House Sitting Chinatown

“Akiko has been wonderful both as a dog walker and house sitter for our dog and cat. She was super attentive, asked questions leading up to her stay, and was super communicative- sending all the pictures and videos during our time away. This helped reassure us we left our pets in great hands. We can’t wait to have her back the next time we travel.”

Emily M.

“Christina saved the day with a last-minute change in request for dog sitting - she went out of her way to do a meet and greet the day before and to ensure that she had all the information needed to give Odelia the best care. So grateful!”

Colette G.

“Linett took great care of our dogs while we were out of town. We have two strong and energetic bully breeds and they definitely got to have lots of adventures and snuggles with her. She was very communicative and shared photos and videos of the doggos while we were gone.”

Alexis L.

“Ty loves Maya and she is reliable and flexible!”

Lauren T.

“Dawn has taken care of Lucy and Leeloo for the second time when we were out of town. Knowing that she’s housesitting and taking care of the pups gives us peace of mind. Highly recommend!”

Katherine H.

“Laura’s first time dog sitting for us went smoothly. This was an overnight trip. She sent us photo updates and was responsive when we texted to check in. When we got home, the house was tidy, their water bowls were filled, and Cannoli and Da Vinci were in good spirits. We’ve booked Laura for an extended stay while we’re on an international trip. Thanks, Laura!”

Aisha B.

About: Leaving your pet with someone new takes trust. My goal is to help you feel informed and reassured while giving your pet patient, attentive care that respects their personality, routine, and boundaries. My hands-on experience includes two and a half years caring for my rescued Chihuahua mix and two cats. I also volunteered socializing cats at a shelter when I was younger and, more recently, volunteered regularly at a farm animal sanctuary from April through October. There, I helped with feeding, fresh water, cleaning, preparing barns, and evening routines. I’m especially comfortable with cats and understand that building trust often means offering quiet company, respecting their space, and letting them choose when to interact. Caring for my own sensitive, reactive small dog has also taught me to watch body language closely, stay aware of my surroundings, and create distance from situations that make him uncomfortable. I treat every pet as an individual. Whether they enjoy sniff-filled walks, playtime, cuddles, or simply having someone nearby, I take time to learn what helps them feel comfortable. I let them set the pace for affection and interaction rather than forcing a connection. I’ve been vegan for seven years as part of my personal commitment to animal welfare. That commitment includes respecting each pet’s dietary needs—I’m comfortable handling meat-based food and following their established feeding routine. You can expect clear communication, thoughtful updates, and photos while you’re away. I’d love to meet you and your pets and learn what helps them feel safe, understood, and cared for. I currently have a flexible schedule, which allows me to plan walks, drop-ins, and house sits around your pet’s routine. For new clients, I prefer at least three days’ notice so we have time to arrange a meet-and-greet and make sure we’re a good fit before confirming a booking. During house sits, I stay overnight but may leave during the day for other pet-care bookings, errands, and personal commitments. Before booking, we’ll discuss your pet’s usual schedule, potty-break needs, and how long they can comfortably be left alone, so you know what to expect. I take a careful, detail-oriented approach to caring for both your pets and your home. At our meet-and-greet, I’ll ask about feeding instructions, walking routines, behavior, triggers, household rules, and emergency contacts. I welcome detailed care notes and will follow the plan we agree on. On walks, I’ll stay aware of our surroundings, keep your dog leashed, and avoid unfamiliar dogs or greetings unless we’ve specifically discussed them. I pay attention to body language and give pets space when they show discomfort rather than pushing them into an interaction. In your home, I’ll be mindful of doors, gates, and escape risks, keep feeding and litter areas tidy, and respect your instructions about access to rooms and outdoor spaces. For cats, I’ll offer attention without forcing handling or disturbing them when they need space. I’ll keep you updated with photos and notes about how your pet is doing and communicate promptly if I notice a change in their behavior, appetite, or bathroom habits. My aim is to maintain the familiar care they’re used to while giving them patience and support during your time away.

“Yasmeen was amazing! She was so friendly, communicative, and warm. She genuinely cares about building a relationship with the animals she looks after. She sends constant updates to let you know how things are going. She was a wonderful sitter and we would be so happy to have her look after our dog, Skylar, again! They became the best of friends. ?”

Sanna N.

“Kasey is incredibly knowledgeable, attentive, and genuinely cares about animals. She cared for our 3 cats and stayed at our home while we were overseas for a couple weeks. We felt comfortable the entire time, honestly the most relaxed we’ve ever been leaving our cats. This was hands down the best catsitting experience we’ve had. Highly recommend! We will be booking her for future sits.”

Kaila B.

“Josie was amazing and totally saved the day when our other pet sitter fell through! She took great care of our pup who is reactive / can be a bit of a menace - sent plenty of photos - and was very communicative and professional. We’d be thrilled to work with her again.”

Jared K.

About: I’ve cared for pups for friends, family, and neighbors, and have also had the joy of fostering dogs. I love getting to know each dog’s personality and giving them plenty of love, attention, and cuddles. I will send all of my clients high-quality (and cute!) daily photo/video updates 🎞️ My schedule is pretty flexible! I’m available for walks, drop-in visits, boarding, and house sitting throughout the week, and most weekends as well. I’m in class Wednesday evenings from 6–9pm and one weekend a month, but otherwise I have plenty of availability to spend time with your pup. I live in a dog-friendly apartment with my 6-year-old Frenchie, who gets along great with other dogs. I live in a smaller space so I will only take 1 booking at a time for boarding. I’m an anxious pet parent myself so I strive to give other humans peace of mind via detailed updates.

