About Paws & Kisses

samplePaws & Kisses is dedicated to providing top-notch pet care to all our furry clients.  Founded in 2008 by Mandy and Bill Oram, the company has grown to include 3 other sitters, all of whom are employees of the company.

 

About the Owners:

Mandy OramMandy Oram has worked with dogs for over 25 years.  While living and working in England, Mandy trained, groomed and showed dogs on the British Kennel Club circuit.  Her champion poodle, and beloved family pet, Maggie, took 34 top prizes in Breed, Class or Show during her career in the ring. 

Mandy and her Air Force husband Bill returned to the United States in 2000 - with their dogs in tow - in order to care for her elderly mother.  Maggie became her mom's closest companion and they remained inseparable until her mom passed away in 2003.  Maggie lived in happy retirement with her furry brothers and sisters until she passed away at the ripe old age of 18. 

Since her return to the United States, Mandy has been active with several animal rescue groups and currently shares her home with several wonderful former shelter dogs.  She has dual Bachelor's Degree in Applied Human Behavior and Cultural Anthropology and a minor in Business Management.   Mandy left the corporate world, where she had worked in Human Resources and Business Management, in 2007 in order to realize the dream of owning her own business.  In 2008, Paws & Kisses Pet Sitting opened for business.

Mandy is very active in the Presents 4 Pets campaign, raising funds and collecting donations for local animal shelters.  In the past four years, her local campaign has collected pet care items and raised funds totaling over $ 20,000.00, all of which is distributed each year in time for the holidays to local animal shelters and rescue groups.

Bill OramBill Oram always had pets while growing up and shares a great love of animals with his wife, Mandy.  They are co-owners of the business.

Bill retired from the United States Air Force (USAF) in 2004 after 20 years of active duty.  Bill and Mandy travelled far and wide, as his career with the Air Force took the family to several states and several different countries.  Wherever they have called home over the years, several furry family members were also sure to reside.  When he is not at work at his job with a local aerospace company, Bill assists his wife in providing quality pet sitting services to area humans and animals.

About the Staff:

Karen OramIf you ask anyone who knows her, most would agree that Karen Oram was born an animal lover.  Currently, Karen and her husband are the proud pet parents of a pit bull/lab mix who is six and eight cats, ranging from two to thirteen years of age.  All of Karen's pets are rescues.

Karen is employed full-time at the Westport branch of the Connecticut Humane Society.  She is responsible for administrative duties at the front desk, including incoming animals, as well as animal care and adoption counseling.  Her passion for animals and her belief in rescue is realized professionally and personally through her work at the Humane Society.  Karen has been employed part-time with Paws & Kisses since its inception.

Karen has also cared for pets of family and friends for years.  Her experience with felines, in particular, has prepared her for dealing with medicating cats, and brushing and grooming them.  She has even used her experience with American Sign Language to help communicate with a deaf cat she adopted.  She has worked with one of her cats, now deceased, as a therapy cat at a local nursing home.  Karen has pursued her love of nature professionally and has an Associate’s Degree in Science in Horticulture.  She is also a licensed Arborist and Pesticide Applicator in the State of CT.

Sarah MurrellSarah Murrell has been an animal lover her whole life. Growing up with dogs, and saving stray cats when she was younger has grown into a professional passion.  Sarah moved to Connecticut from San Francisco, California where she worked as a professional dog walker.  She has a B.S. degree in Environmental Science from Southern CT State University and a professional certificate in "Leadership in Sustainability and Environmental Management" from U.C. Berkeley.  She is also a graduate of the dogTEC Dog Walking Academy and is certified in Pet CPR and First Aid.

While working in San Francisco, Sarah managed dog playgroups with 6-8 dogs in an off-leash environment. She assessed dogs on their personalities, social skills and overall demeanor's in order to place them in a group that fitted their needs.  Sarah trained her groups to respond to specific commands to keep them safe and enjoying their playtime.

Sarah has devoted time to stray animal shelters, volunteered for rescue organizations, and fostered rescues.  Sarah and her fiancé, Nick, adopted two rescues last year who have added a whole new dimension to their life.  Thelma and Louise are energetic pug mixes who have truly distinct personalities.


Lisa SpinelliLisa Spinelli has lived in the Valley her whole life, and has had dogs for as long as she can remember.  As a child, Lisa would often bring home stray dogs and other animals.  Lisa is currently the proud pet parent to six dogs, including an English Springer Spaniel, a Pug/Chihuahua mix and 4 Dachshunds.  Lisa also shares her home with two birds: a Yellow Nape Amazon and a Cockatiel.

Sharing her home with multiple pets all her life has given Lisa a breadth of experience in caring for furred and feathered beings.  Lisa's friends and family often turn to her for help and advice on pet care issues.  She has helped several rescue dogs stay in their adopted homes by providing behavioral training to both the dogs and their humans.

Lisa and her family own several local businesses, including Valley Floor Service, LLC and VP Printing, both based in Ansonia.  However, Lisa's passion lies with her furred and feathered friends.  She is extremely excited to begin a career in pet-sitting and cannot wait to share her compassion for animals with others.