For years, Petpals has been the go-to name for pet care in Stockton-on-Tees – winning the hearts of pets and their owners alike. Now, the business is entering an exciting new era as Holly Sayers – an already familiar face to many – steps into the role of proud new owner.
Holly joined Petpals last year as a cat sitter while pursuing a degree in canine and feline behaviour. Before that, she spent seven years managing a hotel. But it was her love for animals – and a personal journey with her German Shepherd – that inspired her career change.
“My dog became really reactive after lockdown, and working with a behaviourist to help him was a real eye-opener,” said Holly. “I loved the process so much that I decided to study canine and feline behaviour at university. When I saw Petpals hiring, I thought it would be a great way to gain experience, and I haven’t looked back since!”
Over the past year, Holly has worked closely with former owner David Gray who quickly recognised her potential. When David decided to sell the business earlier this year, he knew Holly would be the perfect person to carry it forward.
“David and I talked about my degree and my experience with one-on-one training and puppy classes,” explained Holly. “When he asked if I’d like to take over the business, it was a dream come true! It just felt like such a natural progression.”
Petpals is the UK’s longest-established multi-service pet-care specialist, providing a variety of bespoke and award-winning services – from dog walking and cat visits to pet sitting and pet taxis. Holly, who is fully trained, insured, uniformed, and DBS checked, is ready to bring the top-notch care already associated with Petpals to Stockton, Hartburn, Stillington, Great Stainton, Billingham, Carlton and Portrack areas.
With the support of David and the wider Petpals team, Holly has taken every step to ensure a seamless transition for both clients and their pets. “I’ve been shadowing the dog-walking team, working alongside our home-boarding manager, and learning from our specialists in dog walking, cats and small animals,” said Holly. “They’ve all been so supportive, sharing their processes and expertise to help me hit the ground running. Clients can rest assured that while I’m the new leader of the pack, the care their pets receive will remain as exceptional as ever.”
As for the future, Holly is eager to continue building on the strong foundation established by David and the team. “The best part of this role is spending time with the animals and getting to know the clients,” said Holly. “I’ve already built great relationships with many of our clients, and I can’t wait to welcome even more into the Petpals family. My goal is to make Petpals Stockton-on-Tees the first choice for pet care in our community and to keep raising the bar for the services we provide.”
To find out more about Petpals Stockton-on-Tees’ range of pet-care services, please visit: www.petpals.com/area/stockton