We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Winter. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.

Kelly, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What sort of legacy are you hoping to build. What do you think people will say about you after you are gone, what do you hope to be remembered for?

I hope to leave a legacy of compassionate, empathetic care for animals and support for the people who love them. My role as a caregiver has always been rooted in genuine love and dedication. I want to be remembered for my kindness, my commitment to learning and improving my craft, and for making a meaningful difference—not only in the lives of the animals I’ve cared for but also in the lives of people going through hard times, knowing their pets were safe and loved.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’ve always had a deep love for animals, and turning that passion into a career was a natural path for me. My professional pet care journey began in San Diego, then continued in Nebraska, where I worked in animal shelters before starting my own pet sitting company in Florida 5 ½ years ago. Since then, I’ve dedicated myself to providing compassionate, reliable care for pets of all kinds—dogs, cats, fish, reptiles, birds, and more.

Beyond simply looking after animals, I focus on truly understanding their needs, behaviors, and well-being. My expertise comes from over two decades of hands-on experience, professional training in animal behavior and body language, pet CPR and first aid certification, and earning my designation as a Certified Professional Pet Sitter through the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters. I continuously expand my knowledge by attending specialized training programs and pet care conferences, ensuring I provide top-tier service.

What sets my business apart is my commitment to going beyond basic care. I strive to give pet owners true peace of mind, knowing their pets are safe, happy, and loved. I take pride in offering specialized, tailored services that ensure every animal receives the best possible experience.

Now, I’m expanding that vision with a luxury pet resort that prioritizes wellness, comfort, and safety. This all-indoor facility—one of the first of its kind in Florida—will feature separate play areas for small and large dogs, wading pools, and state-of-the-art suites designed for relaxation. Instead of traditional grooming, we’ll focus on specialized spa treatments like acupressure, canine massage, and red light therapy, along with holistic health services. My goal is to create a space where pets can truly thrive while giving owners confidence that their companions are receiving the highest level of care.

I’m most proud of the trust I’ve built with my clients and the meaningful difference I’ve made in the lives of both pets and their owners. At the heart of everything I do is a deep respect for animals and a commitment to improving their lives, one pet at a time.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I now own the largest pet care business in Flagler County, and that success comes down to one simple principle: being genuine. Do what you say you’ll do, communicate with clients, be reliable, respect their homes, solve problems, and always provide the best service possible.

Every animal in your care deserves your full attention. Their safety and well-being depend on you, and that responsibility should be taken as seriously as if they were a child. Animals need compassion, patience, kindness, respect, and love. If you can’t commit to being a genuinely kind and caring person, you have no business in this field—because animals sense sincerity, and they respond to it.

Our clients trust us because we take our roles as professional pet care providers seriously. They see the dedication, and in turn, they tell their friends and neighbors, leave glowing reviews, and recommend us online. You can’t build that kind of reputation through insincerity. If you take pride in your work and strive to be the best at what you do, the reputation will follow.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Unfortunately, yes. Last May, my husband of 20 years passed away from a heart attack after 10 days on life support. He died just two days before our youngest daughter’s 16th birthday, leaving me a 44-year-old widow with four children, ages 15 to 26, and no idea how to move forward. He was such a loved and important part of our lives, and losing him shattered us. Watching him decline in the hospital, unable to communicate because he was intubated, was the most traumatic experience of our lives.

In the aftermath, I was devastated. I had no strength to do the job I loved. I couldn’t be relied upon. I could barely get through each day.

Fortunately, I had built a team that stepped up in every way. My manager took over all calls, texts, emails, client meetings, scheduling—everything—for three months, allowing me the space to grieve and figure out how to move forward.

When I was finally ready to return, I had to reassess how to balance my business with my new reality as a solo parent to a teenager at home. I realized I couldn’t keep working the way I had before. To maintain the level of care we provide, I put a temporary pause on taking new clients so we could continue serving our current ones at the highest standard.

This shift also led me to reimagine my future. I’m now working toward opening a luxury pet resort in our community, with the potential for more locations in the future. My vision isn’t just about business—it’s about creating a legacy for my children and building something I can eventually retire from, rather than working seven days a week indefinitely. I always assumed my husband would be there to help at home while I cared for other people’s pets and houses. Now, I’m building a future that honors our family’s new reality while staying true to my passion.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.palmcoastpetsitters.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palmcoastpetsitters?igsh=MWNndnZqZGNhOHVwdA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/18fzr57812/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Image Credits

Images By Alina