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Pet sitter loses home to fire

by Therese on December 18, 2011

in Pet Care Business News, Pet Sitting

pet sitter loses home to fire

Sandy and Shiloh

Earlier this month Sandy Danes, the owner of Kritter Sitter Professional Pet Sitting in Tennessee, lost her house and all of her belongings to a fire, which is believed to be from an electrical problem. Although her house was completely destroyed Sandy, her dog Shiloh, and her goats Cheyenne and Dakota, are OK.

Sandy and Shiloh are staying at a motel, but the goats are able to stay on her property. She’s gong home every day to care for them, but there’s a lot of driving involved. The motel is quite a few miles from her house and 50 miles round trip from most of her pet sitting clients. So between caring for the goats, Shiloh & herself, and working with the insurance company, she simply doesn’t have time to run her business right now. And the fact that we’re in the busiest (and most profitable) time of the year for pet sitters, means Sandy is taking a big hit financially.

I’ve known Sandy for a number of years. I first met her online through one of the pet sitter Yahoo groups and then at a Cybersitters United pet sitter conference. And during the 2007 pet food recalls, she helped me compile some of the information for The Pet Food List. She’s a dedicated pet professional, and I hate the fact that she’s having to deal with such a tragedy.

a fire destroyed the home of pet sitter Sandy Danes

Sandy's destroyed home

house fire destroys home of pet sitter Sandy Danes

Shiloh and the goats, Cheyenne & Dakota

Sandy is working with the insurance company, but it’s going to take a while. She, Shiloh, and the goats need help now just to get by. In the past, PetsitUSA has asked for our members, and others, to help out with various charities and natural disasters. This time I’m asking for you to help one of our own.

You can help!

Whether you’re a PetsitUSA member or not, here’s how you can help Sandy get back on her feet.

Become a member of PetsitUSA or renew your existing membership

Now through Christmas Eve, PetsitUSA will donate $10 for every new or renewing member. If you’re a pet sitter, dog walker, or dog daycare you can become a member and advertise your business in our directory. Memberships are $45/year. Click here to Become a Member.

Send a check, money order, or PayPal donation directly to Sandy:
(this does not include the PetsitUSA membership/renewal)

  • Sandy’s PO box:
    Sandy Danes
    P.O. Box 542
    Pleasant View, TN 37146
  • If you prefer, you can send your donations to the motel where Sandy is staying:
    Sandy Danes
    Mainstay Suites
    Room 105
    115 Fairbrook Place
    Clarksville, TN 37043
  • PayPal
    Send money via PayPal.  Her email address: shiloh_acres@yahoo.com

I know you’re asked to help people out every day of the week. If you’re a pet sitter though, I’m sending out a special plea to help Sandy. Many of us know each other online, if not offline, and this is our chance to help one of our own. Sandy really needs our help right now, and I know she appreciates whatever you might be able to do for her.

{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }

Lee December 18, 2011 at 6:01 pm

Thanks for doing this, Therese. I’m not a member of Pet Sit USA since I’m Canadian but I sent a donation to Sandy. I hope she gets re-settled soon.

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Therese December 19, 2011 at 1:31 pm

Thank you, Lee!

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Antje Danielson December 19, 2011 at 12:54 pm

Thank you for your message Therese, I’ll send $50.00 to Sandy’s paypal account to help out. Please keep us updated.

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Therese December 19, 2011 at 1:31 pm

Antje, thank you so much!

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Robert December 21, 2011 at 8:30 am

Thank you for her paypal email. Just sent a donation. I hope she is able to get back on her feet soon.

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Therese December 21, 2011 at 9:15 am

Thank you, Robert!

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Sandy December 21, 2011 at 10:08 pm

Thank you so much Therese and everyone who is helping. We appreciate it so much! –Sandy & Shiloh & the goats

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Kelley Stewaty January 6, 2012 at 4:27 am

We had a housefire back in 2008 and I understand how devastating they can be. I’m so glad you and your furkids made it out safely. I’d love to contribute but unfortunately I don’t have extra funds at this time, however, you’re in my prayers. God bless!

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Best Bully Sticks January 23, 2012 at 5:49 pm

Hi Therese-

We had a Cutest Dog Photo Contest on our facebook page here http://www.Facebook.com/BestBully and the winner of the $200 Luxury Dog Bed has chosen to donate it to Sandy & Shiloh. We are really excited to help such a nice person and hopefully this is a small token in helping them get back on their feet!

Thanks- BestBullySticks.com

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Therese January 23, 2012 at 5:56 pm

That’s so cool!! I’m sure she and Shiloh will appreciate it. Thank you to your winner – what a thoughtful thing to do! 🙂

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Connie Chauvel-Gomez February 27, 2012 at 3:21 am

How are they now??

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Sandy February 27, 2012 at 11:14 am

Just wanted to update everyone.

Shiloh and I moved out of the hotel and into a small rental trailer. It’s still a bit of a drive to go take care of the goats, but not as far as the hotel.

I still don’t have a settlement from the insurance company. So far they haven’t offered enough to rebuild, but I have a public adjuster helping me battle it out with them. Hopefully it’ll be resolved soon so that I can get on with my life and back to my business.

This has all taken a big toll on Shiloh. Three moves in one month and surgery in the middle of all this, has been rough on him. That was the only home he had known for 11 years, and it’s hard for an elderly dog to adapt to new surroundings. Being in this trailer away from the noise of the hotel seems to be helping, but he’s still not the happy-go-lucky dog he was before the fire.

Best Bully Sticks… Shiloh loves his new bed! Thank you so much to you and the contest winner! And again, thank you to everyone who helped. We appreciate all of you so much!

Reply

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