About Donna Harke
About 15 years ago I was not happy in the field that I got my master’s degree in and I had to look at what I did have passion for and it was animals and exercise. I looked into yoga school to be a yoga instructor and I looked into many different fields working with animals. All of the ones that did not require me to go back to school anyway. I settled on Petsitting and Dogwalking and I had just recently moved to Apex (27539) and started with getting my name out into the community as a new petsitter. For the first year or so, I was waiting tables at a mom and pop restaurant and petsitting as much as I could until I did not have to work in the restaurant business at all and could do my passion full time. I have been in business for 11+ years now and I really do have the best job on earth. How lucky am I to be doing what I love all of the time and making a living at the same time!!
I am from Raleigh, NC. I was not born in NC, but have been living in Raleigh since 1970 so a long time. I was born in Gainsville, FLA. I have always known every aspect of Raleigh and I just love North Carolina. The beach and the mountains in one state! We are very lucky! But I did not know the other smaller parts of Wake County really until I started the petsitting business. When I was growing up, Cary was an up and coming city and Apex, Holly Springs and Fuquay Varina were never talked about. Now, Apex, Holly Springs and Fuquay Varina are growing like crazy and very popular places to live and raise a family. Even Angier and Willow Springs have become popular and well known. I am very lucky and proud to be living in this area amongst great people!
I never knew how much there was to being a petsitter and dogwalker. There is so much to learn and so many workshops and webinars and certificates that a person can do and stand out in this field. For instance I am insured and I do have my Pet First Aid certificate. I do belong to a petsitter’s organization that keeps me current and I belong to a petsitter group on facebook that is immensely helpful and full of expertise and advise. I always knew that I wanted to give exceptional care. I also knew that I wanted to make visits into people’s homes with the pets because I knew that pets have the least amount of anxiety when they get to stay in their own home with their own smells and their familiar surroundings. I am the kind of person that notices EVERYTHING so when I go into a client’s home, I notice everything around me and can tell what needs to be done and what is going on with the pet and the house. I believe that is what has made me successful in the petsitting and dogwalking business. I notice everything and because of that I feel like I go above and beyond.
I am proud to provide quality care to dogs and cats and any other pet in the comfort of their own home. No pet is off limit. I love ALL animals. I am extremely hardworking, trustworthy, reliable, responsible, and dedicated. I believe that these traits are what has made me successful. I believe that providing quality care is what gives clients peace of mind and what gets me referrals time and time again. I am SO grateful for the people in this great area!!