Saturday December 10th the new Indie Hill Pet Collective will hold its first-ever winter pet supply collection. They will set up in front of Port City Java between 9am and 1pm. This a great place to take your old towels and blankets. The CollectIVE is collectiING on behalf of local animal shelters and organizations including Washington Animal Rescue League, DC Humane Society, Lucky Dogs and Capital Cats. If perhaps your beloved pet is longer with you they will gladly take your unused bowls, leashes and even Kongs off your hands.
The Indie Hill Pet Collective is an organization of independent dog walkers. No longer interested in working for someone else, these walkers have gone out on their own, answering only to their clients (and DCRA and the IRS of course…)
Being a dog walker of any kind, independent or working for an agency, means you are outside every day, rain, shine, snow and unbearable heat. The independent walkers rarely have a day off. Every weekend finds them boarding dogs and running off on cat sits. Even in this rough economy the Hill is able to support many walkers. The sky seems to be the limit on what one can make. One member of the collective can make up to three figures in a year but that means 12 hour days seven days a week.
The price for being your own boss in this way is spontaneity. There is no running off for for a few days with clients relying on you. There is also the conundrum of health insurance. This inspired Ruthcarol Touhey of Beasties to organize her walker friends Ashley Barnes and Kenzie Casteal. The organization will enable the mom of two to take the occasional family vacation and not worry that her clients will abandon her. Her fellow members will pick up her pets and she will return the favor at some point. They are also looking into ways to purchase groups health insurance for the walkers.
The walkers also wanted to give something back to the community they serve, hence tomorrow’s collection. They are planning on working with Capitol Hill Village to offer pet care to those who are home bound. So while you are out doing your holiday shopping tomorrow swing by and drop off those threadbare towels.
A big, warm THANK YOU to you for your amazing generosity and support at yesterday’s Indie Hill Pet Care Collective Winter Pet Supply Drive. The turnout was terrific and the community’s donations were overwhelming! These donations of blankets, towels, food, and other pet supplies are already in use at Lucky Dog Rescue, DC Humane Society and Washington Animal Rescue League. Your kindness is already keeping these animals warm and happy while they await their forever homes – THANK YOU!!!!!
Ruthcarol Touhey
Beasties llc
member, Indie Hill Pet Care Collective