Cat Sitting Deforest

About: Experienced & Loving Dog Care | 14+ Years in Rescue, Training & Medical Care Dogs have always been at the heart of my life—growing up, they were truly cherished members of our family, and that philosophy guides how I care for them today. For over 14 years, I have worked hands-on in rescue shelter environments, giving me deep experience with dogs of every size, age, and background—from tiny toy breeds to gentle giants. My time in rescue has taught me patience, intuition, and deep compassion. I’ve had the privilege of working closely with extremely fearful dogs, including those rescued from puppy mills who had never known human touch or seen the light of day. Helping them learn to trust, feel safe, and discover the joy of just being a dog is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. What I Bring to Your Dog’s Care: Specialized & Behavioral Care: Experienced in basic dog training and working with a wide range of unique personalities (from energetic pups to timid rescues). Medical & Recovery Support: Proficient in administering oral medications (pills and liquids) and supporting dogs through physical therapy and post-op recovery. Family-Level Love: Every dog in my care is treated with the exact same warmth, attention, and affection I give my own. Dependable & Adaptable: I have a flexible schedule, pay close attention to detail, and follow your home and care instructions to the letter. (I also have experience in caring for small mammals and reptiles!) I’d love to meet your pup and provide them with a safe, comforting, and fun environment while you're away! Pet care isn’t just something I squeeze into my schedule; it’s central to my day to day life. With a flexible schedule, I am able to dedicate focused, quality time to the animals in my care without rushing. Whether your pet needs a mid-day walk, precise medication timing, or dedicated cuddle and play sessions, my routine naturally accommodates their specific needs. I prioritize consistency so your pet’s daily rhythms—feeding times, exercise, and rest—remain uninterrupted while you’re away. Safety and trust are the foundation of everything I do. Having spent over 14 years working in animal rescue, I am trained to maintain a secure, low-stress environment and anticipate potential hazards before they happen. In Your Home: I strictly honor your pet’s safe space and established routines. I keep doors and gates secure, ensure all foods and medications are safely stored, and strictly follow your home rules. Building Trust: I let pets approach me at their own comfort level, using positive reinforcement, soft body language, and patience—especially with anxious or rescue pets. Health & Safety: I am highly experienced in monitoring health cues, managing medical recoveries, and administering medications, giving you complete peace of mind that your pet and home are in capable, loving hands.

“Hailey was great with my cat, Penny! Hailey gained Penny’s trust and affection immediately. Hailey sent detailed updates and lots of pictures which I greatly appreciated! We would definitely trust her to watch after Penny again!”

Anne S.

“Shatoria was so great with my cats. She is very responsive and a great listener. I had a lot of changes in care instructions, and she handled everything patiently and without any issues. She kept me updated, followed all the details carefully, and made me feel completely at ease while I was away. I could tell my cats were well cared for and comfortable with her. I would absolutely trust her again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable and attentive pet sitter.”

Duong H.

“Emma was friendly and good with animals. She was able to get our elderly cat to take his medicine while we were gone. Would book again.”

Andy W.

About: My full-time job is currently working at a boarding/daycare resort. I have worked with variety of dogs and cats. Whether they be older, younger, anxious or just a little crazy. I adore my job and I’m just looking to find some extra money on my off hours and days. I also have two animals myself! My lovely kitty Lady, and my longhaired white dachshund Mandy 🫶. I have given a variety of medications from injections, pills, supplements, ear eye and mouth drops, etc. I have zero issues administering medications. I have worked with two separate boarding/daycare facilities in the Madison area and surrounding areas. I am mostly available in the afternoons/late afternoons. I generally have two days off per week. With one weekend day off almost always. I would love to meet you and your family! I often have two full days off a week, however they are not on set days. I will update my availability as often as possible to help us both plan for care accordingly. I also leave work by 4:15pm at the latest. I will often have early and late afternoon into nighttime availability. I do not offer boarding in my own home currently due to my living situation. I’m a firm believer that animals are much more calm in their own environment. From working in boarding as long as I have, boarding outside of their own home can cause issues with eating, with digestion, with behavior, etc. It’s the least stressful to put a dog in their own space.

