Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Diamond.
Hi Jessica, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Platinum Leash really grew out of two things that have always been incredibly important to me: animals and family.
I’ve been an animal person for as long as I can remember. I grew up participating in 4-H, where I showed rabbits and cavies (guinea pigs) and I’ve always had dogs and cats in my life. Looking back, I think those early experiences taught me that great pet care is about so much more than simply loving animals. Every individual animal has its own needs, personality and routines.
Before starting Platinum Leash, I worked a traditional 9-to-5 job in Financial Aid. As our family grew, I realized that I wanted a career that gave me more flexibility and allowed me to be present for my kids while also building something of my own. My husband and I are an adoptive family as well as a foster family, so flexibility isn’t just a perk for us — it’s an important part of how our family functions.
Leaving the security of a traditional job was a big leap, but Platinum Leash gave me the opportunity to combine my love of animals with the kind of life I wanted for my family. One of my favorite parts is that our kids occasionally get to be part of the business too. They’re growing up around animals, learning responsibility and seeing firsthand what it looks like to build and care for a family business.
Today, Platinum Leash is a woman-led, family-run pet care company offering boutique-style services to pets and their people throughout the Pacific Northwest. It has evolved tremendously over the years, but that original goal — providing exceptional care while creating a business that works alongside our family — is still at the heart of everything we do.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There have been times it’s been a smooth road, but definitely not obstacle-free! Like most small businesses, we’ve had to learn how to adapt. The COVID-19 pandemic was probably the most challenging example of that.
When everything shut down, the pet care and travel industries changed almost overnight. Interestingly, the slower pace was somewhat welcome for me personally because I suddenly found myself homeschooling my kids while trying to navigate everything else happening in the world. From a business perspective, we had to completely rethink what our clients needed from us.
What I don’t think any of us realized at the time was how permanently the pandemic would change pet care. So many families adopted pets while they were home all day, and some of those animals never learned how to comfortably spend significant amounts of time alone. We now care for pets who may have separation anxiety or simply need a much more individualized approach than the traditional model of pet sitting.
Even now, in 2026, we’re seeing another shift as more of our clients return to the office. Their needs are changing again, which means ours have to change with them.
I’ve learned that running a successful pet care business means you can’t become too attached to doing things a certain way. You have to listen to your clients, pay attention to what’s happening in your community and be willing to pivot.
There have certainly been challenges, but they’ve also pushed us to become a better company. They’ve made us more flexible, more thoughtful about the services we offer and even more focused on individualized care.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Platinum Leash provides boutique-style pet care in the Portland Metro area. We care for dogs and cats, of course, but one of the things I especially love is caring for some of the less traditional members of the family.
Because I grew up showing rabbits and guinea pigs through 4-H, those are still some of my favorite pet-sitting visits. Small animals have very specific needs, and it’s important to have a sitter who understands that they aren’t simply “easy” pets that need food and water once a day. Subtle changes in appetite, behavior or bathroom habits can mean something is wrong, so knowledgeable, attentive care really matters.
More recently, our own family adopted a bearded dragon, which gave me a crash course in reptile care! It opened my eyes to just how complicated exotic pet husbandry can be. There is an incredible amount of conflicting information out there, and unfortunately many exotic pets are unintentionally receiving improper care.
That experience reinforced something I want to be part of the culture at Platinum Leash: we should never assume we know everything. I want our team to be knowledgeable, but equally important, I want them to be curious and comfortable asking questions. If we’re caring for an animal with needs we haven’t encountered before, our job is to learn.
I think what ultimately sets Platinum Leash apart is our attention to detail and customer service. We’re a woman-owned, family-run business, and although we’ve grown, I never want our clients to feel like they’re just another name on a schedule.
Pet care is incredibly personal. Someone is trusting us with an animal they love and allowing us into their home and their daily life. We take that responsibility seriously. We pay attention to routines, personalities and the little details that help an animal feel safe and comfortable.
Our goal is to combine the professionalism and reliability people expect from an established pet care company with the personal attention they’d expect from someone they know and trust. That’s what “boutique-style” pet care means to me — thoughtful, individualized service rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
In terms of your work and the industry, what are some of the changes you are expecting to see over the next five to ten years?
One big shift for pet care is on the people side. I touched on this earlier, there was a change five years ago for many of our clients to work remotely and reduce long trips. During that time, many families adopted pets while they were home all day, and some of those animals never learned how to comfortably spend significant amounts of time alone. We now care for pets who may have separation anxiety or simply need a much more individualized approach than the traditional model of pet sitting.
Going forward, we’re seeing a shift back as our clients return to the office and as more people have travel plans. The clients’ needs are changing again, which means ours have to change with them.
Pricing:
- 30 Minute Dog Walk Starts at $30
- Drop-in Pet Sitting Starts at $25
- Overnight Pet Sitting Starts at $100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.platinumleash.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/platinumleash
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/platinumleash/
