Cardiff pet carer celebrates 20 years of service

Petpals Cardiff is celebrating two decades of pet care across the city, which have seen it look after more than 500 animals.

What began as a simple ambition has grown into one of Cardiff’s most trusted pet care services, with Maxine becoming a familiar and reassuring presence for hundreds of local pet owners.

Owner Maxine Neal said: “When I started back in 2006, I just knew I wanted to work with animals and be outdoors. It didn’t feel like a traditional ‘career path’ at the time – it was more about doing something I genuinely loved every day.

“I always hoped Petpals Cardiff would be known for reliability and compassion. Seeing clients come back year after year – and knowing they feel completely comfortable leaving their pets with me – is the biggest achievement.”

Giving back has also remained an important part of Neal’s work over the years. She has raised funds for charities including Battersea Dogs Home, Dogs Trust, Cancer Research, PDSA and the RSPCA, while also supporting local causes through volunteering.

In her spare time, she volunteers with British Dalmatian Welfare and the Rottweiler Welfare Association, carrying out home checks and assessments, and supports a local initiative, ‘We Give a Poop’, to help keep community spaces clean.

Looking ahead, Neal remains focused on the same principles that started it all. “For me, it’s always about making sure every pet is happy, safe and well looked after,” she said. “If owners feel completely at ease knowing their pet is in good hands, then I’ve done my job.”