Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contacts:
Karin Machusic, PR, Out-U-Go! Mobile: 925-708-2179 or karin.machusic@outugo.com
Jacqueline Trost, Director of Public Relations, Village Green: 248-932-2770; jtrost@villagegreen.com

Chicago-based pet care franchise to provide exclusive pet care services at Chicagoland properties

CHICAGO, February 4, 2014 – Chicago-based Out-U-Go! Pet Care Services franchise today announced the launch of a special partnership with Village Green, one of the Midwest’s leading owners, managers and developers of luxury apartment communities. The relationship will bring premium pet care amenities to residents of Village Green’s Chicagoland communities. As the official vendor of Village Green’s pet care services, Out-U-Go! will provide Village Green residents with pet care services, as well as also host signature pet-themed events at participating properties.

“We are devoted to providing our residents with exceptional experiences,” commented Andrea Humanic, Executive Manager, Village Green Benefits, Chicago. “Out-U-Go! has developed an outstanding reputation as a premiere residential pet care provider, and we are excited to offer their extraordinary pet care services to benefit Village Green residents in the Chicagoland area.”

The partnership between national leaders in the pet care and apartment industry couldn’t come at a better time: According to “2013 Pet-Friendly Renting Trends” published by apartments.com, approximately 75-percent of renters have pets, marking a 32-percent increase from 2012. Cats and small dogs still top the most popular apartment pets, and increasingly, apartments (approximately 78-percent) are allowing pets. Meanwhile, the pet industry is estimated to have grown to $55 billion in 2013, up $2 billion in year-over-year expansion, according to the American Pet Products Association.

“We are excited to work with Village Green to bring a wide range of high-quality pet care services to benefit residents at their Chicago area locations,” said David Lipschultz, CEO and Top Dog at Out-U-Go! He added, “Our goal is to make busy pet parents’ lives easier as they juggle work, life and travel, and our Out-U-Go! team is dedicated to providing exceptional care that pets deserve and that pet parents want.”

As pet specialists, Out-U-Go! is recognized for the individual attention provided to customers, and more importantly, their beloved animal friends. Out-U-Go! offers a full range of residential pet care services including dog walking, cat and critter care, overnight house sitting services, pet taxi services and , and of course complimentary belly rubs at every visit. With flexible scheduling, a full-time office staff, competitive rates and trustworthy, trained pet sitters, the company demonstrates an unmatched customer service mindset.

About Out-U-Go!®

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Chicago, Out-U-Go! provides professional, personalized dog walking and pet care services for all of the family pets with the ultimate mission to make the world a better place for pets and people. The company has provided more than 1,000,000 pet visits at its nine franchise locations in Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin. Future growth plans include the opening of additional national locations.

With a focus on its local communities, Out-U-Go! helps support rescue programs and environmentally responsible business practices. The company carries all appropriate insurance and is a certified member of Pet Sitters International. For more information about Out-U-Go!, please visit www.outugo.com.

About Village Green

Village Green, with offices in Cincinnati, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Indianapolis, Minneapolis and St. Louis, is one of the nation’s largest privately held developers and managers of luxury apartment communities. Established in 1919, Village Green operates approximately 43,000 apartments in over 160 rental communities under four distinct brands: Village Green, City Apartments, Regents Park and Village Park, as well as V-Suites Furnished Apartments. Explore villagegreen.com.

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Press Release

For Immediate Release

Contacts:
Karin Machusic, mobile: 925-708-2179 or karin.machusic@outugo.com
Lisa Hartman, 608-289-9599 or lisa@outugo.com

Out-U-Go! meets demand for high quality residential pet care throughout Madison

CHICAGO, January 27, 2014 – Out-U-Go!®, a national pet sitting and dog walking service, this month celebrates its first anniversary since opening its Madison location. The company is based in Chicago with nine locations across the U.S., including Wisconsin. Recognized for its customized pet care, Out-U-Go! provides Madison pet parents with peace of mind when they are on vacation, at work or simply on-the-go.