“G is a natural with animals! My dog and cat were so comfortable with G from the initial meet up. G's communication is awesome and I was so comforted to know my pets were in good hands.”

Megan B.

About: Peace of mind, clear communication, and absolute reliability for your pets. As a lifelong animal lover with over 40 years of pet care experience, I offer mature, accountable, and dependable care focused on neighborhood dog walks and drop-in visits throughout Oakland. My background in structured animal handling began decades ago in Norway, where I trained my first working dog alongside handlers from the Air Force Dog School long before positive reinforcement became the industry standard. Whether your dog needs a calming mid-day outdoor break or your pets need attentive drop-in feeding, my priority is keeping them happy, safe, and comfortable in their familiar environment. What sets my care apart: • Mature & Accountable: Punctual, highly responsible, and strictly respectful of your home, privacy, and care routines. Perfect for professionals wanting flawless communication. • Calming, Specialized Approach: Patient, positive reinforcement handling specifically tailored to adult dogs, shy pets, or gentle seniors who thrive on a steady, reassuring routine. • Advanced Pet Care: Fully experienced in administering oral medications and managing complex senior care schedules. • Local Oakland Focus: Dedicated entirely to Ivy Hill, Lake Merritt, Grand Lake, and immediate surrounding neighborhoods. (Please note: For walks and drop-in visits, I focus primarily on adult and senior pets to ensure the highest quality of focused, low-stress care. I look forward to meeting you and your pet for a free initial Meet & Greet!) As an independent professional, my schedule offers generous flexibility for pet care throughout the day and evening. I am readily available for morning, mid-day, afternoon, and evening neighborhood walks, as well as flexible drop-in visits for feeding, walks, and evening companionship. My open schedule allows me to dedicate my full, focused attention to your pet’s routine without feeling rushed. Safety and trust are my absolute highest priorities when caring for your pets and respecting your home. During neighborhood walks, I use secure leashes, maintain active situational awareness, and keep a calm, positive demeanor tailored to your dog’s comfort. For in-home drop-in visits, I follow your exact feeding, care, and home security instructions to ensure your pets feel completely safe and secure in their familiar environment.

“We asked Hong to care for our two dachshunds at our home for 2 weeks. Like many people on Rover, she clearly loves dogs, but even more, she was an incredible caregiver to our beloved pets. They had multiple daily walks and play time and outdoor time sitting in the sun or the yard. One of our dogs has had spine surgery and is not as mobile as he used to be. She was so patient with him and his extremely slow walking, reactive barking, and need for regular potty breaks. She gave them terrific care and even made some suggestions for their diet. In addition to be an excellent dog lover and carer, she is an excellent communicator and very professional, sharing photos, videos, and updates that let us know our dogs were doing well. She also took great care of our home while we were away, even helping water our plants. We give Hong our highest recommendation.”

Jennifer D.

“Devyn took care of our dog overnight and took excellent care of her. She diligently reviewed the care instructions in advance and was very communicative. We are new dog parents and it was our first time leaving our dog and Devyn was extremely understanding and accommodating. She left our house in good order. Would highly recommend her services and we hope to use her again!”

Jamie B.

“Thuy was an awesome dog and house sitter. She sent pictures regularly (without me even asking) which helped out my mind at ease. She also sent regular updates on how my pup was doing. She also left recommendations for me regarding my pup based on her experience with him. I would definitely recommend Thuy and book her again!!!”

Rita W.

“Dale was fantastic from start to finish! He came by the house for a consultation and provided daily updates while we were gone. He was very kind and patient with our high-energy border collie! It was a wonderful experience.”

Nicole S.

“This was our first time booking with Vanclee and it was a great experience from start to finish. He responded quickly to our initial message and made setting up the meet and greet very easy. He was very prompt for the meet and greet as well as on the day of sitting and key handoff. He followed all directions and kept our apartment very clean. Most importantly, he took excellent care of Hampton and Neko. We could tell from the photos and updates he sent that they were comfortable and well cared for, and when we arrived home they were happy and completely themselves. We really appreciated his calm and chill vibe, which our pups responded to right away and clearly put them at ease. We are very thankful and will absolutely recommend Vanclee and book with him again.”

Mario G.

About: I’ve been caring for and training dogs for years, and I love helping them feel safe, happy, and understood. One of my earliest challenges was with my parents’ high-energy dog — I successfully trained him not to bolt out the door when it opened 🚪🐕 (no small feat!). That experience taught me the power of patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement. 🐶 My Rescue Story I was the sole caregiver for my own rescue dog, who came to me fearful of strangers and unsure around other dogs. Over time, I: • Helped her grow comfortable meeting new people & pups 🤝 • Taught her not to jump on visitors 🙅‍♀️ • Trained her to “check in” with me before leaving for walks 🚶‍♀️ • Built her confidence to stay calm when home alone 💤 💛 Why Dogs Love Me Beyond training, I’m experienced with daily walks, feeding, grooming, playtime, and creating a safe, loving environment. I’m skilled at reading dog body language 🐕‍🦺 so I can keep pups comfortable and stress-free. I’m available on weekends, as well as Mondays and Fridays. I’m also happy to stay over on Monday nights, as long as you don’t need me to stay past 8am the following morning. When I care for pets in your home, I follow your instructions closely to keep their routine consistent. I make sure they have fresh water, regular meals, and plenty of exercise and playtime. I pay close attention to their body language and comfort level, so I can adapt my approach to their needs. I also give lots of affection (if they enjoy it!) and keep their environment clean and safe. You’ll get updates with photos so you know they’re happy and cared for while you’re away.

“Ilgas took great care of our pets while we were away! We have a senior dog and she was great with our old lady. We also have a very nervous cat and she was very patient with him.”

Nichole M.