Services | About the Founder | Meet
Our Sitters
Process of Engagement | Service
Area | Fees | Contact Us
The Sitters is a professional pet and house sitting service provided by Edson Enterprises, LLC. We offer pet care in the home, or monitor the home if there are no pets, while you are:
• out-of- town on business
• gone on vacation
• busy at work/school or unable to return home for extended hours (such as you are going out directly after work to dinner/theater etc.)
• unable to exercise, relieve, or transport pets due to other reasons (such as you are post-surgery, have difficulty walking, are temporarily unable to drive)
• unable to do errands, meet delivery or repair persons mid-day
Types of Pets: We care for your dogs, cats, rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, mice, rats, birds, ferrets, lizards/iguanas, snakes, turtles, fish, frogs and a variety of other animals.
All pets must have an identified veterinarian and be currently vaccinated.
We do not care for pets with dangerous tendencies, aggressive behavior or a history of biting. Our Sitters always reserve the right to place a pet in an appropriate safe setting if they become a safety concern or a risk to our Sitter while you are away.
Pet care includes: feeding, watering, potty breaks, walking/exercising, playing, loving and companionship for your animals. We will take your pets to their favorite park/play area if requested. We also provide health and safety checks, medications, clean-up and pet-taxi if needed.
Home care includes: lighting rotation, bringing in the mail and newspapers, watering plants/hanging baskets, taking out the trash/recycle, interior and exterior residential checks, and other duties as requested.
Errands include: stocking your refrigerator before you return from being away, picking up pet or supplies, meeting delivery/repair persons, or doing other types of errands per client request.
Sitter visit hours are typically scheduled between 7:00 am to 9:00 pm.
Overnight Sitter services may be arranged on a case-by-case basis. We do a limited number of overnights in non-smoking, very clean households. Overnight accommodations must also include a proper sleeping situation for our Sitter. A minimum of 10 hours is required and plenty of notice is needed for scheduling.
Our founding principle is to serve pets and owners with the utmost care, attention and respect for life and property. The Sitters is Insured & Bonded. We also are certified by the American Red Cross in Pet First Aid for Cats and Dogs.
We are members of Pet Sitters International (PSI), which is a wonderful resource for pet owners and pet sitters. The web address for PSI is www.petsit.com.
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About the Founder
The Sitters was founded in 2003 by Jill W. Edson. Jill's passion for animals began the first time she saw one as a toddler. She has loved and owned various combinations of animals all her life including large, medium, and small dogs; cats; guinea pigs, rabbits and mice; birds; turtles, an iguana and various fish. Today she has two dogs (one Shepard Mix and a Chow Mix...both rescues), two Siamese cats, an Eastern Box Turtle, and two African Dwarf frogs. Jill also has been a horsewoman since she was too small to reach the stirrups!
| When preparing to graduate from high school in the mid-1970’s, Jill wanted to be a veterinarian. At the time, the University of Wisconsin had a large animal program that upon interview let Jill know that she was “just too small” to do “that type of work”. Instead, Jill earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, and worked as a Registered Nurse for many years. Her specialties throughout her career included all areas of critical care, ortho-neuro, and rehabilitation. (Jill is still licensed as an RN in the state of Washington). Next, Jill completed a Master’s in Business Administration in 1983. Since then, she has worked in healthcare in marketing, strategic planning, contracting and business development. |
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Owning and operating a pet and house sitting business represents Jill’s third major shift in careers. This one is inspired by her love for animals, and satisfies her life-long desire to work in their service.
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Our Assistant Manager
| Suzanne: My first encounter with Jill Edson and The Sitters was when I became a client many years ago.
We have two Yorkies who are now our only "children" at home. I was and am so impressed with the care that I wanted to be a part of the care-giving for others. I have a background for "care-giving". I have four grown children, nine grandchildren and am a care-giver for my elderly mother. I also was a flight attendant for 28 years--hence more "care-giving" on the airplane!! |
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I am proud to serve as Assistant Manager for The Sitters. In this role I am in charge whenever Jill is away or needs administrative support. I also have a full caseload of pets who I enjoy pampering. I look forward to meeting your pets soon.
