About us

The Pets, Homes & Gardens Company is here to support you every step of the way — from launching your business to growing it with confidence and ease. With expert training, hands-on guidance, and the backing of a supportive franchise family, you'll feel empowered to succeed and thrive.

The Pet Sitting Franchise Story

The Pets, Homes & Gardens franchise (PHG) was founded in 2012 by Julie and Peter Maxted, following the long-standing success of their local pet care business, which they launched over 20 years ago in Horsham. The franchise model was carefully shaped around the practices that made their Horsham business so successful — a territory which continues to thrive today under a PHG franchisee. PHG has since grown into a respected and much-loved franchise network, supporting passionate, pet-loving individuals in building their own rewarding businesses — with a proven model designed to give new joiners the strongest possible start and every chance of long-term success.

Meet Ritchie & Amber

We’re Ritchie and Amber, and we have proudly been part of the PHG family since 2018, running our Southampton business with pure joy and dedication. When Julie and Peter approached retirement, they offered us the opportunity of a lifetime — to take over the PHG franchise and continue the legacy they so passionately built. It was an immediate and enthusiastic yes from us!

Today, we own and operate the PHG franchise — but just as importantly, we still run our Southampton business, and always will. Why? Because we truly love working with animals and couldn’t imagine giving that up. Staying on the front line means we continue to experience the day-to-day joys and challenges of pet care, giving us a unique and practical perspective when it comes to supporting our franchisees.

We believe in everything this PHG brand stands for: trust, community, independence, and genuine care. Our goal is to ensure every franchisee feels supported, encouraged, and empowered — because we’ve been in your shoes, and we’re still in them every single day.

How PHG Works