Clare Needham
Mum-of-two Clare Needham knew she needed a new challenge when she was made redundant in 2002.
Having worked in the IT industry for 18 years, the shock of redundancy acted as a catalyst for Clare who had toyed with the idea of setting up her own business.
She attended a franchise exhibition to explore the options open to her and was drawn to Petpals due to her love of animals and the great outdoors. Persuaded by the advantages of being her own boss, Clare took the plunge and set up Petpals Fleet in June 2002.
Clare takes up the story: "It all started really when we bought a dog to help my younger daughter, Holly, get over her fear of dogs. Millie the golden retriever moved in with us and it all tied in when I discovered Petpals at the franchise fair.
"We haven't looked back since and I certainly couldn't go back to working in an office. There's nothing to replace the outdoor life."
Over the last six years, Petpals Fleet has built an enviable reputation for excellent service whether it's dog walking, visiting cats and other small pets at home or boarding dogs and even a gosling.
Said Clare: "That was one of our more unusual requests. I was asked if I could 'board' a four-week-old gosling on its holiday from the farm! We get asked to do all sorts of things. One I particularly remember was when I had to feed some bearded dragon lizards while their owners were on holiday. This involved giving them live locusts, but not before they had been dipped in a vitamin powder!"
Clare and her dedicated team of pet carers work closely with the local community, including vets, the police and community groups to deliver a personally-tailored service that puts pets first.
Millie the golden retriever has been joined by Lucy the terrier cross and Esther the elderly cat, all sharing Clare's home with daughters Holly, aged 12, and 14-year-old Beth.
Clare's leap into the unknown when she set up Petpals Fleet has certainly paid off as she's now one of Petpals' top-performing franchisee. And Holly has overcome her fear of dogs.
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