Today we’d like to introduce you to Mattie & Diane Darden & Salandra
Mattie & Diane, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
Growing up surrounded by farms and animals, I developed a deep love for caring for creatures of all kinds. From rescuing stray animals to raising a goat in high school, helping animals has always been a natural part of my life.
Our journey truly began when Diane and I met in Los Angeles, where we started fostering special needs animals. Along the way, I gained hands-on experience providing pet care for various companies. After relocating to Austin, I worked at Austin Pets Alive!, focusing on helping hard-to-place animals find loving foster homes. During that time, we fostered two incredible dogs who are now cherished members of our fur family.
While working for local pet care businesses, I noticed that the service often didn’t meet the high standards pets and their families deserve. There was a clear need for consistent, reliable, and compassionate care—especially for pets with unique needs. That realization sparked the idea for All Paws South Austin Pet Care. In June 2024, Diane, having just left her corporate career, and I took the leap and turned our passion into a business.
We’re proud to be a women-owned and LGBTQ+ business dedicated to caring for all pets as if they were our own. With four furry friends at home, we’re inspired daily to bring that same love and attention to every family we serve. Our mission is simple: to provide personalized, one-of-a-kind care for all our beloved pets.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
So far, we’ve been incredibly grateful for the families and pets we’ve had the privilege to care for. While there have been a few bumps along the way—like navigating business operations and refining how we handle unexpected incidents—things have unfolded better than we could have hoped. When we first launched, we struggled to find enough clients and worried about sustainability, but word of mouth quickly spread, and our business began to grow. Looking ahead, one challenge we anticipate is hiring and training team members who share our high standard of care while maintaining our personalized approach that sets us apart.
As you know, we’re big fans of All Paws South Austin Pet Care. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
All Paws South Austin Pet Care is proud to be women-owned and LGBTQ+ operated. We specialize in individualized pet care for all creatures, offering reliable, tailored services that go above and beyond. Our clients trust us to treat their pets as if they were part of our own fur family.
What sets us apart is our ability to provide care that goes beyond the basics. Whether it’s helping transport pets to vet visits, organizing adventure hikes with their doggy friends, or creating customized care plans for medical needs, we’re here to help. Drawing from our experience with shelter and rescue dogs—many of whom come with behavioral quirks—we approach every interaction with expertise and compassion.
Each session is more than just pet care; it’s an opportunity to work with your animals in a way that’s mindful and enriching. Our goal is to ensure that every pet we care for feels safe, loved, and understood.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The best way to support us is by sharing our services with your friends and family! Referrals are the heart of our business, and we’re so grateful for the trust our clients place in us.
We’re also eager to connect with the local Austin community. If you’re a groomer, boarding facility, or another pet-related service, we’d love to collaborate and build a network of trusted referrals to better serve our clients.
Looking ahead, we’re planning to grow our team this year! If spending your days caring for animals sounds like a dream, we would love to hear from you.
Pricing:
- 30 Min Dog Walk – $30
- 30 Min Pet Visit – $28
- 12 Hour Overnight Care – $150
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.allpawsatx.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allpawsatx/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/All-Paws-South-Austin-Pet-Care/61563519760785/
- Other: TikTok: @allpawspetcareatx
Image Credits
n/a images are taken by All Paws
