Sparky Steps: Chicago Pet Sitters Built on a Foundation of Heart
My name is Michael Jaurigue, and I'm the Founder here at Sparky Steps. When we first opened our doors back in 2016, we didn't just want to build a standard pet care business... we wanted to launch an organization with a true social mission: to help tackle the ongoing crisis of animal homelessness right here in our community.
Before Sparky Steps officially launched, my co-founder, Laurie, and I would regularly spend our free time volunteering at local Chicago animal shelters. I quickly realized that volunteering wasn't just easy; it was incredibly fulfilling. At the same time, it was heartbreaking for us to see so many amazing, soulful pups sitting behind kennel bars without homes. That’s exactly when we decided to do something about it. We created Sparky Steps to establish a unified space where people who genuinely love animals can come together, support one another, and help shelter animals find their ultimate forever families.
The Power of Sustainable Social Entrepreneurship
I am a firm believer in the power of Social Entrepreneurship. I don’t believe that a business should exist solely to generate profit; a business should exist to make a tangible, positive difference in the lives of the community it serves. The community we are dedicated to tackling is our very own Chicago. While the Windy City is an incredible place to live, we know we can work together to make it even better for our pets.
Through our daily pet sitting and dog walking services, we are able to support our team, generate local income, and provide premium care for Chicago's beloved pets. Building a sustainable business structure gives us the foundation to give back. By maintaining a social mission, we can raise vital awareness for shelter animals who haven't found their homes yet, showcase the incredible love they have to offer, and connect them with families who have the space to help.
An Ever-Evolving Journey
When we first started out, we had the grandest, best intentions of hit-the-ground running volunteer work every single week. As our business has grown and our schedule has gotten busier keeping Chicago's pets safe and exercised, we’ve naturally had to adapt. Today, we focus our efforts on hosting special shelter volunteer events once in a while.
Even though we gather a bit more occasionally now, our core purpose and good intentions are exactly the same as day one. Sparky Steps is, and always will be, more than just a dog walking service—it’s a chance to build a passionate community of people who care deeply about animal welfare.
We are constantly brainstormed and looking at new, creative ways we can impact shelter dogs even further in the future. Until then, we stay committed to our foundational mission.
Join Us at Our Next Volunteer Day!
Want to make a hands-on difference with us? We would absolutely love for you to join the Sparky Steps pack at our next shelter outing! Whether you want to stretch your legs walking shelter pups, help organize supplies, or just spread the word, everyone is welcome. Check out our dedicated Social Mission and Volunteer Page to see exactly how we give back, and keep an eye out for updates on our next scheduled shelter day. We'd love to see you there!
Best,
Michael Jaurigue
Sparky Steps Founder, Manager & Chief Pet Officer (Last Updated: 5/25/2026)