About: I’ve always lived in a household with cats and dogs - growing up, my parents had cats and dogs and now that I live on my own, I have 2 kitties of my own - Pumpkin and Jasper! I have pet sat for neighbors, friends, and coworkers and am always so happy to do it! I work fully remote and have flexible hours, so it is easy for me to drop in! I also could work at your home and spend time with your babies if you have wifi! I live in a 1 bedroom apartment with my 2 kitties. I’ve had them both since they were kittens - one is 5 years old now and the other is 3 years old. They are spoiled with treats, play time, brushing, and kisses!

“Tucker was amazing. He spend quality time with our pets and even cleaned up an accident without complaint. He was communicative and even sent us photos each day. I would absolutely hire Tucker again.”

Laura W.

“Blanca was amazing - super reliable and responsive! Our cat is usually grumpy, but Blanca is a natural and the cat LOVED her. Great updates and photos with each visit. Will definitely book again!”

John G.

About: I'm the person asking if I can pet your animals in public. Love a good walk and will play outside with your pet or snuggle on THe couch if desired,! My workday usually starts at about 9am and I am home sometime between 3-4pm My weekends are usually wide open for your pet care needs Pets can roam free in my home as long as behaved and appropriate. I feed my cats twice daily so I can accommodate feeding routines and have a fenced in yard for play

About: I’ve taken care of animals since I was five years old. I’ve walked dogs since I was a child. I have had birds, gerbils, lizards, fish, cats, and dogs. My last animal companion was a rescued special needs Jindo dog from LA. I truly love all animals. I work for myself so my schedule is relatively flexible. I am available anytime with enough headway. Have car and can travel to clients. I can spend as much or as little time as your pet requires. I currently have no pets or housemates and a fenced in backyard for dogs. My house is safe and secure and situated in a quiet neighborhood. All furniture is pet friendly and accessible. Plenty of windows for cats to look out from.

“Anik was an amazing cat sitter! Excellent communication, genuine care, and incredible attention to detail throughout the entire stay. The cats received so much love and attention. Anik went above and beyond, including taking the time to train French Fry to run on the wheel! That extra effort and patience really showed how much Anik cared about making the cats happy and comfortable. We would definitely book with Anik for future care.”

Katie S.

About: i’ve taken care of all kinda of animal, dogs, cats, and others! i’ve been taking care of many animals all of my life big or small☺️ i’m currently working a full time job, so I am required to either work after 10 pm and before 1pm during the day anytime between☺️ I have three cats all inside we groom them very regularly and feed them two times a day, we make sure to keep them stimulated and exercised so they live a long life!

About: Hi! My name is Marcela, and I’m a lifelong animal lover with a special place in my heart for both dogs and cats. I have two dogs of my own, Chester and Athena. Chester is my small rescue dog, and I’ve had him since I was 9 years old. I truly grew up with him, and he has been by my side for most of my life. Chester is deaf, and as he’s gotten older, he has also developed anxiety and takes medication to help manage it. Over the years, I’ve learned how important patience, consistency, and understanding an animal’s individual needs can be. I communicate with Chester using hand signals and gentle body language, and caring for him has taught me so much about connecting with animals at every stage of life. Athena is my pit bull, and we love spending time outdoors with our animals. Whether we’re going for walks, playing, or simply enjoying the fresh air, I genuinely love giving animals attention, exercise, and plenty of affection. Athena has also had difficulty getting along with other dogs, so we worked with her through training to help her become more comfortable and learn how to interact appropriately. This has given me firsthand experience with the patience, structure, and careful management that some dogs need when around other animals. I also have hands on experience caring for a cat with significant medical needs. My cat, Fergi, was diagnosed with HCM and eventually developed end stage heart failure. During his illness, I became very familiar with the day to day care that comes with heart failure, including administering medications, monitoring his breathing, appetite, energy, and behavior, and paying close attention to small changes in his condition. Going through that experience also taught me how difficult it can be to leave your pet in someone else’s care when they’re sick or have special needs. I know how much worry can come with wondering if they’re okay while you’re away. Because of that, I want to be the kind of person who gives another pet parent that same sense of comfort and reassurance, knowing their pet is being watched over with patience, love, and genuine care. I absolutely love cats, and after recently losing Fergi, I’m not quite ready to bring another cat into my home yet. I would, however, love the opportunity to care for and spend time with other people’s cats. It would be really special to have that connection again while giving your cat the love and attention they deserve. I also take pride in the everyday care I give my own pets, including brushing my dogs’ teeth daily. I’m happy to provide routine care like this when requested, along with walks, playtime, feeding, medication, and plenty of companionship. Whether your pet is young, a senior, anxious, shy, energetic, or needs medication or extra patience, I’ll treat them with the same kindness and attentiveness I give my own. I know how much trust it takes to leave your pets with someone, and my goal is for both you and your pet to feel safe, comfortable, and cared for while you’re apart. I can’t wait to meet you and your pets! ❤️ I have a flexible schedule since my partner and I run our own microgreens farm. This allows me to work pet care into my schedule and be flexible with walks, drop ins, and stays. I’ll care for your pet(s) based on their individual needs and any instructions you provide—every situation is different, and I’m happy to adapt to what’s best for them.

