Hi there, I’m Uma and this is my labor of love.

Welcome to Gentle Paws Collective, where my love for animals meets my commitment to doing good. This project grew organically as I developed more and more connections with the pets in my community. These special relationships make GPC more than a business—it’s a heartfelt expression of my passion for life in all its forms. 

As I navigated the post-college maze of corporate jobs, I realized the things that had always made me happiest were also the simplest: spending time with my family, practicing yoga & meditation, engaging in art, and connecting to the natural world with my animals. I took some time to travel and began asking myself how I could more meaningfully earn a living while staying aligned with my interests and values. That’s when I found pet care.

I started offering professional pet services 5 years ago as a way to earn extra income and now I’m thrilled to say it’s my full-time job. Since 2020 I've had the pleasure of meeting, walking, and playing with over 100 of your amazing pets. I’m a lifelong pet owner myself - I’ve had the privilege of living with a German shepherd, a Yorkie, and 5 cats - and have experience with many different breeds. During my travels, I volunteered on farms and served as the sole caretaker of a cat sanctuary in Croatia.