Our Story.

Built on trust, discipline,
and a passion for pets

from critter caretakers to scritches.

In the world of premium pet care, trust is everything. It’s the confidence you need when handing over your keys, and it's the certainty that your pet will receive the best possible attention.

That's why Scritches Pet Co (previously Critter Caretakers) was founded by two former Law Enforcement officers with a combined 46 years of service. We built our company on the principle that the same dedication, vigilance, and absolute integrity required for police work should be the baseline standard for your pet’s care.

Meet Tony & Liza

From Scotland Yard to Arizona

We are Tony and Liza Bacon, and our Scritches brand isn't just business, it's personal. We spent decades on the London Metropolitan Police force, honing skills in meticulous background checking, rapid crisis management, and unwavering commitment to public safety.

After moving to the Phoenix area, we saw a gap in the local pet care industry — a lack of professional security and accountability necessary for clients to feel truly at ease. Driven by our deep love for animals and our commitment to public safety, we decided to combine our two passions.

Our Mission: To deliver the most secure, meticulously vetted, and reliable pet services available, backed by a level of professional integrity unmatched in the industry.

More about our time in the Metropolitan Police Service and our route to beautiful Arizona.

Our story isn't typical for a pet care company, but it's precisely what makes us different!

For about 45 years combined, we served as police officers with the London Metropolitan Police. It was a career that instilled in us unwavering discipline, meticulous attention to detail, and a deep-seated commitment to safety and integrity.

Liza's nearly 30 years on the force saw her on response teams, in neighborhood policing, and compassionately assisting vulnerable adults and children with Social Services. Her calm demeanor, sharp observation skills, and dedication to welfare laid a foundation of genuine care.

For my 16 years, I worked with young people in the community at risk of gang violence and knife crime, I honed strategic coordination in the Major Incident Control Room and quick, decisive action on response teams. We both shared a unique bond with animals through our time working with the Dog Unit, deepening our understanding of their unique needs and the trust they place in us.

Beyond our policing careers, pets have always been at the heart of our lives. We've both had dogs and other beloved animals by our side since childhood, and we've dedicated countless hours to volunteering with various animal organizations. This lifelong passion, combined with our desire for a new chapter, led us to a shared dream: immigrating to Arizona specifically to build a pet care business that reflected our values. We saw a need for services that offered true peace of mind, built on the absolute reliability, genuine trustworthiness, and professional approach we practiced on the force.

We poured our principles of vigilance and integrity into every aspect of Critter Caretakers, from our rigorous sitter vetting to our unwavering commitment to your pet's safety and happiness. Today, we're proud to be a multi-award-winning service, recognized for our commitment to excellence. Our growth is a testament to the trust our clients place in us, and we continue to be driven by the same core values that have always guided us: to bring discipline, care, and unparalleled peace of mind to every single pet we look after.

The Scritches Standard: Security is Our Foundation

We believe peace of mind should be a guarantee, not a luxury. Every aspect of our operation is designed to transfer the discipline of law enforcement directly into the care of your furry family.

✅ Meticulously Vetted Professionals:

We go beyond basic checks. Every caregiver undergoes our Law Enforcement Vetted screening process—rigorous background checks, intensive interviews, and continuous oversight by the owners themselves.

✅ Fully Bonded & Insured:

We maintain comprehensive insurance and bonding to ensure complete protection for your home and pets against any unforeseen circumstances.

✅ 24/7 Owner Availability:

Just like on the police force, Tony and Liza are available around the clock, 365 days a year, providing reliable resilience and immediate solutions to any emergency.

Our History: The Critter Caretakers Legacy

For those who have known us, Scritches Pet Co is the continuation of a legacy built on trust. We are the same dedicated owners and team who have been proudly serving the Phoenix metro area since August 2018 under the name Critter Caretakers.

We successfully ran Critter Caretakers for many years, but the name needed to evolve to reflect our deeper commitment. The rebranding to Scritches Pet Co allows us to formally embody our unique selling proposition: the Law Enforcement Vetted standard for ultimate security and service excellence across multiple pet services.

For all previous Critter Caretakers clients, your service quality, booking process, and login credentials remain exactly the same — only the name has evolved to Scritches.

Our Comprehensive Solution to Pet Care

Our commitment to integrity and security extends to every service we provide. We are a full-service provider, ensuring all your pet’s needs are met under one trusted banner.

We offer premium, highly-vetted services including:

✅ In-Home Pet Sitting and Overnight Care

✅ Daily Structured Dog Walking

✅ Dog Training | Positive Reinforcement Training

✅ Specialized Puppy, Senior, and Exotic Pet Care

✅ Pet Taxi Services

✅ Recurring Waste Management (Poop Scoop)

The Scritches Difference? Ex-Cop Owners.

We Guarantee Your Pet's Happiness & Your Home's Security

Leveraging our combined 45 years of experience as ex-law enforcement officers, Scritches Pet Services is founded on an unwavering commitment to both exceptional pet care and client home security.

When Scritches is on your property, you benefit from a professional presence that monitors your home and ensures the strict security protocols are followed, guaranteeing not just a happy pet, but unparalleled peace of mind and home integrity while you are away.

Choosing the right care for your beloved pets is a decision that demands absolute confidence.

With Scritches, Tony & Liza don't just offer services; they offer unparalleled peace of mind,
built on a foundation of unwavering trust and meticulous care

Trust Your Home and Pets to Ex-Cops

Our Doggy Directors.

Bear

aka Bear Cub

Head of Security

Bear is a 110lb Rottweiler and looks intimidating. He is actually very soppy and likes to steal socks.

Bobbi aka Bobbi Nugget, Bobski

VP of Snack Quality

A Pitbull crossed with no one knows what, Bobbi should also be scary but she is very scared of thunder and rain.

River

aka River Roo

Chief Fun Officer

When River is not swimming he is following our daughter around. River believes a happy pet makes for a happy home.

Mabel May

aka Mabesie

Director of Comfort & Naps

Mabel is a recent (2025) rescue from the LA wildfires, found chained up and abandoned in a rear yard. A true expert in relaxation

Missy

aka Missy Moo Moo

In Memory of Missy

2015 - 2025

Missy was the matriarch as she was our 'senior' lady. All she did was sleep and made a variety of noises. And smells.

We miss you

every day x

COMPLETE PEACE OF MIND FOR ALL SERVICES

"If your pets could choose,

they would choose us"

BOOK NOW

DO YOU SHARE OUR STANDARDS?

Independant Contractors

Join the Scritches Team: If you are a highly skilled pet care professional seeking consistent bookings and reliable support, partner with us to grow your business while providing the gold standard of trusted service.

Business Partnerships

Partner with Trust: Elevate your brand by aligning with the Scritches Standard. We seek local businesses committed to mutual excellence and providing our clients with the most secure, high-quality pet services available.