ANIMAL lover Sam Roythorne has taken the plunge to fulfil one of her life-long ambitions by having a drastic career change.

The 31-year-old, who lives in Royal Wootton Bassett, has traded her job as an events organiser at a publishing company in Oxford to set up her own mobile pet care service called Animals at Home Ltd.

And the Swindon District and North Wiltshire branch of the nationally franchised company will be up and running for business later this month.

“I always wanted to work with animals and never got round to doing it,” said Sam, who has two dogs, two cats and a rabbit.

“I looked into retraining as a vet or veterinary nurse and financially it wasn’t possible. I saw this and thought it was perfect, not only can I work with animals all day but I can run my own business.

“It’s a big change from what I was doing before,” she added. “I am a local girl and wanted to give something back to the community.”

Sam will be catering to both client and pet needs, such as being on call as an animal ambulance driver to pet sitting. Yesterday she was finishing her training in the Isle of Wight.

Her other services include dog walking, cat care, dog home boarding and an animal taxi service. The service will be carried out in Sam’s DEFRA licensed pet transporter.

The business will serve Swindon, Highworth, Faringdon, Royal Wootton Bassett, Cricklade, Malmesbury, Chippenham, Calne and Marlborough.

Sam added: “Animals at Home Ltd, have offered their services on the Isle of Wight for the last 12 years and have expanded through franchise areas throughout the UK. I will officially begin trading in Swindon and the surrounding areas from the end of May.”

For more information go to: www.animalsathome.co.uk/swindon-district or call Sam on 07496 855694.