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 Pet Sitters go through a thorough screening. We look for stellar references, a clean background check, pet care experience, a love for animals, strong moral compass, reliability, and more.
We only work with the best, vetted individuals and hold them to a very high standard!
JILL MERJESKI, PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER, OWNER
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. For over 13 years, I worked in the higher education sector before turning my passion for animals into a full-time career and a successful pet sitting company. Today, I apply my educational psychology background to canine emotion, cognition, and basic behavior modification. I have been in pet care for about seven years, gaining so much knowledge and expertise in the industry.
LEARN MORE ABOUT JILL HERE.
SHAWNA LANGDON, PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hey Everyone! My name is Shawna and I’m both humbled and excited to work with you and your fabulous furry and non furry family members! I have fur babies of my own and I know how important it is to find someone reliable, caring, and trustworthy to look after them when you cannot. I can offer you peace of mind by providing your pets with companionship and exercise that they need and deserve! I’m originally from upstate New York and grew up with a wide variety of animals: white faced Herefords, ducks (Donald & Daisy), dogs, cats, fish and birds. I truly look forward to assisting you with all your pet needs and help make your life easier and stress free!
WATCH SHAWNA’S INTRODUCTION VIDEO HERE.
MELISSA BABEY, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
My name is Melissa Babey. I was born and raised in Florida. I have been married to my husband Lee for 25 years, who also was born in Florida. I have two boys: 22 and 20. Both are away at college; one attending Auburn University majoring in pre med, and the other is a student at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University studying Aerospace Engineering. I have had dogs all my life. I currently have two dogs a Pit Bull (13 yrs) and a Chihuahua (15 1/2 yrs). I also have a cat who is 8. I am a retired RN with a Bachelors Degree in Nursing, and worked in labor and delivery. Most recently, I worked in NJ at my niece's kennel and day care, which was a great experience. I look forward to taking care of your animals in the very near future.
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 lucky to say he is my best friend! 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 as far back as I can remember and have done feral kitty TNRs, as well. Taking care of animals has always been my passion, and I am excited to be a part of Jill’s team in this new chapter of my life. Looking forward to meeting you and your critters!
LISA CIMINO, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hi! My name is Lisa and I absolutely adore animals of all kinds. I have 3 years experience nannying and pet sitting, with the full time pet sitting job for my own kitty named Mitts! I am also a yoga instructor, holistic nutritionist and have back in sales & communication. Every time I watch a pet, I treat them as if they’re my own family, they get the same treatment if not better than my own kitty (and he gets treated like a king). I can’t wait to meet your furry family and give them the love they need while you’re gone. Namaste!
ANDREA MAGALHAES, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hi! My name is Andréa, but friends call me 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 New Jersey with family that supported my love of nature and animals. We’ve had many pet: dogs, cats, hamsters, rabbits, turtles, hedgehogs, tree frogs, monitors and bearded dragons. I have 2 long haired mini-Dachshunds (Aria and Lorenzo). I also own a large Bengal cat named Jagger. I consider my pets to be part of my family, and treat them as such. I will treat your pets as if they are my very own, and I look forward to meeting them!
MARISSA SPALLONE BEDRI, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hi!! My name is Marissa and I am a stay at home mom to a 4 1/2 year old little boy! I am also a freelance visual merchandiser for Tiffany & Co. Although my background is in fashion and customer service, animals are extremely important to me! So much so that I am vegan. When I was growing up, my mom would often come home with another pup from the local animal shelter. We always had at least 2-3 dogs in the house. I am gentle, trustworthy, and loving, and I promise that will take amazing care of your fur baby!
BRANDON BABEY, JND PROFESSIONAL PET SITTER
Hi! My name Brandon. I am a senior at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a Dean's List student majoring in Aerospace Engineering. My background includes: working with flight test engineers collecting data for aircraft performance, managing a team who designed rockets and launch into the low earth orbit. In addition to working for Aerosapien Technologies and the Ball Launcher Project, I am a student athlete in men's rowing and an Eagle Scout. I have worked with dogs, cats, pet sat for multiple families, and have my own pets Bella (a pit bull mix) and Pepe, a chihuahua. I just adopted a new puppy, and we are so excited that we have a new addition to our family!
BRIAN MCGARY, JND WEBMASTER
Brian joined the Jill’s Next Door team in 2019 and manages the day-to-day operation of our website; 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 trapping, neutering and releasing back into their chosen territory. 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 is a highly valued team member with JND Feline Alliance Program; offering 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 any issues to prevent returns. Brandy is very active in regular adoption events around south Florida and is our head liason to various veterinary clinics, rescues, and shelters across the state.
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 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 those pesky foster kittens; quickly swatting them in place if they get too close to her. She enjoys 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!
highly qualified.
