Pet & House Sitting
If you are looking for a trustworthy experienced sitter look no further. I have had pets in my life for 50+ years and worked with various non profit pet rescues for 25+ years. I am also self contained so there is no need for me to lounge or sleep in your home which has obvious benefits while still being onsite.
Medically sensitive pets, exotics, farm animals, just about any pet you can imagine I have cared for, a full list below.
What I Specialize In
I specialize in longer sits, medically sensitive pets, elder animal care and exotics. I am very adept at working with difficult animals and have tons of experience with animals that may not be the most social. Exotics can be the most difficult of pets to leave with a sitter, requiring specialized care that most sitters are not willing to provide. A snake that only eats live? I can handle that. A sugar glider that needs fresh fruit several times a day? No problem. A large water monitor with a nasty disposition that needs it's water changed daily, we will be buddies by the weeks end. How about a narcoleptic Cockatoo that needs her cage covered and uncovered 20 times a day, she will sleep in darkness and wake with the rising sheet 20 times a day.
The Process
It starts with you reaching out via email and we can then find an acceptable time for a video interview. The interview is for both of us, we both need to feel comfortable about the sit, the terms and more importantly the expectations. I don't use <insert leach capitalist company of your choosing> for a variety of reasons but primarily they complicate and cause unnecessary expense for both parties while providing no appreciable benefits.
Reasons I May Decline a Sit
I rarely outright decline a sit but below are a few reasons it may happen.
Values: This is the big one for me, if we have vastly differing values and morals the sit is doomed before it begins. I am an open book and transparent about everything. I am a Humanist and an atheist. I believe everyone has a right to exist, that our neighbors shouldn't be hunted for sport or for the color of their skin or their beliefs. THIS IS NOT A POLITICAL STATEMENT, if you view it as one or are offended by it then we are not a good match.
HOA: I can and will make exceptions for this rule but it is rare, very rare. There is not a single HOA I know of in this country that would be ok with a converted ambulance being in the driveway overnight let alone for weeks at a time. I will make an exception with a signed and notarized letter from the HOA board stating that the stay is approved. The sit must be paid for in full and is non-refundable. I have 1 client that lives in a HOA and they are on the board, I just prefer to decline sits in HOA's as they are not trustworthy entities as a whole.
Fleas: Deal breaker...period no exceptions. I live full time with my cats in the rig, there is no way for me to eliminate fleas without hotel stays and poisoning the heck out of my living space. I do a flea check on arrival, if there are signs of fleas the deposit is forfeited and I roll off to my next sit or next place to camp and explore. Sorry, this is the way it has to be for my cats protection and my sanity.
East of the Rockies: If the sit is longer than 60 days I will consider sits east of the Rockies, if the sit is longer than 30 days but in a spectacular location I may consider it for the experience. This is just economics for me, I do not charge for my diesel/cost to arrive at the sit so taking jobs 1000 miles away and I work for free.
Indoor/Outdoor Cats: Numerous reasons why, aside from the ethical or safety reasons. How am I supposed to care for an animal that has no boundaries and no schedule? I worry about my indoor cats when I can't find them immediately and would feel the same about an indoor/outdoor cat. Is it ok? Is it alive? Where is it? Has it been hurt? Yeah, I am not doing that to myself as it is torture to me. I have had someone try to skirt this rule by keeping their indoor/outdoor cat indoors prior to my arrival, again I can and will spot this before you pull out for your vacation and will cancel the sit. Cats that are indoor/outdoors do not do well being "kept" indoors for the first time when someone new is caring for them, it is not safe for the cat and can be unsafe for the sitter.
Pets I will sit:
*Will care for hybrids, no large exotic cats due to liability. **Any and all birds with the exception of birds of prey. ***Any and all snakes including snakes only eating live food with the exception of anything spicy/venomous due to liability. ****Smaller primates welcome, if you have to ask you know the answer.
What is included:
Everyday you will receive photo updates and two text or email updates to their status and what they were up to for the day. For dogs 1 walk is included in a daily sit free of charge, additional walks can be added. Cleaning up after pets is included but I do not do home cleaning as I will not be residing in your home.
Pricing:
I don't do typical pet sitting pricing as the <insert leach capitalist company of your choosing>has found a way to monetize everything. Oh you have a fish tank that needs food sprinkled in once a day that will be $10, houseplants need watering another $10, a pet that needs meds...oh no that is another $25 and it just keeps going. I charge a per day fee that is all inclusive so no surprise fee's, no misunderstandings and no "nickle and dime"taxing" you for every "extra service" provided.
Best thing to do is fill out the form below and we can get the process started. My fee's generally start at $125 a day for on site sitting which is inclusive so no additional fees. Extra pets, plants, mail, other needed services are negotiated during the interview process. Generally if it is a few plants and bringing in the mail there is no additional fees. A dozen animals with varying needs does require additional fees. To see examples of past sits/fees click here.