“Lisa Hartman has developed a remarkable pet care community,” says David Lipschultz, President & Top Dog, Out-U-Go! Franchising, LLC. He added, “She has a passion for pets complemented by strong business acumen, which is reflected in her success in developing her business while maintaining a strong partnership with local animal rescue groups and all of the furry friends in her charge.”

Wisconsin native Lisa Hartman (above right with her own dog Finn) is an outdoor enthusiast and long-time donor/volunteer for the Dane County Humane Society. With an MBA from Edgewood College and 15 years in senior level positions with US Cellular, where she concentrated on creating superior customer experiences, Ms. Hartman has admittedly “over-achieved” to meet the needs for pet care services in the community.

“I am proud and thrilled that the Madison area has responded so favorably to our business,” said Ms. Hartman. “In our first year we have provided almost 4000 pet visits,” she remarked, adding “We have over 250 pet parents whose four-legged children we care for, whether it is daily dog walks, overnight care or Cat/Critter care.” She has built a team of 10 pet sitters and is presently searching for two more amazing pet sitters to join her team. “Our accessibility and reliability set us apart in pet care,” Ms. Hartman commented. “We welcome pet parent customers on a daily, weekly or monthly basis or as their needs dictate,” she explained.

As pet specialists, Out-U-Go! is recognized for the individual attention provided to customers, and more importantly, their beloved pet pals. “We have a full range of residential pet care services including dog walking, cat and critter care, overnight house sitting services, pet taxi services and of course belly rubs come with every visit,” Ms. Hartman said. With flexible scheduling, a full-time office staff, competitive rates and trustworthy, trained pet sitters, the company demonstrates an unmatched customer service mindset.

Learn more about Out-U-Go! Madison by visiting https://outugo.com/; https://www.facebook.com/OutUGoMadison; www.yelp.com/biz/out-u-go-madison-madison, or call Lisa Hartman at 608-289-9599 or e-mail Madison@outugo.com.

About Out-U-Go!®

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Chicago, Out-U-Go! provides professional, personalized dog walking and pet care services for all of the family pets with the ultimate mission to make the world a better place for pets and people. The company has provided more than 1,000,000 pet visits at its nine franchise locations in Colorado, Florida, Illinois and Wisconsin. Future growth plans include the opening of additional national locations.

With a focus on its local communities, Out-U-Go! helps support rescue programs and environmentally responsible business practices. The company carries all appropriate insurance and is a certified member of Pet Sitters International. For more information about Out-U-Go!, please visit https://outugo.com.

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Written by Alison Moran, Out-U-Go! pet parent and Sports Commentator on WRLR 98.3 FM.

My dog, Duke Francis Moran, who made me a dog-mom 11 years ago in March.

“Alison, what’s wrong with it just being us two?” the ex asked on our 10th Anniversary.

“I need more. That’s what.” I said.

And just like that, the two of us became three, as adoptive parents to Duke, a gorgeous, spirited, and intelligent lab-terrier mix, from our local animal shelter, the Animal Care League of Oak Park and River Forest. I recommend them highly if you are looking for your own pet. And in the interest of full disclosure, the organization was founded by my brother as his Eagle Scout community service project. And it grew.

I’ve never had any biological children. Not for lack of trying…just a lack of luck. I love children. So I’ve tried to be nurturing to those around me.

Yet, I am often discounted on the most sacred of parental holidays, Mother’s Day.

In fact, some people, thoughtlessly, have  told me that I “don’t count,” because I have never conceived, adopted, or fostered a child. Yet, I am a woman who has nurtured much, loved well, and provided for my parents, siblings and 11 nieces and nephews. I even helped raise my oldest niece when she was a toddler, during her parents’ divorce.

But then, there is Duke, my pride and joy. Life with Duke is magical, joyful and special. He is the one I come home to, and walk every night. The one I trust OutUGo to feed, walk and nurture when I need to be out of town, as I would a babysitter. I interviewed and vetted pet-walking services as carefully as a mother vets nannies for her baby.

