Bay Area Pet Pals

Bay Area Pet Pals is family owned and operated with over 20 years experience in pet care. We are Pet CPR and First Aid Trained, members of the Professional United Pet Sitters LLC, Pet Sitters International, as well as the Peninsula Pet Sitters Association. We are fully licensed, bonded, and insured.

History

Lynda Mortensen Bay Area Pet Pals owner, Lynda, began with “Super Scoopers” in 1989. Her business was one of the first doggie yard clean-up services in existence.

Shortly after opening, word spread that such a service existed. “Super Scoopers” was soon asked for interviews on station KNBR 68’s Frank and Mike radio show, the Alex Bennett show on KMEL and several other local stations.

Eventually, Steve Rubenstein, reporter for the SF Chronicle, heard of the service and asked to ride along for a day. He wrote a full column about Lynda’s business and her service for pets. As the “Super Scoopers” business grew, customers asked for more. “Super Scoopers” then added pet and house sitting services, pet food & supply delivery, dog walking and pet taxi services.

After taking a few years off to raise a family and succeed at other endeavors, Lynda and her crew are ready to share their experience and expertise in pet care once again – as Bay Area Pet Pals!

Lynda knew at an early age that she would eventually work with animals. As a child, she was always the one to bring home various stray animals or take in pets that friends could no longer keep. After high school, Lynda attended school for veterinary assistants. She eventually realized that a daily dose of suffering and sick animals would not be the best way to share her love of pets.

Lynda completed volunteer work for a few local animal shelters, and ended up adopting many pets with the hope of saving them from euthanization. Unfortunately, it proved to be stressful and she stopped after taking home 13 cats and four dogs.

Bay Area Pet Pals is Lynda’s dream of working with animals on a daily basis. It is a joy for her to assist people with their loved pets. She gets a daily pet "fix" and loves every minute of it.

Mortensen Family Lynda’s husband, Eric, works for a commercial property management company in Palo Alto as the CFO and a principal. In his spare time, he shares Lynda’s love of animals and occasionally helps with Bay Area Pet Pals customers.

Lynda and Eric’s sons have much experience caring for pets, walking dogs, cleaning yards and litter pans as well.

Oldest son, Lars, is attending UC Davis and studying Mechanical Engineering with a 4.3 GPA. He is an Eagle Scout, and Lynda and Eric are very proud of this achievement. Lars’ love for the family pets and the outdoors means he is a great help with Bay Area Pet Pals during summers and school vacations.

Youngest son, Anthony, attends Carlmont High School. He has over seven years of experience playing alto saxophone with his school’s band and is also learning to play guitar. Anthony is a Life Scout and has proudly attained the rank of Eagle. His love of the outdoors and pets also make him a great help with Bay Area Pet Pals whenever extra hands are needed.

Ryland In the Spring of 2011, Jonathan became a Bay Area Pet Pal. He has worked closely with dogs, cats, goats, and rabbits through his volunteer and internship work in Davis, California. With a true love of animals of all shapes and sizes, Jonathan appreciates the importance of our pets in our lives and the pure joy that they bring to us. The sight of a dog’s wagging tail, or a cat curled up on a chair, instantly brings a smile to his face. Jonathan has experience handling big and small dogs through his volunteer work at a Davis, California dog rescue.

Jonathan truly enjoys getting to know your pets and becoming great pals with them. His goal is to ensure that your pets will be as delighted as he is during walks and pet sitting visits.

Born and raised in San Mateo, Jonathan has earned a BA in Political Science at UC Davis. He is an avid ice hockey fan and has played the sport since he was in kindergarten. Music is also a big part of his life; whether it is playing instruments, listening to various recordings, or creating his own songs. In his spare time, Jonathan loves spending time with his talkative cat aptly named, "Kitty", and his brothers’ feline rascals that also inhabit the domain.

Bay Area Pet Pals has been proud to have Kristina join their team in the Summer of 2011. She has had a love for all animals since she was a young girl. Kristina’s pets have included cats, dogs, bunnies, hamsters, and even rats.

Kristina’s education makes her perfect for caring for your pet. She graduated from Bergin University of Canine Studies in 2011 where she received an Associate of Science Degree in Assistance Dog Education. Her expertise includes dog training techniques, dog psychology, disability studies, body mechanics, dog nutrition, canine health care, dog grooming, and even proper kennel cleaning.

Each pet and their well being mean a lot to Kristina. She truly sees them as important companions, family members, and best friends; and treats each one with love and attention.

Bay Area Pet Pals appreciates Kristina putting her experience and education to work for them. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the outdoors, hiking, camping, and going to the beach. Her favorite hobbies include cooking, reading, and trail running. Kristina also makes time to visit best friend Ollie, a golden retriever who she trained and cared for at Bergin University. Ollie works as a Therapy Dog at a Menlo Park Veterans facility and Kristina couldn’t be happier for him.

