Meet Marikay and James-The Heart behind J&M Critter Care
At J&M Critter Care, we understand the challenges balancing busy lives with care and attention your pets deserve. My Name is Marikay, and alongside my husband James, we created this business in 2018 to provide a much-needed service to the area I grew up.
My Journey with Animals:
- Hometown roots and education: I graduated from DeLand Weldon High School before earning a bachelor’s degree in Zoology from SIUC.
- Hands on Experience While studying, I worked at veterinary clinics and animal boarding facilities. gaining valuable skills and a passion for animal care. I also spent 2 years caring for military working dogs as a civilian contractor.
- Zoo Career: My professional journey began at a small zoo in central Illinois and later a took me to a larger zoo in Texas, where I spent 13 unforgettable years. I had the privilege of working with a diverse array of animals, including rhinoceroses, lions, tigers, bear, primates, sloths and more.
A family Business Born for a Love of Animal Care
After marrying James and welcoming our first daughter, we made the decision to return to central Illinois to be closer to my family. While working as an animal curator at a local zoo I realized the area lacked a dedicated pet sitting and livestock care service. With James’s support, we took the leap to start J&M Critter Care, combining my 20+ years of experience in animal care, training, and management with our shared love of animals.
Since starting, the business it has grown tremendously. While I handled much of the work early on, we’ve added team members to keep up with demand. Our family has also expanded -we welcomed our son in 2020.
Why Choose J&M Critter Care?
- Experienced and Trustworthy: Over two decades of professional experience caring for animals, from household pets, farm animals and exotic wildlife,
- Personalized Care: We treat every pet as if they were our own, ensuring they feel loved, safe, and happy.
- Community-Focused: Dedicated to serving the local community with reliable, high quality pet and livestock care services.
Let us bring our experience, dedication, and love for animals to meet your pet care needs.
Thank you
Marikay Altes
