About Animate Animal Minding

Animate Animal Minding was started in 2006 by me, Leanne, and is a small, local business based in Barnard Castle and Teesdale in Co. Durham.  We provide care and attention for all types of animals whilst owners are away or busy.

Animate can be the perfect solution for timid or nervous cats or dogs that don't take well to being left in kennels/catteries. Also for any unvaccinated pets that often aren't accepted in boarding establishments.  And then there are the animals that don't fit into kennels or catteries, or even liveries. What about your goat? Or pigs? Your tropical fish, python, tarantula?!!  That is where we can help!  Just select the service you require from the menu to your right, or click here.

Animate is based in Barnard Castle and operates mainly within the Teesdale area, although i may be able to travel further afield - please just contact me.

Home-From-Home Boarding customers are welcome from anywhere.

About Leanne

I'm Leanne Dawson (Nee Bainbridge), a farmer's daughter, born and bred in Teesdale!

I have qualifications in Agriculture (NVQ 3 - Livestock: Houghall College, Durham) and Animal Management (Nat. Award in Animal Management: Newton Rigg College, Penrith).

Past jobs include working as a warden at the Otter Trust and at Farplace Animal Rescue as animal care assistant.  Both jobs involved dealing closely with the public alongside explaining and educating people about wild, domestic and commercial animals.

I have worked on several different farms in the area on both a full time and part time/self-employed basis.

I've owned horses nearly all my life and have broken in and helped 'bring on' young horses.

Through work and college I've had various experience with exotic pets, birds and fish.  I have a great interest in wildlife and have been involved in rehabilitation and release schemes including Otters, Weasels, Birds of Prey, Lapwings and Bats.

During time out in Australia, i worked full time on a cattle station and a dairy farm and volunteered at an exotic zoo, where i worked closely with crocodiles, reptiles, wombats, dingoes and other interesting animals you probably wont find in Teesdale!

My qualifications and references are available to see to put your mind at ease.