Spotswood woman uses vet background 'fur' new biz
Whisker Away offers pet sitting, dog walking
BY JENNIFER AMATO Staff Writer

JENNIFER AMATO Local pet sitter Teresa Herrera, who recently established Whisker Away LLC, plays with one of her clients, 6-year-old Boston Terrier Emmy,

SPOTSWOOD — Teresa Herrera is using her background in the veterinary field and her passion for animals to begin her own pet-sitting and dogwalking business.

Whisker Away LLC was officially established in September and already services several clients, reaching into North and South Brunswick, Monroe, Freehold and Marlboro, about a 20-mile radius from her home in Spotswood.

"Animals to me are part of the family. They're my whole life," Herrera said. "They're human to me."

The 39-year-old has worked for a veterinarian and assisted with medications, injections and surgeries. She began a pre-veterinary technician program 20 years ago but couldn't afford it after the first year, "but it's something I've been missing for 20 years." After working in a veterinary doctor's office, a veterinary hospital and a pet store, she decided to open her own business because of a bad experience at a kennel.

"I thought, what would it be like if these animals stayed at home in their own home?" she said, reflecting on the memory of her two dachshunds getting sick and having separation anxiety after a kennel visit.

Herrera, who also owns a parrot and a cat and boards a horse in Monroe, decided that she would instead travel to her clients' homes to pet-sit, walk dogs and give the animals personal attention. She is insured and is a member of Pet Sitters Associates.

In half-hour increments, Herrera feeds, walks and plays with rodents, birds, fish, dogs, cats and the occasional horse, although not reptiles. She tries to limit each visit to two to three cats or dogs, so she can give each animal as much attention as possible.

She generally provides her services from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. She currently does not do any overnight or extended stay sitting, but said she is considering that for the near future.

Fully licensed and registered with the state, she also provides a pet taxi service for pets whose owners cannot go to the vet.

In addition, Herrera is holding a Homeless Pets holiday food drive, where anyone donating pet food will receive a discount on services. Firsttime clients also get a 10-percent reduction in fees.

Herrera said interested clients must provide her with the proper medical information. She requires that dogs have a minimum of a rabies shot. She will then visit the home to see how well she interacts with the pet, and also to have the owners feel comfortable with her presence.

"Animals know … when a good person walks through the door," she said, referring to animals' instincts. "I want the clients to feel comfortable that they can go away and have a good time."

For more information, visit www.Whisker- AwayLLC.com, e-mail WhiskerAway@aol.com or call 732-404-7377.

Contact Jennifer Amato at

jamato@gmnews.com