Smith River Pet Care LLC

Smith River Pet Care has been proudly serving pets and their families in the Newfound Lake area of New Hampshire since June 2023. What began as a part-time passion has grown into a full-time business in 2026, built on a deep commitment to animal care and the local community.

We now offer full-time pet sitting, dog walking, and training services throughout the greater Newfound Lake area. Our mission is to provide professional, reliable care while building meaningful connections with both pets and their owners.

With Smith River Pet Care, you can have peace of mind knowing your pet is receiving the highest quality care in a safe, supportive, and compassionate environment.

Smith River Pet Care is fully insured and bonded, and is a proud member of Pet Sitters International, reflecting our commitment to professionalism, continued education, and industry best practices.

Kristen – Owner – AKC CGC Evaluator

I have worked professionally in animal welfare since 2015, with experience ranging from Animal Caregiver to Director of Animal Care and Practice Manager—and just about everything in between. For the past 7.5 years, I’ve worked with an animal shelter, starting as an Adoption Counselor. In 2021, I was promoted to Director of Animal Care, where I oversaw animal intakes and outcomes, out-of-state transports, medical care, behavior programs, foster homes, volunteers, staff management, and more for an average of 50-70 animals at any given time.

In 2024, I helped open and manage a general practice animal hospital associated with the shelter that operated under an access-to-care model. My role there has truly been hands-on—I filled in at reception, assisted with appointments, monitored anesthesia, assisted with x-rays, and even learned how to draw blood! To say my career has been focused on animals would be an understatement.

I’ve had a deep passion for animal care since I was a little girl, and I feel incredibly lucky that my entire professional career reflects that passion. During my time in animal welfare, I developed a strong interest in animal behavior. Understanding how to communicate with the fuzzy critters who share our homes has always fascinated me. Teaching others about animal behavior and how to effectively communicate with their pets has always been a passion of mine.

I’ve completed certifications in Animal CPR, Fear Free Shelter, Shelter Animal Medical Management, Clinic Management, and an 8-week Shelter Animal Behavioral Management course. Recently, I added AKC CGC Evaluator to my list of certifications! My career has been well-balanced between husbandry, behavioral, and medical care, giving me confidence in handling and caring for a wide variety of animals—from gerbils to dogs, chickens, bearded dragons, goats, and just about everything in between.