Local business owner Catherine Burgess was recently honoured when it was announced that she was the winner of the Pet Industry Association of Australia’s (PIAA) Pet Services of Excellence Award.
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Ms Burgess, who owns Time Out Pet Care, said the award was “great”, and considered it vindication of the hard work and attention to detail which defined the way she runs her business.
“I’m really about health [and] welfare of animals in general, I don’t think that should just apply to domestic,” Ms Burgess said.
She described the care she takes to tailor her service to each individual animal, and how she religiously cleans and changes her boots after dealing with animal enclosures which might be a risk of disease.
Beginning a pet care business seemed the obvious choice for Ms Burgess, who started Time Out eight years ago, and whose love for all animals is obvious.
She cares for two kangaroos and five joeys at her Yass home, along with cattle, horses and dogs.
The success of Ms Burgess’ business is due to a lot of hard work, but she also praised her clients as part of the reason.
“I do value all my clients, they’re fabulous,” she said.
“I [work for] fabulous people.”
It was the clients who Ms Burgess has to thank for her award.
“I was actually nominated by my clients,” she said.
“When the thing came through the newsletter that it was open for nominations, I sent that to some clients.
“And I just said ‘how do you feel about nominating my business for this? [It’s] up to you.”
However, Ms Burgess’ work has not been without speed bumps. It stalled when she was diagnosed with cancer soon after starting her business, and was out of action for six months following treatment.
She recovered, returned, and now balances Time Out with a part time job in the public service as well, and has no intention of stopping anytime soon.