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Starks and Barks

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Starks and Barks

I offer dog walking, pet sitting and pet taxi. I also have experience with difficult dogs and offer cat, rabbit and reptile care.

I can also give cats fluids and medication if needed My name is Sam, I have been running Starks and Barks for the last 8 years. I started out in the video games industry as a QA and French Localisation tester at TT Games Publishing(2008-2011). Sadly my company moved the QA department out of the area and I was unable to move so I accepted the redundancy package offered. I then moved to Microsoft R

eading (2012-2012) to do testing for them, as they only work on short term contracts once my project was over I was out of a job so I volunteered with Cats Protection, I answered their phones on a weekend and provided advice to the callers as well as taking details of lost/found cats, new adoption requests and rehoming requests to be passed on to the correct team. I also volunteered with a local dog rescue and took their dogs out for walks as often as I could. Through CP I got employed with a company providing pet taxi for clients as well as animal transport from the local vet to the overnight hospital. I realised very quickly that although the work was a bit unpredictable, I loved it and wanted to do it full time. I set up Starks and Barks and got a couple clients. At first I only had a few dogs but that quickly expanded to more dogs and cats. I worked 7 days a week from 8am - 10pm as I still worked with the taxi company and eventually gained some wonderful regular clients. In 2009 my husband and I adopted Alfie from Cats Protection, he was only 3 months old and had been dumped in someone's garden and left to starve. I met Honey in 2015 at the vet while waiting for my overnight cat transport to be ready. She had been signed over to Cats Protection as she was missing the litter and her owners couldn't afford to investigate what was wrong. CP struggled to find someone to foster her so my husband and I agreed to foster her long term Sadly after 6 years with us she passed away in June 2021 from cancer. She was well loved and had a wonderful retirement with us. In 2016 we welcomed my son who has joined me (until 2020/2021 due to school) on every dog walk and pet sitting job. all my cats and dogs love spending time with him and he is learnt how to look after animals. Sadly with Covid-19 and the lockdowns in 2020 I had to put my business on hold, I was in regular contact with all my clients and I'm happy to say that I have all my dogs back including some new ones as well as some of my cat clients as we start to slowly recover from the pandemic. I understand how difficult it is to leave pets and go on holidays, I used to leave Alfie and Honey at a Cattery when we left but after two stays, they made it clear they hated it so I would book my fellow pet sitters to come and look after them for me. I am fully insured and dbs checked (all proof is given at our first meeting) and comfortable giving medication (fluids, tablets, eye drops) to your cat should they need it. Services:

I offer pet sitting in the comfort of your own home. I will feed your pet, clean any litter or hutch and change the water. I will spend a minimum of 30 minutes with your pet and ensure they get cuddles and play time. I charge £11 for one visit a day or £18 for two visits a day. Initial meet and greet is free and we will go over all the pet care you require and go over the terms and conditions, fill in your pets information and show proof of my insurance and dbs checks. I send daily updates which include photos and videos via WhatsApp. In the case of small animals such as rabbits or guinea pigs, I will prepare the fruit and veg on the day and ensure all fruit and veg is fresh. If the care is longer than a week, I will go shopping to replenish the fresh food. I will do the same for wet or dry food for cats if it's running low. I will always attach the receipt to the invoice and send photographic proof if the invoice is sent via email. I am flexible so if your return is delayed, let me know as soon as possible so I can make sure your pet is cared for until your return. If there are any issues with your pet during your absence, I will let you know as soon as possible and contact your local vet to book an appointment. Areas covered:

Reading

Whitley

Winnersh

Purely on Thames

Areas outside of Reading will cost extra depending on distance.

16/04/2025

It’s raining and cold here so nothing better than lighting a fire before we start the long drive back to the UK tomorrow morning 🔥

12/04/2025

Used the batobus to get around Paris but did loads of walking around and showed the boys the sights. We are heading back to Geneva today absolutely exhausted but worth it.

10/04/2025

Spending my 41st birthday seeing family in Paris for a few days ❤️🇫🇷

04/04/2025

Happy weekend everyone! I had a great day with Shadow, Jasper (who was extra happy today), Max and spent my morning with Margo & Wilma and reunited with Skye who had to be rehomed but thankfully she went to friends of her owner so that means I get to have snuggles again.

