News & Awards

AWARD: PET ADOPTION ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

PET SITTERS INTERNATIONAL (PSI) 2020 PET ADOPTION ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR

The association recognizes Jill Merjeski, owner of Jill's Next Door Dog Walking & Pet Services, LLC, in Delray Beach, Florida, for her efforts to help kitties in need and promote local pet adoptions by creating Jill’s Next Door Feline Alliance Program (FAP). FAP is a self-funded, advocacy, and feline adoption program created as an alliance with local pet rescues around Broward and Palm Beach Counties, Florida. You can read more about Jill and the coveted Pet Adoption Advocate of the Year Award here.

AWARD: PETATARIAN OF THE YEAR

INTERNATIONAL BOARDING & PET SERVICE ASSOCIATION'S (IBPSA) PETATARIAN OF THE YEAR

IBPSA names Jill Merjeski, of Jill’s Next Door Dog Walking and Pet Services, LLC, Petatarian of the Year. Jill and her team at her rescue alliance, JND Feline Alliance Program, recognizes her outstanding efforts in public service initiatives who contribute to the improvement of animal welfare. “As the pet care industry continues to explode and competition increases, it’s important to recognize those professionals who are setting themselves apart from the crowd,” said Carmen Rustenbeck, IBPSA’s founder and CEO. “Pet owners should have a gold standard to look to when choosing a pet care provider and Jill Merjeski is helping set that standard.” You can read the full article from the Boca Raton Tribune here.

in the news: caT ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR BUILDING CATIO FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED CATS"

As COVID-19 began to hit South Florida earlier this year, animal advocates were worried that its financial effects would force pet owners to surrender their animals. Then, with many people staying at home more, some rescue organizations saw an increase in pet adoptions at the beginning of the pandemic.

Throughout all of it, Jill Merjeski, founder of Jill's Next Door Feline Alliance Program, said she tripled her online awareness efforts by taking professional photos of each cat to increase its attraction for adoption by followers on her social media accounts.

Four years ago, she began feeding cat colonies and fostering kittens with Kitty Karma of Delray Beach. After that, she completed several online cat care classes, specializations and certifications while fostering through Florida’s Forgotten Felines. Read the full article here.

podcast interview with pet sitter confessional