Today we’d like to introduce you to Kayla Jathan.
Hi Kayla, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve been an animal lover for as long as I can remember. Growing up, our home was always filled with pets—bunnies, birds, rodents—you name it. It’s no surprise that I developed a deep affection for animals early on. In fact, I initially planned to become a veterinarian and even started school with that goal in mind. While my path ultimately led me to a career in healthcare as a respiratory therapist, my passion for animals never faded.
Over the years, I naturally became the go-to person among my friends when they needed someone to care for their pets. That love for animals turned into a side hustle when I started dog walking through an app, all while working full time in healthcare. Eventually, I realized I wanted to take it a step further and start my own dog boarding and pet sitting business, and that’s what brought me to where I am today.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a completely smooth road. Juggling a pet care business while working full time as a respiratory therapist, part-time as a clinical navigator, and managing responsibilities as a social media manager and content creator has definitely come with its challenges. Time management was a big one in the beginning. Balancing shift work, client bookings, and personal time required a lot of discipline and learning how to set boundaries.
There were also growing pains as I learned the business side of things. Like, how to price my services fairly, market myself, manage bookings, and handle unexpected situations with pets. Some days were exhausting, especially when I had back-to-back clients or emergency bookings.
But each challenge helped me grow. I’ve learned how to be more efficient, create better systems, and communicate clearly with clients. I wouldn’t trade the experience, it’s made me more resilient and more confident in what I offer.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I run a home-based dog boarding business that also offers pet sitting and dog walking services. What sets my business apart is the personalized, one-family-at-a-time approach, which means I only care for one household’s pets at a time. That allows me to give each animal the attention, comfort, and care they deserve.
I’m insured and bonded, which gives my clients added peace of mind, and I treat every pet as if they were my own. I make it a point not to crate pets unless requested or necessary for their safety. Instead, they have the freedom to enjoy a spacious, secure backyard and a cozy, lived-in home environment. I also have two friendly large dogs of my own, which helps create a warm, social atmosphere that feels like a second home.
I’m most proud of the trust I’ve built with my clients and the way their pets feel safe, loved, and at ease while in my care. This isn’t just a business to me, it’s a passion rooted in my lifelong love for animals. Whether it’s boarding, pet sitting, or walks, I’m here to offer dependable, heart-centered care tailored to each pet’s unique needs.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to me is being of service both to animals and to people. Whether I’m caring for a pet in my home or supporting a patient in a hospital, my goal is to create a sense of safety, comfort, and trust. That’s at the heart of everything I do.
My work in healthcare as a respiratory therapist and clinical navigator allows me to help people through some of their most vulnerable moments. It’s incredibly meaningful to me. At the same time, running my pet care business lets me provide peace of mind to pet owners while giving their animals a loving, home-like environment.
Both paths reflect the same core value: compassion. Being able to show up for others, whether human or animal, is what drives me. It’s what gives my work purpose and keeps me grounded, no matter how busy life gets.
Pricing:
- Boarding: $45/day ($10 per additional pet)
- Sitting: $40/day ($10 per additional pet) – I do not spend the night at their house and they must live in the Kyle/Buda area so I can swing by at least 2 times a day
- Drop-in’s: vary by amount of minutes
- Walks: vary by amount of minutes
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.pupwalksaustin.com
- Instagram: https://Www.instagram.com/pupwalks.atx
