PETS PLUS

Pet Care Specialists....

Michelle Monteforte

Owner and Pack Leader

Michelle has loved animals/pets all her life!  She has a unique way with all pets, an understanding that goes beyond most. Michelle develops an immediate trusting relationship with each of them.  Michelle started this business because she wanted to make people feel totally comfortable leaving their pets in her care. To enhance her knowledge, skills and abilities Michelle has pursued many avenues to better educate herself about her profession. She has achieved nationally recognized certifications in pet first aid; professional dog-walking; and professional pet-sitting.  Michelle has also attended seminars with Cesar Milan (The Dog Whisperer).  PSI Quest Convention and will become certified as a Trainer in Pet First Aid and CPR in 2008.  She is currently enrolled in school, working toward achieving certification as a professional dog trainer!  Michelle worked as a Administrative Analyst for PG&E and Chevron in San Francisco for a decade.  She was recruited by PG&E straight from high school because she scored high on her tests and was at the top of most of her classes.  She attended Golden Gate University at night and weekends.  She moved up the corporate ladder becoming a supervisor and in management, and would have kept going but life changed. She married Ron and then fullfilled her lifelong dream and became a mom!  She quit the corporate world to stay at home and raise her family.  She became actively involved as a volunteer in the School District in San Ramon, this included PTA President,Child Development Project, Hospitality, Room Parent, Parent Education and advocated for necessary legislative issues, local parcels, bond measures, etc.  She worked with the school district doing Parent Education Presentations on the 40 Developmental Assets going to many schools in the district educating parents and teachers on building asssets in our youth.  She worked part-time as a substitute for the school district scoring high on all her tests.  She also worked for two years doing yard duty at her sons' elementary school.  Her volunteering and part-time work for the district had to come to an end when her pet sitting business kept growing and growing until her part time and business became very successful.  Her part-time pet sitting business went full-time working seven days a week, 12-hour days which only meant she needed to hire people to help her get the jobs done.  She now has six people working for PETS PLUS. Every day she loves her job and it shows in her passion for pets!

Sylvie Potin, Pet Care Specialist

Sylvie is here from France on business with her husband's job.  Her family consists of her husband Frederick, oldest daughter Barbara (who stayed in France but comes to visit), Diane, Alex, Indy (Golden Retriever) and Tina (cat).  Diane and Alex both attend California High School.  They are fabulous family with a strong love and respect for all animals.  Sylvie's pets are also clients of PETS PLUS and Michelle, Owner and Sylvie have become very close friends.  They are both Class Managers at their Jazzercise classes which are held Monday through Thursday and Saturday through the San Ramon Community Center.  Sylvie has a huge heart and PETS PLUS is lucky to have her as part of their team!  Sylvie mostly does mid-day walks/visits and is great!

Ron and Michelle Monteforte have been married for 19 years and have two teenage sons, three female dogs and two male birds!  Their two sons have a strong love for all animals and all animals seem to connect with them.  Ron and Thomas are very thoughtful, respectful loving and kind when it comes to ALL animals (and people too).  They share their home with their doggies (more like the doggies share their home with all of them). Lucky, the oldest is per DNA testing a Husky mix; Bella, Rottweiler/Shepherd; and Star, DNA indicates Cocker Spaniel, Border Collie, Shihtzu mix, who were ALL rescued -- and we mean rescued!  Lucky was found rummaging through the dumpster in Oakland at Ron’s work place at four months old with scars all over her body, emaciated and in terrible shape.  In no time, Lucky was in good health, gained weight and was full of energy and is still a ball of energy.  Lucky is the reason this business was started.  I kenneled Lucky when we went to Hawaii.  She was not happy and either was I.  We were both miserable!  She hates crates, kennels, and escapes from just about everything.  Jumps fences, chews her way through things, digs out of areas, etc. (no wonder she was wandering the streets).  The first time I hired a pet sitter and she walked her every visit,  made her special food, etc. and it was a new Lucky!  She wasn’t stressed or wild, sick or traumatized by the kennel, she just thought we were gone a long time!  She loved our pet sitter (Auntie Tami at that time) and so did we.  It was such a comfort to know she was in good hands and I could check on her anytime.  Our pet sitter would call and leave a message after each visit!  I know I most likely annoyed her but she was wonderful about putting up with me - so different from the kennel.  Can you imagine the kennel not putting the phone to Lucky's ear?

I started this business because I wanted everyone who felt the same way I did about leaving their pets for the first, second, third... etc., time and to feel good about going away, knowing they were in great hands.  I will do everything I possibly can to assure the pet is well taken care of.  That is where our PLUS comes into the picture.  We go above and beyond when necessary!  Star, was found tied to the front of a shelter on Christmas Eve with just a long rope, only minutes after it had closed for the holiday.  Bella was about to be euthanized because she had exceeded her time of four months at the shelter after being abandoned at a dog park in Berkeleyat four months old.  Bopper, their 19-year-old Cockatiel is their very first child.  He was hand fed by Michelle when he was only two-weeks old!  Bopper speaks, sings, whistles and never stops making noise.  Bopper is kept company by Flapper, another Cockatiel who is now five-years-old!  We did have two geckos but they passed away.  Like most couples, Michelle and Ron may have their differences but not when it comes to pets... they do agree on how much they want to dedicate the rest of their lives to caring for all pets!  :-)  They have an instant bond when it comes to animals, nature and the environment.