THE HEART BEHIND KATTS AND DAWGS:
MY WHY
My name is Katt. Animals have been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up spending many weekends on our families small cattle farm surrounded by horses, chickens, pigs, dogs, cats, and catching snakes and frogs. From an early age, caring for animals wasn't something I thought much about—it was simply part of who I was. They were family, companions, and teachers, and they shaped the person I become.
Over the years, my love for animals continued to grow into a lifetime of experiences. I've worked at a dog kennel while in University, provided dog-walking and pet-sitting services, fostered dogs through rescue organizations, volunteered in a veterinary office, trained a service dog, and worked with dogs in agility. Through each experience, I learned more about animal behaviour, safety, trust, and the importance of treating every animal as an individual.
But one dog in particular changed the way I looked at animal care forever.
My first Pitbul. After moving to Orlando FL in my mid teens there were these abused dogs everywhere. Used for fighting or just simply mistreated. He was our neighbours dog. Left in the blistering heat with no water, no food. They moved away and one day I saw this dog I knew I recognized eating out of the trash. He was badly injured, torn apart by what the vet assumed was barbed wire and severely underweight. He had every reason to be afraid of people. He had been through things no animal should ever have to experience, yet despite everything that had been done to him, he showed nothing but kindness. He still wanted to trust people. He still wanted to love. He didn't see himself as broken or dangerous—he simply needed someone to give him a chance.
He became my "why."🥰
He taught me that sometimes the animals who are the most misunderstood are the ones who need someone in their corner the most. He reminded me that an animal's past doesn't define its ability to love, and that patience, compassion, and understanding can make an incredible difference in an animal's life.
That experience stayed with me. It made me want to be the person who looks beyond the label, the breed, the behaviour, or the difficult history and sees the animal underneath it all.
My years of fostering have only strengthened that belief. I've worked with dogs with different personalities, backgrounds, and behavioural needs, and I've learned that there is no single approach that works for every animal. Some need structure. Some need patience. Some need extra reassurance. Some simply need someone willing to take the time to understand them.
And I believe their people need that same understanding.
My background working with people has taught me that trust is just as important on the human side of animal care. Through nearly 20 years as a low national-level coach and through my work in customer service, I've learned how important communication, empathy, patience, and accountability are—especially when people are trusting you with something they love deeply.
That is ultimately why I started this company.
I wanted to create a place where animals are cared for as individuals, not just as another appointment, booking, or number. A place where pet owners can feel confident that their animals are safe, understood, and genuinely cared about.
I started this company because I believe every animal deserves someone in their corner.
The easy ones. The challenging ones. The anxious ones. The old ones. The misunderstood ones. The ones with difficult pasts. And the ones who, like my rescue, continue to show nothing but love despite what they've been through.
For me, this is about more than caring for pets. It's about giving them the patience, compassion, safety, and respect they deserve—and giving their people the peace of mind that comes from knowing they are in good hands.
Because sometimes an animal doesn't need someone to fix them.
They just need someone to believe in them.
And that's the kind of care I want this company to stand for.
I learned at an early age that you do not leash farm dogs.
It was an important life lesson — one might even say an early introduction to FAFO. 😂
Let’s just say… the lesson was learned, the dogs had the last laugh, and I’ve never forgotten it.
My ride or die Shout, for 11 of her amazing 16 wonderful years.
Lucky enough to have our last day together on a wonderful Aug afternoon.
