Meet Our Team
Jill’s Next Door is dedicated to working with only the best, most caring, and qualified pet lovers around. We run each sitter through an extensive screening.
How do we onboard our sitters?
All of our professional pet sitters are required to submit to a thorough screening. We look for stellar references, a clean background check through our partner ACUTRAQ, pet care experience, a love for animals, strong moral compass, reliability, excellent communication, and more. All of our sitters are insured and bonded through our partner, Business Insurers of the Carolinas.
We only work with the best, vetted individuals and hold them to a very high standard! We offer sitter resources, pet care videos and slides, knowledge tests, lead sitter shadowing, etc. We make sure that all sitters are 100% prepared to take on solo assignments to provide you with the best pet care.
JILL MERJESKI, PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER, CEO
Hi, all! I am originally from Philadelphia and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Saint Joseph’s University and continued my education earning a Master’s Degree in Educational Psychology from West Chester University. I worked in the higher education sector before turning my passion for animals into a full-time career and a successful pet sitting company. I have been in pet care for about seven years, gaining so much knowledge and expertise in the industry. In addition to running the day to day operations of the business, I am very involved in the community and pet advocacy.
LEARN MORE ABOUT JILL HERE.
LORI WELSH, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hi! My name is Lori Welsh and I’ve been an animal lover and dog owner for as long as I can remember. My brothers and I were raised with dogs, birds, and gerbils. I promise to safely care for your pets, and treat them like my own. I was a professional pet sitter in Alexandria, Old Town, Virginia, and my fiancé and I have been in Boca Raton for two years. I recently retired from a corporate career in the beverage industry, so I can devote all my time to taking excellent care of your pets, and giving offer you peace of mind. I have competed in triathlons for 16 years and am an Ironman finisher so I can certainly run with your energetics dogs!
ANDREA PRICE, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hi, I’m Andrea! I grew up with pets and spent extensive time on my Aunt’s farm where I had the pleasure to care for goats, chickens, and learned to ride horses. I studied veterinary assistance and gained experience at an emergency hospital caring for all sizes and breeds of domestic critters. I specialize in special needs animals. I’ve helped run a very busy humane society both front and back end; so I have experience in transports, caring for the sick/injured, and administering vaccines & microchips. I’m excited to meet you & your family!
SHELLY BERGER, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hi there! My name is Shelly Berger. I was born in Bangor, Maine and moved to Delray Beach at the young age of 8. I have been married to my husband for 10 years, and we have 3 grown children combined; and are newly empty nesters! My love for animals started at a very young age. From birds, bearded dragons, fish, cats, pups you name it! I have had rescue pets in our home, and have done feral kitty TNRs, as well. Taking care of animals has always been my passion, and I am looking forward to meeting you and your critters!
DREA MAGALHAES, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hi! My name is Dré! When I travel, nothing is more important to me than the safety and wellbeing of my fur babies. My goal as your pet sitter is to make you feel that your pets are safe and cared for. I was born and raised in NJ with family that supported my love of nature and animals. We’ve had many pets: dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, turtles, hedgehogs, tree frogs, monitors and bearded dragons. I have 2 long haired mini-Dachshunds and a Bengal cat. I will treat your pets as if they are my very own!
CARY MEDINA, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hi, I’m Cary! My passion for animals led me to become an Equestrian–and ever since, I have wanted to be surrounded by animals. Having the opportunity to develop meaningful relationships with different animals and making positive impact on their lives brings joy to my soul. I have experience with a variety of animals including: birds, ferrets, dogs, cats & horses. I understand the importance of providing personalized attention to each and every animal. I’m truly honored to be part of this team & I’m committed to providing a loving and comfortable environment for them.
WATCH CARY’S INTRODUCTION VIDEO HERE.
ROCHELLE CRUNK, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
My name is Rochelle Crunk. I live in Delray Beach but I am originally from Michigan. One goal I implement in my life is to make sure that every life I come into contact with or care for feel more love, happiness, comfort, and a feeling of wellness and content. I’ve had the opportunity to love and care for many animals, including dogs, cats, and other small animals. I have also had the opportunity to participate in volunteer work and foster care for dogs. I am looking forward to meet you and your pet and love them just like family!
WATCH ROCHELLE’S INTRODUCTION VIDEO HERE.
BRIAN MCGARY, JND WEBMASTER
Brian joined the Jill’s Next Door team in 2019 and manages the website hiccups and any problems that may surface; ensuring the functionality, navigation, and overall performance that meets our clients’ needs. Brian is also President of Sitetastics, a digital marketing agency specializing in websites, SEO, PPC, and analytics. Brian resides in Sunrise, Florida with his daughter Riley, his pup Dakota, and his kitty Mittens that he adopted from Jill’s Next Door Feline Alliance Program.
TONY SAKAL, JND FELINE ALLIANCE RESCUE MANOR (F.A.R.M) PROPERTY OWNER
Tony Sakal is an established feline caretaker who maintains multiple feral cat colonies in Palm Beach County. Tony works in conjunction with several local rescues with the goal of reducing the feral cat population by TNR. Tony also owns and operates a farm, where kitties who are injured, unadoptable, or elderly call home. Through a successful fundraiser created by JND Feline Alliance program, Tony has built a catio to shelter vulnerable cats from predators. Tony offers feline procurement, transportation, medical care, and immeasurable knowledge of feline welfare.
BRANDY MARTIN EVERINGTON, JND FELINE ALLIANCE COORDINATOR & RESCUE LIASON
Introducing Brandy Martin Everington, Jill’s Next Door Feline Alliance Program’s Coordinator & Rescue Liason! Brandy is a star animal rescue advocate who is partnered with several rescues in Palm Beach and Broward Counties. She facilitates the overall process of adoptions and implements best practices and matchmaking skills to find kitties forever homes. Not only does Brandy herself foster animals, she also performs periodic check-ins with adoptive families and resolves issues to prevent returns. Brandy is active in regular adoption events around south Florida and is our head liaison to veterinary clinics, rescues, and shelter.
MANDY PLATO, JND FELINE ALLIANCE VOLUNTEER
Mandy was our beautiful volunteer who generously donated her time, energy, and love to the kittens fostered with Jill’s Next Door Feline Alliance Program. Mandy’s focus was in kitten socialization–which is a crucial component in kitten development and adoption preparation. Mandy came to JND from California Paws Rescue in Palm Desert, CA, and specialized in canine socialization, transportation, and service dog training with Florida’s Big Dog Ranch and DC DOGOS. Mandy passed away suddenly in 2021. She will forever be known for her rescuing and loving spirit.
ISABELLA, JND ADMINISTRATIVE CATSISTANT
Meet Izzy, Jill’s Next Door’s Administrative Catsistant! Izzy loves helping out with paperwork, but hates the noisy printer and thinks it is out to get her, much like the mean vacuum. Izzy specializes in eating too much, waking mommy at 4am, and being so cute. She–along with her sister–was a foster fail, because her mommy Jill fell in love with her. Now, she is put to work and does an amazing job supporting Jill’s Next Door unconditionally!
JULESY, JND CUTE AMBASSADOR
Meet Julesy! Julesy doesn’t do much to benefit Jill’s Next Door, although she does monitor our pesky foster kittens; quickly swatting them into place if they get too close to her. She also loves secretly judging you from afar. Since she annoys quickly, we don’t give her much to do except be so cute on a regular basis. She, along with her sister, was a foster fail, because her mommy Jill fell in love with her! We love having her around and seeing what she is annoyed with next!
WATCH JULESY’S INTRODUCTION VIDEO HERE.
