Hi, my name is Rachel Waterstradt and My Pet Friends is my pet sitting venture.  I am a resident of Seven Valleys, Pennsylvania.  In my life before pet sitting I was a Paralegal at Linowes and Blocher, LLP for 8 years.  I graduated from the University of Maryland with a Bachelor's degree in Paralegal Studies in 1998.  I am married to a computer network engineer and we have two young children and several animals.  We have two dogs, three cats, one rabbit and a hamster.   

I have always owned pets and always wanted to work with animals.  When I first started college I started with veterinary medicine in mind.  I followed this track for the first two years.  In my third year I learned that math is really not my strong point and had to find something I could work with.  I started on the law track and did really well with it so decided to become a paralegal.  I had a great job and enjoyed the people I worked with.   We really did not enjoy living in the suburbs of Washington DC so my husband and I decided we would move to Pennsylvania, I would quit my job and become a pet sitter.  Taking care of pets would fill my need to work with animals.  Also, it would allow me to spend more time with my kids.  So far my pet sitting venture has worked out well, I have great clients and lots of fur kids to love on every day.

I have spent time volunteering for Mid-Atlantic German Shepherd Rescue, Days End Horse Rescue, Montgomery County Humane Society and Jefferson Parish SPCA.  I am currently volunteering at Friendship Elementary School.

My Pets:

Ajax                                                    Otis                                                          Mr. Buns

             Devi                                                   Morris                                         

Wade Harper (my Dad)

Since the pet sitting business has really picked up and I may need a vacation or sick day.  I thought I should have some help.  So, meet my Dad, Wade Harper, independent contractor to My Pet Friends.  Wade spent most of his life in Goodbee, Louisiana.  He started out in the Navy, then worked for the Post Office and ended up being a self-employed house painter for the past 30 years.  Wade is a "Hurricane Katrina" victim and has lived with me since August 30, 2005.  He has picked up a few house painting jobs but mostly acts as our live-in baby sitter, yard keeper and handy man.  Wade is also an animal lover who owns 6 cats which came with him from Louisiana.  He has owned cats and dogs most of his life.  Wade also has experience with cows, horses, pigs and chickens. 

Wade's Pets:

Junior                                      Snow                                               Precious                            Smoke                                Socks

Shelly Novak

Another member of my team is Shelly Novak.  Shelly has been my client since April 2008.  She lives in Shrewsbury with her husband Bill, daughter Allie and dogs Calvin and Shamrock.  Shelly loves animals of all sorts although she admits she's not too crazy about snakes.  "Pets do so much to enrich our lives how could anyone not like them?"  Shelly has done administrative work in a nursing home and ran a day care.  "It's that nurturing instinct in me that keeps me wanting to connect, to help."