Caring for Duke’s needs made me aware of being responsible for needs 24/7.

Why then, can’t pet parents be recognized as the nurturers they are, and given proper respect or credit?

For instance, what pet parent can’t relate to these stories:

I’ve stayed up late…all night, when necessary, with Duke as he fought through infections, poisoning and illness.

I gave him Pedialyte to restore his fluids to normal after diarhhea and Benadryl for itchy flea dander.

He used to be scared of thunderstorms, and the only way he stopped being scared was if I fed him warm milk and cuddled with him. Or gave him a veterinarian-prescribed (and very expensive) sedative. I lost many nights of sleep between 2002 and 2004 because of storm-related traumas.

I’ve bathed him in our family bathtub, choosing his oatmeal and aloe-vera soap carefully, as his sensitive skin wouldn’t take just any soap. And I spent a lot of time cleverly devising ways to get him under the shower stream to rinse (extra treats work like a charm), and patting his wriggling wet self dry with a big bath towel.

One day, as Duke was chewing a new squeaky toy, he stopped all of a sudden and came over to me, putting his head in my lap.

What a sweetheart, I thought.

Then, he opened his massive terrier jaw to reveal the squeaker imbedded in one of his front teeth. It was a silent cry from a son to his mother, saying “Help me, Mommy. I’m hurting.”

I pushed and pulled until the squeaker was finally released from his tooth. It took awhile, as it was imbedded in his tooth. Duke didn’t like the intrusion as I pushed, pulled, prodded and finally, yanked. My arm was a mass of tooth bites from the other teeth he’d clamped while I was working on him.

That wasn’t all that made me feel like I was trying to control a toddler. Duke used to regularly slip his collar as we were out walking. He’d run so fast, he’d disappear into the distance. I’d chase after him as searched for a sign of his fluffy retriever tail.  Eventually, he’d always come home, thanks to the aid of a neighbor, a policeman, or his own accord. But one time, Animal Control got to him first, and he spent two days in “Doggie Jail” on South Western Avenue.

When we came to pick him up, he stretched to his full height on his back legs, and barked piteously. That little adventure cost me more than $100 to get him out and registered with the City of Chicago. He later chewed off his tags. To this day, he won’t wear dog tags.

He also picked up a nice case of kennel cough, which cost me a cool $250.

Hallmark Cards appears to agree with me, as does the entire canine-care industry, which earns hundreds of billions of dollars a year in veterinary care, accessories, pet hotels, pet insurance, pet-sitting businesses, and many other cottage industries.

Nearby my house is a canine massage therapist, who has been there for a good, long time now. The place used to be called “The Yuppie Puppy.”

One year, on Mother’s Day, I received a beautiful Hallmark Card, inscribed  lovingly from “my boys:”

“To Alison, from your two slobbering mutts.”  

Yes, I will never have to pick up the cost of a college tuition, or give a wedding reception, or have “grandchildren.”  But if “mothering” is “nurturing,” and caring for their needs, I am all over that one.

Pet parents, what do you think?

By Alison Moran, May 10, 2013 at 4:04 pm

http://www.chicagonow.com/token-female/2013/05/in-praise-of-pet-parents-on-mothers-day/

Out-U-Go! Naperville Top Dog Aschley Hopkins Yanda and canine Office Manager, Berkeley, sit down with NCTV17’s award-winning Executive Director, Liz Spencer, in a thirty minute free-flowing conversational TV interview.  Aschley shares her unique experience as a local business owner, including her successes and community involvement.

http://www.nctv17.com/businessconnection/

Out-U-Go! is included in Franchise Times Magazine’s list of best names in the franchising business, “What’s in a name?”

For full or past issues, please visit Edgewood College’s School of Business Newsletter Archives.

