Today we’d like to introduce you to Christina Angeles.
Hi Christina, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Although I did have a Bassett Hound for a pet when I was a teenager, my immense love for animals did not surface until I met my husband. When my husband moved in with me while we were dating, he brought with him two cats. My husband, now a retired Austin Police Department detective, told me that he rescued them from the streets after a man experiencing homelessness found them and called 911 needing assistance to get the kittens to a shelter. He took the kittens home after learning the shelter was overwhelmed. He named the cats Plato and Dracula. Both Plato and Dracula became part of our new family. I was uncertain how to care for cats since I had never had a cat of my own, but grew to love the close relationship my husband had with his own cats. One day I told my husband I wanted one of my own.
We went to the Austin Animal Shelter and I found Biscuits. She was so tiny and cute, I knew that I would spoil her. But Biscuits would not be the last animal I would bring home. Over the years I have brought home many cats and rescued three beautiful dogs. Thankfully, my husband has been receptive to my “must save the animals” attitude, but I know that underneath his intimidating exterior, my husband loves animals as much as I do. I have experienced more loss of a pet than I ever wanted, but the joy of giving these animals a loving home means so much more, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Now, I am at a point in my life where retirement is on the horizon. My husband and I never had children so I made a decision that I would retire as soon as I could and work in a field that would be bring me purpose and meaning. I decided that I would start my own pet sitting business, but the whole idea was terrifying. I have been in law enforcement for 22 years and the thought of owning my own business seemed like an unreachable dream. But I did not let it dissuade me from researching and learning more about the business side of things. I finally made a decision that helping others with their pets was what I wanted to do. With only two more years until my retirement, I needed to get started and began with a pet CPR and First Aid training class. I then researched and became a member of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), and then progressed to creating my business logo.
I reached out to a website designer company and started on my 5 month quest to create a logo for my business and to design my website. My dog Luna with her pink harness was my inspiration for my business name. I am very happy with the results and love all the new things I am learning about website designing, advertisement, and owning a small business. Since I still work for the Austin Police Department, I can’t work my business full time yet, but so far the experience I have had has been amazing. I learned for the first time how to care for chickens and now want to expand to different farm animals and I have met some fantastic people and of course, their fur babies, along the way. I am anxious to get started with my business full time, but know I have to be patient, wait to finish the career that I have made for my self that last 22 years, so I can focus on my new life adventure.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has not been a smooth road. Having the financial means to build my business was always something I had to consider and it was what determined which path I took. At the time I was building my business I did not have any clients, so I had to use my own savings to get started. Being mindful of how much I was spending on advertisement was a challenge.
I was so excited about advertising my business that I made 3000 flyers before doing research on how I was going to get these flyers mailed to my neighbors. I discovered that there were strict requirements before anything could be mailed Every Door Direct Mail (EDDM) and I quickly found out that my flyers did not meet those requirements. I called some experts with the US Postal Service and was able to come up with a solution, but it would require me to fold and add a couple of labels…3000 times. So I enlisted my husband and good friends of mine who I coaxed with wine, to help with an assembly line. It took all day, but I was able to get most of my flyers mailed out a few days later.
That was one of my biggest lessons learned. I know now how to advertise my business and what not to do.
As you know, we’re big fans of Pink Moon Petsitting LLC. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Pink Moon Petsitting LLC offers pet services for all animals. I provide pop-in breaks or walks for dogs, meals, and medications. Along with my services, I also offer house checks for clients who are away from home, trash, and mail pick up as well as water plants. My services are available for all animals big and small. I don’t know everything about caring for all creatures, but I am willing to learn.
Although my business is in caring for animals, I do it more to help my clients. Knowing that I helped someone care for and keep safe their most cherished pet brings me great pleasure.
What makes you happy?
If you haven’t figured it out yet, animals, all creatures, make me happy. I cannot imagine a life now without animals and if I could go around and save all the animals in my neighborhood, that I read about on social media, and that are currently in shelters now, believe me I would take them all home and give them all the love I have in my heart.
My fur babies love me unconditionally and that love is unfiltered and raw. It’s the truest and purest form of love I think a person can receive from a non-human. It’s hard to not want that in your life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://pinkmoonpetsitting.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pinkmoonpetsitting/.
Image Credits
Water color painting of my pets created by Sonny Nunez.
