If you’ve ever written to Pelsbarn’s Norwegian support team, chances are you’ve talked to Karoline: our warm, witty, animal-loving customer service star. She’s been part of the Pelsbarn family for years and is known for her patience, kindness, and incredible passion for rescue animals.
We sat down with her to chat about her journey, her (many!) pets, and what life looks like in “Karoland.”
Meet Karoline:
Coffee or tea: Neither! Water all the way.
Guilty pleasure: Crisps - I never share my food with my dogs, I hate dogs who beg haha - Binni however, my first foster cat, always steals my crisps if I’m not watching them like a hawk!
Dream day: A beach day filled with swimming and paddleboarding.
Favorite Pelsbarn product: I’ve had the OG sofa bed for years and it’s still going strong. All my dogs and cats love it! But the Orthopedic Bed is probably my top favorite now. We also have the Cooling Bed, and I’m hoping to get the Lux version soon... I recently adopted my fourth rescue dog, so we’re running out of beds!
How it all began
“I actually got a message on Upwork asking if I loved animals and if I’d be interested in a job helping Norwegian customers. I remember doing the phone interview from my treehouse and having such a lovely chat where I got to meet Fay and even Maya!”
That call marked the start of a long-term friendship and a new chapter in Karoline’s life helping thousands of dog parents through her signature empathy and humor.
Why she loves what she does
When asked about her favorite customer interactions, Karoline mentions:
“I always love when someone starts off angry and ends up happy. It’s so rewarding when you can turn frustration into gratitude. That’s when you know you’ve made a real difference.”
After more than 20 years in customer service, she has learned it is the heart of every great business:
“Keeping customers happy can truly make a business successful.”
The best part of the job
“The photos of our customers’ dogs! Always, always the highlight of my workday.”
Karoline’s home is full of furry friends, and they’re the best product testers Pelsbarn could ask for.
If Karoline could design a dream product for dogs, it would be…
Basically the Pelsbarn orthopedic bed. But with even higher raised edges and natural vegan fibres that are durable but don’t release microlastics when washing like polyester.ç
💡Tip from Elle: Are you worried about microplastics entering the waste stream? Get a guppyfriend washing machine bag, or, if you are really committed, a washing machine filter.
Life in “Karoland”
When we asked about her pets, Karoline laughed:
“Which one?!”
She currently lives with four dogs, four cats, three ducks, three roosters, and two hens.
Each has a story:
Maggie - She was a street puppy, I was volunteering for AARC (Aklan Animal Rehabilitation Centre) at the time so I rescued her when she had been hit by a vehicle. I fostered her for a while and fell in love with her, but I was traveling most of the year so I couldn’t give her a home. She stayed with AARC in Kalibo for 2 years, I visited her several times which always broke my heart as she cried every time I left, so when I finally got to my house I went to get her and now she has her forever home with me.
Before Maggie there was a beautiful little dog called Bandit. He was my first foster fail, so sick when I first picked him up from a tourist but he got strong and I could not let go of him. He only lived a little over 2 years unfortunately and died suddenly when we had been on a morning walk, most likely poison. Bandit got named by the tourist as he was white with two black eyes.
About 1 year after his death a friend of mine said he had found a little Bandit looking puppy on the street who needed a Karoline, and when he brought her I knew she had to stay with me. Her name is Mark as she also has 2 black marks around her eyes.
Bandit, Maggie and Mark are all Aspins (Aso - dog - Philippine) who are beautiful mixed breeds and come in all shapes and colours.
Bjørn was added to our family a little later. He is a toy poodle, but the owner moved from the island and could no longer look after him so we decided to give him a chance and he has settled in very well with all animals and humans.
The latest addition to the pack is Mango. I met her in the shelter and I fostered her when she got very sick last year so she could deliver her puppies safely. Which happened on a Pelsbarn bed and they were all in Karoland for a while. Recently she was fostered by a neighbour as she got injured in the shelter and it wasn’t safe for her there, but she kept breaking out and came on the morning walks with me and my dogs. She would also follow us home and didn’t want to leave. I always found her waiting outside the gate if I sent her back to my neighbour so I gave in so now she lives with us.
“I’ve always liked being alone,” Karoline admits, “but now I have all the company I need at home.”
Daily routines and lessons learned
Every morning starts early with a 5:30 a.m. beach walk- when the dogs can run freely before the beach gets busy.
After breakfast, the rest of the day belongs to “the farm,” and at night the dogs get their Dentastix and hop into bed.
“Happy dogs, happy mom. Walks and training are the key to a healthy, happy life for both of us!”
Karoline’s message to all dog parents
“Please adopt, don’t shop. And choose a dog that fits your lifestyle, not just your aesthetic. Dogs should be part of your family, and they need walks, exercise, and attention.”
A final note
Karoline’s warmth, humor, and dedication to animals shine through everything she does, whether she’s solving a support ticket, rescuing a dog, or managing the morning chaos of her happy, furry family.
If you ever chat with her, you´ll know that behind every helpful reply is someone who truly lives and breathes Pelsbarn’s mission:
to give every dog (and cat, duck, and rooster) the love and comfort they deserve.
It was a pleasure introducing Karoline to you, our Pelsbarn CS treasure.
Kindly,
Elle from team Pelsbarn.
