Happy Paws is a family run business, not a franchise, established in January 2005 by daughter and mother team, Sarah and Judy. Sarah maintains day to day running of the business working closely with each of the Guardians, assessing dogs, meeting customers and also providing some of the Happy Paws services in between. Judy runs the Licensed Day Care and Overnight Boarding from her home near Crewkerne. We pride ourselves in giving your pet a safe, loving and happy environment whilst maintaining a high standard of service. We understand how very important our pets are, so we carefully choose our 'Happy Paws Guardians' who also maintain the same standard of care, are risk assessed by us, are fully insured through us and police checked.

In October 2010, Sarah took over 'Hooves, Paws & Claws' which was started by friend and colleague Julie Corbin, offering similar services in the Dorset area. By expanding the business and taking on more reliable and experienced Guardians, we now cover Somerset and Dorset under the name 'Happy Paws'.

All about us and our Happy Paws Guardians ...

The Happy Paws Team -

SARAH - owner and manager of Happy Paws - Sarah has experience with a variety of domestic animals; dogs, cats, ponies, donkeys and chickens. From a young age Sarah had all kinds of dogs around her, German Shepherds, Collies and a number of Rescue Dogs, mainly the Heinz 57 varieties and has been riding from a young age too. After Art College and gaining a BA and MA at University, then 10 years in the design industry including teaching at Wiltshire College and SCAT in Taunton, Sarah decided to go back to her roots, working with animals.
Sarah has been working with domestic animals since 2005, walking up to 5 at a time and doing most of the pet visits, small holding care and puppy care. Now that Happy Paws has grown in size, Sarah has found experienced and loyal Guardians to cover these services enabling her to concentrate on meeting the customers and their pets and supporting the Guardians, giving them time to concentrate on the care of your pet.
QUALIFICATIONS -
BTEC National Award in Kennel & Cattery Management - completed 07/06 at Kingston Maurward College
Certificate in Dog First Aid - completed 07/08.
And still the designer for The Natural Dog Food Company in between running Happy Paws!!

JUDY has always had animals around her and horses and dogs are a big part of her life. Having run the Crewkerne Day Care for 5 years now, Judy is experienced in mixing, introducing and managing a number of dogs at the same time. Judy has also been a volunteer for several rescue centres over the years. Judy's home is licensed by the local council, therefore some conditions apply. (click here to check). Charlie (Collie cross Lab) pictured above is the top dog at Happy Paws in Misterton! - he is very gentle and friendly with all the doggy visitors.

JENNY has enjoyed the company of dogs and cats since childhood, and for many years competed in dog shows with her Italian Spinone.   It was during the years of dog showing that Jenny first started looking after fellow competitors’ pets while they went on holiday and it seemed an ideal opportunity to combine a love of dogs and keep fit at the same time. Jenny & her husband Peter run the Licensed Boarding near Yeovil.

Jenny is married with three grown up children, and one grandchild. When not walking dogs she practices as an Holistic Therapist, being qualified in the Bowen Technique and as a Healer.

JUDE has grown up with a myriad of animals from dogs to horses.  Jude has years of experience with horses, dogs, large and small breeds, ducks, chickens, turkeys.. Jude also has a BHSAI Certificate (British Horse Society Assistant Instructors Stage I, II, III & Instructors)

PHILIPPA's lifelong passion for animals, wildlife and the countryside has meant that she and her family have consistently shared their busy lives with many four legged friends – dogs, cats, ponies, donkeys, goats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice – and even fish! Philippa combines her love of walking with many years experience in owning dogs and she enjoys applying her deep interest in dog behaviour and psychology to dog training and handling. (Pictured with Lily and Bella)

SARAH and her husband Iain live in the countryside just outside Taunton with their three dogs, Daisy, Rosie and Bob. Daisy (Collie cross Springer) 12 years old, was rescued as a puppy, Rosie was also rescued and had a very poor start in life, being bread on a puppy farm in Ireland and having a number of owners before Sarah and Iain re homed her through 'cocker rescue' 4 years ago and Bob is the 'baby' just coming up for 2 years old, a cocker who is just mad about putting up anything with wings! They are all very friendly, so much fun and have become part of the family now their children are all grown up and are greatly loved by all, especially the grandchildren.
Sarah and Iain grew up with dogs and have always had them. They both work from home except for when Sarah is working as a volunteer for the RSPCA. (Sarah pictured above in her garden with Bob, Daisy and Rosie)
Qualifications - Canine First Aid Certificate

CAROL can never remember a time when she was not surrounded by animals, such as chickens, a goose, tame rats, rabbits, dogs, guinea pigs and use to accompany her sister and her German Shepard to local shows. Then when Carol daughters arrived, so did horses! So many an early morning taking them all to shows. Then after a brief period of having a couple of Rams in the family, Carol now has Jess the lab cross and horses Oakwood, a veteran of 25 years and Moondance a rescue pony which Carol took on as a yearling and is now 6 years old.

There was never a time when Suzannes family were without animals. If ever there seemed a danger of a natural gap appearing then another rescue pony, stray dog or abandoned kitten would conveniently show up and adopt us. Paul was born and brought up in semi rural Surrey and has had a dog as far back as he can remember. Paul joined Surrey Police in 1976. In 1994 Paul transferred to the Dorset police and now lives in Bridport.

PAUL & SUZANNE have two daughters, both of whom are animal lovers. They have filled their home with three black cats from the Cats Protection League and a very loving whippet 'Pebble'. One of his favourite activities is to snuggle down into a sleeping bag, preferably one already occupied by a member of the family.

Paul and Suzanne think working as a pet sitter is a dream job, combining a love of caring for animals with an understanding of what owners really need and want for their precious pets. It is a privilege to be entrusted with someone's pet and not a duty that either Paul or Suzanne take lightly. Suzanne is also a part-time teaching assistant at a local primary school. Paul started as a dog walker in the autumn of 2009 and enjoys every walk and confirms that there no such thing as bad weather, merely the wrong clothes.!

We are all fully insured with Public Liability Insurance and Police Checked.

We can provide written references on your request, or please see our 'Customer Comments' page.