Leaving the rat race well and truly behind, husband and wife team Sallyann and David Gray realised a lifelong dream to work with animals when they set up pet services franchise Petpals in Darlington in 2006.
By the end of the first year former nursery nurse Sallyann had cared for more than 400 pets and was busy enough for David to join her in the business. In fact demand has been so high for their cat and small animal sitting, dog walking and boarding services that David established neighbouring franchise Petpals Tees Valley, which covers Middlesbrough and surrounding areas, a year later.
“Not that long ago people wouldn’t have dreamt of paying someone else to walk their dogs, “says Sallyann. “But we are all so busy now that we are used to paying for extra services, including looking after pets, to make our lives a little easier.”
David, a former police officer and senior manager in the retail industry, set up Petpals Tees Valley just over a year ago and now the couple are expecting to turn over in excess of £100,000 between them this year.
The Gray’s youngest child starting at senior school helped catapult Sallyann into the world of pet care. She said: “I could now focus on what I really wanted to do with my work life without having the time restraints around school runs.“
The family raided savings and even sold their caravan to raise the finance needed to get the new franchise off the ground. Already experienced pet carers thanks to their menagerie at home – comprising three dogs, two cats, two rabbits, a corn snake, tropical fish and a pony – Sallyann and David felt the move was right for them and their three children.
Now Sallyann and David hope to expand into neighbouring areas where demand is high for the Petpals’ professional pet care service. Sallyann concluded: “I thoroughly enjoy working for myself. Growing the business and maintaining professional standards is still a great buzz for me. I love the work and my customers can see my passion. They know that this is more than just a job – it’s the lifestyle change I dreamed of.”
