A DIFFERENT KIND OF BABYSITTER: PET LOVER FINDS PURRFECT JOB

Pamela Lowry has turned her love of pets into a thriving business.

When pet owners leave town for business or pleasure, Lowry would be more than happy to check on their "children" at least twice a day in their own home.

"Many people think of their pets as children," Lowry said, "and they want to make sure they get good, quality care."

During her visits, Lowry will feed Tweedy or walk Sylvester or play with Rover as part of her service: In-Home Pet Care.

In-Home Pet Care was started a few months ago by Lowry who runs her business out of her home. Her service area includes Jackson and Cape Girardeau, and she only caters to pets.

For a minimum of $6 a visit, Lowry feeds, walks and plays with the pet in the comfort of the pet's -- or pet owner's -- home.

In addition, Lowry is willing to close and open the curtains, alternate the lights, bring in the mail, and water the plants; but that may cost a little extra.

"And I provide no guarantees about plants," she joked while being interviewed in her plant-free home. "I just follow instructions. I really don't have a green thumb."

Lowry said her service is new for this area, but she said the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters has existed for about 10 years. She said she joined the association when she started her service.

"There are over 600 listings within the association," she said. "That's just individual listings. Some services employ more than one pet sitter."

Lowry said pet sitting has become big business in many areas around the country, because pet owners feel more secure leaving their pet, a loved one, in their own environment.

"I've taken care of cats, dogs, and I've even fed fish." she said.

Lowry said quality kennels exist in the area, but research has shown that cats do better in their home environments. She said all of the pets she has sat for have been happy and pleasant in their home environment.

"I haven't had any of them look depressed," she said, "and they're all happy to see me when I walk into the home."

Lowry said another advantage to her service is that the pet already is home when the owner returns.

"Even if the owners get home at 11 o'clock on a Sunday night, there's their pet waiting for them," she said. "Usually, the owner would have to wait to pick up the pet the following day at a kennel, and pay for that extra day."

Although a friend sometimes offers to take care of a pet, Lowry said her business offers added security to pet owners. She said by being a member of the professional association, she has group-rated liability insurance in the event of a mishap.

"I don't see that happening," she said. "But by being a business, I wanted to have the insurance and the piece of mind."

In order to further put the pet owner's mind at ease and familiarize herself with the client, Lowry always schedules a visit with the pet and the owner in advance of the owner's trip. She said she wouldn't accept a client (the pet) if he or she wasn't comfortable with her presence.

"It also gives me a chance to know the owners," she said.

Lowry already has turned down one potential client. "I just don't sit pythons," she said. "Plus, the owner was feeding it bunnies, and I just couldn't do that."

Lowry said she hasn't regretted her decision to become a pet sitter.

"I've never had a boss wag his tail when he sees me until now," she said.

Anyone interested in scheduling a visit with their pet and Lowry can contact In-Home Pet Care at 243-6868.

You may have to leave a message on her answering machine because Lowry is probably taking a client for a walk.