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Our Relief Charge Sitter
| Shana: Some of my earliest memories include caring for and enjoying the company of animals. As a child, I considered my pets to be part of my family, including our dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pig, fish and even an occasional injured or orphaned wild animal baby that we would nurse back to health and return to the wild. Now that I’m grown and have a family of my own, my husband Jim and I call our pets our children. We both enjoy caring for our two shelter dogs Blixa (the softest and most beautiful Aussie Shepard mix) & Rudy (our handsome and playful German Shepard mix), chinchilla siblings Marla & Tyler, and newly adopted baby bunny Lofa. They bring such joy into our home, and caring for them is truly a pleasure. We are also part of Tacoma Humane Society’s foster program, adopting two out of the seven animals that have been in our care. |
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My professional background includes 13 years as a Social Worker, where I first met and worked next to Jill Edson, and where I discovered the power of animals and the healing process. I often included my retriever mix Malu (rest in peace, sweet girl), a trained therapy dog, in my counseling sessions with patients and families. She brought with her the gifts and strengths that I could not. Her gentle presence could soothe a struggling stroke survivor, and calm even the most agitated injury victim.
After leaving Social Work, I found myself wanting to stay in a “helping” field yet still surround myself with animals. My time as an Adoption Counselor at the Tacoma Humane Society and Vet Assistant was just that. I ultimately lost that position due to budget cuts but am still an active volunteer at the shelter as well as Point Defiance Zoo. I am also a Creative Memories consultant with a focus on preserving family memories through scrapbooks and journaling.
When I’m not sitting for your pets and caring for your home, you can find me cheering on the Mariners, kayaking throughout the beautiful Puget Sound, finding loving and forever homes for homeless pets on the Humane Society’s Comcast On-Demand pet adoption show, and enjoying the company of walruses and polar bears at Rocky Shores.
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Our Sitters
Casee: Growing up as an only child I found comfort and love in my family pets. I have made a point to always have animal companions in my life, especially dogs. My experience in caring for animals goes back to my childhood. I was raised with dogs that had special needs and now have a soft spot in my heart for those animals that need a little extra care. |
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Being an evening and weekend pet sitter, I can only hope that I will have the opportunity with your pets to be able to bring extra love and care into your family.
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Curt: |
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Cynthia: Animals have always been a major part of my life starting with a herd of English Bulldogs at the age of three. My family raised bulldogs and I was introduced to the AKC show ring at a very early age, participating in confirmation & obedience. Since then I have had a variety of pets including fish, rabbits, cats, birds and of course dogs. |
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Currently my animal family life is complete with a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, a Yorkie (rescue), a Pomeranian (rescue), a long haired doxie (rescue), a smooth coated doxie, parakeets and last but not least a cockatiel. My animals range in age from two to twenty.
Animals are precious, and I enjoy spending time caring, playing, cuddling & loving them. While you are away I will be there to make sure they know they are special and are well cared for until your return.
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Debbie: We’ve lived in the Auburn/Federal Way area for the last 18 years; have 2 grown children that we feel privileged to call friends now, and a wonderful grandson. |
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I am a transplanted Midwesterner from the farm country of northern Illinois, and animals have always been a part of my life. There has always been a connection for me with animals and children, and I cannot imagine a world without them. Friends used to call our house “Old McDonald’s Farm” because of the menagerie of animals we kept ; dogs, cats, fish aquarium, rabbits, hamsters, and the occasional stray that would find its way to our door and either remain with us or stay as a special guest til we found a good home for it.
I’m delighted to be a part of The Sitters and look forward to giving your furry family members the special care they deserve.
“If all the beasts were gone, men would die from a great loneliness of spirit, for whatever happens to the beasts also happens to the man. All things are connected. ……………” –Chief Seattle
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Gayle: |
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Jeri: At the present time, I live in Bonney Lake. I share a home with my daughter, son-in-law, and my four grandchildren. We have 1 lab/pit mix, Toby; 3 tabby cats (George, Ringo, and Kieley); and several fresh water fish.
