Who is Fetching?
Kristen Levine, President & Founder of Fetching Communications
Pet Lifestyle Writer and Media Personality
“Pets are ‘love on demand’! They keep us linked to the most basic human needs—love, touch, affection and laughter. You can’t text message your pet, and you can’t e-mail or call them, so you have relate to them face-to-face, paw-to-foot. I think we sometimes forget how much we need that kind of tangible connection.”
Like many of us, Kristen Levine developed an emotional connection with animals at an early age. Even as a child, she recognized the importance of making lifelong commitments to companion animals—she sensed our value to one another. Using the human-animal bond as her inspiration along with dogged determination, Kristen turned her life passion into a journey of professional success.
Her drive to do something worthwhile led her to volunteer at an animal shelter. 
Her feel good hobby quickly led to a fifteen-year career as the Public Relations Director of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Tampa Bay, where she played a critical role in promoting pet adoption and pet lifestyle education. During those years, she worked hand-in-hand with veterinarians, trainers, animal welfare professionals, and most importantly—pet lovers!
Kristen’s vast knowledge of pet lifestyle concerns and family dynamics coupled with her understanding of public relations led her to found Fetching Communications in 2002. Her goal? To develop the nation’s first and only marketing and public relations firm wholly dedicated to today’s steadily growing pet marketplace. Her highly regarded experience and reputation as the “Great Dame” of Pet Lifestyle Professionals granted her the ability to communicate with the public, in various mediums, by highlighting the impact pets have on our lives. Her focus is America’s “love affair” with pets.
In 2000, the ‘sidelines’ beckoned. Kristen encountered her “ultimate hobby” when she secured a spot on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Cheerleading Squad, one of the National Football League’s most elite squads. She proudly represented the NFL and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for two seasons at games, community events and was even selected to travel to the Middle East to entertain our U.S. Troops on the Enduring Freedom Tour. In her mid-thirties, Kristen was the “most senior” cheerleader in the NFL!
“These days, it’s my dog that wears the cute little costumes-not me!”
Today, Kristen is a popular columnist for NBC Universal’s Petside.com and the Tampa Tribune, whose regular entries include topics on anything from American pet-culture, the pet industry's effects on global economy to the latest in pet toy trends. She has logged over 1000 live television and radio interviews, including appearances on Good Morning America, Fox News Channel, USA Today, Fox News.com, ABC News Radio, EFE America, AOL Latino and regular spots on WTVT, Fox 13 News in Tampa Bay, Florida. Kristen is also a frequent contributor to pet and veterinary trade magazines nationwide.
She holds a U.S. Patent for the ‘Hot Reel’, a handy tool, which ingenuity and a pesky problem on the farm inspired Kristen to invent. The ‘Hot Reel’ is a retractable farm fencing device that protects animals from harm while they pass through electric fencing systems.
She also serves on the board of “Frankie’s Friends”, a canine lymphoma treatment project and charitable foundation created to increase public awareness of the ongoing successes in veterinary medicine and to help provide treatments for those who are financially unable to do so.
As a speaker, Kristen brings her 140 ‘dog-years’ of experience in the pet world, passion, and magnetic personality to every person or audience she engages. Sincere, knowledgeable and always professional, Kristen’s entertaining and inspiring message celebrates the American love affair we have with our pets.
“Pets are redefining the concept of “family” so it’s a thrilling time to be a part of the pet industry evolution! (Even more exciting if you have four legs and a wet nose!”)
Kristen is married and lives in Florida with her dog, cat, four goats and a pair of miniature donkeys.
Visit Kristen’s media/speaker website at www.kristenlevine.com.
Kelly Farnan
“Media Mama”
Nicknamed “Pleasantville” for always smiling, Kelly brings years of television producing experience (Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Tampa) to Fetching Communications. Her boxer “Philly” is her four-legged inspiration.
Pet Tricks
- Loves to dance
- Hit the red carpet with celebs like George Clooney, Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone
- Covered the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City
- Member of the Screen Actors Guild
Julie Robbins
“The Newsmaker”
From pet fish and guinea pigs to cats and dogs, Julie can’t remember a time when she wasn’t happily surrounded by animals. A former television & news producer for Good Morning America and Fox News Channel, Julie traded working with celebrities and politicians in the concrete jungle of New York City for a houseful of cats and dogs in a Florida suburb. She’ll tell you combining her life-long love of pets with her professional background in broadcast journalism is a dream come true.
Pet Tricks
- Julie is mother and full-time zookeeper to two cats, a Chihuahua and a Dachshund (all rescued)
- If her home association would let her, she’d also have Pot-bellied pigs
- Her favorite place on Earth is Ireland
Stephanie Rotunda
“Creative Cat”
If a good idea lies buried, she’ll dig until she finds it. With over 15+ years of marketing mastery, Stephanie brings creativity, great ideas and technological know-how to Fetching Communications.
Pet Tricks
- Scored 7th Row Seats to a Rolling Stones concert
- Works for her sister (Kristen) and is ‘akin’ to it
- Loves to Hike and Ski
- Loves to teach others new tricks
Maureen Tabaczka
“Results Retriever”
Maureen can usually be found ‘sniffing out’ a new and challenging project. Never chasing her tail, she is Fetching’s resident expert project manager and event coordinator.
Pet Tricks
- Builds small projects for home improvements
- Huge sports fan
- Enjoys gardening, playing softball and tinkering with her car
- Lives and plays with Scully, her 9-year-old tabby cat