A NEW petting sitting service in Carlisle is hoping to earn the trust of local pet owners and get tails wagging in the area.

Wags to Whiskers is the brainchild of Carlisle-native Tara Lindsay who started her business in August.

Tara has spent the majority of her career so far working for a mental health charity in Carlisle and along the way reflected on her own feelings and decided recently to pursue her passion for animals.

She said: "I used to be the CEO of a mental health charity in Carlisle and I had worked there for a very long time - my background is all about psychology, mental health etc. 

(Image: Wags to Whiskers) "Over time I think you learn what is good for your own mental health and I have always loved animals and animals are my sanctuary.

"I really just want to work with animals but I wasn't sure in what way or capacity - I decided that I would love to do some dog walking and petting sitting."

Wags to Whiskers is not just a pet-sitting business and offers other services such as giant dog or cat care, dog walking, and Tara's 'Waggy Weddings' service.

Moving forward she also has plans to expand her business offerings to include services such as dog physiotherapy.

She said: "I don't just do dog walking because I love cats as well so it is also cat sitting and pet sitting.

"I can check in on a new puppy or an old dog that needs to be looked after but does not need to be walked.

"One of my niche areas would be big dogs. I am very used to giant breed dogs - and giant cats by the way - and that is something I love to do as well.

(Image: Wags to Whiskers) "I love working with all kinds of animals and I love a challenge.

"I also offer 'Waggy Weddings' which is about dog chaperoning at weddings for couples who want their dog involved then it takes the pressure off them and allows the dogs to have a stress-free time.

"Longer-term I am also looking to do dog hydrotherapy and physiotherapy as well."

For Tara, it is understandable for people to not instantly trust pet sitters, with the local animal lover explaining her own reticence to allow strangers to look after her own pet cat which she and her husband rescued from Montenegro.

However, she assured pet owners that she will do her best to provide a quality and caring service for their beloved canines and felines.

She said: "I can completely understand anybody having those fears.

"People's pets are like their children and I try my best to allay any fears by taking as many photos as I can and sending them through and making sure they know that everything is okay.

"It is all about building that trust and it takes time, but I will look after somebody's dog or cat in the way that I would look after my own."