, she moved to Miami in 1999.  Winston had lived here before while attending the University of Miami.  When her father became ill, she decided to move closer to her parents and transferred to the University of Maryland where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in psychology.

"When I got the job at the American Psychological Association, I just became involved in the administration side of the business so I didn't pursue become a psychologist," she said.  "Administration just fit my personality because I like to organize and plan.  Then, before I knew, it 20 years had passed and I decided it was time for a change."

Thankfully for Miami's animals and their humans, a change in careers brought her back here and to her new home in the Silver Bluff area where she lives with Dickens, her 3-year-old Irish Setter.

Winston says she loves her new career.  "It's the best job in the world," she said.  "I get to meet animals and animal lovers.  It's such a personal relationship you have with clients. After all they're entrusting you with the care of pets they care deeply about.  And it's great to have a job where going to work means you're greeted by a happy animal who's thrilled to see you.  It's nice to feel so welcome." 

For information, please call 305-858-4419 or visit miamipetsitter.com on the Internet.