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My calm and nurturing personality makes pet sitting one of the most rewarding jobs I will ever have. I have been a pet sitter with The Sitters since 2005.
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Laurissa: Gold and angel fish, hamsters, parakeets, canaries, polliwogs, and Kemmie McFergus Gabriella (a sweet, sleek black cat) adopted me when I was a teacher of some great (multiply-handicapped) students. She and I were joined by Theo, a shepherd/Rhodesian mix, and then by Flora, a Rhodesian/hound mix. I went on to teach Sp. Ed. preschool and then kindergarten, and now am retired. |
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My retirement companions are Amanda and Tadashi (dogs from the Humane Society), and Emma and Juniper (Tortie cats). We periodically share our home with a variety of foster puppies or adult dogs from the Humane Society (where I also practice my relaxation massage skills with some wonderful dogs while they wait to be found by their new companions.)
As the Tacoma Area Lead, I serve as a resource and trainer for our Sitters in the Tacoma Area. I'm enjoying the opportunity to meet, feed, walk, play with, and otherwise care for the animals you live with and love.
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| Lynne: I grew up in Federal Way before it became the metropolis it is today. I was lucky that my parents were both animal lovers and allowed us to have many pets. We had quite an assortment including: cats, dogs, hamsters, turtles, fish, birds and a white rat. I learned a lot about animals from the experience of raising all of these critters. I wanted to help every stray animal that came into our yard. I can remember holding my dog on my lap and telling her "You're my best friend." |
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During college, I found a black-and-white stray kitty. Or, maybe I should say she found me. This was the beginning of a long relationship with my cat Gypsy. Thanks to Gypsy I survived graduate school and my first job as a CDS (Communication Disorders Specialist) in Eastern Washington. I didn't realize that I would soon find out the real meaning of the word "rural."
Since that time I have always had cats in my life. Currently I live in Kent with my 12-year-old daughter. I work three days a week as an SLP (Speech Language Pathologist) for the Kent School District. We have five cats and one fish. I also take care of my mom's Chin/Pekinese Focus. I'm his taxi driver and walker. I look forward to adding a little dog to our menagerie some day, but that will be when I retire. Our most recent kitty (number 5) is sometimes shared by our neighbor so he has the best of both worlds. We call him Snickers, and she calls him Max. Hmmm. Maybe that's why he seems a little confused? Snickers is joined by Socksy, Tessa, Baby Kitty (Squeakers); and Missy and of course their two humans. Pet Sitting offers me the opportunity to give back to animals the love and devotion that they have given to me.[ Back to Top ]
Sallie: Our home was always a place of safety, rescue and healing for anything from abandoned wild babies to injured crows and housed numerous families of skunks, raccoons, rabbits and deer. We were forever calling the Cincinnati Zoo for feed and housing instructions. |
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We met Jill during our move to this area from Nevada, she was a savior as my husband went back and forth to Nevada and while I was finishing classes in Las Vegas and during my dietetics internship in Portland for a year. Anyone who can handle our “wild home” and keep it reasonably calm and organized deserves a medal!
As my professional careers advanced through child abuse investigator, to geophysicist and now to Registered Dietitian, I have forever kept my interest in animals large and small. My husband has called a halt to my bringing rescued animals home as we presently have three large dogs that are a challenge to walk at one time.
When Jill indicated that she needed someone who could handle multiple large pets, I thought that doing this would be a nice way for me to still be involved in a diversity of animals along with starting my dietetics practice in the area.
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| Tiffany: I am a retired RN and have lived in Federal Way for the last 10 years. I grew up on a small farm in SW Washington. There were always a lot of animals around. I made pets of the pigs and calves. I even had a pet chicken. There were always lots of barn cats and they were very social. We got our first dog when I was six. He was a collie shepherd mix and would meet us at the bus stop when we came home from school. After I finished nursing school and living in apartments, I couldn't have a dog or cat, I had fish or a horse. |
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I love all animals, but am partial to dogs, and now have Missy who is a rescued greyhound. All of my dogs have been rescue animals from the Humane Society or PAWS.
