What makes Caroline Lavigne with WNC Pet Care a good neighbor?

When we think about pet sitting, many of us imagine the simple joy of walking dogs or cuddling cats. However, as Caroline Lavigne, owner of WNC Pet Care explains in her recent interview on the Good Neighbor Podcast, professional pet care involves much more responsibility and expertise than most people realize. With a team of 12-15 trained professionals who are all pet CPR and first aid certified, WNC Pet Care has established itself as a trusted name in pet care services throughout Asheville and surrounding areas.

Caroline's journey into the pet care industry is rooted in her lifelong passion for animals. Born in Montreal, Quebec, she has always been drawn to working with animals in various capacities. Her career path led her through pet shops, holistic pet food stores, and eventually to earn a biology degree while working as a veterinary technician. Over 14 years, she worked in veterinary clinics, zoos, and hospitals across Canada and the United States, including a stint at a humane society in Colorado. After moving to North Carolina and falling in love with the mountains, Caroline decided to transform her pet sitting side gig into a full-fledged business, focusing initially on providing specialized in-home care for pets with medical needs.

One of the most common misconceptions about pet sitting, according to Caroline, is that it's just about playing with animals or taking them for leisurely walks. In reality, professional pet sitting involves serious responsibilities, especially as pets have increasingly become integral family members in modern households. Caroline shares a personal horror story that highlights the importance of hiring qualified pet sitters: when she once hired someone through a popular app who had five-star ratings and seemed responsible, she returned home to find her dog missing because the sitter had left the door open. Fortunately, the dog was found, but the incident underscores why WNC Pet Care emphasizes professionalism and reliability, giving pet owners peace of mind while they're away.

WNC Pet Care has built an impressive client base of nearly 600 pet owners, with the team completing approximately 9,500 visits last year alone. Their target customers include busy professionals (especially those in healthcare), families with packed schedules, retirees, and frequent travelers who want high-quality care for their pets. The business grows primarily through referrals from veterinarians and groomers, word-of-mouth from satisfied clients, and social media marketing. They've also established a referral program that offers free services to clients who bring in new customers.

Outside of her business, Caroline's personal life remains centered around her love for animals. She enjoys hiking, camping, birdwatching, and of course, petting other people's dogs. She also dedicates time to fostering animals, particularly working with a local nonprofit called Sister Kitten. Additionally, she uses her extensive network and knowledge to help reunite lost pets with their owners through social media connections and resources.

Caroline has faced significant challenges while building her business. Starting from scratch in a new city without loans or investors meant driving for Uber and Lyft to make ends meet, sometimes logging nearly 40,000 miles annually. More personally, she's been living with long COVID for the past two years, dealing with symptoms like fatigue, shortness of breath, muscle weakness, and brain fog. Despite these challenges, she continues to run and grow her business successfully, becoming more focused, intentional, and empathetic as a leader in the process.

The core philosophy at WNC Pet Care is that they don't just provide a service; they create relationships with both pets and their owners. They see the animals in their care as family members and take pride in watching them grow from puppies to senior dogs or cats. Their services are tailored to minimize stress for pets when their owners are away, ensuring both animals and humans can enjoy peace of mind during separations. For pet owners in the Asheville area looking for professional, compassionate care for their furry family members, WNC Pet Care offers quality service that goes beyond the basics of pet sitting.

To learn more about WNC Pet Care go to:

https://www.wncpetcare.com/

WNC Pet Care

828-333-2992