Hi, My name is Christine Owen (aka, Chris) 
and I am the owner of Animates Professional Pet Sitting And Dog Walking Service. I first started working with animals by grooming my friends and neighbours' dogs, then later my own Afghan Hounds. It was then because of this that I recognized the need for a special type of animal care for those pets who do not adapt to being kenneled or boarded in strange surroundings, because many people asked me if I knew of anyone who could look after their pets while they were away on holiday. The answer was 'no I didn't....', but then one day I got to think, 'why don't I do it myself?'. There was obviously a market out there and as working with animals was what I had always wanted to do, I felt this was the better option for me. So, after much research, and based on the American and Australian idea, I launched Animates Professional Pet Sitting & Dog Walking Service in July 2001 with the help of my then partner, now husband Taff and Mr Robin Taylor, founder of the National Association Of Registered Pet Sitters (NARP). Animates aim is to provide a new concept in pet care and I am very proud to say, has since gone on to lead the way in pet sitting, in the Chester and North Wales areas.
I have owned and loved many animals in the past, starting from early childhood with every little girl and boys favorite, the time honored Hamster. Moving on over the years to Rats, Mice, Guinea Pigs, Rabbits and Chinchillas. Successfully breeding the latter three. At the tender age of seventeen, I was lucky enough to own my first cat Sheba, a very pretty fluffy tabby. On leaving home I bought my first dog Kelly, a Golden Retriever puppy at eight weeks old; who grew to be my loyal friend and companion for thirteen very happy years. Since then I have never been without a pet of some description, mostly cats and birds. Although, all these pets have given me every enjoyment and years of unconditional love, my all time favorites have to be my Afghan Hounds. My first named Tempany, was a beautiful little brindle bitch puppy, who I bought in 1996. I have since had these beautiful creatures injected into my blood. To find out more about these lovely elegant dogs, please click on the link below, but make sure you return to us here at Animates.
So as you may appreciate, all these animals, especially the Afghans, warrant a great deal of care and grooming (all of which I do myself) to keep them in tip top condition. It is with this experience that I fully understand the needs of your pets.
I have also recently acquired four lovely hens (Nov 2008) which we are keeping as productive pets. They consist of a Light Sussex (Judith), and White Star (Daphne) named after the two lady Eggheads on T.V. A Brown Nick (Ruth),and a Black Rock (Henrietta). They were bought as P.O.L youngsters (Point Of Lay) and have gone on to mature into lovely young ladies. Daphne started laying in January 2008 and the others soon followed suit. Since then, we have had a grand total of 4 small but lovely fresh, tasty eggs every day. (Nov 2009) We now have a further 6 Hens, three of which started out as hatching eggs, which I incubated at home in a small incubator Taff bought for my birthday. The other six consist of another White Star (Dora), a Wellsummer (Coco) and a Bluebelle (Belle). We are currently receiving between 5 and 7 eggs daily with our new additions. The three incubated eggs were two beautiful Araucana chicks (Molly and Amy) and a beautifully elegant Legbar (Aunt Sally). All of which are expected to lay lovely china blue eggs when they reach point of lay hopefully by the end of this year. We await their arrival in eager anticipation. Blue eggs are said to contain less cholesterol....! So better for your health....
Having gained experience with these facinating young ladies I have decided to add chickens to our growing list of services available to you.
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Animates is fully insured, and I have lots of rerences, both on this site and in my folio, which will be made available on consultation visits for you to view; and most importantly a police security check certificate. I work alone, so am able to devote lots of 'one to one' care for your pet. I am also a Non-Smoker, which is a very important factor when considering to allow someone you do not know personally, into your much loved home.
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