PhilaPets.com Newsletter: August 2005

Hello everyone!

We hope you enjoy this month's newsletter! It is jammed packed with all sorts of goodies.

If there is something that you would like to share with the PhilaPets community, tips, events, jokes, or other interesting tidbits, e-mail them to newsletter@philapets.com and we will try to make it a part of our next month's newsletter.

SMILE!

Want to show off your pets? Just send us their pictures and we will make them forever famous in our client gallery. Their image will also show in the upper left-hand corner when you login to my.philapets.com.

Here are some of our latest additions: Annie, Lily, Hazel, and Leonardo.

PhilaPets News

PHILAPETS IS BEST OF PHILLY 2005^®!
It's true! PhilaPets.com won Philadelphia Magazine's "Best of Philly 2005^®" for pet sitting! It's right there in black and white, on page 156 of the August issue!

We are all so incredibly honored to receive this Philadelphian mark of distinction and give all the credit for to our wonderful Pet Care Specialists. They work so incredibly hard under the hot sun and on frigid icy days to ensure that each and every animal under our watch is cared for. We are so proud to have each and every one of them as part of the PhilaPets team.

We also want to thank you, our clients! Your kind words, encouragement, and ideas for improvement enable us to continually improve ourselves. We can't thank you enough!

Client Satisfaction Survey
Thanks to everyone who has completed the Client Satisfaction Survey! You've given us lots of valuable feedback about our Pet Care Specialists, our services, and our Web site. We appreciate all of your kind words and your ideas on how to make our services even better. If you haven't yet had the chance to fill out the survey, we would love to hear what you have to say!

Here's the link: http://surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=388831226833

PayPal and PhilaPets
Besides being two companies with two capital "P"s in their name, PayPal can now be used to pay for your pet care service online. Ability to pay online was the number one thing that clients had asked for in our survey. You asked, we listened.

Via PayPal, you can use your MasterCard, Visa, Discover, Amex, or bank checking account to pay for your pet sitting. And you don't need a PayPal account to do this!

It is easy, safe, and secure. Just log in to your account on my.PhilaPets.com and click the "Pay Now" button located in the lower left-hand side of your screen. It is as simple as that!

Sweet cat needs home

One of our PhilaPets clients is looking for a new home for her cat. "I've been thinking about this for a while, but with my job this summer it became clear that she is unhappy with the changes since we moved from Miami, when we got to spend a lot more time together" she says. "I'm hoping to find her a home with someone who can spend a lot of time with her and/or who has a nice mellow cat for her to hang out with."

"She is very sad and lonely these days and since I can't get another cat to keep her company or spend more time with her, I have come to the unhappy conclusion that I should consider finding her a new human. However, I want to make sure she goes to a great home. Do you know anyone who might open their doors to a wonderful cat? I won't give her up unless I find the right person/family."

Let's try to keep Mimi in the PhilaPets family! If you're interested in finding out more about Mimi, please email us at info@philapets.com.

Pet Portraits and Photography

Show off your pet!
Want to ensure that you will have a lasting memory of your pet? One that will show off their true personality and lovable nature? Why not get a photo or portrait done of your beloved pet? Or, get one for your friend, it's one of the best gifts you can get for a pet lover! We have two very talented artists we are working with who have agreed to give PhilaPets clients a 10% discount.

Artist: Laura Bourneman
Bio: Laura is a painter and sculptor, teaching part-time at The Fairmount Arts Center and Fleisher Art Center. She has a BFA in painting from Buffalo State College and an MA in painting from Western Michigan University. Currently, she is continuing her studies at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia in painting and sculpture.
Cost: $250 and up (includes CD of digital photos that she takes as a reference)
More information and examples of Laura's artwork.

Artist: Michele Corbman
Bio: Michele is a professional photographer working out of her studio in the Fairmount section of the city. She specializes in "portraits with personality" in black & white photography enhanced with hand painting.
Cost: $225 and up (for a sitting in the studio, if appropriate, or on location)
More information and examples of Michele's artwork.

Remember: Let the artists know that you are a PhilaPets client for a 10% discount!

Local Events

Dog Wash to Benefit The People-Pet Partnership
Is your dog in need of a good washing? Bring your pal to the People-Pet Partnership's (PPP) dog wash! Not only will you leave with a clean pooch, but you'll be helping pets in need. For a donation ($5 for small dogs, $10 for large), PPP volunteers will scrub your pooch pretty.
When: August 27th, noon-4pm
Where: Whole Foods Market, 10th and South Streets, Philadelphia

Book of the Month

Culture Clash by Jean Donaldson
Does your pet need some training? Want her to listen to you better? You should check out this book. It is awesome!

Amazon.com review:

"The Culture Clash is special. Written in Jean's inimitably informal yet precise 
lecture style, the book races along on par with a good thriller. The Culture 
Clash depicts dogs as they really are - stripped of their Hollywood fluff, with 
their loveable 'can I eat it, chew it, urinate on it, what's in it for me' 
philosophy. Jean's tremendous affection for dogs shines through at all times, as 
does her keen insight into the dog's mind. Relentlessly she champions the dog's 
point of view, always showing concern for their education and well being. 
Without a doubt, Jean's book is the hottest doggy item on the market. Best 
Training Book Of The Year!"