‘Safe At Home’ Becomes ‘Always Safe At Home’

By Nancy K. Crevier

Adria Henderson, owner of Safe At Home pet sitting services in Newtown for 16 years, has handed over the reins — or rather, the leash — to her daughter, Emily Blankschen, as of January 1, 2011.

Now known as Always Safe At Home, former Safe At Home clientele can expect the same loving, quality service previously experienced when they hire Ms Blankschen and her staff of six to care for pets, said the new owner. Always Safe At Home absorbed the Safe At Home client list, explained Ms Blankschen, and the slight change in name is simply to indicate the change in ownership.

Ms Blankschen, like her mother, segued from working as a private investigator into pet sitting. “My mother was a private investigator, and I followed in her shoes,” said Ms Blankschen, who holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. “This is very different,” she laughed, going from “snooping to Snoopy.”

She has been surrounded by pets her entire life, she said, preparing her for this moment. “Growing up, we had a zoo: two dogs, ten cats, ponies, and birds. Right now, I have only one dog, myself. Zoë is a yellow Lab mix,” she said.

Ms Blankschen has worked with her mother for the past five years, caring for clients’ pets.

“I’ve been getting ready for running this business for the past year. There are lots of things to know, but it worked out perfectly for January first,” said Ms Blankschen. “Originally, I did not see taking over the business. Then my mother and I started discussing her semiretirement last year and came to this decision. It’s very exciting for me,” she said.

As a hands-on business owner, Ms Blankschen continues to have direct contact with customers she has come to know, walking the dogs, making home visits, and doing overnights. “I have a very personal relationship with my clients. The people are wonderful,” she said, as are the pets. “Not only do I get to walk dogs, but I get to play with a lot of them,” said Ms Blankschen.

What has set the business apart from other pet sitting services over the years, and what sets Always Safe At Home apart from others, she said, is the devotion to customers and ability to serve them. “We have been established for so long, we know what is involved. Always Safe At Home is a 365 days, seven days a week business. We are very dedicated,” stressed Ms Blankschen. Less established businesses may not be staffed adequately to handle the business volume, and may not understand the intricacies of scheduling. “We always have someone to cover. We are not a one-person business,” she said.

Like her employees, Ms Blankschen is insured, and she is bonded.

Always Safe At Home cares primarily for dogs and cats, but is capable of attending to all types of pets. “Probably alpacas and llamas have been our most exotic request. It’s not exactly what you think of, when you start a pet sitting business,” she said.

Additionally, her business cares for turtles, lizards, birds, horses, chickens, and other farm animals. “Day to day, though, I would say our biggest clientele is for dog walking. People look at their dogs as their children, so when they go to work, they need us to come in two or three times a day to care for them,” said Ms Blankschen.

Before a new client is taken on, an Always Safe At Home staff member performs an in-home interview to meet the pet and family. “We ask if the pet, usually a dog, has ever been left alone with someone outside of the family, for instance. Not all dogs like to be cared for by a stranger,” said Ms Blankschen. “We try to get any concerns out of the way by this meeting beforehand. We will not take on aggressive animals, but we can generally get a feel for a pet’s personality at the initial meeting. It is rarely a problem,” she said, although one client supplied her with a broom to ward off “an attack cat.”

Ms Henderson continues to service certain customers as an independent agent, and provides Always Safe At Home with her expertise as a behavioral consultant. “We now also offer home obedience training and puppy training, taught by my mother,” said Ms Blankschen. Home obedience entails teaching basic commands such as sit, down, come, and stay, explained Ms Blankschen, and puppy training can include housebreaking.

Issues like jumping, digging, “counter surfing,” and barking are among the behavioral issues that can be successfully addressed.

Formerly servicing clients in Newtown, Southbury, Sandy Hook, and Monroe, Always Safe At Home is now taking customers in Woodbury and Middlebury, as well. Always Safe At Home is currently offering a free “first walk” to new customers, and a five percent discount for monthly prepayment of daily dog walks.

“I love this,” said Ms Blankschen. “I’m looking forward to adding more staff and seeing the business grow.”

(To contact Always Safe At Home, visit www.alwayssafeathome.com or call 203-426-5784.)