my story
ISABEL ALVAREZ ARATA
PET INDUSTRY ENTREPRENEUR
PODCAST HOST
JOURNALIST, WRITER & DIGITAL MARKETER
EMCEE & KEYNOTE SPEAKER
RESCUE ADVOCATE
PET FIRST AID & CPR INSTRUCTOR
CERTIFIED FEAR FREE PROFESSIONAL
CERTIFIED ZUMBA & YOGA INSTRUCTOR
WIFE TO CHRIS
MOM TO NOAH (7) AND MILA (4)
DOGMOM TO A SENIOR BORDER COLLIE MIX NAMED CAERA
DOGMOM TO A SENIOR SCHNAUZER MIX NAMED SATCHMO
CATMOM TO A GRAY CAT NAMED VAN GOGH
Fueled by my first encounter with rescue work and volunteerism at 17-years-old, I am dedicated to helping companion animals and those that love them. I founded my first pet business, The Wag Pack, a pet sitting and dog walking company formerly based in Northern Virginia, in 2008. While the pandemic forced me to shift directions, I'm still encouraging pet parents and pet industry professionals to do right by their pets and the pets in their care.
With over 15 years of experience, I know the pet care industry, top pet care experts, and must-have pet products. I specialize in cats and dogs because these are the two species that I most cared for as a pro pet sitter and on which I have focused my studies and certifications.
Before I joined the pet industry, I received a Bachelor's Degree in International Business and French from the University of Maryland in College Park. I am proficient in English and Spanish as well as conversationally fluent in French.
A self-described gourmand and former hospitality industry professional, I blend my love of life and wine with my passion for pets in Covered in Pet Hair, a boozy web show for pet lovers. In addition to my work on Covered in Pet Hair, I am a freelance writer and journalist. My work can be found in Mount Pleasant Magazine, Charleston Women, HealthLinks Magazines, and various online publications. I also work directly with small pet care businesses as content creator and copywriter.
I have been a Certified Pet Tech First Aid & CPR Instructor since 2013. I am also Fear Free Certified professional. I had the pleasure to emcee the 2023 and 2024 Texas Pet Sitters Conference in Lewisville, Texas. I also contribute to the organization as their blog sponsor, writing blogs on behalf of the Texas Pet Sitters Association.
I was also invited to deliver the Keynote and Closing Address at the 2024 NAPPS Conference in Savannah, Georgia. I am honored to be involved with these amazing organizations, both of whom I belonged to as a professional pet sitter.
I share my life with my husband, Chris, our two children, Noah and Mila, two old dogs,
Caera and Satchmo, and our gray cat, Van Gogh.