Youth Spotlight focuses on positive stories about young people in local communities. The features are provided by Erin Raftis, municipal youth intern for Minto, Mapleton, and Wellington North.
ROTHSAY – A love of animals inspired Jade Metzger to start an animal sitting business.
The 18-year-old Rothsay resident has been horseback riding at Willowcrest Farm and has been coached by Julie Diamond for 10 years. She has competed in the Georgian Bay Trillium Series in both 2017 and 2018.
Metzger has many animals, including a dog named Gibson, a cat named Chevy, three bunnies named Sage, Nutmeg and Pixie, and two hamsters named Remmy and Sky. A few months ago the youth got the opportunity to rehabilitate two baby squirrels back to health and released them into the wild.
“To this day, I still see them running around the trees,” Metzger notes.
Metzger explains that after a very traumatic time in her life, when she was diagnosed with severe anxiety and depression, her animals were there to “get [her] through the hard times and push [her] through it and put a smile on [her] face.”
Her mental illness made it hard to leave the house to work, so starting this business helped in her recovery process.
“It has given me lots of motivation like making a Facebook page, ‘Jade’s Animal Sitting Services’ and forces me to interact through messages, emails, texts and in person with the animal owners,” said Metzger.
The young entrepreneur is returning for a victory lap at Norwell District Secondary School and plans to continue her education in an animal-related field. Her services are not limited to dogs or traditional pets. She is willing to take care of any animal (her mother says no to snakes and spiders).
She requires a home visit prior to make sure it is a good fit for everyone involved and while the animals are in her care, she will send updates to the owners to help alleviate their stress.
“I felt there was a need for this business in our community and I wanted to create a place where animal owners feel comfortable leaving their family members,” said Metzger. “Your animal will enjoy their vacation just as much as you!”
For more information contact Metzger at jademetzger18@gmail.com, 519-820-5808, or through her Facebook page.
