All Critters Pet Sitters is owned and operated by myself; Sonja Vandermark. My husband and I both confess to being animal crazy!

Between us we own two dogs (Ben and Luna), a cat (The Puddy), two horses (Fozzie and Cruiser or ‘Big Boy’), a cheeky pony (Grommet) and a couple of chooks who keep us well fed with their yummy eggs as well as a new freshwater tropical fish tank. You’ll see pictures of our pets throughout these pages, I can tell you they are rather proud of their new supermodel status!

Having our own menagerie, we have always worried about travelling and who we can get to look after our animals whilst we are away. Living on acreage we just felt that kennels would be too confined and stressful for our dogs and cat. Also that still left the horses, fish and chooks for the neighbours to watch over and what if one of the horses got sick or injured (as they always seem to do when you are away!), would the kind volunteer know what to do?

Finding willing helpers who are confident with all types of animals is not always easy and when I looked around, I couldn’t find anyone in our area offering professional quality pet care as a home visit service,  it was a niche which needed filling so the idea of pet sitting as a business was born.

For 8 years prior to starting up All Critters Pet Sitters I worked as an equine nutrition advisor for a prominent equine nutrition consultation company; a position which I enjoyed immensely, servicing horse owners and managers all over northern NSW and SE QLD. I have a Bachelors Degree with honours in Equine Science from the UK and have extensive experience with all types of horses and their specific requirements.

I have owned and cared for many types of pet over the years. I am knowledgeable of the needs of most species and as a pet sitter I have become familiar with many unusual species of pet including ferrets, frogs, snakes and hermit crabs.

If your pet is of a type we have not cared for before we will always tell you and will endeavour to learn as much as we can about your type of pet prior to you going away as well as getting very detailed instructions from you on your pets specific requirements.

In late 2008 the business started to get so busy that I took on my first employee. Since then we’ve been steadily growing and expanding to service clients further afield. If you are interested in joining our team please drop us a line detailing your location and animal experience along with your resume.

I hope that this service can fill a gap and provide a greater number of choices for pet owners. It is my aim and purpose to delight my clients with the level of service they receive so that once tried, they will become loyal customers and friends of All Critters Pet Sitters.

Celestine Fedley joined All Critters Pet Sitters in October 2008 as the first member of our team. Celestine lives in Goonellabah with her four year old son and two dogs, Bear and Tora.

She has been around animals all her life and has a natural affinity and easy confidence around them. Celestine is also a trained WIRES wildlife rescue volunteer and has a sixth sense when it comes to noting when something is ‘not quite right’ as well as the ability to remain calm and confident in an emergency situation.

Prior to joining ACPS, Celestine ran her own business making clothing for 8 years so understands the importance of maintaining client satisfaction and exceeding expectations.

Celestine makes a simple promise in caring for your animals:
“I will do everything in my power to make sure your beloved pets remain safe and I will endeavour to keep their separation anxiety to a minimum by giving them lots of cuddles and tickles behind the ears!”

Angela Watt joined us in October 2009 to help cover the Lismore area. She lives in Lismore Heights with her son and Gimmet a white budgie and is also looking to get a new puppy to join the family in the near future.

Angela comes from a farming background, her father trained dogs and owns Clydesdale horses and though it’s been a while, Angela is still comfortable and proficient around horses.

Angela has a special affinity with dogs but is happy to care for all types of pet.

Steph Powell joined us in October 2009 to cover the Alstonville/ Wollongbar area. She lives in Wollongbar with her husband, daughter and best friend Ceez the Indian ring necked parrot (pictured) as well as an assortment of other birds including her daughters rainbow lorikeets.

Steph has worked previously as a volunteer for the Animal Rights and Rescue group in the Northern Rivers. She also has horses which are currently agisted at a friends property and has had experience with stallions.

Steph is a qualified hypno-therapist and is building a clientele from home as well as caring for your fur/ feather/fin kids whilst you are away!

Kirsty McLintock is originally from Scotland but now calls Australia home. She lives near Clunes and helps to fill in occasionally when we need a little extra help.

Kirsty has a Certificate II in animal studies and is studying veterinary nursing. She works at the Lismore Veterinary Clinic where you may have met her before!

Obviously Kirsty knows a thing or two about animals and she is also a warm and genuine person with good common sense and an eye for detail when it comes to pet health checks.

Kirsty has a pretty kelpie cross called Saba and two cats: Kimba and Marley but is eager to ‘adopt’ your pets as her own whilst they are in her care!