Helen

About Me
I am 38 years old and live in Ngāruawāhia though I commute during the work week to Hamilton. I have fostered many cats in my time, and I own two beloved cats of my own, Jet and Bingley. I am pet sitting in order to save some money for an upcoming holiday but I also know it'll bring me a lot of joy to keep your animals safe and happy. I love both dogs and cats they they luckily seem to love me too. The same goes for pretty much every other animal I meet - my sister had rats for a time and I adored them too. I'm experienced with the care and routines which pets require and fostered many cats while living overseas during the pandemic, meaning I am an expert in giving pills and other medications.

How Can You Help Me Care for Your Pet?
Tell me about your animal so I can give them care they will enjoy. Favourite toys? Feeding times? Where do they like to be petted and what is normal for them?

Using my own cats as examples, I have one smoochy lap cat, and one who prefers distant admiration and the occaisional neck scratch and who has only sat on me twice in his life (treasured moments!). They both need different things from me, and your cats will be no different. Let me know what will bring out the best in them, as well as if there is anything that scares them. I fostered some feral cats in my time, and learning their triggers really helped them decide that the food source might be worth getting to know.

Rules
- Vaccinated pets only (unless they are too young to be vaccinated)
- I need to meet them before I can care for them, especially if I need to give them medications
- Tell me about any medical conditions, toileting issues or anything else relevant. I do not mind these at all, but if I know about them I can prepare

Availability
Monday to Friday
Available for feeds and visits early morning and evening. I work full-time and commute to Hamiton, but am happy to get up a little earier for morning feeds. Evenings visits and feeds are fine too.

Weekends
Available whenever suits you best though if doing twice-daily feeds, I'd like to do these in daylightif possible.

House Sitting
I am happy to do this, but you must bear in mind I work Monday to Friday and have animals of my own, so I will not be with your animals 24/7 though I pretty much will be during weekends, excepting standard errands.

Services Offered
Dog Walking
You will need to tell me what your usual routine is etc and the expected walk-length . No more than 2 dogs at once unless I okay more. Happy to take photos :)

Animal Visits and Feeds
Either once or twice a day.
20-30 mins per visit. I tend to overstay rather than understay because I love spending time with animals. I will of course visit with and feed your animalsbut I am also happy to do some household stuff while there such as collecting mail, watering plants, changing litter or anything you pre-specify. Happy to take photos of your animals.

House Sitting
Happy to house sit on weekends or for several weeks with ample notice. I cannot do 24-7 House Sitting. I work Monday to Friday and have animals of my own. I will be with them during non-work hours though, and with them overnight. Happy to water plants, change llitter, bring in mail and other day-to-day tasks. You will need to let me know about any security you have in your house, and anything you would like me to do so your house routine remains the same. Please ensure that your neighbours are aware that I will be present.Happy to send you alllll the photos fo your animals. I know these helped me when I was away from my cats recently and had a Pawshake house-sitter in.

Just In Case...
Safety
I will need to know which vet your animal sees in case of emergencies. Let me know about any pre-existing conditions before I care for your animal. I don't mind these, I just need to know, so I can take the right steps if your pet becomes unwell. If I cannot contact you in an emergency, you may end up incurring expenses for the care of your pet, and while I will endeavour to contact you in this circumstance, I will sometimes need to make calsl on your behalf

About Medications
If you explain dosage and demonstrate how to medicate your animal, I am happy to give out medications. I have treated most common cat aiments before, but if it is something specialised like diabetes, I wil need you to talk me through this until I feel confident about keeping your pet safe.

My Experience of Medications
In the past I have given antibiotics, ringworm treatments (over several weeks - ringworm takes ages to treat!), worm and flea treatments (pills and applied liquids), eyedrops, ear mite treatments and post-operative care after eye-removal.

About Care
I cannot do 24-7 care of animals due to work and my own two cats, but I am happy to look after your animals and prioritise their care. Happy to give them lots more love and attention on weekends, as I can spend me 8 hours of work time with your animals instead.

My Experience of Care
I have some experience with special-needs animals. I have looked after a cat who a vet characterised as aggressive, a cat who wore nappies and a cat who was almost completely blind. I got to know what worked each of these animals. I have also looked after animals post de-sexing and post-surgery.

In a Nutshell...
I want want you want from a pet-sitter. Happy pets who get to keep their routines while their people are away. Your pets will be safe with me, and I will bear in mind anything you tell me which might make life easier for your pet while you are away. Happy to take photos, send updates and generally make you feel like you're still right there with them.