About Us

Hi there! My name is Joee Duffy, and I own and operate Sitters by the Sea!

I was on vacation with my husband in Nashville back in 2019. We were walking down the street, and I said to him, “OMG! I can hear music and I see colors! And my stomach isn’t in knots.” I realized it was the first time in a long time that I felt that good, free, and unstressed. Once on the plane home, I turned to him and said, “When I go back into the office on Monday, I am giving my two-week notice.”

And that was that. Sitters by the Sea was born a couple of months later.

It had been something I had been thinking about for a long time as I occasionally helped another sitter out. I always thought about how rewarding it would be to care for others’ pets so that they could have the luxury of travelling and being stress-free. Clients could be at work, and their pets could have midday visits so that they aren’t cooped up for hours at a time. So clients could work late or go to dinner or happy hour and know that they had cared for their pet when those things came up or were planned.

I have never been happier, busier, or more proud of myself than I have in my 27-year Construction Management career. I took my Project Management knowledge and instilled it into this business, and I took my love of pets and made it happen!

My husband and I are both originally from New Jersey and have been in Virginia Beach for 15 years. We have our pets (all rescues) that we treasure and adore. Max, our dog (aka Puppy Fantastic) and our cats Gretzky, Elsie, Berkelee and Tillie.

In my free time, I love to travel, go to concerts and festivals, spend time with my husband, our friends and family, and most of all, spend time with our pets and just relax!! We are also avid sports fans, with our favorite teams being the New York Yankees, New York Rangers, and New York Giants. Aside from going to a Yankee game or two, we are making our way across the country to different ballparks as well!!

So, you can see why I am so happy I made this wonderful decision!!

Hello! My name is Brittany, and I’m very excited to meet you and your pet!

In 2012, I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University, and I’m currently working on my certification in Animal Behavior and Enrichment. The program builds directly on my degree, and I’m enjoying it immensely! My hope is to be able to provide in-home training and behavior modification for household pets, with the ultimate goal of working with endangered species.

When I’m not pet sitting, I can usually be found performing as a local musician with the professional acapella group The Doorway Singers, which you can see performing all over Hampton Roads!

Hi, my name is Marcie. I grew up in a large family with various animals in residence: dogs, parakeets, canaries, white rats, an iguana, and even a chipmunk that my mom tamed. We didn’t have cats, however, so when I got married (53 years ago and still going strong!), my husband and I rescued our first cat (Ferdinand). He was followed by 14 other feline buddies through the years, all of whom were rescued from feral colonies, animal control, or the ASPCA.

As we are petless now, I get my fix from our terrific client base and their furry kids! In my down time, I love to read and garden.

Hi Everyone, you can call me Jess!!

Since I was about 9, I’ve taken care of many animals, ranging from dogs and cats to horses and hamsters! My friends and family have trusted me to take care of their fur babies in various ways, including house-sitting, walking, and boarding.

When trusted with your pet, I promise to provide care and lots of love and attention! I love to play with pets and do my best to ensure they get some form of mental stimulation throughout the duration of my visits with them. I also have a little bit of experience with animal training and may be able to teach your fur baby a few behaviors if you’d like.

Hi, I’m Camryn!

I am originally from Maryland but have lived in Virginia Beach since 2020. I grew up with an energetic Jack Russel Terrier named Cassie and am now a pet parent to an English Lab named Teddy! Over the years, family, friends, and clients have trusted me to care for their fur babies, and I can rest assured that they are in the best care.

When I first moved to Virginia, I became a volunteer at the Virginia Beach SPCA, which I am still involved with in my spare time. I love meeting and caring for animals of all kinds and promise to treat them like one of my own.

Hello everyone! My name is Maeson! I am a student athlete from Virginia Beach attending school in St. Augustine, Florida for volleyball! I had two of the best doggies for 13 and 14 years growing up, sadly they recently passed last year, so I will give extra loving and attention to all your pets!! I have fostered around 30 puppies over the years and have experience in pet sitting all sizes of fur babies.

I am also willing to take the energetic babies for runs as I need to run almost everyday for training. When I do not have any jobs coming up, I go over to the VBSPCA and take a dog out for the day to feel extra special and loved! I can’t wait to meet your pretty and handsome pets!!

Hi, I’m Baylee! I’m a nursing student with a lifelong love for animals. Ever since I could walk, I’ve been caring for dogs, cats, reptiles, birds, farm animals, and even all kinds of exotic pets. That passion eventually led me to spend four years working as a vet tech, which taught me a lot about patience, consistency, and really listening to what animals need. Some animals want to play and explore; others just want someone quiet nearby to feel safe.

I also trained my own dogs to be therapy animals for others! Outside of school and pet care, you’ll usually find me rock climbing, travelling, or hanging out at a coffee shop with a good book.

Hi Everyone!

It’s Lori and I am a Virginia Beach native, living here for the past 53 years.

I have had dogs my whole life. Right now I have a senior golden retriever, and a 10 yr old Silver Lab. My kids talked me into getting a mini goldendoodle during Covid year. He’s 4 now- and he is a joy to all!

I have always been an animal lover and I help my neighbors out with their pets when they are out of town as well.

When I’m not working I love walking my dogs, working out, listening to music and traveling!

Hi Everyone!

My name is Danielle and my love for animals goes way back to my childhood. My first real experience with animals was with my childhood dog, Coco, who not only was my best friend but also let me share a very special experience with her by letting me be in my playpen with her and her newborn pups . Watching Coco be such a loving and nurturing mother had a big impact on me, and it sparked my lifelong connection and love for dogs.

As I grew older, I met my husband, and my heart expanded to include cats as well—another wonderful addition to our family! And when we had kids, we embraced even more variety with lizards joining our home. Over the years, I’ve learned that each animal has its own personality, needs, and quirks, and I adore caring for all of them.

Whether it’s giving dogs a good walk, playing with cats, or ensuring reptiles are cared for with attention and precision, I treat every pet with the love and respect they deserve. As an experienced pet lover, you can trust me to look after your pets like they’re my own, providing them with companionship, care, and comfort while you’re away.

Born and raised in West Columbia, SC with my identical twin sister and younger brother. I graduated from Erskine College and have over 20 years in customer service/inside sales experience and 10 yrs pet sitting experience.

I moved to Charleston with my sister in September 2024 and love it!
I currently have 1 dog (Reba- chihuahua) and 1 cat (Wally- torti) plus share another pup and cat with my twin sister.

For fun I love to workout, play soccer, ref soccer, hike, and of course hang out at the beach!
I’m an animal lover who pays attention to detail and will make sure all pets are safe and happy!

They deserve nothing but the best!!

Growing up on our family’s lively farm nestled among rolling pastures, I developed a deep connection with animals early on. Surrounded by horses, dogs, and cats, they quickly became my ultimate companions and responsibilities. Throughout my formative years in 4-H, I honed my skills in animal care, from grooming show horses to nurturing beloved pets. For me, animal care isn’t just a career—it’s a heartfelt extension of my childhood dreams.

Whether I’m brushing down horses with a smile or cuddling up with rescue pups, my warmth and dedication shine through in every wagging tail and content purr. With my heart firmly rooted in the welfare of our furry friends, I believe that when you’re passionate about what you do, every day spent caring for animals is a tail-wagging adventure.