Angela and Alice Provide In-Home Care for Pets in Fredericton and Saint John
Angela Hopkins, entrepreneur and founder of Alice’s Trail Waggin Pet Services, took her passion for helping out our furry friends and turned it into a career.
Trail Waggin started off small – just Hopkins and her dog Alice – but the company that provides in-home pet services has grown to 14 workers with more than 300 clients in Saint John and Fredericton.
“My reputation is very good, and word of mouth is what got me to where I am,” says Hopkins, who has 11 years of experience working in veterinary clinics and other pet services.
“I attribute my success to my clients and their trust in me. I’ve never let anyone down, I just do what I love, and it sounds like a cliché but if you work really hard and you understand people’s needs, it’s not too hard.”
She also gives a lot of credit to Alice. After moving to Fredericton with Alice, Hopkins recognized the potential for a pet service that would visit clients in their own homes.
I didn’t have a car, I didn’t have a job. I would walk around the neighbourhood with Alice and asked if people wanted me to walk their dogs or let them out,” says Hopkins. “Alice became a big deal within the business, and I’m called Alice more than Angela sometimes.”
Trail Waggin offers a wide variety of services for any pet, ranging from fish to horses. Each employee has at least two years experience working with animals and understands how to administer medicine and care for the animals in a professional way.
“I treat the animals how I would want Alice to be treated,” says Hopkins. “It came very naturally to me and everyone on the team is very passionate about what they do.”
Hopkins is currently the only dog groomer in Fredericton that will visit your home with her own equipment to groom your pet. Her other services include group or individual walks, potty breaks, day/evening care and even overnight pet sitting.
With the upcoming Holiday season, Hopkins expects the business to get even busier. She is currently booked until January with her grooming sessions and believes the team will get a lot of clients come Christmas time.
“The animals are generally more comfortable in their own environments,” says Hopkins. “It’s always hard when the pet your working with is nervous, but being in their own home while they get the service they need can be very helpful.
“Every second I’m with the animals I’m elated, and I think my clients are too knowing that they are in safe hands,” she says. “Seeing something I just enjoyed evolve into a business and career is a dream come true.”