I look forward to caring for and loving your animals as if they were my own.
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Vicky: Though I enjoy navigating the complexities of importing, my real passion in life is and has always been animals. So, I made my hobby into a second career! I enjoy living with animals of all kinds, and currently share my home in Lakewood with this spunky little dachshund-mix, “Woody”. |
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I understand how important “the ball” can be, and I also understand how important your pets are to you as a part of the family. Keeping them safe and happy while you are away is my highest priority. I look forward to helping them feel comforted and at ease while under our care.
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The Sitters is serious about ensuring we can provide the type of service that you desire and your pet requires. The first step in deciding if we're a good match is the Initial Interview. There is a charge for this one-time service to document the care required and activate your client account. For details, please review our client policies.
During your Initial Interview, your Sitter will visit with you in your home. The purpose of this interview is:
• To get to know your family, your home, and your pet (if you have one)
• To listen to and document what you need to be done when you’re away
• To learn about your preferences for caring for your home and pet
• To learn where supplies are kept
• To complete your Service Agreement
If you decide you would like us to be your Sitters, you may provide us with the necessary keys, openers, and codes at the time of the Initial Interview, or, for an additional fee we can come pick these up at a later date.
To schedule your Initial Interview, call 253-661-SITT (7488).
If you decide you would like a second interview or an instructional visit, that’s okay too. Be aware that a charge will be incurred based on the amount of time needed to complete the additional visits.
It is important to
remember, we typically prefer 1 week notice for service reservations.
All clients should review our client
policies prior to starting pet sitting services.
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Primary Service Areas:
Primary Service Area #1: Within 7 miles of our south Federal Way office (includes Federal Way, Twin Lakes, Dash Point, Browns Point, Marine Hills, Northeast Tacoma, Edgewood, Fife, Milton and some parts of Woodmont, Kent, Lakeland Hills, Auburn.)
Service Area #2: Within 7 miles of North Tacoma including the Stadium District, Old Town, Proctor District, Ruston, West End, Lakewood and some surrounding areas including University Place)
Service Area #3: We also service Bonney Lake, Sumner and Lakeland.
Additional Service Areas: For engagements outside our primary service areas, an extra charge will be assessed for each additional 15 minutes of travel time required to reach your residence.
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The Sitters recommends your dogs be visited two to four times per day. For their own safety and well-being, cats must be visited at least once per day. Other small animals’ needs depend on species and unique character. All animals in a household must be “visited”. There are no additional charges for each animal in a household, or for medication administration…however if additional time is warranted to ensure each animal is fully tended, you will be charged for that time. This is documented at the time of initial interview.
• A visit for pet sitting is a 30 minute minimum.
• A visit for house sitting is a 15 minute minimum.
• Errand services have a 30 minute minimum.
• Overnights have a 10 hour minimum. (Daytime visits are additional.)
Pet Sitting is a pre-paid service. Payment must be received in full prior to our first visit of each trip...or at the beginning of each month for ongoing service clients. Please review our client policies and our current fee schedule for pricing and cancellation of service details.
For a service fee quotation to be current and accurate, an Initial Interview must be completed. To schedule your Interview call The Sitters at 253-661-SITT (7488).[ Back
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1911 SW Campus Drive, #307
Federal Way, WA 98023-6441
Phone: 253/661-SITT (7488)
FAX: 253/276-0224
Email: info@the-sitters.com
Website: www.the-sitters.com
We accept phone calls between 7 am and 7 pm. If we are unable to answer your call in person, please leave a detailed message, and we’ll return your call as soon as we’re able. We are also very comfortable with corresponding by email.
Look forward to meeting you soon!
The Sitters is service provided by Edson Enterprises, LLC.
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