Craig Burnell

Born and raised in Maine, Craig has never known life without animals by his side. From the day he was born, pets have been a constant part of his world, shaping a lifelong passion for animal care, welfare, and education. That passion led him to Virginia Tech, where he studied environmental sciences with a focus on protecting animals and the environments they depend on.

By day, Craig works as a chemist, bringing a strong attention to detail, safety, and science-based thinking into every aspect of Burnell Pet Care and Education. In December 2019, he and Chelsea opened Burnell Pets on Rover, and what started as a small local service has grown steadily into a trusted, education-focused pet care business serving both pets and their people.

Craig loves meeting new clients—both human and animal—and finds deep fulfillment in building relationships and helping pets live safer, happier, more enriched lives. Outside of work, you’ll usually find him outdoors biking, kayaking, hiking, or enjoying Maine’s natural beauty. He also treasures time spent with family, including his wife Chelsea, their two young boys, their dog Daisy, and cat Savannah.

Credentials: NAPPS Certified, FFCP, DN-CET, DN-CDBPE, Advanced First Aid & CPR Certified

Chelsea Burnell

Chelsea was born and raised in Maine and, like Craig, grew up surrounded by pets her entire life. In fact, Craig and Chelsea grew up just two miles apart—long before they knew they would one day build a life, a family, and a business together centered around caring for others. Chelsea helped decide to create a business with Craig caring for animals within the local community.

Chelsea has always had a deep love for animals and a strong nurturing spirit that extends equally to pets, people, and her family. She attended college here in Maine and has spent much of her career working in service roles and as a civil servant, dedicated to supporting and serving members of her community—pets and people alike.

Chelsea brings compassion, reliability, and a pet-first mindset to everything she does. She adores caring for clients’ pets as if they were her own and is especially passionate about ensuring animals feel safe, loved, and understood. When she’s not working, Chelsea enjoys spending time with Craig, her children, and their beloved pets, who are at the heart of everything Burnell Pets stands for.

Credentials: Dog and Cat First Aid & CPR Certified