02/08/2024
My career in pet care has now spanned over 25 years - animals are my life’s biggest passion and you can be assured that I will care for and love your pet as if they were my own. I am specifically trained to care for pets with special needs such as anxiety, fear, aggression, illness, and advanced age. I approach pet care from the perspective of each individual pet’s needs and I focus on developing a close bond, maintaining their normal routine, positive reinforcement training, confidence building and ensuring that they're happy. My top priority is that they are safe and feel secure and comfortable with me. I have an extensive background in pet care, including 8 years of employment with the BC SPCA in animal care and 2 years of employment at the BC SPCA veterinary hospital in Vancouver. I've been certified multiple times in Pet First Aid and have been trained in natural disaster pet rescue. I received my certification as a dog trainer in November 2005. I can administer medications orally and give injections and subcutaneous fluids. I have been operating my pet care service since 2002 and can provide several references on request.
I'm dedicated to providing the highest level of care possible to your beloved companion so that you can rest easy knowing that while you're apart your pet is safe and happy. For this reason I will never hire employees and will be the only person taking care of your pet - it's important for continuity of care, to protect the security of your home and most of all so that your pet can bond to me and feel as comfortable and safe as possible rather than having multiple caregivers that they don't know very well and who aren't familiar with their routine and special needs.
Some pets are resilient and do well in a dog/cat kennel, but most pets aren't used to that type of environment and it can cause extreme distress in some pets. I've learned that pets experience high levels of stress when their families leave on holidays, and that stress is compounded when they also lose their familiar home environment and need to adapt not only to new people but a new space. Why would a pet want to sleep alone in a cage or in a stranger's house when they can sleep in their own bed while their family is away? I pride myself on providing such attentive, loving care that my furry clients hardly notice that their family is missing, which includes being on site at your home with your pet for a minimum of 18-20 hours per day.
Some well-socialized dogs enjoy an off leash pack walk with up to 8 other dogs, but this is NOT what I offer. I limit my dog walks to 1-2 dogs maximum so that I can keep a good eye on them and protect them from accident and injury. I tailor our walks to your individual dog's needs with regards to on or off leash, the length and speed of the walk, the location your dog prefers to walk, and whether we interact with other friendly dogs on our hikes. The focus of my walks is what will make YOUR dog the happiest, because I don't have 3 (or 9!) other dogs with us that also need my attention.
My intention isn't to condemn all kennels, pet boarders, and pack dog walkers because some of them provide a very high level of care. They just aren't suitable for all pets. My service is tailored for pets who require a higher level of care and/or have special needs.
If your baby is shy, or doesn't love other animals, or wants 3 hours of pets a day, or has some aggression, or needs medications, or prefers a quiet environment, or is elderly and may need medical intervention, or thrives under a specific routine, or needs an experienced knowledgeable handler, or just likes to be spoiled rotten, this doesn't mean that you never get to go away on holiday! I'm happy to accommodate any and all of your pet's needs so they are as pampered and happy as possible while in my care. It brings me so much joy to care for our precious 4 legged friends.
During my visit, I will care for all of the daily needs of your pet such as: feeding, providing fresh water, walking, cleaning litter boxes, and of course giving lots of scratches, cuddles and play time. I will spend a minimum of 18 hours per day with your pet and will maintain their regular schedule as if you were still at home. While you’re away I’m happy to look after your home by bringing in mail and newspapers, turning on and off lights, adjusting curtains, watering plants, and taking out the garbage.
When I am taking care of your animal, I prefer to have a key to your home to avoid accidentally being locked out of your house. The key will be marked only with your pet’s name so it cannot be traced to your home. In case of an accident or injury, I will immediately take your pet to your veterinarian and contact you at the emergency number I have on file. If I am scheduled to look after your pet, I will be there. Under no circumstances will your pet ever be left at home unattended. I don’t have employees which ensures that your pet will reliably receive the highest level of care and your home security won’t be breached.
