Pet Sitter Links Up With Travel Agents

Pet owning travellers booking their holidays with First Choice or Thomson, (both owned by travel giant TUI) are being advised of discounted petcare services on offer from the pet visiting and dog walking franchise Animals at Home, AAH.

Since the start of February, First Choice and Thomson customers have been made aware of AAH services available from the 51 area franchises based mainly in the South of England. The company is offering a 10% discount on bookings sourced through the travel companies.

AAH franchise services range from dog walking to general pet care - either in the animal's own home or, in the case of dogs, at a registered foster home.

AAH Co-founder Mark Booty, who launched the company on the Isle of Wight six years ago with his business partner Denis Chirgwin, said:

"Between them, First Choice and Thomson sell more than two million holidays each year. We estimate that around 900,000 of these will involve the need for pet care for more than seven days. The potential market is vast. It's a huge opportunity for us.

"For each percent of the new business created, we anticipate that the deal with TUI UK could be worth around £1 million to Animals at Home and generate 230-plus new jobs across the country."

AAH expects its network to grow by a further 14 franchises during 2009, bringing the total up to 65.

Senior Innovation Manager for First Choice and Thomson, Andrea Josse, said:

"Our customers have told us that care for their animals is one of their biggest worries when they go on holiday. Now, they can go away with the peace of mind that their beloved pets will be looked after by the best animal care company in the UK."