Picture
In the spotlight....
I welcomed 2 new friends to the Happy Feet family in October. 
Meet Boss the tabby and Teddy the Yorkie!
Me, with (l to r)
​Popple, Mimi & Franky
Serving Plymouth Meeting and surrounding areas, Diane provides loving care & enriching companionship to your pets on a daily schedule while you're at work, or as-needed when you go on vacation.

I have shared my life with pets since childhood, and have experience with many exotic species, as well as cats & dogs.

I live in Plymouth Meeting with my husband, Dave.  We have 2 adult children -  Steph and Tyler - as well as 3 dogs, 3 birds, a chinchilla and a red-footed tortoise. 
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​Happy Feet is named for our Pippen, who was very skilled at dancing on her hind legs.  She is no longer with us in life, but forever in our hearts.  We were blessed to have welcomed Franky into our family and look forward to showing him what a loving home is all about.

I've worked in a variety of corporate environments over the last 35+ years, and in 2017 decided to semi-retire in order to pursue building a small business caring for animals and doing what makes my soul happy.

I am active in the rescue/adoption community.  ​If you are interested in adopting a homeless animal of any species and would like some guidance, clients and non-clients alike are welcome to contact me and I will help out in any way I can. 
Our Pippen crossed the Rainbow Bridge in June, 2021

Care for all creatures
​great & small

Dogs
Cats
Birds
Guinea Pigs
Hamsters
Turtles/Tortoises
Chinchillas
Fish tanks
​Reptiles & Amphibians

Meet & Greets

My first visit with you and your pet is free of charge and will generally take 30 minutes to an hour.  During this visit, we will discuss your pet’s personality, any training techniques you use (very important for continuity), the things s/he likes to do every day, separation anxieties, etc. This time allows your pet to get to know me and see that you are ok with me being in the home (alleviate “stranger danger”).  I will spend some floor-time focusing attention on your pet in your presence, so s/he feels secure, and possibly take a brief walk for some one-on-one time.  Additional pre-contract visits are $15.00.

Your Pet is my priority - My policies keep them safe
Time scheduling:
During our meet & greet, we will review your pet's profile and establish the best daily time for me to visit with him/her.  Consistency is very important when establishing a routine with a new client, so I will generally arrive at our designated time, or within 30 minutes, every day.  If an emergency causes a longer delay, I will alert you immediately and inform you of my expected arrival time.
 
Neighbor Relations: 
Respect for your neighborhood and those living around you is extremely important to me when I am out with your dog.  I will always pick up after your dog, in public or on your property, and I never dispose of waste bags in neighbors' trash cans. 
Your dog will always be curbed in public.  In neighborhoods without sidewalks, your dog will go no further than 2ft. onto front lawns.  If a home clearly has children, I do not allow them near the property so as to avoid contamination of the grass they may play in.
Please inform me if you know of any dogs in the neighborhood that routinely escape their yards or antagonize your dog, so that I can keep our walk as safe and pleasant as possible.
 
Cell phone usage: 
I carry my cell phone at all times for emergencies, but do not use it when I am walking with your pet other than to take photos for you or communicate with you.  This time is reserved for your pet’s enjoyment & our interaction, and any other business can [and will] wait until our visit is over.
 
Health & Wellness: 
Poop reveals a lot about your pet's health.  I will report anything out of the ordinary when cleaning up after your dog or your cat's litterbox.  Likewise, I will notify you of any changes I notice in their behavior that could possibly be health-related.
 
FlexiLeashes/Free Roam/Doggy Friends: 
For my safety and that of your dog, FlexiLeashes will only be used with small breeds under 30 lbs and/or dogs who do not pull. 
If I will be walking with your dog on your property and it is not securely fenced or equipped with an electric fence, your dog will remain leashed at all times when in my care, even if s/he is used to being free-roaming with you.  This applies to cats as well. 
Many of my clients have “friends” in their neighborhoods that we will encounter on walks.  In these instances, I will politely explain to those dog’s owners that it is my policy not to allow my clients to come in contact with other dogs or people while they are with me, regardless of how well they get along when with their owners.  Even the best of friends can have an off-day.  This precaution is in the best interest of your dog and reduces my liability.

Feral/Semi-Feral Cats:
I am happy to care for your feral/semi-feral feline friends.  To ensure their well-being in your absence, semi-feral cats will need to be brought indoors before your departure, and will be required to remain indoors until your return.  While I understand that these arrangements are not preferable to the cats, this policy is necessary for their protection while under my care.

Care restrictions: 
There is always a possibility that your pet will decide I am not the perfect caregiver for them.  Earning money does not take precedence over your pet's happiness and comfort; if I do not feel your pet will be happy with me, I will be honest with you about that and may even be able to recommend someone else for you to meet with.
If your pet is of the venomous variety, we can discuss safety measures at our meeting and I will reserve the right to decline the request at that time if I do not feel I can safely provide proper care for your pet. 
​If your pet requires live mammal food, I unfortunately do not offer that level of care.

​Service Area:
In order to best serve my clients and minimize overhead, my client base falls within a 4 mile radius of my home in Plymouth Meeting.  Travel beyond 4 miles incurs an additional fee that is calculated at $2/mile, per visit (i.e., 8 miles one way:  $15 base rate for one dog, + $8 mileage fee = $23 per visit).

Insurance:
I do not carry insurance at this time; but I do maintain a current Pennsylvania State Criminal Background Check and have references that I can provide to you at the time you sign your contract.