Pet service shift to dog-walking

By Susan Hooper
Advertiser Staff Writer

Purrfect Pals Pet Services

Donna Olayan, president, and Renee Okinaka, vice president

• Type of business: In-home pet care services
• Location: Salt Lake
• Started: 2001
• How they changed after 9/11: Cut costs; shifted focus of business from pet-sitting to dog-walking

In January former preschool teachers Donna Olayan and Renee Okinaka parlayed their love of animals into a pet-sitting and dog-walking business that pampered cats, dogs and other animals whose owners were out of town or just short on time. Purrfect Pals grew steadily over the spring and summer, and by August, the partners were celebrating their busiest month ever.

The owners of Purrfect Pals Pet Services walk their canine charges near Queen Emma's Summer Palace in Nu'uanu. Renee Okinaka leads Minu, followed by Donna Olayan with Kula. Cory Lum • The Honolulu Advertiser

"Our business grew rapidly during the summer months, because that's when people travel," Olayan said. "It was starting to look really good until Sept. 11, and that week we had full cancellations."

"That week everything was up in the air as to what was going to happen," she said. "We couldn't really do anything, because our business is based on people traveling."

Olayan, 33, and Okinaka, 36, did not stand still for long, however. Faced with the new reality of stay-at-home clients, they decided to shift their focus from pet-sitting to dog-walking.

"The dog-walking service does not rely on people going away or traveling," Olayan said. "It's just more when people need help. It's for our clients who have a busy schedule."

The partners charge $9.50 for a 30-minute walk and $12.50 for a 45-minute walk, plus mileage costs for the drive to the client's home. Their $12.50 base rate for a 45-minute pet-care visit includes providing food and water, walking dogs, and playing with animals such as cats and rabbits in their homes, Olayan said.

In August, each partner was averaging eight to 10 pet-sitting visits or dog walks a day, and advance bookings had indicated they would be even busier in the winter months. Now, they each have just two to four pet visits or dog walks a day. With income cut, they are looking at trimming whatever expenses they can, including use of business forms and other office supplies.

"I think we're being a lot more careful in how we spend our money," Olayan said. "Being that we're a very small business, a little is a lot."

Olayan said her husband will help support her until the business climate improves. Okinaka, who is on her own, may have to look for a part-time job.

Olayan admits that the events of Sept. 11 made the obstacles that any new business faces "even more difficult to cope with." But in spite of the setbacks, she maintains a gritty resolve. She has studied the growth of pet-sitting businesses and says that many start out as part-time endeavors and build slowly, taking anywhere from two to three years to develop a client base.

"I believe in this," she said of her business. "I believe the economy will improve, maybe not soon, but that if we stick to it, five to 10 years from now, we'll still be here."