Lisa Hartman, MBA ’11, opens Out-U-Go! Franchise in Madison

Congratulations to Lisa Hartman, who opened a new Out-U-Go! location in Madison in January. Out-U-Go! provides professional, personalized dog walking and pet care services for all of the family pets with the ultimate mission to make the world a better place for pets and people. Lisa previously spent 15 years in senior level positions with US Cellular, where she concentrated on creating superior customer experiences. She is looking forward to applying these experiences in her own business in addition to her strong educational background and passion for animals.

Out-U-Go!, a national pet-sitting and dog-walking service, opened in Madison on Thursday.

The Madison franchise, located at 330 W. Lakeside St., is operated by Lisa Hartman. It is the ninth location for the Chicago-based business and its first in Wisconsin.

Services offered include dog walking, cat sitting, house sitting, pet taxi and pet care.

For further information, contact Hartman at 608-268-9161 or Madison@outugo.com.

Read more: http://host.madison.com/business/pet-sitting-dog-walking-service-out-u-go-opens-in/article_090cee40-6739-11e2-9739-0019bb2963f4.html#ixzz2XpPUDKrJ

January 25, 2013 3:50 pm  •  State Journal staff

Naperville Area Humane Society (NAHS) board of directors has elected local business owner Aschley Hopkins Yanda.

Yanda owns a local pet care company, Out-U-Go! Naperville, and has a long history working on behalf of animals in need and advocating for animal welfare. Through volunteer work with Naperville Area Humane Society, Don’t Bully My Breed, Safe Humane Chicago, Best Friends Animal Society and San Francisco Society for Prevention and Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), she has accumulated years of experience creating awareness for animals in need and for the organizations which serve them.
Yanda’s professional experience began with non-profit fundraising, then grew to include large scale event planning for restaurants and hotels in San Francisco and Chicago. In 2009, she opened the Naperville area pet care franchise Out-U-Go! Naperville where she oversees a team of pet sitters, providing in home pet care and dog walking for families throughout the Western suburbs.

“I am extremely excited about joining this board of talented and experienced individuals,” said Yanda, “I look to forward to supporting the mission of NAHS and to furthering community awareness about humane education and homelessness among pets in our community.”

Yanda and her family have four rescued pets, including two cats from NAHS. Her first rescued dog was Berkeley Moon, a pit bull mix who was AAT (Animal Assisted Therapy) certified and along with Yanda became the first ever team in the NAHS Paws for Tales program.

About Out-U-Go! Naperville

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in Chicago, Out-U-Go! provides professional, personalized dog walking and pet sitting services with the ultimate mission to make the world a better place for pets and people.

With a focus on its local communities, Out-U-Go! helps support rescue programs and environmentally responsible business practices. The company carries all appropriate insurance and is a certified member of Pet Sitters International. For more information about Out-U-Go!, please visit http://naperville.outugo.com

http://www.triblocal.com/naperville/community/stories/2012/04/naperville-business-owner-elected-to-naperville-area-humane-society-board/
By Out-U-Go! April 16, 2012 at 3:01 p.m.

Airline tickets? Check. Hotel accommodations? Check. Hold the mail? Check. Made plans for your pet?

Heading out of town for a long-awaited vacation takes a lot of planning. If you’re a pet owner, you have the added task of ensuring that Heathcliff or Sasha is fed, exercised and well cared for while the rest of the pack is away.

NAHS: Keep pets safe while on vacation

By Angie Wood www.napervilleareahumanesociety.org March 12, 2012 5:38PM

Heading out of town for a long-awaited vacation takes a lot of planning. If you’re a pet owner, you have the added task of ensuring that Heathcliff or Sasha is fed, exercised and well cared for while the rest of the pack is away.

As stewards of the cats and dogs under our care, we at NAHS are well aware that an individual pet’s temperament, personality and social skills need to be taken into account when determining the best environment for him. Some cats and dogs enjoy being around other pets, while others are stressed by changes to daily routines. Whether you decide to board your pet or use the services of a pet sitter, choose the option that best suits your pet.

