Meet BO
A Lifetime of Caring for Animals
Hi, I'm Belinda “BO” Ogitis, owner of Bos Bugs Wild and Leashed. Animals have been part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up on a small farm in Paris, Texas, surrounded by horses, cows, chickens, dogs and cats. I got my first horse at thirteen and went on to barrel race and ride with a rodeo drill team.
That lifelong love of animals eventually led me to Moorpark College's Animal Care and Training Program, where I studied animal behavior, handling, training and zookeeping while gaining extensive hands-on experience at America's Teaching Zoo.
From the Teaching Zoo to a Career in Animal Care
After graduating from Moorpark College's Animal Care and Training Program, I worked at Marine World Africa USA, caring for a wide variety of animals and participating in educational shows. My experience included everything from large carnivores to birds and small mammals, while continuing to develop my skills in animal behavior, training and public education.
After moving back to the East Coast, I continued my career at the Philadelphia Zoo. There, I cared for diverse species, performed children's educational shows and traveled to schools and community events with ambassador animals to teach families about wildlife, conservation and responsible animal care.
Animal Control, Wildlife & Community Service
In April 2000, I joined Hopewell Township as a Certified Animal Control Officer and became part of New Jersey's first class of Certified Animal Cruelty Investigators. Over the years, my work has included helping injured pets, orphaned wildlife, snakes and even the occasional bat that found its way into someone's home.
I also serve on the NJ Fish and Wildlife Venomous Snake Response Team, helping with situations involving New Jersey's native venomous snakes.
I am hearing impaired, which is an important part of who I am, and I also know some American Sign Language (ASL).
In addition to my professional work, I volunteer with the Mercer County Wildlife Center, assisting with the care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife.
Why Bos Bugs Wild and Leashed?
After a lifetime of working with animals, starting a pet-sitting business felt like the perfect next chapter for me. As I approach retirement from Animal Control, I'm definitely not ready to stop working with the animals I love.
Pet sitting gives me the opportunity to use my years of experience in a more personal way, getting to know each animal and the people who love them. Every pet is different, and I believe their care should be too.
Whether your family includes dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small animals, farm animals or some more unusual critters, my goal is to provide knowledgeable, dependable and compassionate care while keeping their normal routines as comfortable and familiar as possible.
Why Bos Bugs Wild and Leashed?
After a lifetime of working with animals, starting a pet-sitting business felt like the perfect next chapter for me. As I approach retirement from Animal Control, I'm definitely not ready to stop working with the animals I love.
Pet sitting gives me the opportunity to use my years of experience in a more personal way, getting to know each animal and the people who love them. Every pet is different, and I believe their care should be too.
Whether your family includes dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small animals, farm animals or some more unusual critters, my goal is to provide knowledgeable, dependable and compassionate care while keeping their normal routines as comfortable and familiar as possible.
Why Bos Bugs Wild and Leashed?
After a lifetime of working with animals, starting a pet-sitting business felt like the perfect next chapter for me. As I approach retirement from Animal Control, I'm definitely not ready to stop working with the animals I love.
Pet sitting gives me the opportunity to use my years of experience in a more personal way, getting to know each animal and the people who love them. Every pet is different, and I believe their care should be too.
Whether your family includes dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small animals, farm animals or some more unusual critters, my goal is to provide knowledgeable, dependable and compassionate care while keeping their normal routines as comfortable and familiar as possible.
Why Bos Bugs Wild and Leashed?
After a lifetime of working with animals, starting a pet-sitting business felt like the perfect next chapter for me. As I approach retirement from Animal Control, I'm definitely not ready to stop working with the animals I love.
Pet sitting gives me the opportunity to use my years of experience in a more personal way, getting to know each animal and the people who love them. Every pet is different, and I believe their care should be too.
Whether your family includes dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, small animals, farm animals or some more unusual critters, my goal is to provide knowledgeable, dependable and compassionate care while keeping their normal routines as comfortable and familiar as possible.
Life at Home With BO
Animals aren't just part of my professional life. They're a huge part of my family life too.
I've been married to my husband, Aaron, since 1997, and we're incredibly proud of our two children, Natalie and Chad. Over the years, our home has become a bit of a mini zoo, filled with animals of all shapes, sizes, feathers, fur and scales.
Our family includes dogs, cats, bunnies, freshwater fish, a 90-year-old parrot and a large collection of reptiles, including crested geckos, leachianus geckos, gargoyle geckos, chahouas (chewies) and leopard geckos.
And that's where the “Bugs” in Bos Bugs comes in! With so many reptiles to feed, I even started raising mealworms and Dubia roaches.
Caring for animals isn't something I leave at work. It's simply part of who I am and how our family lives.
Supporting Wildlife Close to Home
My love for animals extends beyond the pets and critters I care for every day. I also volunteer with the Mercer County Wildlife Center in Titusville, New Jersey, helping with the care and rehabilitation of injured and orphaned wildlife.
The Wildlife Center provides an important resource for native wildlife in our community. Some of my pet-sitting customers have asked how they can learn more or help support the Center, so I've included a link below for anyone who would like to visit their website or make a donation.