We’re Helicopter Pet Parents, Too

Hi! I’m Michelle Baker and I developed Furkids Inc. a long, long time ago.

I couldn’t find a pet care solution that met my furkids and I’s needs and also fit into my hectic work schedule of owning two wildly popular restaurants. I admit, I am a high-maintenance Pet Parent, something I proudly own. I was willing to pay for the best care, but it just didn’t exist. It was either dumping my pups off at an unstructured doggie daycare or having someone walk them in Florida’s daytime heat for 15 to 30 minutes. None of these options were the right choice for me and my furry family.

Six years, animal behavior specialists education and training, and a pandemic later, I finally had all the dog-puzzle pieces in place to launch the first services of Furkids Inc. This first of its kind pet care operation provides in-home safe, structured, and engaging supervised activities. These activities are professionally designed by animal behavior specialists to enrich, fulfill, and yep, tire out your furkids all in their home!

I’m well known throughout the Tampa Bay area for my once-upon-a-time restaurants, The Refinery and Fodder & Shine, for my work ethic and for my tendency to disrupt industries (like the pet care industry). My chef husband, Greg Baker, and I left the restaurant world behind just before the pandemic started to pursue a healthier work-life balance. Kismet, right?

Michelle is a Tampa Bay Business Journal (TBBJ) Business Woman of the Year nominee, a TBBJ 40 under 40 winner, and she is now, proudly, a certified Animal Behavioral Specialist, a Fear Free certified Behavioral Professional and a Fear Free certified Daycare & Boarding Professional. She is also well known through the Tampa Bay area pet rescue circles, having volunteered for many rescues throughout the years. Michelle is also a former Volunteer Keeper at Big Cat Rescue, where she learned many fundamentals of big cat behavior, enrichment possibilities, and their health. She now spends her free time with her husband and five furkids; Willa Mae, Gary, Handsome Dick, Lucy, and Lord Carlton Pissfinger Wigglebutts VII.

Furkids Inc. is dedicated to Whiskers, Pandora, Eva, Rory, Bacchus, Gloria, Fisty Joe, and Ricky Bobby.