Candace Aguiar Dempsey spent several years working in various administrative and clerical office positions, all the while yearning to do something meaningful with her life. She has wanted to pursue a career involving animals for over a decade, and in 2007, received an opportunity to work with an established pet-sitting company as an independent contractor. Candace knew she had found her true calling, and in 2008, she established City of Noses Pet Sitting, LLC. Candace has been an active volunteer with the Oregon Humane Society since 2004, working in the cattery as well as opening her home to foster animals when the shelter is in need. Candace shares her home with two Labrador Retriever-mixes, four cats, and several fish. An advocate for responsible pet ownership, Candace encourages spaying and neutering as well as routine veterinary visits to ensure optimal pet health.

Thanks to her volunteer work, pet-sitting background, and her own multi-pet household, Candace has extensive experience with all kinds of cats and dogs, as well as fish, birds, rabbits, turtles, etc. She has helped care for senior pets and puppies needing training consistency, as well as pets of varying ages and personalities in between. She has taken traditional positive-reinforcement obedience classes with her own dogs, is a member of Pet Sitters International, and is insured and bonded.

Candace’s philosophy is that pets are most comfortable (and therefore well-behaved) in their own homes with their regular routines. Candace knows that no one can replace their two-legged companions, but by mirroring the daily patterns to which pets are accustomed, she can ensure their absolute comfort when their humans are away. Another bonus of having a regular, consistent pet-sitter is the importance of socializing a pet with other humans besides their constant companions. This is especially crucial for puppies and kittens who are just learning about the world, but for any dog or cat, good manners requires reinforcement throughout their lives. Candace provides much more than a mid-day potty break; she consistently reinforces your training methods on her visits. As an adoptive parent to two dogs and five cats, Candace understands that each pet is an individual, and takes the time to get to know your pet’s specific personality.

Originally from Hilo, on the Big Island of Hawaii, Candace spent several years in Iowa, where she received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature with a minor in History from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, before moving to Portland in 1998. She has been married to her husband, Gryffyd, since 2002 and they now live in the Montavilla area of Portland. When they get time off, Candace and Gryffyd enjoy spending time on the Oregon Coast with their dogs. They also enjoy bicycling and home improvement projects. Candace also loves reading, specifically historical novels, crocheting, as well as cooking and baking.

City of Noses is a one-woman operation, which means you know who is taking care of your pets at all times: Candace. There is a contingency plan for emergencies or illness thanks to pet-sitters Candace has worked with in the past. You can rest assured that Candace takes the care of your pets seriously and will do everything in her power to ensure that if a replacement is necessary, your pets will receive consistent and quality care.