Jess

Growing up in Adelaide, South Australia Jess’ first job at the age of 15 was selling shoes. She moved into the hospitality industry as a chef, which led her to Cairns, Queensland. Ten years of experience cooking in pubs, entertainment centre’s, ski resorts, restaurants and nursing homes she decided it was time for a change.
Having two Burmese cats and a boxer and American staffy she quickly noticed the lack of pet services in Cairns. One Christmas looking to book the animals into catteries and kennels for a holiday and finding them all booked out a year in advance made her realise the need for more services in the area. This is how Smooshie Faces Pet Services was born. Jess found her love for animals as a child visiting her grandparent’s farm. There were Hungarian Vizsla’s, two horses, sheep and cats. This is where her love for animals began.

Katie

Born in Brisbane, Queensland, and then moved to Cairns Far North Queensland, as a young child, Katie was always around animals. Growing up in a large, animal loving family there was always a wagging tail and loyal companion by her side. Including: Birds, dogs, cats and two axolotl’s. One time Katie and her brother rescued a baby fruit bat that was injured after hitting the glass doors. They knew mum wouldn’t allow it in the house so the found a shoe box, put a little blanket inside and kept it for a few days. Hiding the baby bat in their bedroom, feeding it mango and water.
Keeping it hidden in the bedroom wasn’t an easy task, as the bat was starting to heal they placed it on the bed to have a look at it, it then flew down the corridor into the Christmas tree. 10minutes later mum and dad returned home and The fruit bat was still in the Christmas tree, when their mother had her back turned cooking dinner, Katie’s brother quickly seized the bat and sneaked it back into the bedroom for release the next day safely from the trampoline.