Hi! I'm Aubrie the founder of VIVA PETS and have some background & history before you read some fun silly facts about us! 

Love for animals is something that has remained constant throughout my entire life. While doing lots of pet sitting/walking, it always seemed like a hobby and not a job. Over the years I have been first picked by friends and family to care for their furry family members. After two years of noticing many referrals and my community of pet clients growing, it was time to make a decision to turn a hobby into something more; and so VIVA PETS was born! Thirteen+ years later and now with a power-packed team, we are able to make more furry friends across Los Angeles. We are a small, tight-knit group. We are NOT the Uber of pet sitting: we know your furry friend; we work as a team so we are all familiar with the going-ons with them; and we have monthly meetings/trainings to ensure we are providing the best experience for them and yourself. This is more than filling up bowls and tugging on leashes for us, and I hope that you can tell! xo!

I’m a rare - born and raised, Angeleno. My first job at 17, which I had for 10 years was at Hot Topic. That job is a huge part of who I am and so many former colleagues are still my friends. I am forever grateful for that first job. I helped H&M expand to the west coast for three years before my career change to a makeup artist. While I put my self through school and built a portfolio I bartended, waitressed & cooked at the Hollywood music venue, Hotel Cafe. And somewhere in there toured with a band, Himsa for 10 years. Then at the urging of a friend I started Viva Pets, back before all the apps!

I love breakfast tacos (my favorite is in Austin, TX - Vegan Nom, why can’t LA get it together with this?) but good coffee is my favorite thing to indulge in (there’s only really one place I go - Sqirl).

You can usually find me listening to podcasts, involved in activism, or some DIY project / upcycling something from facebook marketplace. 

I like to read non fiction books – biographies, social justice (what’s the one book that changed my life? Black Power) & self help. Or Harry Potter, the exception to my non-fiction obsession. (but no terfs allowed!)

I’m pretty much a hippie (vegan for life, I tote around reusable cups/utensils because I like this planet we live on and really want it to be around) except for fashion, I definitely don’t look like a hippie.

My love language is community care, restorative justice and abolition. We get free together.

My heart belongs to my two dogs, Lydia & Floyd. I would rather spend my free time with them more than anyone else. 

As a born and raised New Yorker, I have to admit that I felt pretty lost when I first moved to Los Angeles! It wasn’t until I joined the mutual aid scene that I found my purpose in fostering community. A love for animals has been a major part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’m so glad that I got to surround myself with pets, especially my two cats, Angus and Ursula!

I’m always in the middle of a craft project and I love trying out new mediums. Currently, I’m into crocheting and making miniatures.

I believe in the healing powers of an almond croissant. There literally isn’t a situation that an almond croissant doesn’t make better.

One of my big goals is to go to Japan to see a capybara onsen.

Growing up in Chicago, I have a love of improv comedy and deep dish pizza. I’m always looking for recommendations of great shows to see and new slices to try! My pride and joy is Schmab, the queer comedy cabaret I created with my best friend. I’m an actor, an audiobook narrator and I have a major sweet tooth.

I won second place in a competitive karaoke competition singing Prince’s Purple Rain. 

I can recite the first 15 digits of pi.

I make a mean pierogi thanks to my Eastern European heritage.

In memory of my soul pet Chloe, I volunteer at Santé D’Or Foundation.  

I was raised in Northern Virginia and fortunate to have a family who instilled in me an appreciation for art, all animals and the beauty of the natural world. I spent 15 years working as a fabricator in stop-motion animation for commercials, tv, & film. It’s a delightfully small, strange world that has introduced me to some of the most interesting people and projects. The constant throughout all phases of my life has been a singular love of animals. Whether my own or my friends’s pets, they are the highlight of any day.

I have always had an interest in the paranormal while maintaining a healthy sense of skepticism. You could almost say “ I want to believe or that the truth is out there”.

I love watching the best or the worst of horror movies.

I may enjoy the horror of a zombie apocalypse movie but the idea of living in a world without pets (or any critter really) is a my version of a nightmare.

I used to think I could talk to animals as a kid and let’s be real, I’m pretty sure I still can? When I’m not hanging out with the love of my life, Pinto the Pony, you can find me dancing, writing poetry, going to horse training clinics or watercolor painting. I’m also a certified tax preparer and help former foster youth do their taxes during the tax season.

My favorite restaurant in LA is Kitchen Mouse. I adore breakfast foods and baked goods!

I love theme parks and one of my favorite things to do is take my 8 year-old to Universal Studios.

My brother and I have matching sasquatch tattoos.

I grew up in a small town in Northern California, which is known for long distance running, absurdly scrumptious mandarins, and not much else. I spent my time either outside in the woods or inside listening to Enya. Then I moved to LA for college (UCLA), and I’ve felt overstimulated ever since!

I’m an actor, and spent many years trying to make people laugh with improv comedy or absolutely terrified with immersive horror theater.

I have a love for antiques and second-hand finds, as well as sustainbale practices in my home and in the world at large. I’m part of Sunrise Movement LA because I sure do like living on this planet. I want it to be around for all of us human animals, non-human animals, and plant life to enjoy!

When I’m not working I’m likely at home trying to relax, cooking up vegan food, and doing my best to keep my cat Bim from stealing scraps (he goes nuts for broccoli in particular).

I grew up in Kansas surrounded by stray / rescue dogs and cats, at my grandparent’s. It wasn’t uncommon for us to take a trip to the local vet on my visits, where everyone knew our family. My grandparents taught me so much about caring for animals, instilling in me to always adopt before I ever knew the implications of the alternative. I sometimes hear my grandmother’s voice when I talk to animals. She had a specific tone & lilt when she spoke to our fur family. Its a comfort when I hear her voice come through me. In a strange way it tells me I’m doing something right.

I’m an actor who runs a queer-centered acting studio.

I am fascinated by every single detail that goes into film making - the collaboration & communication necessary to make it happen. Even the craft service table, nom nom.

I’m sober. I love chips & dip, ice cream, & diet coke.

My friends would describe me as a kooky, caring, assertive auntie-type and I love that.