About Us
It’s about the bond. It’s about commitment. It’s about love. It’s about Apronstrings.
Have you ever heard the expression’ it’s time to cut the apron strings’? It’s a bit old-fashioned, but it refers to children growing older and no longer being tied to their parents’ apron strings. Human children do grow up and become independent. They can, for the most part, function on their own!
Here is where our name comes in. Pets are tied to the ‘apron strings’ of their care givers/owners/guardians…whichever term you use….for life…while children usually embark on a life of their own, pets do not! They are always tied to Apronstrings!
Pet ownership is a lifetime commitment and we are here to help facilitate that bond when you are not physically there to do so. It’s about the bond. It’s about commitment. It’s about love. It’s about Apronstrings.
Apronstrings was founded in 1990 by Kim Tank, a registered veterinary technician. Kim is a Certified Professional Pet Sitter through Pet Sitters International. In addition, she has become Fear Free Certified, a program developed to reduce fear, stress and anxiety in pets.
She hired her first employee in 1996, after carefully researching hiring practices in the industry. Her staff have always been employees, covered by her bond, liability insurance and worker’s compensation policy. All of her staff receive intensive ongoing training and all are either certified in pet first aid, or are currently enrolled in a class.
Meet our ManagemEnt Team
We serve central Contra Costa County and select parts of El Dorado County in Northern California.
Contra Costa County: Walnut Creek, Concord, Martinez, Clayton, Pleasant Hill, Lafayette, Orinda, Moraga.
El Dorado County: Pollock Pines, Placerville and Camino.
Kim Tank
CEO, chief of staff, pet care specialist
Kim has always known she was destined to work with animals and has devoted her life to working in pet care. After living in Concord for many years, she relocated her family to Pollock Pines, CA, in 2016, to raise goats and (more) chickens. She has 2 cats and a dog named Kevin.
Kim is a former registered veterinary technician with 13 years working in hospitals, a Certified Professional Pet Sitter with Pet Sitters International (PSI), a member of PSI, Texas Pet Sitters Association, Florida Pet Services Assoc, speaker at several pet sitting conferences, author of several articles in PSI magazine, earned a certificate in Pet Loss Support, a certificate in HR from CSU East Bay, and is a hiring coach for other pet sitters.
Kim splits her time between the Bay Area and El Dorado County to maintain a close connection with her sitters, her clients and their loving pets.
When not working, she loves running, kayaking, mentoring other pet sitters and exploring El Dorado Wine Country.
Howard Tank
CFO, head of office operations
Kim’s husband Howard has always been her number one supporter and joined the business full time in 2013. He handles most admin duties, including scheduling visits and onboarding new clients.
When not in the office, Howard is often found throwing the ball for Kevin, working in his garden or attending wine events with Kim.
Joanne Ottone
head of IT
Kim’s sister Joanne is an integral part of our organization. She is the designer and administrator of the APS database and app. From instructions to schedules, everything is stored in our secure system to keep things running smoothly.
When not on duty for Apronstrings, Joanne is an actuary and a Peloton ‘beast’. She lives in Alamo with her husband, son and two very cute kitties.