Leaving a pet in somebody else’s care is a big deal. Whether it is for a couple of hours, a full day or an entire holiday, owners want to know their pet is safe, happy and being looked after by someone who genuinely cares.
That is exactly what Caring Companions is built around.
And local pet owners do not simply have to take the business’s word for it.
Tash, who runs Caring Companions, was named Best Pet Service at the 2026 South East Wales Best of Business Awards. Even more impressively, she was also named the overall winner of the awards after receiving the most votes across all categories.
For anyone deciding who to trust with a much loved pet, that kind of recognition understandably stands out.
Based in Rhymney, the business provides pet sitting, dog walking and drop in visits across Tredegar, Rhymney and surrounding parts of the Rhymney Valley. There is also a Wedding Dog Chaperone service available more widely across South Wales.
But this is not simply a case of turning up, clipping on a lead and walking around the same block every day. Tash has created the sort of pet care service she would be comfortable using for her own animals.
And that matters.
From dogs who love getting muddy on a countryside adventure to cats who would much rather stay curled up in their favourite spot at home, the aim is to give each animal care that actually suits them.
Here are three reasons why local pet owners should know about Caring Companions.
1. You are choosing an award winning local pet care service
Trust matters enormously when somebody else is looking after your pet.
That is why the recognition already earned by Caring Companions is worth highlighting.
Tash won Best Pet Service at the 2026 South East Wales Best of Business Awards, recognition that is particularly meaningful for a business built around caring for people’s animals.
She then went one better.
After receiving the most votes across the awards, Tash was also crowned the overall winner.
For a local independent business, that is a significant achievement and a strong indication of the trust, support and reputation Tash has already built within the community.
It makes sense when you learn a little more about the person behind the business.
There is a difference between liking animals and building your life around them.
Tash falls firmly into the second category.
She lives in Rhymney with her family, two pugs called Manson and Aboo, and a bearded dragon called Pascal. Animals have always been a huge part of her life and that genuine love for them sits at the heart of Caring Companions.
The idea behind the business was simple. Tash wanted to care for other people’s pets in the same way she would want somebody to care for her own.
That means getting to know the animal rather than treating every booking in exactly the same way.
Some dogs want to walk for miles and investigate every interesting smell they can find. Others prefer a quieter solo walk with plenty of time to stop and sniff. Puppies may need shorter outings with enrichment and confidence building. Cats might be perfectly happy staying at home, provided someone arrives with dinner, a clean litter tray and the correct amount of fuss.
And, as most cat owners know, the correct amount of fuss is normally decided by the cat.
Tash also spent years working with children and families across social services and education before putting more of her time into the business. That background taught her plenty about trust, responsibility and caring for others.
Those qualities are particularly important when somebody is handing over a house key and trusting another person with a much loved member of the family.
There is professional training behind the friendly approach too. Caring Companions is fully insured, Tash is Enhanced DBS checked, Pet First Aid trained and holds a Level 3 Diploma in Animal Care.
So there is plenty of knowledge behind all those walks, cuddles and treat negotiations.
2. The care can fit around your pet, rather than the other way around
One of the best things about Caring Companions is the amount of choice available.
Not every dog needs the same kind of walk. And not every pet needs walking at all.
For dogs, there are solo walks, group walks, countryside and mountain adventures, secure field outings and puppy enrichment walks.
Tash loves being outdoors herself, so walks are about more than simply getting from one end of the street to the other and heading home again.
Dogs are given the chance to sniff, explore and enjoy their surroundings. Carefully matched dogs can enjoy social group walks, while those who are happier alone can have individual attention.
That flexible approach continues with pet drop in visits.
These can be useful for owners who are at work, spending the day away from home or going somewhere that their pet cannot join them.
A visit can include fresh food and water, toilet or litter care, play, enrichment, company and updates for the owner. Dogs, cats, puppies and smaller pets can all be considered.
Then there is overnight pet sitting.
For some animals, kennels or an unfamiliar environment can be stressful. Older pets may also be more comfortable sticking to the routine they already know.
With overnight care from Caring Companions, pets can remain in their own home, sleep in their usual spot and continue with the routine they are familiar with.
It can also be particularly useful for homes with more than one animal. Instead of moving several pets somewhere else, their care comes to them.
That makes life simpler for the owner and, more importantly, keeps things familiar for the pets.
The process starts with finding out about the animal, their personality and their routine. A meet and greet then gives everyone the chance to get comfortable before the care begins.
It is a simple approach, but it makes sense. The more Tash knows about a pet, the easier it is to give them care that feels normal rather than disruptive.
3. There is even a way to include your dog in your wedding
For many couples, the guest list would not feel complete without one particular name on it.
The dog.
They are there for the normal days, the muddy walks, lazy weekends and the moments when half your dinner mysteriously disappears after you look away for three seconds. So it is understandable that some couples want them there for one of the biggest days of their lives too.
The Wedding Dog Chaperone service from Caring Companions is designed to make that possible without turning one of the wedding guests into the full time dog handler.
Tash can help with care before the wedding, getting the dog ready, transport to the venue, supervision during the day, walks, water and comfort breaks.
She can also help when it is time for those important wedding photographs.
That means the photographer has a better chance of getting the family picture the couple wanted, guests can enjoy themselves and the dog has somebody dedicated to looking after them.
Afterwards, Tash can help make sure the dog gets safely back home.
Unlike the regular walking and pet sitting services, which are focused around Tredegar, Rhymney and nearby communities, the Wedding Dog Chaperone service can travel further across South Wales.
It is a thoughtful extra service and another example of the way Caring Companions has been shaped around how people actually live with their pets.
Ultimately, good pet care is about feeling comfortable with the person looking after an animal you love.
The fact that Caring Companions has already been recognised as Best Pet Service at the 2026 South East Wales Best of Business Awards, as well as being crowned the overall winner across the awards, gives pet owners another reassuring reason to take notice.
Add professional qualifications, proper insurance, plenty of different care options and a very obvious love of animals, and it is easy to see why the business has earned such strong local support.
Whether your dog needs regular walks, your cat needs company while you are away, your pets are happier staying at home overnight or your four legged family member has a wedding to attend, Tash has built a service around making sure they are cared for properly.
Because pets might technically be animals.
But anyone who shares a home with one knows they are much more than that.