The boys and I are flying home to Geneva on Monday for a good rest as I have been working 7 days a week since January. I will be coming back by car so looking forward to stocking up on cheese, bread and everything from home I can’t find here

18/03/2025

It’s been a month since Alfie passed away and I haven’t posted. So here is my newest client, Maki. She loves snuggles, purrs so loudly and I’m really enjoying getting to know her. 🚨🚨

18/02/2025

It’s with enormous sadness that we had to say goodbye to Alfie this evening. Unfortunately he had a squamous cancer on his tongue and that particular cancer has no treatment and a very short life expectancy. He had lost so much weight, was only skin and bones and had virtually stopped eating.

I’m devastated, he was going to celebrate his 16th birthday next month but Lexi was absolutely fantastic over the last few weeks and at the end to help make his passing peaceful.

We adopted him when he was 3 months old from Cats protection, I had specifically asked for a black cat as they’re gorgeous and tiny panthers. We got the call a kitten had been found abandoned and if we wanted to meet him. We took him home a few days later. He was with us during both pregnancies and a house move. He met Honey when he was around 7 years old and they became good snuggle buddies, he would follow her everywhere and sleep near her. He was really sad when she passed. Unfortunately as Tigger is a male cat, there’s more competition between them so they weren’t the best of friends but I’m sure loved each other in their own way.

He used to follow me everywhere, he would poke me in the face in the morning and meow for snuggles when we went to bed. His favourite sleeping spot was my lap during the day or out in my vegetable bed in the summer.

To all clients, I will still work, it keeps my mind busy however, please bear with me as it has made me feel physically sick to say goodbye, a reaction I didn’t expect at all.

He went quickly and peacefully, weighing only around 2.5kg (instead of his usual 5-5.5kg) and spent most of the last few weeks hiding and giving the occasional snuggle. I miss him so much but at least he’s no longer in pain and hopefully he’s reunited with Honey

30/01/2025

Had a busy few weeks, Thibault is loving walking with the dogs, they are not bothered by him and usually do their own thing while he explores every part of the park. He’s also been joining with the cat visits, and especially likes looking for Amber, Pan and Poppy. He enjoyed giving Sanchez treats which was very appreciated by the end of our visits

12/01/2025

Well looks like I’m done with 2025 already. Second weekend in and I got more sad news today, sadly gorgeous Senna passed away last night, I’m devastated and heartbroken for her owner and Mia. She was a whirlwind of joy, would love to chase the ball and not give it back, bark at squirrels, sneak treats out of the bag and play with her friends. Most of all, she absolutely loved Hugo, meeting him when he was 7 months old and was there for all his milestones.

Just before Christmas Little Puss lost her battle to cancer. I met her a few years ago and she wasn’t too sure about me. A few weeks of looking after her and she quickly realised she could sit in my lap and get all the strokes in the world. I miss her snuggles a lot.

Lastly, Teddy’s owner messaged me to say poor Pickle fell down the stairs and injured her spinal cord so had to be put to sleep on Thursday. I saw her the other day when I picked Teddy up and gave her strokes. I will miss her trying to sneak out of the house or meowing to get back in after I come back from dog walk.

At the moment I’m feeling a bit like the grim reaper, and I apologise to all my clients if I show up with puffy eyes. This isn’t just a job, I love each and every one of the pets I look after, they are like my adoptive pets and each loss is heartbreaking. Unfortunately losing pets is the worst part of the job, it’s always sad saying goodbye to a pet. It’s always a pleasure to look after every single one and to have them and their owners trust me with their care.

07/01/2025

It’s been a sad few days for us, I had the pleasure to look after Lupin and Wolfe again over the weekend, they have a new brother, Jesus, who used to visit and constantly beg for food. His owner could no longer look after him so Lupin and Wolfe’s owners took him in. On Sunday morning, I came in to find Lupin very shaky and not feeling herself, usually I would hear her meow loudly behind the door demanding food. This time she was sitting in her litter so I cleaned her up as much as she let me and gave them all food and fresh water. She walked over to her food and ate well so assumed she had fallen over. Wolfe was especially angry with me, I couldn’t understand why as he never hissed at me before. I came back on Sunday evening to feed everyone and I instantly knew something wasn’t right with Lupin, I sent a message to her owners and explained that Lupin wasn’t moving and seemed to have trouble with her back legs. I placed her food in front of her and she ate a bit, I went to feed the boys and came back down to see she really hadn’t moved. Her owners made the decision to come home early, I stayed with her until they were around 1hr away, I had to place her on a blanket as she was shaking and couldn’t walk. She got strokes and cuddles from me before I left. Unfortunately that was the last time I got to see her, she passed away peacefully two hours after my clients got home. She was such a wonderful cat, I haven never met one so demanding and noisy as her, she was the queen of the house. I’m heartbroken for my clients, the loss of a cat is awful, I’m glad they got home in time, I was prepared to stay the night if they couldn’t make it back. Here is a lovely group of photos that show exactly what Lupin was like, she didn’t stop meowing for food until the very end and I expect she’s still meowing wherever she is, it was an honour to be her pet sitter 🐾

