Meet the Pack

Boon is the owner of City Sniffers and Downtown Doggies. He has lived and worked on Gadigal land in Sydney’s Inner West for over 10 years in Newtown, Enmore and Marricville. His connection to dogs began early, fostering dogs during high school and co-running a small dog care and daycare business, Doggie Homestay, with his sister. That experience shaped a strong belief in calm, ethical, and well-managed care grounded in positive reinforcement. Alongside working with dogs, Boon has a long background in community and advocacy work. From childhood he was vocal and active in both individual and systematic change, spending all his free time coordinating efforts in animal rights, climate justice, renewable energy, bush regeneration and citizen science. He later worked, volunteered and was trained across civil society in progressive organisations in the trade union movement, faith groups, and the wider non profit sector. His professional background includes third sector political campaigning, digital and print communications, mobilisation and event management, partnerships and inter religious and intercultural dialogue. This informs how City Sniffers operates, from safety systems to fair pay and clear standards. After developing a chronic illness and disability Boon left full time work and in 2022 he joined Tails with Tayla as a pack leader. In 2023 Tayla’s Sydney clients were passed on and this formed Downtown Doggies. In 2025 he purchased City Sniffers Dog Walking from Kalista. Boon believes dogs thrive with experiences that are structured, diverse, evidence based, and led using positive reinforcement allowing space for both exploration and calm. Watching dogs build resilience, independence and grow in confidence over time, overcome challenges, reduce anxieties and fears, learn from their friends, and build healthy social bonds is one of the most rewarding parts of the work. The work is more than just exercise, it is treating our unconditional companions as individuals with lives beyond their owners. Outside the businesses, Boon remains active in community and activism - the ‘inner west spirit’. He enjoys gardening, DIY, the underground music scene and community groups. He has been on the leadership team for Acceptance Sydney an LGBTIQ+ Catholic ministry and advocacy body for the last decade, involved in multiple local government and non profit committees, and is a member of WIRES and a Community Justice of the Peace. His experiences have shaped a strong commitment to justice, accessibility, inclusion, environmental sustainability and animal welfare — and to building a ethical, commercially sustainable, purpose-led business that raises standards across the dog walking industry and builds up the communities around them.

Born in Australia to Portuguese parents, Fernando Daniel Belinha Teixeira grew up between Petersham, Dulwich Hill and Marrickville (Wangal Country) before moving to Portugal at nine and returning at 30. Fernando grew up surrounded by dogs, sparking a lifelong passion and eagerness to have dogs in his care. For the last five years, he’s called the Newtown & Enmore home, and it shows in how naturally he moves through the Inner West with his packs. Fernando has been walking dogs professionally for three years. He first joined Tails with Tayla which grew into an opportunity to become a primary walker for Downtown Doggies and City Sniffers. Over this time, he’s developed deep, long-term relationships with many of the dogs, watching them grow from shy newcomers into confident pups who know the routine and love walks. He holds RSPCA Pet First Aid certification, reflecting his commitment to safe, attentive care. He believes every walk is a chance for growth—for the dogs and for himself. For Fernando, great walks blend exercise, new sensory stimuli, group socialisation and quiet bonding moments in a way that, over time, helps shape each dog’s personality. One of his favourite memories is swimming with the dogs at Sirius Cove, spending long stretches out in the water together. Sharing that it is “not something we get the chance to do everyday’”, he recalls how special it was to see the dogs so happy.

At City Sniffers, I'm the Lead Dog Walker and Coordinator, which means I spend my days making sure our walks run smoothly while also getting out on the trails with some of Sydney's best dogs. I love watching dogs build confidence, make new friends and enjoy the simple joy of getting out and exploring. My veterinary background gives me an extra level of confidence when caring for dogs of all ages and abilities, and I'm passionate about creating safe, enriching adventures that every dog looks forward to. There's nothing better than earning the trust of a dog and seeing them light up when it's time for their next walk."

Originally from Sydney and now happily settled back in the Inner West (Wangal Country), Ruby – brings a steady presence to every walk. Her favorite dog breeds are Golden Retriever and a German Shepherd. In truth, she loves any dog with a big personality and a gentle streak. Working in Far North Queensland for over a decade before returning to Sydney, Ruby has been working with dogs for several years, including volunteering at a local animal shelter and raising German Shepherd puppies at home. Those experiences gave her hands-on insight into different temperaments, life stages and needs, and deepened her commitment to animal welfare. She’s currently completing her Certificate II in Animal Studies and plans to continue into Captive Animals and, eventually, zoology. Ruby believes happy, healthy walks blend enrichment, movement and connection. Time to socialise, explore, and simply enjoy being outside is, to her, just as important as physical exercise for a dog’s overall wellbeing.