About Us

Our Story

Claws and Paws Pet Sitting Service of North County San Diego is owned and operated by Gina McGrath of Encinitas. We invite you to read our pet sitter biographies, we are proud of our years of combined experience in pet care.

 

Meet Our Professional Team

Meet Our Professional Team

Claws and Paws - Owner Gina McGrath

Gina McGrath

Owner and Pack Leader

Hometown

Encinitas, CA

Pets

Slugger, a Viszla mix

Interesting fact

Once saved a clients’ 2 cats and cottage from burning down on New Year’s Day in CT.

Bio

I grew up with a menagerie of pets, including birds, fish, a cat, and dogs. The care of & showing horses was a hobby from childhood until college-age. I am originally from CT & graduated from Central CT State University with a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Psychology. My emphasis was in Mass Media and I began a career in TV production in 1990. After years of shift work & eventually burnout, I decided working for myself was a more attractive option, especially if I could combine a business with my biggest passion – dogs.

In 1996 I began a new career in pet sitting and have never looked back. I operated that first pet sitting business in CT for 8 years, then sold it in 2003 to move to CA with my husband and dog. Then, I started Claws and Paws in 2004. I have totally immersed myself in the pet sitting field, constantly striving to better myself professionally. I am a member of Pet Sitters Associates, LLC and have attended multiple pet sitting conferences. I subscribe to several pet-related discussion groups on the internet, am the moderator of two, and network with many other pet sitters in San Diego county, and all over the country.

I am proud of our accolades and accomplishments – the Claws and Paws team was named Best Dog Walking Service in San Diego by Ranch & Coast Magazine readers in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021.

John McGrath

John McGrath

Pet Care Professional

Hometown

Encinitas, CA

Pets

Slugger, a Viszla mix

Interesting fact

Lead singer and keyboardist of the best Allman Brothers Tribute band, called All Men Are Brothers.

Bio

Married to Gina, since 1995, John helped Gina start her first pet sitting business in 1996 in CT. Still providing support in the field, especially with the larger dogs and to let Gina have some time off! He grew up with dogs, a pony, cats & a goat named Alfie.

Andrea Anderson

Andrea A.

Pet Care Professional

Hometown

Encinitas, CA

Pets

Knack & Soren, German Shepherd mixes

Interesting fact

In her free time she enjoys the more wild side by volunteering at Project Wildlife for wildlife rehabilitation and also at the California Wolf Center in Julian to assist in conserving the endangered Mexican Gray Wolf.

Bio

Andrea has been caring for animals for over 20 years as a pet sitter and veterinary technician working with both domestic and exotic pets.  Along with caring for a variety of different species, she also cares for her own two pups at home, who were both rescued from Mexico and are now living their best life.

About Our Services

About Our Services

 What territories we cover and services we offer:

We serve Encinitas (including Olivenhain, Leucadia, Cardiff), Rancho Santa Fe, La Costa, and Solana Beach.

Services we offer include:

Daily/Weekly Dog Walking
Pet Sitting
Overnights
Reverse Overnights (Day care in your home)
Live-In Service
Pet taxi
Concierge Service

Sorry, we do NOT offer boarding. All services take place in your home, or hotel room/airbnb.

We take care of all animals, including livestock & exotics.
If you don’t see what you’re looking for, just contact us, we might be able to accommodate you or give you a referral.

How To Get On My Schedule?

How To Get On My Schedule?

one

Contact Us

We need to meet with all new clients before the first booking. Contact us to let us know what dates you need a sitter, and where you live.

2

Set Up Meeting

If we can accommodate your request, we’ll set up a meeting at your home.

3

Book Pet Care

If all goes well, and you want to hire us, we’ll fill out an online contract, get the key and payment and you’ll be good to go!