Kyle joined Bay Area Pet Pals in the Summer of 2011. Having been a resident of the peninsula for over 12 years, he has been an animal lover his entire life. From a very early age, Kyle knew that his life goal is to work hands-on with animals of all kinds. While his interests have centered on Herpetology (the study of reptiles and amphibians), it has not stopped his love for pets of all shapes and sizes. His own pets have included cats, a green iguana, veiled chameleons, leopard geckos, and red-eyed tree frogs. One can often find Kyle paying more attention to entertaining pets than anything.

Kyle’s field of study was Zoology at the University of California, Santa Barbara where he learned everything from animal behavior to physiology. He has worked in labs with some of the leading names in Vertebrate Zoology, and enjoyed every moment. Having completed his B.S., Kyle plans to attend graduate school with a focus on animal management with the goal of becoming a Zookeeper in the San Francisco Zoo someday.

Whenever there is a dog around, you can expect Kyle to be just as happy as the dog is to be playing around and having a good time. In Kyle’s spare time, he enjoys the outdoors, traveling, hiking, watching or playing ice hockey and football, cooking, reading, and trying things he has never tried before. He is an open-minded, friendly, and genuine person who can guarantee that he will do everything in his power to ensure that your pets enjoy their time with him as much as he enjoys his time with them.

As a Bay Area Pet Pal since the Autumn of 2011, Tania shares her love of pets and her passion for animal care. Friends and neighbors have counted on Tania’s help and advice in caring for local strays as well as their own pets. They know that Tania spent over seven years in the veterinary field as a receptionist, a veterinary assistant, a kennel attendant, and even a groomer. Tania is working on the completion of her degree in animal science and continues to enjoy her veterinary technology classes at Foothill College. She has already earned an AA in Zoology while attending college in San Mateo.

Over the years, Tania has visited Costa Rica, The Dominican Republic, and El Salvador to help organizations for "Perros Callejeros" (homeless dogs). Her training in calming stressed animals and providing pets with insulin injections, medications, subcutaneous fluids, and an ability to carefully draw blood; made her an asset in the local clinics. With her knowledge, Tania assisted with educating people on the importance of pet vaccinations, spaying, and neutering.

She also worked on ways to continue helping to feed dogs and cats that live in the streets. Tania dreams of helping countless animals by creating an organized foundation that helps animals in poorer countries find homes and receive the necessary medical care.

When Tania was just four years old she imagined herself working with animals. Her beloved pets varied from hamsters and rabbits, to birds. When not at work, Tania enjoys her hometown of Redwood City with her three happy Chihuahuas, three adorable cats, and one soft bunny. Tania loves hiking, going to the beach, shopping, arts, crafts, ceramics, and especially going on relaxing bike rides with her dogs.

Alisa joined the Bay Area Pet Pals family in the Fall of 2011 with a heart full of love for all furry, scaly, and feathery animals. Having grown up in San Luis Obispo, Alisa is in the process of earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Earth Systems at Stanford University. Alisa loves the active work she does surveying four endangered species that inhabit sections of land owned by Stanford. This constant interaction with animals, although the majority is reptiles and amphibians, strengthens Alisa’s knowledge and experience. One day she will reach her goal of studying ecology in exotic places around the world.

During Alisa’s childhood, her mother directed the Rancho el Chorro Outdoor School where kids learn about animals and their environment. An abundance of animals, including rehabilitated birds of prey, found sanctuary at the school. Alisa helped in caring for the many animals over the years which included rats, snakes, toads, iguanas, and birds.

Alisa understands that a pet is another member of the family and she knows the emotional and physical health of all animals is important. Her own pets, a Husky-German Sheppard mix named Nike and a leopard gecko named Gus, will attest to that. In her spare time, Alisa is an avid baker who also enjoys the great outdoors. She is enthusiastic about photography, frequently engages in squash and tennis, and especially appreciates spending time with her own lovable dog.

Karen joined Bay Area Pet Pals in the winter of 2012. Her love of animals and the outdoors has made her a great addition to the team. Dog walks and pet care are just some of her duties. In fact, Karen has been walking dogs for friends and neighbors since she was 8 years old!

As a true animal lover, Karen has not only raised several pets, she has also been a rescuer of abused or endangered animals. Nurturing animals and finding them new, loving homes has been a very rewarding experience for her. Her kindness and patience strengthens her ability to work with all kinds of people as well as their pets.

Karen owns and operates her own personal training business for over 17 years. She likes to invite her clients to bring along their furry friends for a fun workout. Whether swimming, walking, or hiking; the participants can enjoy healthy exercise right along with their pet. She is also familiar with all of the parks, trails, and beaches that are available for dogs.

Spending time with pets and family is important to Karen, and she will make sure your pet feels right at home.

Our Pets

Kramer

Smokey

Minnie

Charlotte

Ozzy

Angus

Kaylee

People Pals