Lorraine Zdeb
Experience
A pioneer in the pet sitting industry, Lorraine has dedicated most of her adult life to educating others on basic and advanced methods of care of animals. Lorraine also supports holistic pet care products from Life’s Abundance.
Awards
1996 – Congressional Award
Lorraine was honored with a Congressional Award for her work with animal rescue groups and educational efforts on behalf of animals. The award was given by Congressman Bob Franks, NJ Seventh Congressional District.
1998 – NAPPS Hall of Fame Inductee
Lorraine appeared in Dog Fancy Magazine as the second inductee into the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters Hall Of Fame.
Wolf Education
In the 1980s, Lorraine travelled to Alaska to study wolves in order to gain a more intimate understanding of dogs and their ancestry. She has been a frequent invited speaker for local events and tv programs involving her study of wolves. She is also a Wolf Song Of Alaska wolf education volunteer.
Animal Rescue Efforts
1999
In September of 1999, the flood waters resulting from Tropical Storm Floyd devastated Lorraine’s hometown of Manville, NJ and neighboring town, Bound Brook. Parts of both towns were under 20+ feet of water, with residents clamoring to their roofs awaiting rescue in many cases.
Rescue efforts were in full swing, with the National Guard, first responders and volunteers transporting people from flooded areas, but oftentimes, pets were left behind. Pet owners who were brought or found their way to shelters were forced or chose to stay outside with their pets who were not allowed in due to safety issues.
Understanding the deep connection between humans and animals, Lorraine initiated the first large scale natural disaster animal rescue effort in the area. She began by rallying her team of pet sitters and utilized her large network, enlisting volunteers experienced in animal care from nearby towns.
Lorraine’s 5.5-acre farm was transformed into a makeshift triage center. Using her renovated barn which had the advantage of well water, Lorraine, alongside local veterinarians from the Somerset Vet Group and Hillsborough Veterinary Hospital, provided medical attention to animals brought in by her dedicated team.
The Somerset County Animal Rescue Team was born.
Local pet stores contributed food, which Lorraine and other volunteers distributed to pets in the flood-affected areas.
One of Love Your Pet’s pet sitters convinced Guardsmen to take her into flooded area of Manville to rescue endangered pets who were tethered or confined in flooded homes there. Other volunteers visited local flood shelters to gather information about lost pets and offered comfort to residents who had lost their homes. People were relieved when they learned that Lorraine and her ad hoc group of animal lovers had arranged temporary foster homes for their beloved pets. Additionally, she and her team facilitated the transport of larger dogs and other pets to kennels with more space, while also managing incoming calls from worried pet owners.
Press
She has given numerous seminars, written many articles, and has appeared on Good Day New York, ABCNews, 20/20, NBC, People Magazine, Fox Channel 5, Dr. Jonathan Greenfield’s, The Family Pet, Long Island, NY, as well as many other cable television shows. She has been quoted by: The Wall Street Journal, Miami Herald, Dallas Morning News, and The San Fransisco Examiner, just to name a few. Lorraine has also given many radio interviews all over the United States and Canada.
Promoting Responsible Pet Guardianship
As dedicated pet guardians who work to educate pet owners on responsible pet guardianship, Lorraine and twin sister, Lillian donated a dog statue which stands in the leash-free dog park at Colonial Park.
BE A RESPONSIBLE PET OWNER
HONOR THE LEASH LAWS
INOCULATE AGAINST DISEASE
AND REMEMBER TO
SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR PETS
WE ARE STRONG WHEN WE ARE TOGETHER
YOUR PETS DEPEND ON YOU
RETURN THE LOVE
