Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Waters.
Hi Kristen, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’ve grown up surrounded by cats, dogs, and small businesses. My dad is a serial entrepreneur, and my mom is a true cat lover who even founded a TNR nonprofit in my hometown called Crazy Cat Lady of Hawkinsville. Caring for animals has always been part of my life, and I’ve been looking after other people’s pets for more than 20 years.
In 2020 during quarantine, I rekindled my love of art and began painting pet portraits. Those paintings were what first let clients know how deeply I cared about animals, and soon they started asking if I also offered pet sitting. What began slowly during the early return of travel has grown steadily and really taken off in the past few years.
Alongside my love for animals, I grew up in an entrepreneurial family and have spent more than 16 years in business management across product, service, and event-based businesses. Today, I manage Pinnacle Fitness in Buckhead during the week, and many of my first pet clients came directly from those relationships. When clients are in town, they work out at Pinnacle. When they travel, I take care of their pets and homes.
My love for animals blended naturally with my strengths in scheduling, systems, and client care. As demand grew, it was only natural to move beyond a hobby and build Pet and Purr into a full business. I have now built a network of sitters, caring for dogs, cats, and even the occasional bearded dragon or house plant. For me, it is all about giving clients true peace of mind while they are away, because I know firsthand how much trust it takes to let someone into your home and care for your beloved pets
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t always been smooth. One challenge has been finding the right help. That is true in any field, but in pet sitting it is especially important because clients are trusting us with both their pets and their homes. I have also had to make sure we always have reliable emergency plans in place, whether that is for a sitter’s car trouble, a pet health scare, or a client’s canceled flight. Thankfully, I have an experienced network of sitters who step up and go the extra mile.
Another challenge has been stepping out from behind the scenes. I naturally enjoy operations and systems, but owning a company means wearing every hat, from sitter to bookkeeper to HR and PR, and growing into a more forward-facing leadership role. I have also had to learn balance. That first year, my husband and I each did over 75 overnight sits, and never at the same time. It felt like we were dating long distance under the same roof.
These challenges have taught me how important it is to trust my team, set healthy boundaries, and build systems that make the business stronger. I have learned that resilience and adaptability are just as important as reliability when it comes to serving both pets and people well.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
While we may not be the biggest company in Atlanta, our clients continue to choose us because of the trust and relationships we build, along with the quality of care we provide. They know we will show up, every single time, and care for their pets like they are our own.
I’m also a pet portrait artist, and many of my clients have commissioned paintings of their pets. It’s become a fun way to celebrate the animals we care for and an extra way I can honor the bond people share with their pets.
Success to me looks like peace of mind, balance between work and play, and genuine relationships with the people and pets in my life. Some of my proudest moments have been when I step back and see the community we’ve fostered. I’m grateful that we can care for so many pets and allow clients to travel for work or pleasure without worry. I’m also deeply proud of the people I work with and the trust we’ve built together.
It feels good to say that this is something I’ve worked hard for, and that I’ve been able to grow at a pace that still allows me to find balance. It’s so easy in small business to get caught up in the hustle, but we prioritize peace of mind, not just for our clients, but for ourselves too.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
Starting Pet and Purr felt like a risk at first, because I already had a full-time role and I knew how much responsibility it would add. But I also knew there was a need, and I believed in my ability to build something dependable.
One of the biggest risks has been learning to delegate. Handing off client relationships to other sitters felt vulnerable, because I care so deeply about trust and consistency. What I have learned is that the right people make all the difference. By carefully choosing sitters I trust, I have been able to grow the business without sacrificing the quality of care.
To me, risk is really about leaning into growth even when it feels uncomfortable. I do not think of myself as a natural risk-taker, but I do believe that every big step forward requires a little bit of courage and a willingness to try.
Pricing:
- Day Drop-Ins $30
- Almost Overnights $95
- Overnight Care $115
- Home Residence Care $275
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.petandpurr.com
- Instagram: @_petandpurr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/petandpurr
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristenbwaters/