31/12/2024

Wishing all my clients and pets a Happy New Year! We are ringing in 2025 by finishing Harry Potter and the half blood prince and babysitting Olive, a 9 week old kitten. Her owners had plans tonight so needed a babysitter. She will spend the night with us and head home tomorrow morning. The boys are absolutely loving having a kitten in the house, Alfie and Tigger are not too bothered by her at the moment at the moment which is handy ❤️❤️🎉🍾

20/12/2024

Final walk before Christmas for Max, Jasper and Shadow and a final cat visit to Teddy’s cats - Steve and Pickle. Jasper really enjoyed catching treats. I’m taking some time off for Christmas but will be back feeding cats from the 27th. Any dog that would like a walk, I can take them out otherwise, I’ll see the whole gang starting the 7th Jan. Wishing all my cats, dogs and clients a wonderful Christmas and New Year and look forward to even more fun in 2025

12/12/2024

In Geneva we have a tradition on the 12th of December. You get a chocolate marmite (cauldron) and the eldest and youngest smash it. The tradition is only local to Geneva and it’s to celebrate the Escalade. In 1602, the small city of Geneva was attacked by the Duke of Savoie, his men climbed (escalader) the high walls using ladders. The Mère Royaume helped save the city by throwing a big cauldron full of vegetable soup onto the enemy below. We celebrate her by smashing it every year and eating her marzipan veg and chocolate cauldron. In Geneva they have a race at the weekend thought the old town and also a procession in the evening with lanterns. Cannons are fired as well 🇨🇭

04/12/2024

Not dog related however, Spotify wrapped has just dropped and here are the top songs/artist all the dogs have been listening to while in the van. I hope they enjoyed listening to my favorite band over and over again!

01/12/2024

Haven’t stopped laughing at Korra’s photo I took last night, she and Ren crack me up and I’m always trying to find ways to capture them being silly. Unfortunately Ren had her serious face on yesterday

23/11/2024

Busy week for Thibault. A walk with Jasper, Shadow, Max and Bella then showing off his (used to be Hugo’s) cat toy, Paprika, to Poppy who was a bit confused and to Ren who enjoyed getting minimal strokes from him. Korra was not amused and spent the visit hiding upstairs. Pan, Poppy and Amber have mostly resumed their hiding under the bed for my visits and Fig and Olly were very excited for dinner

09/11/2024

There’s always one who steals the treat bag and gets it stuck on his face

20/10/2024

It’s been a very busy few weeks with next week being just as busy. I’ve seen Lupin & Wolfe, Chloé & Cassius, Olly & Fig, Shadow cat, Little Puss, Luna kitten (she’s no longer a kitten but that’s how I will always see her), Max, Riley, Teddy & the two Bellas, Binky, Molly & Tilly, Shadow, Jasper & Max, Margo & Wilma, and Jasper with his new bff Thibault.

11/10/2024

Busy week with the dogs, Shadow and Jasper ran around and had a cider break, Teddy dragged me all the way to Bella’s house (just down the road from him) and had a good whine until he saw her and Max enjoyed walking with Thibault who is discovering how fast he can go without falling over. This weekend is going to be even busier than the last few with tons of cats and rabbits, the next three weeks will be so busy

Address

Reading

Opening Hours

Monday	8am - 9pm
Tuesday	8am - 9pm
Wednesday	8am - 9pm
Thursday	8am - 9pm
Friday	8am - 9pm
Saturday	8am - 8pm
Sunday	8am - 9pm

Website

http://www.starksandbarks.co.uk/

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