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A brown dog with a pink and white patterned bandana on a leash, being gently held and examined by a person wearing a gray sweater with a floral pattern, outdoors on a leaf-covered ground.
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About Bells & Spikes

Thoughtful pet care, made personal — from our family to yours.

Bells & Spikes isn’t your average pet service — it’s a lovingly built, pet-obsessed family business that believes every animal deserves care as unique as they are. Whether you’ve got a senior pup with a favorite blanket or a quirky rescue cat who drinks from the sink, we’re here to make sure your beloved pets feel seen, safe, and completely loved.

Our Services

Pawsitively Tailored Services

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Pawsitively Tailored Services 🐾

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A woman with dark hair taking a close-up selfie with her small tan and white dog, both looking at the camera, in a cozy indoor setting with beige tiles and a brown pillow or cushion in the background.

Where The Tail Began

Back in 2021, Shirley decided to turn her lifelong love for animals into something bigger. After years of fostering everything from tiny kittens to giant Dobermans (plus her own full house of family pets!), she realized just how hard it was to find pet care that felt personal and not just a cookie-cutter, “one size fits all” service. 

So she created Bells & Spikes: a homegrown, heart-filled service where every pet is treated like family and every single detail matters.

With the help of her oldest daughter Jasmine, what started almost overnight quickly grew into a trusted name throughout Virginia Beach and the Hampton Roads area – all thanks to a whole lot of love, late-night belly rubs, and the unwavering support of fellow pet parents like you.

A collage of nine photos featuring various pets, including dogs, cats, guinea pig, and kitten, in different settings.
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What Makes Us Different

At Bells & Spikes, we don’t just show up with a leash and call it a day. We build real relationships — with both you and your pets.

★ Every care plan is personalized, whether that’s filtered water, favorite treats, or specific bedtime routines.

★ We send thoughtful updates and sweet photos so you’re always in the loop (and smiling).

★ Our sitters are all trained in animal CPR, behavior, and fear-free handling — because loving animals is just the start.

From shy cats to goofy puppies to reptiles to rabbits, we’re here to care for your pets the way you would — with patience, kindness, and all the little touches that make the biggest difference.

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A Name With Heart

Three cats cuddling together on a beige couch, one gray tabby and two orange tabbies.
Lavender rectangular sign with two light blue starburst shapes in the top right and bottom left corners.

“Bells” comes from the soft jingle of countless foster cats who have found safe haven with Shirley’s family over the years.

A white fluffy dog looking out the passenger side window of a car with palm trees and a yellow no outlet sign outside.
A blank purple rectangular speech bubble with two blue starburst shapes in the top right and bottom left corners, set against a black background.

“Spike” was the name of their beloved dog — loyal, joyful, and deeply loved for 12 unforgettable years.

Together, Bells & Spikes represents a mix of care, compassion, and second chances — the kind of love we aim to give every animal in our care.

Meet Shirley!

A woman sitting on a large log on a beach with a brown dog. Both are looking happy, with the woman smiling at the camera. The woman has dark hair tied up, and is wearing a colorful patterned sweater, pink shirt, and jeans. The dog is wearing a pink polka-dot bandana and a black collar. In the background, there's a shoreline with trees and branches, and driftwood on the sand.

Our Chief Executive Paw-fficer

Shirley is the heart behind Bells & Spikes. A proud Puerto Rico native and lifelong animal lover, she brings warmth, humor, and high standards to everything she does.

She’s a devoted wife and mom, a rescue advocate, and the kind of person who remembers your dog’s favorite toy and your cat’s secret napping spot. From managing a growing team (which now includes her second daughter, Emma!) to giving hands-on care, Shirley leads with love and a no-nonsense commitment to doing things the right way.

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Our Promise

At Bells & Spikes, we know that trusting someone with your pet is a really big deal. That’s why we’re committed to:

★ Tailored, thoughtful care
★ Open, honest communication
★ Safety-first practices
★ And lots of genuine love

Whether it’s dog daycare, boarding, drop-ins, or overnight care, we’re here to help you feel confident and your pet feel completely at home.

Our mission is simple: Pawsitively Tailored happiness for pets of all kinds, and peace of mind for the people who love them.

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Small dog in a red plaid jacket on a leash, standing in front of a metallic wall with a pink neon ice cream cone sign, next to a blue and white paw print bowl.
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Let’s give your pet the kind of care they’d choose

(if they could talk, of course!)

Serving Virginia Beach.

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