About: I’ve taken care of animals since I was a young girl occasionally pet sitting around the neighborhood. Now, I am an avid animal lover. I have years of volunteer experience at the Dane County Humane Society where I care for a variety of animals. I have experience caring for animals with diverse medical needs. I am a geriatric social worker in Dane County. I have most holidays off, but am available after 4pm during the work week. I am also available over the weekends for pet care. I believe that trust is essential in a petsitter. I will provide frequent updates, pictures, and videos of your pets as well as try my best to accommodate to specific requests.

About: I grew up with dogs, cats, and horses, and have experience in oral med administration with both cats and dogs. I have a soft spot for the big dogs (they're lap-sized if you commit!). I run half marathons so getting good exercise in will be no problem (even in Wisconsin weather!). I'm currently training for distance running, so you can expect great exercise for your pet! Whether it's a long meandering sniff-ari or an intense loop around the neighborhood, I would love to know what fits your dog best. As I'm in your home, your instructions are paramount. You know your pet better than anyone, and I am happy to keep their normal routines in place. I like getting to know each animal and their unique personality, and while I *love* giving snuggles and pets, I understand some pets prefer their space.

About: I am 37 and have worked professionally with dogs for 10 years during my 20s. I began working in a boarding and daycare facility when I was 18. Since that time I have worked for other kennels as I have moved. I received my training certification in 2010 from Animal Behavior College and volunteered extensively at a shelter in Kansas City. I have volunteered with numerous rescue groups providing training and foster homes along with many boarding facilities. I love pet sitting and getting the opportunity to make a animals happy while their parents are away- all the rewards of being the fun aunt :) Experience with pets who have medications/diabetes/special needs. HOUSE SITTING: I work from home, with appointments throughout the day so your pets won't be left alone for long. I am flexible fitting into your pets routines, watering plants, and any other up-keeps that need done while you are away. A majority of the time I work from home while having occasional appointments out of the home. This gives me plenty of flexibility to ensure that your pet gets 1:1 time and gets outside when needed. I like to follow my clients routines so their pet can predict as much as possible. My experience has given me a little bit of the super power to predict the future, which leads to me to taking extra safety steps “just in case”

About: I am a loving, compassionate, and reliable person that has a love for animals. I am also athletic and can take your puppy companion for a jog! I have unlimited availability for pet care. The only time I am not available is at 3pm, when I pick up my two pet loving children from school. I have a fenced in yard in a nice neighborhood, and a lake across the street if your pet likes to swim. I am also available to come to your home as well. I am available in Rock County and Dane County.

“We had Kate do several drop in visits while we were out of town. She was very responsive, took great care of our 2 cats, and even brought some Christmas treats for them after confirming they were allowed to have them. We would definitely book with Kate in the future!”

Emma B.

About: I’m Dennis. I’ve been around dogs my whole life and I’m genuinely good with them. Neighbors ask me to watch their dogs on a regular basis and I love it Hey, I’m Dennis. I’ve been dog-sitting for years and I’m really good with dogs. My neighbors trust me with theirs all the time. I’m friendly, reliable, and I actually enjoy it. Happy to help with walks or sitting whenever you need. I’m reliable, easy-going and always on time. Happy to do walks or pet sitting as needed. Let me know if you have any special requests.