Boarding facilities

Boarding a pet might conjure images of chain-link runs and outdoor kennels. While those places still exist, many of today’s facilities offer more open environments that encourage group play. At Paws in Time, the basic accommodations include an individual room with a cot and a clear door for visual stimulation.

For more “deluxe” accommodations, child-sized beds and even TVs are provided.

During the day, Paws in Time offers cage-free play in a 20,000-square-foot indoor/outdoor facility that includes full-time supervision, toys and swimming pools in warmer months.

Paws in Time founder and head trainer Julie Nelson recommends boarding for dogs that are “social, energetic, and appreciate the ability to run around and get fresh air.” She believes that most dogs benefit from the exercise and interaction offered at a boarding facility, especially when they are trained to board.

“I encourage people to train their dogs to board,” Julie says. “Before you go on vacation, board your dog with us. Drop your dog off on a Tuesday, and pick him up on a Thursday. Do it again a month later. By the time the vacation rolls around, the pet is conditioned to know that when his toys, food and other items are gathered, he goes to Paws in Time or another facility, and then he is picked up and brought back home. When this becomes a habit, it eases separation anxiety for your pet, and he looks forward to his time away as well.”

She also suggests dropping dogs off a day before the vacation.

“When suitcases start appearing, and pet owners are focused on last-minute preparations, dogs sense our emotions and become very anxious.”

Before making a reservation, Paws in Time requires an onsite visit. Trained staff evaluate your pet’s temperament and ability to interact with other dogs.

If considering a facility for boarding, visit beforehand to check for cleanliness, staff friendliness, adequate ventilation, and the condition of the rooms or kennels and yards or play areas.

Any reputable boarding facility will require updated immunization records.

Many facilities, like Paws in Time, also provide grooming services. After a week of romping with her furry friends, Sasha may need a bath before she comes home.

For heavy travel times such as spring break, Julie recommends that pet owners make their reservation a year in advance. During other times, she suggests that pet owners reserve a spot when the trip itinerary is set.

Pet-sitting services

Another option for vacation care is hiring a professional pet sitter.

While dogs and cats of all breeds, sizes and energy levels benefit from pet sitting, the services are a good option for those pets that prefer staying in the comfort of their own homes.

There are two options for pet sitting services: pet sitters can visit the home a few times a day or can stay overnight to provide round-the-clock care while you’re away.

In addition to caring for your cat or dog, pet sitting services also give your home the appearance of being lived in. Before accepting reservations for pet sitting or house sitting, Out-U-Go! Naperville schedules an in-home meet and greet with both the pet and pet owner.

During this visit, Out-U-Go! sitters meet with your pet, learn about your dog or cat, and get a firsthand look at the pet’s daily routine.

Besides feeding, watering and providing treats for dogs and changing litter boxes for cats, Out-U-Go! will walk or play with your pets, bring in mail, alternate lights and water plants. Pet owners can schedule between two and five visits per day at 25, 45 or 60 minutes each.

Out-U-Go! also provides a “Doggy Diary,” personalized notes about your pet’s day.

“Pet sitting allows dogs and cats to stay in the comfort of their own home, eat out of their own bowls and sleep in their own beds,” says Aschley Hopkins Yanda, owner and top dog of Out-U-Go! Naperville. “We treat each pet like our own and offer personalized care to meet each furry family’s specific needs.”

Out-U-Go! accepts reservations by phone, email and even through its website.

Aschley says that Out-U-Go! is available to support same-day reservation requests to meet the changing needs of busy pet owners.

For more information about Paws in Time, go to pawsintime.net, and for details about Out-U-Go! Naperville, go to Naperville.outugo.com.

Angie Wood is executive director of the Naperville Area Humane Society.
Contact her at 630-420-8989. Visit
www.napervilleareahumanesociety.org.

http://napervillesun.suntimes.com/lifestyles/11243938-423/nahs-keep-pets-safe-while-on-vacation.html