About Us

About Us

Claws and Paws Pet Sitting Service is owned and operated by Gina
McGrath of Encinitas and Michelle Desautels of Vista. Both are dog owners
and understand the special needs of pampered pets.

Gina McGrath serves La Costa, Encinitas (including Olivenhain, Leucadia &
Cardiff), Rancho Santa Fe & Solana Beach. She grew up with a menagerie
of pets, including birds, fish, a cat & dogs. The care of & showing horses
was a hobby from childhood until college-age. Gina is originally from CT &
graduated from Central CT State University with a B.A. in Communications
and a minor in Psychology. Her emphasis was in Mass Media & began a
career in TV production in 1990. After years of shift work & eventually
burnout, she decided working for herself was a more attractive option,
especially if she could combine a business with her biggest passion - dogs.
In 1996 she began a new career in pet sitting & has never looked back. She
has totally immersed herself in the pet sitting field, constantly striving to
better herself professionally. She is a member of Pet Sitters Associates,
LLC, Countywide Referrals for Pet Professionals,& Cyber Sitters United.
She has attended 3 pet sitting conferences & is a subscriber to 8
pet-related discussion lists on the internet. She networks with over 80 other
pet sitters in San Diego county, and many others all over the country. Gina
currently volunteers at Rancho Coastal Humane Society.

Michelle Desautels serves Vista, San Marcos, Carlsbad, La Costa &
Oceanside. Michelle is originally from New York where she went to school.
Michelle received an associates degree in Retail Business Management
from Dutchess Community College and a Bachelor's degree in
Management from Pace University. After graduating from college Michelle
started her career in Retail. She spent 12 years in all different positions,
buyer, department manager,merchandise coordinator, general manager and
director of operations to name a few. Michelle has always owned a variety
of animals including dogs, cats, horses and guinea pigs. Her love for
animals and a desire to start her own business brought Michelle to the
decision to start her first pet sitting business in March 2001. Michelle is
involved with The Pet Net, which networks with 80 other pet sitters in our
community. In addition to the Pet Net she subscribes to three different
internet discussion lists. She is also a member of the Petworking Group, a
networking group of local professional pet sitters.