Deborah Fullerton Batten and Lorna Carter are both Directors in My Pet Business and founded the Pet Care Association. 

Deborah Fullerton-Batten

The idea of the agency was born when I was looking for my own dog walker and just couldn’t find anyone suitable.  I searched and searched and everyone seemed to be fully booked, much to my dismay.  When I did eventually find someone, it seemed that they didn’t have any references, or suitable documents to validate that they were a bonefide dog walker.  I couldn’t believe that people handed their house keys over to this type of person, let alone their precious dogs!

After tiring of the rat race and the corporate world, I hastily handed in my notice after thinking there was far more to life than sitting behind a desk for at least 10 hours per day.  This was when Dog Walking and Pet Care Solutions Ltd starting trading.  After six months I was able to pay my Surrey mortgage and all bills and within a year I was earning more than my management full time salary, by working just five hours per day, and loving it!  I didn’t have a boss moaning at me, I wasn’t stuck in an air conditioned office never realising that seasons actually existed!  I was working with the type of company I adored – animals!

My Pet Business was born out of a conversation that we had with some of our agency carers and also with my business partner, Lorna Carter.  Whilst some of our Carers wanted more responsibility and their ‘own’ clients, Lorna and I were discussing how much experience we had picked up over the years and wouldn’t it have been great to have known this when we started out! So the thoughts went down on paper, university books were pulled out of the draw and the idea was researched and created.

Lorna Carter

Pets have always been very much part of my life and working with them, and the people within the pet care industry, over the past few years has been incredibly rewarding and one of the best decisions I have ever made.

My career background had previously been focused within a corporate environment, and I feel that due to this type of stereotype workplace it has made me wholeheartedly appreciate the freedom of running my own business, and being able to step out into the fresh air. There is simply nothing like being out in an open field with dogs running by your side to clear your mind and find a purpose to life!

Despite a career that used to consist of painful high heels shoes and endless meetings, the business experience that both Deborah and I have gained in this previous environment, and subsequently the running of a successful pet care agency has contributed to being able to offer sound business and industry advice for our Members. We are delighted to be able to share this, and our experiences with you, and hope you join us to find your own freedom, fulfilment and success.

We hope you enjoy reading our website.  It is there to make things easier for you and your new business