Student turns her pet passion into business with bark of approval

This university student has managed to turn her love of animals into a fully-fledged business and now she’s ready to spread her wings, helping pets across the Downs.

PAWFECT BUSINESS MODEL: Professional pet sitter, Mez Carlsson Hichens has turned her passion for anything with paws and claws into her own fully-fledged business, Paws Pet Care. Pictures: Kate McCormack

Growing up in the coastal South African city of Durban, Mez Carlsson Hichens said she was surrounded by a number of different pets from an early age.

“My best friends growing up were our two pit bulls, their names were Numzaan which is Zulu for boss or sir and Butterbean, and an African Grey parrot named Buckbeak,” she said.

“I’ve always had an affinity for anything with paws, claws or a tail, so when I moved to Australia for university I thought dog walking and pet sitting would be a good way to earn a little bit of extra money.”

Since immigrating to Toowoomba two years ago, Ms Carlsson Hichens has grown her regular clientele base to 20 furry friends and has recently decided to turn her pawesome part-time role into a registered business, officially launching Paws PET Care in June.

Mez Carlsson Hichens from Paws Pet Care is studying courses in animal behaviour to assist with pets with anti-social behaviour.

“As someone who suffers with some mental health conditions as well as osteoporosis and chronic back pain following a serious accident, this business has turned my life around,” she said.

“The pets offer me so much companionship and the regular walking has almost completely cured my pain.”

A big believer in also relieving animals stress and pain, Ms Carlsson Hichens is currently studying several dog psychology, behaviour and training courses and is hoping to start offering grooming and training next year.

“I have a 100 per cent success rate with all of my four-legged clients who suffer with behavioural problems such as fear aggression,” she said.

“I’ve managed to earn the trust of all of the dogs I walk and sit, even some who have been rescued from some pretty sad conditions by the RSPCA and adopted by a new family.

As more clients of the two and four-legged variety begin using her services, Ms Carlsson Hichens said she would like to hire another animal loving offsider to help start juggling her growing walking and sitting demands.

“As borders begin opening again and people become more comfortable with travelling interstate and abroad, I think having a pet and house sitter you can trust will become an invaluable asset again and business is already picking up since I launched last month,” she said.

“Right now I’m really enjoying meeting new clients and getting to know more furry, feathered and finned friends who need my care.

Mez Carlsson Hichens from Paws Pet Care offers day and over night pet sitting services as well as pet transport (UBark).

“I’d also like to get involved with some local animal charities and shelters, and hopefully some venues where I can run events to collect funds for these charities and shelters in the near future, so please reach out and get in touch if you think I could be of help to your team.”

Paws Pet Care services currently include daycare, overnight stays, dog walking, check ins, and UBark, a pet taxi service.

To find out more about Paws Pet Care, head to the Facebook page here.