Urban Uplander Team

Our dream to start a pet care company began in the Late Summer of 2015. A lifetime of owning and caring for animals has driven our desire to work in the pet care field. Using the knowledge gained from working with pets through volunteering, training, and pet sitting positions allowed us to put together the ideas to what we looked to provide for our own company. We first began as Fluffy Puppy Pet Sitting, named after our eldest dog Sir Mc'Fluffin Stuff. As our company grew, we have looked at ways to combine our enjoyment working with pets into the services we provide. One of our passions is helping dogs obtain skills for the essential purposes they serve, albeit being a well-trained family dog or being a dog working in the field! Our name change to Urban Uplander Pet Care represents our change from just a pet sitting company to a company focused on all aspects of Petcare. We engage in continuous learning on animal safety, animal behavior, and positive reinforcement training to provide the best care possible for all pets. We look to continue to push the company forward and to provide quality pet care to the Broad Ripple Community.

We look forward to you joining the Urban Uplander Family!

Here is the team of humans that make Urban Uplander possible.

Melinda Benbow

Owner-Operator

Melinda is the heart, soul, and face of the Urban Uplander. She was worked with animals professionally for about ten years with training and experience in positive reinforcement training, animal behavior, pet safety, and pet health. Melinda's passion is working with pets and pet parents to help them reach their full potential. The combination of skills, ambition and professional experience makes her Indy's #1 Pet Care Provider!

Kyle Benbow

Co-Owner

Kyle is Melinda's husband and business partner. They have been together since March of 2013, getting married in August of 2019. Kyle has a background in Clinical Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis, which provided him with knowledge and experience in behavioral changes through reinforcement. His love for pets, coupled with his education makes him a necessary part of Urban Uplander!

Emmitt Blomberg

Pet Care Assistant

Emmitt is the newest shining face of Urban Uplander! Emmitt was hired in May of 2021 as our new full-time Pet Sitter. Emmitt has a history of working with animals. He has spent his whole life around pets and has previously worked for BloomingPaws and volunteered at the Wild Care Rehab Center, both located in Bloomington. Currently, Emmitt is getting certified in Animal Grooming with plans to get more credentials in the pet care industry. He will also be beneficial with his background in graphic design and advertising. Emmitt is thrilled to start his new life in Indy and be a part of the Urban Uplander pack!

Bethany Carter of Sanguine Moon

Creative and Bird Dog Bestie

Bethany is a mother, a German shorthaired pointer enthusiast, a photographer, and all-around animal lover. As a registered vet technician she spends her workdays caring for the sick and wounded pets of our community at one of our local notables clinics. She currently has 4 dogs and her pack is still growing.  Bethany also has a wonderful eye for photography and her dog and field photos are especially noteworthy. Bethany obviously wears a lot of hats and she wears them well, but her most important position in life is being a mother to her wonderful children.  Bethany lends her photography skills to Urban Uplander and is also a fantastic dog training companion. There's nothing better than sharing your journey with a trusted friend!

Our Pets!

Here are the companion animals of the Urban Uplander Team! 

Sir McFluff'n Stuff

Sir McFluff'n Stuff (Fluff for short) came to us back in early 2013. He has been the eldest and ''leader of the pack" since then. Fluff has a radiant personality, as he loves getting attention from people and playing with his canine friends. 

Broomhilda

The newest member of our family is Broomhilda! Broomhilda (Hilda for short) came to us in July of 2019. She has been a fantastic addition to the pack. Her playful puppy energy welcomes in all the pups who come over for daycare and boarding! She also serves as a great running partner. 

Tay-Tay

Tay Tay was welcomed to the family in 2015. Tay Tay is our "little dog specialist" as she loves being able to run around and chase the dogs that are her size. Her absolute favorite thing to do is curl up on the warm lap of the closest human. Tay Tay typically sports a hot pink tail, but she has been known to switch it up from time to time.

Rum Nitty

This is Nitty the Kitty. She and her brothers came to us in the spring of 2020 as orphans around 3 weeks of age. After they became big and strong her brothers found a home together and she stayed here with us and the rest of the Urban Uplander Pack!

Nihili

Nihili was literally found on our doorstep in 2017. She is a great cat who is fantastic to have around as she gets along with EVERY dog that comes over. Nihili is excellent around all dogs serving as a "cat training" specialist, helping socialize new dogs to cats. She is the perfect balance in a house that is typically filled with canines!

Mochi and Tofu

Mochi (grey) and Tofu (tabby) are Nitty's biological brothers. Emmitt adopted the two kittens after Kyle and Melinda found all three as baby kittens. They are inseparable and spend their days wrestling and getting into trouble.

Herbi

Herbie is a hedgehog with quite a spikey personality! His favorite things to do is run on his wheel and lick anything that has a smell

Sanguine Moon Pack

Bethany's canine companions currently consist of her eldest dog who is a terrier mix, Raaja. Abu, her bully mix, and two German Pointers, Stitch and Mercury. 

Contact Us 

If you are a potential client or looking for more information, please refer to our Pet Sitting page to fill out an inquiry form. One of our team members will respond within 24 hours.

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