Much to my parent's dismay, my first word was the name of our dog.

And contrary to what they (hopefully?) assumed, I never did grow out of my passion (obsession?) for all four-legged sentient beings. Which is why as soon as I could, I bought a farm and raised and bred horses, trained and took in dogs for temporary boarding, and shared my life with cats with character. I can bring my passion and devotion for caring for animals to help you leave yours feeling relieved and confident that they're in the very best of hands.

Over the years I have trained and completed courses in Positive Reinforcement (R+) training, The Masterson Method, first aid, animal communication, and acupressure for dogs & horses. My philosophy and innate instincts towards caring and being with animals are rooted in "safety first", compassionate clarity of communication, and trying to understand the causal factors of behaviour rather than reacting to what may appear to be undesirable behaviour (which usually is only a surface symptom telling us there's an underlying situation or cause that needs to be addressed). I can bring my decades of experience and education helping and taking care of a variety of domestic animals to YOUR precious pet(s).

For the past three years I have worked for a renowned pet-sitting agency in Nelson and have been grateful to be the recipient of innumerable gushing thank yous and glowing feedback from clients and management raving about my beyond-the-call-of-duty care and commitment. I've now accumulated quite a few lovely reviews from my recurring and new Pawshake clients that I hope will reassure you of the exceptional care your pet(s) will enjoy when they're with me.

Would your dog enjoy a walking adventure in a new and exciting locale to enrich his life and daily routine? Then let me safely entertain him/her for a full hour of exercise someplace new that he /she can discover.

Does your cat(s) need one or two hourly visits daily to make sure they have fresh food and water, a clean litter box, a general health check, and HEAPS of loving cuddles? Maybe medication? And along with their care, you get your mail picked up, curtains opened and closed so no one can tell someone isn't at home, trash bins taken in and out, garden or household plants watered and attention given to any issue that might present itself. PLUS daily pictorial updates and messages from your cat(s) so you'll know exactly how happy and well cared for they feel. In accordance with Pawshake policy, daily visits do not include dog walking --- that needs to be booked separately.

And if it's house sitting that you need, what distinguishes me from many other pet sitters is that I'll have no other outside commitments to distract me from the care of your pets whilst you're away. They will be my number 1 and only priority and total commitment. I am more than thrilled to pamper and care for your pet throughout the entire Nelson/Tasman region.

As a mature woman who has owned their own home and properties, I will be as conscientious, resourceful, and devoted to treating YOUR home and property with the same meticulous care and loving attention as if your home were my very own, maintaining sparkling cleanliness, care of gardens and indoor plants, restocking your kitchen with whatever you'll need upon your return so you can just collapse with your well-loved and cared for pets the moment you walk through the door. In an initial meet & greet we'll make sure I am aware of every detail of your pet's routine and needs, any contractors/repair people you use in the event of a maintenance issue I couldn't handle myself, what your preferences are for the general use of and maintenance of your home, mail taken in, bins taken out (and in.....), and respect for your privacy so that you are relaxed and confident about leaving all that you most value with me. And having been a volunteer for Riding For The Disabled, Blind & Low Vision Organisation, and Summerset Retirement Village, I have been police-checked to within an inch of my life. 

Oh. Have I mentioned I only stop cuddling and lavishing attention on pets in my care until THEY tell me they've had enough? And that I'll take photos and let them dictate emails to you to let you know how they're doing? As many or as few as you'd like whilst you're away.

So give yourself the gift of serenity, feeling secure and confident that your four-legged family is in the very best of loving, experienced, knowledgeable, attentive hands in their own familiar environment, and that a mature person you feel you can trust is going to make sure you return to an immaculate home. Let's meet to see if we aren't the perfect fit.......

For your convenience to not have to click on to a separate section to see what services I can provide, here's a detailed list for you: PLEASE NOTE "MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES" -- These will need to be paid via direct deposit or cash because the Pawshake App is unable to pick up any relevant additional fees for each service.

DOG WALKING:

1-hour walk $30.00 ($5.00 for each additional dog) Depending upon your dog's location, this
can include a drive to a park, reserve, or the beach so your darling can have a bit
of an adventure along with their exercise and toilet break.
Hopefully you already walk your dog with a harness rather than with a neck
collar, but if not, I usually have one that will fit.
And an email from your sweetie to let you know what he did today!

1/2-hour walk $17.00 Usually for either older or arthritic dogs or puppies.

HOME VISITS:

1X Home Visit: $30.00 An hour visit. For a dog, this will include a 1/2 - 3/4-hour walk plus any additional
requirements such as feeding, replenishing water bowls, cleaning up poop,
brushing, playing, training session, and of course, HEAPS of cuddles. 

For a cat, this visit includes washing all feed bowls and trays; feeding; fresh
water; general health check; brush & groom if they like it; medication if required;
litter box cleaned if applicable; bring in the mail; check the house for accidents;
curtains/lights changed-up if required; and of course HEAPS of loving attention
and cuddles and playtime! Also a wee email from your cat with an update about
his/her day. 

2X Home Visit: $60.00 Rinse & repeat of 1X visit

FULL DAY VISIT: Negotiated Price

HOUSE SITTING: $80.00 (SEE BELOW FOR ANY MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES THAT MAY APPLY)

This is something you and I will custom-fit and design according to your needs, desires, and expectations. If it's housesitting for a dog, then a minimum of 3 walks/day, 2 of which will be at least an hour. Whether it's pet sitting for a cat, dog, horse, bird, chickens, hamster, etc., rest assured they will have my undivided attention with minuscule alone time, if any at all. To quote myself from the description above:

As a mature woman who has owned their own home and properties, I will be as conscientious, resourceful, and devoted to treating YOUR home and property with the same meticulous care and loving attention as if both your pet and your home were my very own. Maintaining sparkling cleanliness, care of gardens and indoor plants, and in an initial meet & greet making sure I am aware not only of every detail of your pet's routine and needs, but any contractors/repair people you use in the event of a maintenance issue I couldn't handle myself, what your preferences are for the general use of and maintenance of your home, mail taken in, bins taken out (and in.....), and respect for your privacy so that you are relaxed and confident about leaving all that you most value with me.

MISCELLANEOUS CHARGES:

Additional household pets may incur additional charges depending upon the level of care required, i.e., cleaning of cages or pens for birds, rabbits, chooks, etc. Extra cat with a dog visit is $5.00.

ADDITIONAL $10.00/DAY CHARGE FOR PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

HOUSE SITTING LATE RETURNS: The daily house sitting rate is for a 24-hour period. If your return is later than 24 hours from our start time, additional charges of between $25 - $55 will apply.

May have additional charges if multiple daily visits are required to locations more than 8 km outside Nelson/Stoke.

Our first meet & greet is FREE! If subsequent meetings are required, a $25/meeting will apply.

THESE ADDITIONAL FEES MAY BE PAID EITHER IN CASH OR DIRECT DEPOSIT.