Happy New Year everyone,

I wanted to take a moment to share an important personal update while also reassuring you about the continued care of your pets. After many thoughtful conversations and planning, I will be relocating to Idaho during the second week of April.

While this is a big personal change for me, I want to be very clear about one thing first and foremost:

Pets By MJ is not closing.

What This Means for You

I will continue to operate Pets By MJ remotely, handling all administrative responsibilities including scheduling, communication, billing, and overall coordination. I will remain fully available by phone and email, just as I am now. Our trusted dog walkers and pet sitters will continue working exactly as they always have been—providing the same loving, dependable care your pets know and trust. Many of them have been part of the Pets By MJ team for years and are familiar faces to both you and your pets.

Service Areas & Coverage

Clients within the Mira Mesa area will continue to be supported as usual. However, I want to be transparent with clients who live outside of the Mira Mesa area. Historically, I personally covered many out-of-area visits. As I transition to remote operations, coverage for out-of-area clients may be more limited, depending on sitter availability and travel distance. I am currently working closely with my sitters to determine who may be able to continue covering these visits.

To help support increased travel time and fuel costs, there will be an adjusted mileage fee for visits beyond a 5-mile radius from Pets By MJ's home base. This helps ensure our sitters are fairly compensated while continuing to provide reliable service. See previous blog for pricing fees information. 

Existing Bookings

Please rest assured that all visits already scheduled beyond April will be honored and covered.

Moving forward, when requesting new bookings after April—especially for locations outside of Mira Mesa—availability may be limited and will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. I will always do my best to accommodate everyone and will communicate clearly if coverage is not available.

Looking Ahead

As part of this transition, I am also thoughtfully exploring long-term options for the future of Pets By MJ to ensure continuity, stability, and the same high level of care you've come to expect. Any changes, should they occur, would be handled gradually and with your pets' best interests at heart.

THANK YOU

I cannot express how grateful I am for the trust you've placed in me over the years. Caring for your pets has truly been one of the greatest privileges of my life, and my commitment to Pets By MJ and to you remains strong during this next chapter.

If you have any questions, concerns, or would like to discuss your specific location or future bookings, please don't hesitate to reach out. I'm always happy to talk things through.

With gratitude,

Melanie (MJ)

Pets By MJ 🐾.