AJ started Familiar Pet Care to provide compassionate care to animals at all stages of their life. Every animal deserves recognition, celebration, and memorization.

AJ has over 20 years of experience caring for animal companions. While they grew up with dogs and cats, AJ has worked as a vet assistant and kennel technician at Kansas City area shelters.

AJ also became a certified death doula through CareDoula School of Accompanying the Dying in 2018. They have supported many foster and hospice pets and stray and owned animal companions as they pass on. In addition, AJ is an animal chaplain. They are enrolled in Compassion Consortium’s program and will be ordained in June 2025.

AJ is a member of the following organizations:

• International Association for Animal Hospice and Palliative Care

• Association for Pet Loss and Bereavement

• American Association of Veterinary Chaplains

“Familiar Pet Care” encompasses the two businesses that Abigail (AJ) Stutzer, Sole Proprietor, operates in the Kansas City area and via remote meetings. Abigail Stutzer, Sole Proprietor, is insured through Pet Sitters Associates for their pet sitting and dog walking services and through Alternative Balance for their end-of-life, death care, grief work, and animal chaplaincy services. Depending on the services you request, I’ll direct you to which of my businesses can meet your needs.

As a note for clients, I prefer to be called AJ and use they/them pronouns.