Though Anderson had always known about her fondness for animals, Youmans took more time to discover hers. Having grown up in an apartment in Los Angeles that didn't allow any pets, her experience with animals was more limited in her early years. "It's been interesting as an adult to sort of pivot to this job," she said about her line of work.

"You're so good with them — it's like you're the one who's grown up with them," Anderson quickly added, holding her partner's hand and smiling. Upon meeting the duo, it's easy to tell that they truly love one another and the work that they do together, which they've been focused on for about 15 years.

The first signs of what would eventually become Beastie Girls appeared around 2007, when Anderson was working as a nanny and studying to become an ASL interpreter. When families she nannied for started to ask if she was interested in pet-sitting, the overnight visits began. By 2015, the business was much more concrete, and the duo began networking with new clients via NextDoor and word of mouth.

Seven years later, the couple now juggles several clients a week and can see upwards of 30 visit/overnight requests on a single holiday weekend. Holidays like the Fourth of July, Christmas, and New Year's bring a stressful boom in business for them; during the summer months, as families travel, there is also a general increase.

Over the years, Anderson and Youmans have worked to create a work-life balance that best suits them, and part of that equation means dividing up work between them. "We're a good partnership — with everything. So I think it's been really great," Anderson said.

"We split up work easily too," Youmans added. "If we go to a job together we'll both do separate things: she'll go chill with the animals, and I'll do the housekeeping stuff."

In addition, Anderson takes on communications and scheduling duties, while Youmans does design and advertising for the business.

Beyond a solid partnership and passion for the job, Beastie Girls sets itself apart from other pet-care options with its size and authenticity. When asked about expanding the business or hiring extra hands, both women explained that the pillar of their work is in the personal relationships they forge with clients and pets alike, so expansion doesn't work so well with that kind of business model.

"We've tried to get a team like us to house-sit when we go out of town, but we can't find anything. It's all corporations or using apps, and you get someone new every time," Anderson said. Nodding in agreement, Youmans added, "That's why we stay small. When you meet us, you're meeting the people who will be with your pets. No one will ever be in your house but us."

By maintaining a small, personal business, the couple is able to build up trust with animals over time, which is another draw of the small team model. Anderson explained that creating a comforting experience for the pets they visit frequently is extremely important to them, and part of that can only be possible if the same people visit every time. "That consistency doesn't exist around here anymore," she concluded.

Owned and operated by people who truly love what they do, Beastie Girls will continue to offer personalized, quality care for Seattle pet owners for years to come. Upon reflecting on the business, Youmans wrapped up on a tender note: "I just feel really grateful to work with my best friend doing something we love in a neighborhood we love. Who wouldn't?"

If you or anyone you know is looking for reliable pet care in Seattle, whether it's a weeklong business trip or a short weekend to a family getaway, Beastie Girls wants to help.