Former LAPD officer thrives as a professional pet sitter
Looking to stay active after retirement, Angela Chu discovered pet sitting was the perfect opportunity.
Angela Chu has always loved animals, especially dogs and cats. And when she was a police officer for the Los Angeles Police Department, she rescued several homeless and abused animals.
“So when I retired but wanted to stay active and make some extra income, I decided to become a professional pet sitter,” Chu explains.
Chu runs Carefree Pet Sitting Service in Valencia, Calif. She became a professional pet sitter in 2006 after pet sitting for friends for years. Her business serves the Santa Clarita Valley, including Castaic.
“The best thing about my job is the peace of mind that I provide for my clients while they are away knowing that I will care and love for their pets just like they are my own,” Chu says.
Police background proves helpful in new role
Chu says her background as a police officer makes her unique as a pet sitter.
“I am able to handle emergencies and other situations with a calm and strategic mindset,” Chu says. “I also provide my clients with armed security for their homes when I stay overnight with their pets.”
Chu worked for the Los Angeles Police Department—first as a civilian employee in the Scientific Investigations Division, then as a sworn police officer beginning in 1985. She retired as a police sergeant after 30 years of service.
Why PSI?
To prepare for her new pursuit as a pet sitter, she used information from Pet Sitters International, read books and did research online.
Chu says she joined PSI to become a member of a professional pet sitter’s organization. She finds most beneficial the pet-sitter insurance coverage that PSI members have access to.
Chu offers peace of mind to clients
Now Chu averages about 30 to 35 clients, and three independent contractors work for her.
She mainly serves dogs and cats, but she has also cared for hamsters, birds, fish, rabbits and horses. She is certified in pet first aid and CPR.
Chu says her business has grown based on word of mouth from satisfied clients and advertising such as brochures and business cards.
“My clients always tell me that they don’t have to worry when they are away because they know that their ‘fur babies’ are being loved and taken care of,” Chu says. “When they come home, their dogs and cats don’t react any differently than if they had just left for a few hours.”
Read more pet-sitting success stories.
Photos provided by Angela Chu.
Interested in learning more about becoming a pet sitter? This free Ebook from PSI will help you start your business the right way, with instructions on selecting your business structure, obtaining your business license and selecting your service area.
