Colleen has been the owner and primary operator of Santa Barbara Pet Pals since it’s inception in 2004.  She graduated from UCSB with a BS in Aquatic Biology in 2001. Having such a keen interest in marine life she spent a lot of time SCUBA diving and also volunteered at the Marine Mammal center in Santa Barbara.  Her love of helping animals brought her to volunteer for the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network as well as seek a career in Veterinary Medicine.

For over 3 years, Colleen worked in all aspects of Veterinary Care from grooming to assisting in surgery.  After working with animals in a high stress environment she knew she wanted to care for pets in a much more comfortable and positive atmosphere. She started Santa Barbara Pet Pals to ensure that pets will receive the best loving care and get the exercise they need, while staying in the comfort of their own homes.

Colleen is currently the proud owner of a 14-year-old Chihuahua, an 8-year-old Leopard Gecko and 3 happy little Zebra Finch

Raoul has been the co-owner and operator of Santa Barbara Pet Pals since it’s inception in 2004.  Most of Raoul’s youth and young adulthood was spent working in his uncle’s Veterinary Clinic located in Southern Arizona.  While working at he clinic Raoul had the great opportunity to work with Domestic, Equine, and Bovine animals as well as various exotic animals.  Raoul has graduated from Santa Barbara Business College and now applies the business skills learned to making a solid and cohesive Pet Sitting Business.  After meeting Colleen in 2002, Raoul soon began fulfilling his dream of starting a business that focused on the care of animals.  Raoul’s animal care giving and business background allow for him to fulfill his lifelong goal, which has always been to bring happiness to animals through companionship, and compassion.

A graduate of UCSB, Rey was born and raised in Santa Barbara.  Animals have been a part of his life from a very young age.  He has hand raised several rabbits, dogs, cats, and birds.  Rey jumped at the opportunity to get involved in pet sitting in 2008 and is thoroughly enjoying the time he spends pet sitting.  From caring for a Great Pyrenees, newborn English Bulldog puppies, baby kittens, to his experience with a house of 7 cats.  Rey feels fortunate and honored to be given the responsibility of caring for animals while owners are away.

Stephanie Gordan

Stephanie has been pet sitting since high school. In 2003, she received her B.A. from the Brooks Institute in Santa Barbara. She moved up to the Bay Area shortly after to pursue a photography career, and continued to pet sit in the area.  Stephanie moved back to SB in 2010 for work and she continues to pet sit and enjoys providing excellent care for our client’s animals. 

Michelle is a second generation Santa Barbaran. She graduated from UC Santa Barbara in 2005 with a degree in Art History and Cultural Anthropology. While her studies and accolades pertain mostly among the arts and museums, she has always had a passion for animals.  Michelle enjoys supplementing her time interacting with animals with her employment at SB Museum of Art.