Social Paws

Social Paws Supporting Guardians with their anxious dogs & rescue animals. Helping you excel in confidence & your companions thrive. Helen Motteram & Tristan Motteram

Pet sitting, dog walking, behaviour, training. Clinical Animal Behaviourist, Rescue & Trainers. Behavioural support specialising in anxious, nervous dogs. Puppy training and socialisation (1-2-1). Training for excitable dogs! Free discovery call on request

Manager and founder: Helen Motteram
Contact: [email protected]
Website: www.socialpawscheltenham.co.uk

A HUGE happy 40th to our Team and family Member Tristan 🥳❤️
09/09/2026

A HUGE happy 40th to our Team and family Member Tristan 🥳❤️

I absolutely LOVE the work I do, but it wouldn't be possible without you 💖By supporting a local family run business your...
02/09/2026

I absolutely LOVE the work I do, but it wouldn't be possible without you 💖

By supporting a local family run business your aren't just helping us but also the rescue work we do and to help more dogs.

We aren't your typical dog training business: in fact we don't like to see ourselves as a business. That's because our fur and feathered friends become our family.

Here's the late Juniper where I always say 'the two blondes' I miss you.

We love our feline friends here at Social Paws 🐾 Still taking some bookings for this winter: cat sitting and visits. A g...
21/08/2026

We love our feline friends here at Social Paws 🐾

Still taking some bookings for this winter: cat sitting and visits.

A great alternative for cats who are either anxious or want to be in familar settings.

I'm so grateful of the love and support we've received this past month 💖It's been testing times with the hot weather and...
21/08/2026

I'm so grateful of the love and support we've received this past month 💖

It's been testing times with the hot weather and preparing for my assessment.

I'm still pinching myself and Tristan is so proud.

Plus we are now getting so many more enquiries not only for behavioural work but also pet sitting 🐶😺

This is because you recommend us, you help us reach more incredible Guardians.

Google has been a challenge at the moment, we've dropped a few places 😢 but since my assessment I seem to have had more enquiries as people Google Pet Behaviourist or Animal Behaviourist. This means the world to us.

Running a small business is tough.

But we pride ourselves on a personal approach and always want to have a face.

Thank you 😊

Helen & Tristan

Roll on the cooler weather: for many Pet Professionals we've lost so much income and work 💔But the animal's welfare must...
20/08/2026

Roll on the cooler weather: for many Pet Professionals we've lost so much income and work 💔

But the animal's welfare must always come first.

This has been the hottest Summer I've experienced at Social Paws. Sadly it meant that Tristan especially was unable to walk dogs 🐾

Some were changed for pop in visits, but as most Guardians were at home and many have training walks, we lost so much income.

Luckily I've been able to do extra cat visits: re introducing my pet sitting services. This is something I've missed doing so decided to bring back.

💖💖💖

We thank those who continue to support local businesses, perhaps swapping a walk for a visit or enrichment/training in house. If the weather continues to increase each year we'll need to take this further into account. Because the struggle has been real 😢

Thanks again for supporting us,
Helen & Tristan

I DID IT 😮 I am officially now a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) 🥳Specialising with corvids (i.e ravens and crows) An...
15/08/2026

I DID IT 😮 I am officially now a Clinical Animal Behaviourist (CAB) 🥳

Specialising with corvids (i.e ravens and crows) And anxious dogs.

With the Association of Pet Behaviour Counsellors - APBC

What can I say? After years of studying and support from the most amazing mentors, friends and colleagues I've achieved something that I thought I couldn't do.

After university I went on to follow the CAB process but each time I went to apply for the examination I felt like I wasn't 'good enough'. But I am!!!!

🖤🖤🖤

This qualification means the world to me, because it not only shows that my skillset and knowledge continues to improve but I can help MORE feathered and Fur Family.

Help more Guardians and their anxious dogs.

To continue advocating for animal welfare.

It is also one of the most TOUGHEST and rigorous processes I've been through. Which is so important. Testing my practical and theoretical skills.

The process involved three cases:

A captive born raven
A disabled crow
A anxious dog

I have absolutely loved seeing their journey and updates, and I am over the moon you allowed me to work with you.

🖤🖤🖤

I hope that more professionals take the step to fulfil accreditation and qualifications.

Always believe in yourself. I nearly lost that. But luckily found myself again.

Thank you 🙏

Day Pet sitting for the gorgeous Nellie 😍 She brought me a shoe!
01/08/2026

Day Pet sitting for the gorgeous Nellie 😍

She brought me a shoe!

We are absolutely thrilled how well our pet sitting service is going! 💖This is something we offered 11 years ago, and re...
22/07/2026

We are absolutely thrilled how well our pet sitting service is going! 💖

This is something we offered 11 years ago, and recently brought back.

But it's not just 'pet sitting' we specilialise with anxious/rescue pets or more unusual pets. And those with additional needs.

There is some availability still this year for pet visits so please get in touch 🙏

[email protected]

It's an absolute honour 🎖 to be trusted with your animal family 💖From curious cats, to leaping lizards, to anxious dogs,...
14/07/2026

It's an absolute honour 🎖 to be trusted with your animal family 💖

From curious cats, to leaping lizards, to anxious dogs, and excitable birds.

Pet sitting isn't just sitting: it's a commitment, a promise, to keep your loved ones safe.

Now taking bookings for 2027!

Availability 2026

July: full
August: full
September: full
October: visits available
November: visits available
December: visits available

{Do contact just in case I become available in 2026 for longer sitting!}

Availability 2027

Sitting available, selected weekends or longer stays in the comfort of your own home.

Plus visits for those who need a pop in which is more that a pop in!

Contact: [email protected]

Something shocked me the other day and I need to get it off my chest 🙏I saw several comments about pet sitters on a loca...
02/07/2026

Something shocked me the other day and I need to get it off my chest 🙏

I saw several comments about pet sitters on a local community group. Some of these comments were concerning and really made me feel like we are not appreciated in the work we do:

Someone referred to it not being a professional service, just cuddling cats all day.

Others undermined professionals because of their reasonable prices, saying no one will pay that to look after a cat!

Many just said let my friend's daughter down the road help.

💖💖💖

When it comes to a breathing, living animal, whether it be a cat, rabbit, bird or dog they all deserve a 10 star service.

What if they become ill?

What if they need medication?

What if the dog is anxious?

What if the cat doesn't come in for their evening dinner?

What if they have a specific diet and needs?

What if someone tried to break into the house?

💖💖💖

It is completely irresponsible to do any form of professional service and see it as a hobby, with no insurance and little experience.

Don't get me wrong I started young, but I put all the appropriate insurance and paper work in place.

I really don't understand when people think especially that a cat has little need for professional care, yes in comparison to some dogs their needs may be different but in my opinion a cat's welfare and safety is just as important!

Please, please support professional Pet Carers. I've been doing this more than 24 years, and these comments still make me sad 😔

Thanks for reading,
Helen

Address

Charlton Kings
Cheltenham
GL538DD

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 6pm
Tuesday 9am - 6pm
Wednesday 9am - 6pm
Thursday 9am - 6pm
Friday 9am - 5pm

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