Aside from boat ramps and storage units, dog parks are another thing you will surely find in Lake Havasu City. Our town is full of dog-friendly businesses for our full-time and part-time citizens looking to take their pups out with them. But what about when you can’t take your dogs- or animals with you? Kiley Martzke owns Kiley’s Pet Care to be there for your pets when you can’t.
Kiley’s Background
Kiley was born and raised in Wisconsin before moving to Lake Havasu City to attend college at ASU at Lake Havasu. While she attended school, she needed an extra way to make money without interfering with her classes. Kiley then got the idea to post flyers around town with her number on tabs for people to take and inquire about pet sitting. From there, Kiley’s side hustle turned into the full-time business
that it is more than 6 years later. Between attending school and starting her business, Kiley also spent 3 years as a veterinarian technician, where she learned the valuable skills of administering IV fluids, medications, and more.
Kiley enjoys kayaking, hiking, reading, cooking, exercising, and weekly activities with her grandparents outside of work. She also loves spending time with her fur babies, Chihuahua Kameo and Nali Jane, another dog, Licky Luciano, and Ezra, a Siamese cat.
Kiley’s Pet Care
As a pet sitter, Kily enjoys the excitement she gets from both her clients and their pets. “I love the tail wags and runs I get when I enter their home or when they come into mine. I love how relaxed and comfortable they are with me and my dogs, and it reminds me why I started pet sitting and continue to do it.” Owning your own business can be tricky, and Kiley is grateful she has such loving clients. “Some fears I have as a pet sitter is getting a call that a client’s pet has passed away or a bad review on Orchids and Onions. I am so lucky I haven’t experienced either one. I pay attention to how I communicate with clients because they mean so much to me.”
Kiley’s pet-sitting services are 3 to 4 visits daily, overnights, walks, and in-home care. She travels to Havasu Heights and Parker and serves Lake Havasu City. Aside from pet-sitting dogs, she has watched cats, pigs, and goats. In addition to pet sitting, Kiley offers care services such as waste removal, nail trimming, vet visits, house sitting, watering plants, picking up mail/packages, and even tidying up the house on overnight stays.
“If I feel I need to do the dishes, sweep, wipe the counters down, or take out the trash, I will. I always leave the house the way I left it.”
After a motorcycle accident in 2022, Kiley faced severe injuries and trauma. This year has been about her rediscovery. Battling PTSD and an ankle injury with plates and screws, she initiated Walks-n-Wags, a group for K-9 companions and dog lovers in Lake Havasu City. The group meets twice monthly for walks or hikes, sometimes at the beach or a restaurant. In October, Kiley successfully organized the first Walks-n-Wags event, partnering with Minors Diner, Havasu Good Dog Training, Heavenly Paws Dog Grooming, and Woof-ing Good Dog Bakery. They donated 10% of the proceeds to R&R Pet Sanctuary. Kiley, also a Pet Sitter, expressed her amazement, saying, “This event was amazing, and I was in awe of what I accomplished for our town and people who love dogs as much as I do.”
What’s Next for Kiley?
While her calendar is booked for December due to the holiday season, Kiley is now booking out into May 2024. Coming up on December 23rd, Walks-n-Wags is holding another event, Christmas Dress Up + Doggie Gift Exchange, where a Christmas basket will be awarded to the best dressed. A hot cocoa stand and Havasu Good Dog Training is set to attend the event as well. It will take place at Jack Hardie Park at 9 am.
For more information on her services, you can contact Kiley at 719-553-7271 and follow Kiley’s Pet Care on Facebook for additional updates.