New Owner Brings Diverse Skills to Colby Pet Services

Pets can be like kids at times: they’re treasured members of a family, but occasionally they need baby sitters. One Westford man is looking to be the person folks call when that thought crosses their mind.

Jim Barabe will be taking his three years caring for dogs, cats, guinea pigs, snakes, chickens, horses, fish and an assortment of other creatures for Colby Pet Services into a new role as the business’ owner.

Originally coming from a biology background, earning a bachelor’s in wildlife and fisheries and a master’s in wildlife biology from UMass Amherst, Barabe also earned an MBA from Babson before searching for a business to purchase.

He came on board as a part time independent contractor for Colby, which give temporary care for pets from Westford to Marlborough, while seeking a business to purchase.

That quest ranged from animal-related businesses elsewhere in New England to gourmet seafood markets. But in the end, Barabe decided to stick with where he was, only in a new role.

“I have always loved animals, and was lucky enough to be able to channel that love of animals, along with my business experience, into running Colby Pet Services,” said Barabe. “I have one of the best jobs in the world, and I get puppy kisses everyday!”

According to Barabe, the main transition with the change will come in the form of new systems and processes to ensure the business model can exist and thrive with or without him.

Indeed, both Barabe and the previous owners will continue their roles caring for animals along with the 16 other independent contractors used by the company.

Five of those 16 hail from Westford, and although Barabe says there is no set qualifications required for joining the team, the company has a rigorous onboarding process.

“Some of our staff go back eight years, we won’t take just anybody, and we’d rather have nobody than somebody we didn’t trust 100 percent,” he said. “After all, we’re sending people in the homes of our clients.”

Currently, Colby doesn’t have a physical location in town, and there aren’t any immediate plans to obtain one. This comes in part from the fact that Barabe doesn’t see his company in direct competition with more extensive kennels or doggie daycare centers.

Colby’s main clientele consists of people spending extensive amounts of time away from their homes, and the focus of Berube’s services don’t focus on any training, but providing comforts for pets whose owners may not have the time to do the same on a regular basis.

That difference creates what Barabe sees as a complimentary rather than adversarial relationship with potential competitors.

“Part of it is convenience, if you’re using a doggy daycare or a kennel, you have to take time to get over there and it’s a little more expensive,” said Barabe. “Still, we have many clients that will still use us while also using places like that a few times a week.”

More information on Colby Pet Services is available on their website, as well as by phone at 978-392-8694 and 978-562-9477 or by e-mail at colbyservices@aol.com