Millstoner offers pet-sitting service

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

SCOTT PILLING staff Linda Schnoorbusch interacts with her dogs, Kayla (l) and Bella at her Millstone home. She has a business that provides pet-sitting services to area residents. MILLSTONE — While the cat’s away, the mice will play, but some wonder what pets do when their owners aren’t around.

Now, when area residents go on a work-related trip or a vacation, or are even just away for a day, they can find out what their critters do and know their animals have been cared for with the help of BellaLinda Petsitting service in Millstone.

“Every client gets a journal about what their pets did,” said Linda Schnoorbusch, the owner of BellaLinda Petsitting. “I even leave little notes from the dogs. It’s the way animal lovers think, and it’s something nice for them to come home to.”

BellaLinda Petsitting offers insured and bonded, professional pet-sitting services “for pampered fur kids,” according to Schnoorbusch.

“I go to other people’s homes while they’re on vacation or just at work,” Schnoorbusch said. “A lot of pet owners don’t realize that they have other options besides a crate or a kennel.”

Schnoorbusch said her visits to a pet can last from an hour up to multiple overnights.

“If someone is just at work, I’ll go and play with the dog, feed it, let it out and walk it,” Schnoorbusch said. “If I stay overnight, I’ll play with the dog, let it sit on my lap, and even let it sleep in the bed, if that’s what its owners do.”

Schnoorbusch, a professed animal lover, has two dogs of her own, Bella, a flat-coated golden retriever, and Kayla, also a golden retriever. In her spare time, Schnoorbusch, who is certified in first aid, works as an animal rescue volunteer.

She said she has had dogs throughout

her entire life but recently made her love of animals into a livelihood.

“I used to work in an oral surgeon’s office,” Schnoorbusch said. “While there, I witnessed a lot of illness and complaining, and I knew I just had to get out of that environment.”

About six years ago, when one of her beloved dogs died of cancer at the age of 6, Schnoorbusch said she began researching the causes of cancer in animals.

“I started reading that there are a lot of added chemicals in many popular brands of dog food,” Schnoorbusch said. “I also learned that even the material of a dog’s food bowl can make the dog sick.”

Schnoorbusch directed her knowledge and passion for animals into assisting Golden Re-Triever Rescue, Inc., a nonprofit organization that helps save neglected or mistreated golden retrievers throughout New Jersey.

“I volunteer and do home visits, fostering and environment evaluations,” Schnoorbusch said. “I just can’t say enough about working rescue, especially fostering.”

Through fostering, Schnoorbusch adopted her two golden retrievers. Both rescuing and caring for her own dogs, she said, have provided her with a wealth of information about taking proper care of animals.

“My clients benefit because I’m always recommending information and education material about caring properly for their pets to ensure they live a good life,” Schnoorbusch said.

Schnoorbusch said she gives her clients advice on puppy training, proper nutrition, exercise and first aid.

“I’ve even started my own newsletter with articles about my clients’ animals and about pet care,” Schnoorbusch said.

BellaLinda’s pet-sitting services are available for both dogs and cats.

“I take care of all types of dogs, from little Yorkies to St. Bernards,” Schnoorbusch said. “I even take care of cats. Some people don’t think cats get lonely, but they do.”

Schnoorbusch said her job can get “hairy.”

“The second time I ever took care of cats, the cats dragged a dead rabbit into the house and ripped its head off,” Schnoorbusch said. “It looked like a bloody massacre.”

Unless an event is a medical emergency, Schnoorbusch said she doesn’t bother pet owners while they’re away.

“I use my discretion,” Schnoorbusch said. “I don’t want to worry my clients if I don’t have to.”

Schnoorbusch said pet owners will learn all about what their pets did from the journal she leaves behind.

“The pet owners whose little ones tore up the couch cushions or took the leg off the end table find out,” Schnoorbusch said.

“Luckily,” she added, “those who love animals are usually the most understanding and generous people.”

BellaLinda’s pet-sitting services cost $19 per hour and $75 per overnight.

For details, call (732) 266-9450 or visit www.bellalindapetsitting.com.