FAQs

Animal care has been a lifelong focus, starting with raising and tending to horses, goats, chickens, waterfowl, and other livestock. That early experience grew into professional roles as a veterinary technician in both small animal and exotic pet clinics, including emergency and critical care.

I’ve also worked as a small mammal and aquatic specialist in both boutique and big-name pet stores, with hands-on knowledge of freshwater and saltwater aquariums and popular terrarium and bioactive enclosures.

My pet support services are individualized, attentive, and grounded in both knowledge and respect for each animal’s unique needs. Current certification in Pet First Aid and CPR provides additional peace of mind for families entrusting their animals to my care.

I work hard to ensure that my clients and their pets are well cared for, no matter what unexpected emergencies arise. However, I require that my clients set up their own local emergency back-up, whether it’s another sitter or a local friend or family member who has a key and is ready to help while you’re away, if needed.

I’m more than happy to help folks set up an emergency contact system prior to setting up new service. It will be up to you to maintain your emergency contact network and let me know of any changes before any scheduled sits. Read more about my back-up emergency support plans, and what is required of you to ensure that those plans work properly.

I offer clinic experience as a veterinary technician and experience providing basic to advanced medical care for dogs, cats and other animals, and I’ve also worked through formal, college-level vet tech training and curriculum.

I am willing and able to administer topical, pill or liquid meds, subcutaneous fluids, injections such as insulin, and provide basic wound and medical care to your pets. I can also prepare/feed special diets if needed.

I do not provide bladder expressions or work with mobility-impaired animals over 25 lbs. Read more about my background and experience.

I’m happy to water indoor and outdoor plants, bring in the mail, scoop poop, clean litter boxes and pet areas, etc. Barf? No problem. Other pet messes? I’ll clean them right up! I bring a full cleaning kit with me to every visit. I’ll make sure pet areas and your home in general are neat and tidy when you return!

I often provide extra cleaning services free of charge as time allows, such as wiping down kitchen surfaces, a quick mop of the kitchen and entry floors, etc.

Yes! I and my team are fully insured and bonded through Pet Sitters Associates.

I require that pets such as cats and dogs (and exotic pets such as foxes, skunks, etc) are kept current with their rabies vaccinations, as required by Oregon law.

I may make exceptions based on the pet’s age, titer levels, general health, or living arrangements. For example, if there is an active pet door that could be used by an outside mammal to enter the home, or allow pets to go outside with no supervision, I will require rabies vaccinations for all cats and dogs under my care.

Other vaccinations have some leeway. If you choose not to provide core vaccinations (or to adjust vaccination schedules due to antibody titer test results, etc) I respect your choices.

However, because I care for so many animals with varying vaccine status, and visit homes that include health-compromised pets, I strongly recommend that you provide at least the core vaccinations your cats and dogs need. I cannot be held accountable for any pet illnesses resulting from unvaccinated pets.

I’d like to know about any special needs related to your dog’s personality, health, care, or feeding. It’s also helpful to hear about any specific behavioral or personality quirks. I’d love to know how your dog does on leash or in a harness, and how they handle being around other people or animals while out on walks.

I don’t have any breed preferences and love pets of all breeds and species, but if your dog is an angry dog, dangerously undisciplined, is not neutered, or is a biter, I will not to handle or pet sit any aggressive dogs of any breed. Please BE HONEST when informing me of your pets’ history, to protect me and your pets from unfortunate circumstances.

If I’m pet sitting your cats while you’re away, I require at least one visit per day to your home. For the safety and wellness of your cats and the security of your property and home, I don’t contract for non-consecutive days (skipping days).