News and event information for Williams Lake, BC - as it happens.

(Photo: Drena Dunnett from Paws to Fish House and Critter Sitter is your pet’s second-best friend while you’re away.)

By LeRae Haynes

Drena Dunnett from Paws to Fish House and Critter Sitter took something she thoroughly enjoys and turned it into a successful small business. She has been in operation for four years, with a steady stream of new clients, as well as ones who have been with her since the beginning.

One of the services that she offers her clients is looking after their pets and their home while they’re away. “With my services, animals are at home in the comfort of their own environment: they don’t stress out when their owners go away,” she said. “Their food, bed and toys are all the same, and they get their cuddles and their walks. I’ve even been known to take them on an outing to my house to play with my own pets.”

She will also walk your dog while you’re at work, and said that she has seven or eight dogs that she walks regularly. “I just signed on a new one—a 90 lb six-month old Great Dane puppy,” she explained. “Walking is more than exercise---it’s socializing and training. If your dog is home alone a lot, it’s not a social animal and is more apt to bite.”

(Photo:  These puppies thoroughly enjoyed their time with Drena, who does pet sitting, pet care, dog walking and much more.)

She is currently doing a two-week overnight pet sitting job over the holidays. “Other animals I’ve looked after have included ferrets, iguanas, birds, cows, cats, guinea pigs, rabbits, a turtle, tarantulas and lots of rats,” she said. “I’ve taken care of Bichon dogs, Havanese dogs, Golden Retrievers, Springer Spaniels, Nordic Spitz, border collies, cocker spaniels and all kinds of cats, including Siamese and one very friendly hairless cat.”

Drena explained when she looks after people’s pets and homes, benefits to animal owners include not only the safety of their home, but also the knowledge that she is trained to look after pets with health concerns. She is trained and certified to give medications and administer diabetic injections, as well as to keep a watchful eye on the animal’s overall health.

“I’m your pet’s second-best friend---I play with them and take pictures of them, leave you a list of the activities your pet enjoyed while you were away, and even bake fresh muffins to greet you when you come home,” she said. “I want to be the best I can be for people and want them to say, ‘wow, I’m going to tell my friends about her.’”

For more information about Paws to Fish: House and Critter Sitter, phone Drena at 250-296-9160 or 250-303-1232, email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it  or visit her website at www.pawstofish.hostcentric.com

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