I can’t stay silent any longer. It’s time we confront the blatant racism and bullying in our pet care community. The abuse I’ve faced—both towards myself and my animals—is absolutely outrageous. Enough is enough.
As a young Black female entrepreneur in Denver, Colorado, I’ve lived through racism and bullying my entire life, simply because of my skin color. Growing up in predominantly white spaces due to my parents’ choices, I was one of only three Black women in my high school graduating class of 150 students. That experience was isolating and tough, and it shaped my resilience from a young age.
Starting my business in Colorado, I faced microaggressions daily. Some were blatant, while others made me question if the person even realized they were being prejudiced. I’ve been bullied by other pet sitters, had people try to sabotage my business, and spread vicious lies about me to deter clients—lies that, if believed, could have landed me in jail. This just highlights the intense hatred directed at me simply for being a successful Black woman.
Despite my privileges—attending an expensive private school, having access to college education, and starting a business at 18 with family support—I’ve struggled because of how I look. People often assume I’m aggressive because I’m a brown-skinned Black woman. Unlike my peers, I’m not allowed to express anxiety or frustration without being labeled as rude or aggressive. So, I’ve had to suppress my emotions, enduring abuse silently, out of fear of reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
The pet care community is a breeding ground for this kind of toxic behavior. Popular pet sitters often have a mean streak hidden beneath their friendly online personas. The notion of “community over competition” is a blatant lie. You’re only considered part of the community if you conform to specific standards. Step outside those boundaries, and you’re no longer welcomed but seen as competition.
I’ve been ostracized, kicked out of group chats, and subjected to votes just to join these exclusive communities—votes that none of them had to face. I’ve fired employees who weren’t a good fit, only to have them attempt to destroy my business out of spite. These issues have been silenced for too long because of fear of retaliation, but I’m done being afraid. I’m speaking out, sharing my story truthfully and rawly, without protecting these bullies anymore.
This isn’t just about me. The abuse and racism I’ve faced are systemic issues deeply rooted in our society and mirrored in the pet care industry. The American Pet Products Association (APPA) reports that Black entrepreneurs make up only 2% of pet service providers nationwide. To dismantle systemic racism, we need to understand its historical roots and present-day manifestations. We need to educate ourselves and confront these uncomfortable truths.
The dog training world is another minefield of aggression and hostility. I once had a force-free trainer tell me to off myself because I use e-collars—collars conditioned by previous trainers, not me. I use tools the dogs are comfortable with to avoid stressing them out, but this toxic behavior only harms our profession and the animals we care for.
Ignorance perpetuates prejudice. To dismantle systemic discrimination, education is our most potent tool. We need to understand the historical roots of discrimination in pet care and acknowledge its present-day manifestations. How can we expect progress without confronting these uncomfortable truths?
I want to hear from everyone in the pet care community. What are your experiences? How can we change this toxic culture? Whether you’re a POC, part of the LGBTQ+ community, disabled, or a non-POC professional, your voice matters. If you’re not comfortable sharing your stories or opinions in the comments, please reach out and chat with me. Let’s start a real conversation about making this industry more inclusive and supportive for everyone.
What have your experiences been? How can we change this?
