Money and Pets: How Deep Does Your Wallet Really Have To Be?
This episode we'll be talking about the realities of having a pet, particularly the costs and expenses involved in owning a dog. As rescues organizations take on more surrendered dogs, it's worthwhile to discuss one of the main reasons why dogs are given up. From unexpected vet bills, to unforeseen family circumstances that makes it difficult for owners to continue the costs. Our guests today will talk to us about this topic in detail and help us better understand whats involved. Our first guest is renowned pet expert Charlotte Reed and our second guest is Rhyss Miller of Fairy Tale Endings, a non for profit organization.
BIO:
Charlotte Reed
Since abandoning life on Wall Street as a corporate lawyer more than a decade ago to open Two Dogs & A Goat Incorporated, Charlotte Reed has grown her company from a one-woman operation to a premiere, full-service, pet care provider with caring pet care providers, loyal clients and countless veterinarian referrals.
From working with hundreds of dogs over the years, Reed has learned how to be a good pet parent and model pet owner, and she doesn’t see any reason to keep what she knows a secret. As a pet care and lifestyle specialist, Charlotte provides pet owners with insights on how to best care for their animals. Millions have had the opportunity to watch her on CNN, Fox & Friends, The View, Today's Show, VH1 as well as many other televisions shows around the globe.
As one of the most popular and sought-after pet experts in the United States, Reed has been quoted as a pet expert in publications such as the The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, Good Housekeeping, New York Magazine, US Weekly and dozens of other national and international newspapers and magazines. Radio listeners around the country have also tuned in to listen to Charlotte’s advice on responsible pet ownership and her recommendations on how to ensure living with a happy and healthy pet.
Furthermore, Charlotte’s byline has been found in many of the nation’s most-read pet magazines, where readers have depended on her expertise in pet care, as well as her insight into the pet industry. Over the years, Reed has has tracked pet trends for Dog Fancy, Cat Fancy, Pet Business and Pets International. Currently, she is the editor-in-chief of new magazine, Canine Culture, Arts & Style, premiering in 2011. She also pens the “Pets Are My Business” blog — filled with the most current pet news, trends and opinions. Charlotte is the First for Women Pet Solutions Columnist and blogs as The Pet Socialite for NBC's Petside.com.
As a pet trend expert, Reed works with many nationally-recognized brand manufacturers as a spokesperson and with advertising, marketing and social media firms as industry consultant, providing a unique expertise in understanding what drives pet consumer behavior. Additionally, Reed founded Pet Socialite Events a media showcase companies which provides pet product companies the opportunity to meet media professionals face to face, to secure media stories and to build future relationships. Her clients have been featured in The New York Times, Reader's Digest, USA Today, WebMD, Everyday with Rachael Ray, Real Simple, Family Circle, Animal Planet, Daily Candy, Shape, Lucky, Self, ESPN-W, People Pets, AOL, OK Magazine, ABC Nightly News, Better TV, The Weather Channel, Fox & Friends and The Nate Berkus Show.
In July, 2007, Charlotte’s much-anticipated book, Miss Fido Manners (Adams Media) hit store shelves across the country. Believing that all dogs can be excellent companions, as Miss Fido Manners, Reed educates dog owners about petiquette and instructs them how to behave with their dog so that they can be better dog owners, neighbors, customers, travelers and co-workers.
A requested lecturer and speaker, Charlotte enjoys speaking to national and local businesses, trade and religious groups and the US Military about animals. Her favorite topics are “The Trend of Pets: Their People and Their Products” and "Career Opportunities for People Who Love Pets."
Reed is a graduate of Lafayette College and Fordham Law School. She honed her skills attending the ASPCA Companion Animal Service Department’s Apprenticeship Dog Training Program, Veterinary Technology Associates Program at City University of New York (CUNY), the New York School of Dog Grooming, and the University of South Hampton New College in Great Britain. Reed is serving her third term as public member of the New York State Veterinary Board. She has served as the President-Elect of the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS) which named her the Pet Sitter of the Millennium Year in 2000 and inducted her into their Hall of Fame as the fifth such honoree. In past years, she has serves on the boards of the Dog Writers Association of America and the Metropolitan Dog Club. Her club affiliations include the English Toy Spaniel Club of America, Greenwich Kennel Club, Morris & Essex Kennel Club Progressive Dog Club and Twin Brooks Kennel Club. Reed is also a member of the New York Junior League and The National Arts Club.
When not zipping around the globe with her metropet family of four English Toy Spaniels, two Himalayans, one Eclectus parrot, she can be found at home, cooking for her husband, Chef Matthew Babbage.
Rhys Miller is the Founder and President of Fairy Tail Endings, Inc. She currently serves as the Office Manager and Veterinary Technician at Vets to YOU!, an at-home veterinary practice.
Rhys has devoted over 15 years to the animal rescue, sheltering and veterinary industries in Sarasota, FL. In her former role as Animal Care Manager of the Humane Society of Sarasota County, the experience of dealing with the relinquishment of hundreds of pets, made her acutely aware of the demand for such services offered by the programs of Fairy Tail Endings, Inc.
After leaving the HSSC, Rhys spent 2 years volunteering as a veterinary technician, program development adviser and administrative team member at the newly-formed Humane Society at Lakewood Ranch, Inc. as well as 1 year volunteering her vet tech skills at Sarasota In Defense of Animals. For the last 5 years Rhys has volunteered regularly with Satchel's Last Resort, Inc. and Buddy's Feral Cat Clinic and believes strongly in collaborating with other nonprofits, sharing ideas, expertise and resources whenever possible. She is mom to a motley crew of rescued dogs, cats, rabbits and yes, even rats.
Fairy Tail Endings, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to helping financially struggling families in Sarasota & Manatee counties keep their pets and provide proper care through financial aid, product and service donations, education and outreach. In short, our mission is to keep WANTED pets healthy, happy and home with the families that love them.