Leap of Faith: Abby’s Tabbies & Waggies Fulfills a Lifelong Dream in Livonia

From Costco to Cuddles: A Passion for Pet Care

Abby, a self-described lifelong animal lover, provides boarding, daycare, walks, and drop-ins across Livonia and surrounding areas. Her deep-seated love for animals began in childhood, inspired by her mom who "always stops to help stray cats, donates to animal shelters and loves helping the neighborhood animals". Her first pet, a cat named Bailey, definitively "shaped my love for cats and animals in general".

After five "wonderful years" living in Livonia with her husband, Zac, Abby decided to turn this passion into a full-time business. The name, "Abby's Tabbies & Waggies," was simply chosen because it was "cute and it rhymed".

A Day in the Life of a Pet Sitter

Abby’s schedule is busy, typically running from 8 AM to 10 PM, often juggling all three main services in a single day. She prides herself on offering personal attention and tailoring her approach to the routine, personality, and special needs of every pet.

• Boarding (Overnight Stay): Abby describes this as one of her favorite services, hosted in her home. She has an ideal setup: a finished basement that opens directly to a fenced-in backyard, suitable for both cats and dogs.
• Daycare (Daytime Stay): This service allows a pet to enjoy "all the love and attention without staying overnight".
• Drop-ins (30 Minutes): Visits to the owner’s home. For cats, this includes feeding, water, litter care, playtime, and snuggles. For dogs, it covers a walk/potty break, feeding, water, playtime, and snuggles.
• Walks (30 Minutes): The walk duration is 30 minutes, followed by any leftover time spent giving the dog treats, refreshing water, playing, and snuggling.

To provide peace of mind, Abby ensures owners are kept updated by frequently sending "updates and photos". This frequent communication has earned her "so much positive feedback," as clients love the many pictures and videos she shares, sometimes posting them to her business Instagram page.

Thriving on Trust and Livonia Support

Abby's dedication has quickly resulted in a strong reputation. She has 5 years of total pet care experience and her current Rover profile boasts a 4.9-star rating across 17 reviews and 4 repeat clients. She notes that repeat clients consistently return because they trust the care she provides and how she treats every pet like her own.

The Livonia community has been incredibly supportive. Most of her clients come through Rover and referrals, but she was "overwhelmed" with the amount of positive messages she received after posting about her services on Livonia Facebook groups. She also received an outpouring of "advice, encouragement and support" after posting on Nextdoor for business guidance.

Future Plans and Special Offer

Looking ahead, Abby plans to grow Abby's Tabbies & Waggies by expanding her client base while maintaining the personalized service her customers expect. While grateful for the connections made through Rover, she hopes to eventually transition clients to booking directly through her business.

For readers looking to book, Abby is offering a promotion:

Livonia Thrive readers who book through the Rover platform can receive $20 off their first visit. Abby notes this is equivalent to a free walk or drop-in service.

If you aren't in need of pet care right now, Abby simply asks that you recommend her to a family member or friend in the area.