DATE: Friday, June 27, 1997                 TAG: 9706250202

SECTION: CHESAPEAKE CLIPPER      PAGE: 3E   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY SUSAN W. SMITH, STAFF WRITER 

                                            LENGTH:   85 lines

PET-SITTER OFFERS IN-HOME CARE AND THOSE CUDDLY LITTLE EXTRAS

TEDI L. KISER admits she usually falls in love with most of her customers. Colonel, Ashley, Zelda, Sable, Katie and Dooley are just a few of her special clients.

Colonel and Ashley are cats. Zelda is a terrier. Katie and Dooley are border collies and Sable is the sweetest chow in the world, according to Kiser.

Kiser's business is Home-Tender, a pet-sitting service. While Zelda's master and Katie's owner are on vacation or at work, Kiser tends to Zelda and Katie in their own homes.

``But I do much more than food and water,'' Kiser said. ``I provide individual attention, exercise, companionship and lots of belly scratches for my charges.''

Home-Tender was born three years ago when Kiser was examining her options about returning to work. She knew she wanted flexible time to spend with her two children, Brianna, 5, and Colin,9, and she liked working with animals.

Kiser said she likes animals so much she even thought her first job, cleaning stables and hauling oats at a Saratoga, N.Y., racetrack, was more fun than work.

Some of her other work experiences include stints as a veterinarian's assistant, groom, horse-trainer and as an official at a Maryland racetrack. There's also lots of practice caring for pets of friends and neighbors.

``After consultation with my husband and friends, I decided to turn the volunteer, pet-sitting job into a service for hire,'' said Kiser, who officially launched Home-Tender when she became licensed, bonded and insured.

She also joined Pet Sitters International, which has a quarterly newsletter about the pet-sitting industry and offers seminars like emergency care or how to handle exotic pets.

Since Kiser spread fliers and telephoned friends about her venture, she has been booked with mostly cats and dogs, but she counts a wolf hybrid, rabbits, chickens, goats and an orphaned miniature horse among her cliental.

Service for each new client begins with a consultation appointment with the pet's family. Kiser writes down information about the feeding schedule, any medication, emergency contact numbers and likes, dislikes and habits of the pet. She also takes time to talk and to play with most animals until they are comfortable with her.

``It's always important to learn about favorite toys, menu preferences and what spots to tickle and which ones to avoid,'' said Kiser. ``Some dogs like to play a frisky game of tug-of-war and others like quiet walks through the neighborhood. I do what they want to do.''

For her services, Kiser charges about $10 per visit for one animal and $12 for two animals. Her canine customers usually get several visits a day, while cats just need one visit unless there are special needs or instructions from the owner. Her rates are about the same as boarding or kennel costs.

``But I give an extra dose of individual attention and lots of love, which most kennels don't provide,'' said Kiser. ``And animals are usually more content when they remain in their own environment.''

``Kiser's service is a great convenience and gives us greater peace of mind,'' said Paul Gerdes who regularly calls for Kiser to care for his two dogs. ``When we know our pets are safe and cared for the way we would ourselves, we can relax and enjoy our time away.''

In one case, Kiser paid several visits to help housebreak a new puppy. On another occasion, she had to cook hot dogs for a picky dog's dinner.

Kiser also has responded to several emergencies.

Once, she made a 11:30 p.m. run to adjust a thermostat when a worried absentee owner called and thought his air conditioner was set too cold for his arthritic dogs.

Another time during a hurricane watch, Kiser not only cared for the frightened pet but secured all the patio furniture and outside planters from the strong winds.

And she called the police and patched a broken window when she discovered a break-in at another house.

``Part of my reward is also the cards and notes of thanks I get from the pet owners,'' said Kiser, who already has a collection of fan mail from people like the ``world's most spoiled cat'' owner.

And as with most animal lovers, Kiser has stories with stars like Sandy, Peter, Tommy, Jr., Sasquach, Tugboat Annie, Barrington and Cassie. MEMO: For more information about Home-Tender, call Tedi Kiser at

547-2804. ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by STEVE EARLEY

Tedi Kiser started Home-Tender, a pet-sitting service, after years

of watching neighbors' pets for free. Here, she takes a client's

border collies, Katie and Dooley, for a walk - or is it the other

way around.

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