Pauline

Hello,

My name is Pauline Cochrane, also known as "Aunty P" to the pets I look after. I am a retired, fit and healthy professional woman who loves animals and can provide peace of mind for you and your fur babies while you enjoy your holiday or short break.

I have owned a home for most of my adult life and understand and applied what is needed to take care of a home in the suburbs and on acreage. I always took pride in my different homes and enjoyed beautiful relationships over the years with my fur babies. Below is a little about my background and philosophy on life.  

Although I was born and raised in New Zealand, from 1974 I spent my adult life living and working in Brisbane and Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia returning to New Zealand upon retirement in 2016. My professional work background includes 32 years employed as a professional sales representative with multi-national pharmaceutical companies in Queensland and a total of 6 years teaching in TAFE and at two private secondary colleges. I purchased my first home in Brisbane in 1976 and owned property until 2014. 

In the mid-1990’s my partner and I owned a 17-acre Demeter-certified biodynamic property on the Sunshine Coast hinterland growing Echinacea for the natural health market and ran a few head of cattle to help keep the grass down, while both holding down full-time employment. I sold my interest in the farm in 1999 and purchased a 1-acre block of land in Palmview on the Sunshine Coast and built my home, which I lived in with my two cats and dog. 

I believe in lifelong learning and a holistic approach to health and wellbeing for all species. I am a qualified Reiki Master with a special interest in animal Reiki. Most animals I have encountered over the years enjoy receiving Reiki’s universal healing energy through meditation. The animal decides whether they wish to receive the energy. I also completed an Acute Diploma in Homeopathy in 2021.

As part of maintaining my own health, fitness and well-being I like to go for a 30 mins -1 hr daily walk (weather permitting). If your dog is trained on a lead, I am happy to take your dog for their daily walk.    

I have been registered as a Pet Sitter with Pawshake since October 2022.

Pet-sitting with Dogs, Cats, etc

I am available for short (minimum 2 nights) or long-term pet-sitting staying in your home with your pets. 

I will feed, care for, and comfort your pet. I am available to house-sit with multiple pets, and feel at ease caring for cats, dogs, birds, chooks, horses, cattle, sheep and other farm animals. 

I believe the benefit of in-home pet sitting is the love and companionship it offers your fur babies and reduces their anxiety and stress if they remain in their own home environment while you are away. In-home pet sitting also provides you with the security and peace of mind that it affords you and your family. I will provide you with photos and daily updates during your travels as to your pets' health and well-being. If you have more than one pet that needs looking after this option provides very good value. 

I currently undertake pet sitting on the Kapiti Coast between Otaki and Paekakariki.   

Bookings:

If you are looking to book my service for two different time periods (e.g. 1st - 5th January and then 5th - 10th February) I recommend, if possible, making them as two different bookings. The reason for this is, if your plans change it is easier for you to change the date/s or cancel the booking for a particular booking period.

Please be aware, however, that I'm now getting multiple queries most days, so if at all possible, it would be appreciated if you could make payment to Pawshake to confirm your booking as soon as possible. If you see any issues with this, please let me know.   

I understand and appreciate that the best laid plans can go astray or need to be changed. If for some reason, after paying for your booking/s your plans do change, I have a flexible cancellation policy. If you need to change your booking within 24 hours (before 12 noon the previous day) before the booking starts, you should receive a full refund from Pawshake for the cancelled date/s. Apparently it takes a few days for the refund to show up in your nominated bank account.

All bookings are confirmed when payment is made to Pawshake and I have accepted the booking. Your payment is held by Pawshake until I complete the service rendered. 

If you feel I am the person you wish to trust with your pet/s and home, I believe it is important we have a "meet and greet" first to see if we are a good fit before confirming a booking. I like to spend around 1/2 - 1 hour to get to know you and your fur babies first.

I have personal character references available if required. 

I look forward to chatting with you.  

Have an excellent day ...