Firm goes to the dogs

A love of animals is a must.

Susan Baker, owner of Pet’s Best Friend Inc., couldn’t do her job if she didn’t love the dogs and cats she deals with daily. Her dedication to keeping them happy and healthy gives the pets’ owners peace of mind, whether the animals are in her shop or being cared for in the comfort of their homes, she said.

“We are extremely picky because we don’t pet sit for nor do we let any animal in here that doesn’t have all of its vaccinations completely up to date. Not having to leave them in a kennel does not subject them to diseases and parasites of other animals, and owners can leave them at home,” Baker said.

Q: What services or products do you provide?

A: Here at the salon, we have dog and cat grooming, we do doggy day care and we have holistic food and pet supplies. On the pet-sitting end, we do the in-home pet sitting, we do midday dog walks and we do overnight sitting. We also provide a pet taxi service.

Q: Who are your key leaders?

A: I am the owner and head groomer. Beth Smith is the office manager. Amber Edwards is a groomer and pet sitter. My husband, Van Baker, is bather and pet sitter.

Q: How many people do you employ?

A: Five.

Q: When were you established?

A: The pet sitting business was started in November 1993, and then I bought the grooming salon and renamed it in November 2003.

Q: What’s your business philosophy?

A: We treat each pet as if they were our own, and we try to provide peace of mind for the pet owners. We have a slogan here that says, “The complete and personalized care for your pets and peace of mind for you.”

Q: What makes your business unique?

A: I think friendly customer service and the fact that it is personalized. We do have all top-of-the-line equipment here in the salon, and we have won awards for both grooming and pet sitting.

Q: Why did you pick Rocky Mount as a place to do business?

A: I lived here. I have been here all my life.