Today we’d like to introduce you to Veronica Damron.
Hi Veronica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I began walking dogs and pet drop-ins 5 years ago when our family lost our own two dogs to cancer and seizures. What began as a passionate side job, blossomed into so much more as I connected with clients. I was personally not looking to grow a business and truly just wanted to help out. I wanted Lilac Pets to give that personal in home care for pets, the same way I would want my own furbabies to be treated and taken care of when I would have to step out. As time went on, new clients reached out and my heart just could not say no to anyone. I took some online courses for owning a pet business and becoming a veterinary assistant while expanding services with Lilac Pets to administer medications and also provide taxi services. I started the LLC for Lilac Pet Services just 2 years ago and based most of my initial clientele through Rover and word of mouth. I pride Lilac Pets on being reliable and discrete for the comfort and safety of our clients and their loved ones at home. Our furry and non furry companions respond better when they can stay at home or in a familiar area. There are less chances for acting out, catching diseases, and getting hurt when they get to stay home and have someone give them that 1 on 1 attention and care.
I see it more often where people are getting away from boarders and kenneling so they know their animals are in their home where they can keep them on 24 hour view if they like, have someone with them when they need and also provide a little extra security at the home.
My passion for animals started like most young kids with a family pet. Looking after them, playing, feeding and caring. As I got older and began working, my passion turned to criminal justice. While working inside a prison for several years. I found myself working along side our programs department. One of those programs was called WAGS for kids. A program structured around those incarcerated training dogs for children with disabilities. I started focusing more on the program and helping out not just at work, but also outside. Helping young pups learn how to go up and down steps and seeing home life. That has stuck with me even after moving to South Carolina and changing careers. I have always enjoyed working with animals. They are what bring so much joy and character to our lives. It is the biggest compliment I could ever receive when a client trusts you to look after and care for their companion!
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The business itself has been relatively smooth. The furbabies and clients have been extremely wonderful to work with. My biggest struggles have been around marketing and finding others who care just as deeply as I do to fill in when bookings get busy. Since I never initially wanted or intended on owning my own business, I did struggle with how to operate the ins and outs of tracking clients, pay scales, timeframes for visits and travel time. My husband, corey, has been my biggest supporter and encouragement. He is always there for me to bounce ideas back and forth when I get stuck.
Ive been blessed along the way to have a family that isnt afraid to jump in and shares the same passion for animals. My own twin boys, now 19, have jumped in to care for clients!
As you know, we’re big fans of Lilac Pet Services. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Lilac Pets is a licensed Pet care service that provides drop-in visits, taxi service, walks and overnight stays in the clients home.
Lilac Pets is prideful in our discrete care while clients are away and need someone to step in and look after their pets. We tailor each visit to their specific needs and care. Whether some pets may be anxious and nervous around new people, have weird or silly eating habits, potty break routines, need to snuggle or just want to play with their favorite toy the whole time. We make sure to have meet and greets set up before services are provided to ensure the client and the pet approve! Lilac Pet Services is caring, understanding, dependable, flexible and reliable! We update our clients throughout our time with their pets through pictures and notes as often as they like. We personalize each client and Pet to what they need in return to make them feel at ease and safe to enjoy the time they step away from their pets. Our goal is to not let our clients worry about their pets when they step out. Life gets busy and messy at times and some of those times can be stressful and we dont want to add to that. We want our clients to focus on what they set out to do, whether its a business trip, vacation, work, holiday, funeral, school, extra time to exercise etc. We want our clients and their pets to feel as though they are being pampered with our personal care and attention catered directly for them.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
Lilac Pets has definitely brought back the dream girl in me! I just recently purchased my first “she shed” and have plans to turn it into a single luxury kennel. Even though I prefer to keep clients pets in their home, I have the occasional client who would rather board and though our small town has limited boarders, I have been playing around with this luxury kennel idea for a couple years now. We are in the phase of building up the inside and laying down turf.
I have also tossed around the idea of expanding services out
to our neighboring areas in Darlington and Florence.
My big dream goal is to find some land and open a nice dog park with space for people to take their dogs and even rent out for those dogs that people may want to spend time training or may just do better alone but dont have the outside space to allow them to run.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Lilacpetservices.com
- Facebook: Lilac Pet Services
