Meet the woman behind this new Beirut pet sitting service

When Kinda Darwish decided to turn her love for animals into a daytime job, a new house, plant, and pet-sitting service was born in Beirut.

Through newly launched Paws, Pals and Plants, the young English Literature graduate offers services needed by pretty much all pet owners. 

Speaking to StepFeed, Darwish tells us more about the idea behind her startup, why she decided to launch it, and her plans for the future. 

When asked how she came up with the idea for Paws, Pals and Plants, Darwish said: 

"There was no real moment I can pinpoint as the “Ah ha” moment that inspired Paws, Pals and Plants. I’ve always loved animals so much and apart from wanting to satisfy my constant need to be around them, I also decided to start offering pet services because I felt that they were needed." 

"When pet owners travel they have two options; one is to leave their pets at a kennel, where they’ll most likely be in a cage, or two, ask (sometimes beg) a friend to pass by and feed them while they're away," she explained. 

"In both cases, a pet is often left alone for hours at a time and the stress of separation or moving from their home is quite traumatic," she added. 

"I want to help people out with their pets the way I wish I could have someone help me out when I have to travel. I want to make sure they're safe, loved, and taken care of until their owners can get back to them." 

When asked about what it took for her to officially bring her idea to life, Darwish explained that at first, taking care of pets for a living, "seemed a little too good to be true." 

However, the support she received from friends and family is what eventually helped her lay the ground for her business. 

"My friends were very supportive and encouraging and I would never have had the guts to do it if they didn’t tell me time and again that it was a great idea and that I was the perfect person for the job," she said. 

Today, Darwish provides a range of "house, pet, and plant-sitting services," to anyone who needs them. 

From staying the night in with a pet when needed to taking them out for a walk or on a trip to the vet, she makes sure that her client's pets are taken care of and loved.

"My client's pets will be treated and loved like my very own for as long as I am responsible for them," she said. 

When asked about the prices attached to the services she offers, Darwish explained that there is no set list, because prices depend on several variables. 

"My services are based in Beirut, so the prices will differ if I can get to you walking or if you’re across the city. The prices also depend on the type of animal I am taking care of," she said. 

"I try to be as fair as possible though, so prices tend to be between 10$ for smaller services to 50$ if you require an overnight stay," she added. 

When asked if she plans to expand her business in the future, Darwish said: 

"The bigger it gets, the trickier things become. This is a service that requires people to really trust you; they’re handing over their most precious loved ones and they’re also handing over their homes. I don’t know if it can be anything other than just me - loving and caring for people’s pets." 

However, Darwish still has expansion plans for the future. 

"The ultimate dream for me would be to open a guest house for pets; somewhere people can drop off their pets and be absolutely certain that they have the space and facilities to roam, play and socialize freely," she said. 

"I think there are a lot of services and facilities we lack in Lebanon for animals. Whether it’s more green spaces or vets who come to your home, or even more animal-specific restaurants, cafes, and pubs - there's a lot to be done," she added. 

When asked to share a message with anyone who's got an idea for a small business they’d like to start, Darwish said: 

"Do it. You’ll be surprised by the support you get, I certainly was. Just do it because then you get to find out if it works or not. That's a lot better than the “what ifs” and the “should haves” that will haunt you if you never even try. If things works out, great, and if not, then you start over with something new. Start small, but start." 

Editor's note: A previous version of this article incorrectly said that this was Beirut's first-ever pet sitting service.