Fran Stump
A Purrfect Way Pet Sitting
Lusby, Maryland
Years as a Professional Pet Sitter: Seven
PSI Member Since 2001
Likes: Hearing stories and getting e-mails from clients about the funny things pets do, walking on the beach with a leash-trained dog and snuggling up on a comfy sofa with a kitty purring in my lap
Dislikes: Pouring rain or ice storms
Favorite Color: Yellow
Favorite Food: Pasta
Favorite Movie: Because of Winn Dixie
Favorite Song: Feels Like Home by Bonnie Raitt
“Tricks of the Trade:” Always carry an extra leash and collar in your car - you never know when one might break!
Favorite Dog Name: Chase
Favorite Cat Name: Callie
Favorite “Alternative” Pet: Pygmy goat
Favorite “Downtime” Activity: Spending quality time with my husband and three cats, reading, cross stitching and keeping up-to-date on pet health and animal behavior topics
Best Pet-Sitting Experience: Getting an extremely shy pet (usually a cat) to interact with me and look forward to my visits. It is a positive experience to tell the client that their pet didn't hide from me the whole time!
What accomplishment are you most proud of? Creating a business that provides a highly-personalized and valued service to pet owners. I am happy to share my knowledge on animal health, training and behavior to improve the human/animal bond. I enjoy knowing that my advice and experience may help a client and his or her pet.
What kind of car would you drive if money was not an object? I actually love the car I have now - I wouldn't change it.
What is your “Dream Vacation?” Visiting Best Friends Animal Sanctuary in Utah and volunteering with them for a week
What does your PSI Membership mean to you? I am proud to be a member of an organization that sets such high standards for the pet-sitting profession. PSI membership encourages me to be the most informed pet sitter that I can be.
Finish this sentence: “If I hadn’t become a pet sitter, I never would have… met the nicest and most-concerned pet owners. They are not just friends – they are extended family. Pet sitting is truly a dream come true.
Favorite quote:
“Do not go where the path may lead,
go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
