Building on a year of success, the Petpals network is delighted to welcome two enthusiastic new franchisees. This month, Charlotte Arnold and Suzie Mossman are the latest pet lovers to fulfill their dream of combining their passion for animals with the thrill of business ownership. Here, Kevin Thackrah, Director of Petpals, introduces the dynamic duo ready to make their mark on the network.
Charlotte’s path to Petpals started after a career as an events manager in the finance sector. During lockdown, she met her partner and decided it was time to settle down. At the same time, struggling to find a dependable pet sitter for her two beloved labradors, Lola and Tia, Charlotte decided to take action herself.
“I’ve always dreamed of running my own pet care business, but I figured I’d have to wait until later in life to make it happen,” explained Charlotte. “But when I saw how much the community needed a reliable pet care service, my partner and I realised there’s no perfect time to chase your dreams. So, we decided to take the leap and start Petpals Sidcup. And the rest, as they say, is history!
Choosing Petpals was an easy decision for Charlotte, inspired by her friend Ray Hipwell at Petpals Chislehurst. “I used to live across from Ray and often saw him busy on the job,” said Charlotte. “He was always fully booked, which made it clear that there was a high demand for dog sitting and other pet services in our area and neighbouring Sidcup.
“It takes a lot for me to trust someone with Lola and Tia. I need to know that the pet carer is experienced, fully insured, licensed and knowledgeable. Ray and Petpals Chislehurst stood out to me as the most professional pet care company in our area, which is why I chose them. Everyone at Petpals receives comprehensive training and operates with the highest standards, setting them apart from the rest.”
Suzie’s path to franchise ownership with Petpals had its own unique twist. Since its launch in 2018, Petpals Sefton, under the loving care of its previous owner, Sharren Redmond, quickly became a favourite among local pets – earning Sharren the Great British Franchisee Award in 2022. When Sharren decided it was time for a new adventure, it turned out that the perfect successor was closer than she had imagined.
“As fate would have it, my mum and Sharren’s mum are really close and often have coffee mornings together. During one of their chats, Sharren’s mum mentioned that her daughter was looking for someone to take over her business. I contacted Sharren, and we hit it off right away! It was clear to me that Petpals was the perfect match. Since then, I’ve completed all the required training and have been busy meeting the dogs, going on walks and doing cat visits to get acquainted with all the local pets before officially taking over,” explained Suzie.
While it is still early doors for these two new recruits, Charlotte and Suzie still have big dreams for the future. “I’m hoping to reach the heights of Petpals Chislehurst,” explained Charlotte. “It’s one of the standout success stories in the network, and I’m aiming to join those ranks within the next five years. My goal is to expand as much as possible and make a difference for as many animals as I can!”
“I’m excited to start by keeping things as they are for the first year to get a feel for how everything runs,” said Suzie. “After that, I’m looking forward to gently expanding – maybe adding another van, bringing in more team members and stretching our reach a bit further. It’s all about growing carefully, building on the solid foundation that’s already been laid.”
Our recruitment process is designed to find franchisees who align with our core values and, most importantly, have a deep love for animals and a passion for business. Charlotte and Suzie embody everything we stand for at Petpals. I am excited to see how they will drive their businesses forward, contribute to our pet-loving community and enhance our network’s success in the years to come.
