Bark and Stay
Nor Cal Pet Services Provides a Home Away from Home…
A loving, reassuring gaze into your eyes when you need it most. A perfectly timed side eye to express profound yet fleeting annoyance. A deep sigh that says, “It’s been a long day,” without words. That happy smile that greets you at the door. An on-cue bark that answers your question. A gentle paw placed on a human they hold dear. These are just a few of the things our four-legged best friends do to let us know one thing is for certain: Dogs are people, too.
Dogs’ personalities and needs are as unique and diverse as the humans who love them so unconditionally. So, when it comes to leaving your beloved pet in the care of someone else, why would a one-size-fits-all approach suffice?
It was the question Kristen Ferreira asked herself when she sought out a local dog boarding and daycare facility with indoor services and a home-like atmosphere for her own pet. Realizing that many boarding and daycare facilities resembled shelters and lacked tailored accommodations for dogs, Ferreira decided to create a business that would address the need for boarding and daycare from a different angle.
Since 2016, Nor Cal Pet Services, Inc., in Redding has been providing specialized care to beloved North State pets and their families. Ferreira was the sole owner until 2022, when she partnered with Daja Potter, who will take full ownership of Nor Cal Pet Services at the end of 2024.
Together, they work to provide an “around-the-clock, clean and comfortable environment” for pets. Nor Cal Pet Services offers feeding, administration of medications, walks every three hours, plenty of exercise throughout the day in their indoor playroom, and lots of companionship. Other seasonal add-on services, ideal for hot Northern California summers, include Pooch Pool Time, frozen treats and even Puppuccinos.
“We prioritize having compassionate staff members who give your pets the care and comfort they deserve during these stressful transitions. We are committed to spending as much time as possible with each dog in our care, ensuring they are comfortable during their stay. Instead of pet-sitting in a secluded kennel, without individualized attention, Nor Cal Pet Services strives for one-on-one time with your pet, creating a kennel space that feels like home,” says Ferreira.
While caring for pets can sometimes be unpredictable, Ferreira and Potter say that with proper patience and communication, they can accommodate and adapt to a wide variety of situations that may arise in their line of work.
To ensure Nor Cal Pet Services is the right fit, a daycare trial day is required for all new dogs to board overnight. The trial day allows pets time to get comfortable in the new environment and helps ensure the safety of both the pets and the staff at Nor Cal Pet Services. Pets can bring their personal items, like bedding and toys, along for the stay to help create a sense of comfort and familiarity.
Prior to opening Nor Cal Pet Services, Ferreira worked for years in the mental health industry, where she opened care facilities, provided housing and daily life support, advocated for others and helped to nurture the well-being and independence of others. Ferreira’s work in the mental health industry has given her a solid foundation in creating positive impacts in the lives of others. That positive influence continues to work in the favor of the pets and pet parents at Nor Cal Pet Services.
Ferreira and Potter say the highest compliment they have received is “when parents thank us for being a place they can trust with their beloved animals. It can be a worrisome process to leave your pets in someone else’s care, so hearing how much it means to parents that they can relax knowing their pets are in our care means the world to us.”
Ferreira and Potter’s five- to 10-year plan includes expanding Nor Cal Pet Services in Red Bluff. “We have a constant, high demand for inquiries that we hate turning away,” says Potter. “Opening a second location would provide people in the area more access to daycare and boarding options with Nor Cal Pet Services.” •
Nor Cal Pet Services, Inc. • (530) 255-8251
www.norcalpetservices.com
