Why West Metro Pet Care Isn’t Your Average Pet Company

The mother-daughter team behind West Metro Pet Care — Kris and Alana — bringing local, relationship-driven pet care to Minnesota’s western suburbs, one purple shirt and happy pet at a time.

​If you’ve stumbled across our little corner of the internet, you probably know that West Metro Pet Care isn't your average, run-of-the-mill pet company. But if you’re sitting there wondering, "Okay, but what actually makes you guys different from the thousand other options out there?"—grab a coffee (or a massive iced matcha, no judgment) and let me break it down for you.

​1. It’s Run by Me and My Mom (The Real Boss)

​The absolute biggest thing that sets us apart is the dynamic duo at the top: myself and my mom, Kris.

​Mom is a little less client-facing than I am these days, mostly because she is casually balancing a million other things at any given moment—including a separate actual full-time job and running a 501c3 non-profit. (Yes, she’s a superhuman, and yes, I'm tired just typing that.) But even while spinning all those plates, her entire heart is with every single client. I am not exaggerating when I say she knows everyone's name. If you have an itty-bitty pet milk snail, Kris knows its name, its favorite leaf, and its vibe. She is the actual backbone of this company.

​I’m the one you usually see out in the wild. I am at every single meet and greet, and I personally meet every human and furry (or scaly) client. Right now, I am fully able to jump in and cover any service we offer when a sitter or walker is out sick. Do your pets prefer our amazing staff over me? Usually, yes. But will I pull up in your driveway if someone gets the flu? Absolutely.

Meet-and-greets, neighborhood visits, tiny dogs in purple harnesses… just another day in the life of West Metro Pet Care’s Alana.

​Now, look—we are growing, which is amazing, so this structural setup won't last forever. Eventually, I’m going to need some help managing meet and greets. But you better believe that when that person finally comes along, they will be so heavily vetted they'll feel like they're joining MI6. They will be taking a piece of my heart with them, because I genuinely love intimately knowing each pet and maintaining real relationships with you guys.

​2. Our Actual Skin is in the Game

​We aren't some faceless corporation operating out of a skyscraper in Chicago. This is my backyard. I grew up in this area. My family grew up here. I am currently raising my own two chaotic boys right here.

​When we care for your pets, it goes way beyond just being bonded and insured (which we are, obviously). Our literal reputation is on the line every single day. If a pet ever got loose on our watch, it wouldn’t just be an insurance claim. I personally would be out there combing the neighborhood, likely flanked by my incredibly supportive friends and my entire extended family. We care that much.

​3. We Are a Family Business (Emphasis on Family)

​When I say we are a family business, I don't just mean it's a cute marketing slogan. I mean it is a literal family operation.

​My mom and I run the show, but my sister works for us. So does my aunt. And my cousin. And my husband. Even my dad and my father-in-law have put in their time working for us in the past—though they have officially retired from pet duty to run "Papa and Nana" or "Grampy" daycare when I need someone to watch my kids.

​Because of this business and my beautifully silly schedule, my boys have had the privilege of being raised by a village of close family and neighbors. I am immensely blessed to have a family that doesn't just tolerate my business goals but actively jumps into the trenches to help me realize them.

​4. Yes, We Use an App—But Not Like That

​Okay, let's talk about tech. We do use an app, but how we use it is what actually matters. We aren't some silicon valley matchmaking service that just pairs random pet care providers with clients and wishes you good luck.

​We use our app for absolute accuracy. Everything is tracked there so that if your primary sitter or walker is gone or gets sick, another team member or myself can jump in at a moment's notice, open the app, and know exactly what your pet needs without skipping a beat. It’s a tool for seamless care, not a replacement for human supervision.

​And speaking of our team: our people are actual employees, not independent contractors. Yes, we do background checks and carry top-tier insurance, but because they are employees, they are fully protected. If they get hurt on the job, we pay worker's comp.

​This isn’t a "sign up online and go" type of gig. I personally interview, onboard, and train every single person on their first one or two visits.

​Is Fido jumping up too much? I’ll step in and help that walker work through some training techniques.

​Did a sitter bite off more than they could chew with a difficult routine? Let's get you some backup. I will find another staff member or jump in myself.

​I want my staff happy, and I want my clients happy. We have real humans overseeing every single service that happens on a daily basis.

​The Bottom Line

​At the end of the day, we have a ridiculous amount of heart, a massive personal investment in our community, and a commitment to offering the absolute best flexible pet care for you—and the best professional pet jobs for our team.

​We love what we do, we love your pets, and we’re pretty glad you’re here.