House Sitting Lake Merritt

“Trustworthy sitter that was super flexible with our schedule and attentive to our pup’s needs! House was spotless and dog was happy upon our arrival home. Will definitely plan to invite again!”

Carmen C.

“I’m a repeat client and reviewer 🙂BUT it’s because Samantha does such a good job taking care of my cats. Her consistent communication and pics makes all travel, work or personal, a breeze. Definitely recommend to anyone looking for a pet sitter!”

Guadalupe R.

“Barbara was fantastic. She took excellent care of our dog and our house. She sent us pictures everyday and let us know how things were going. She took our doggie on regular walks and cared for him as if he were hers. He was a very happy dog when we got home. I highly recommend Barbara!!”

Penny R.

“Tami stayed with my two cats for one week and she made my time away stress free. She was in communication multiple times daily to let me know what they were up to and sent lots of pictures. When I got home at the end of the week, the cats were relaxed and happy. No problems at all. I highly recommend Tami!”

Terra F.

“Qishu was great with my dog! She has a hard time warming up to new people and Qishu was very patient with her and gave her lots of extra TLC. I got lots of pics and updates so I knew she was in good hands. Would definitely recommend and book again!”

Ivana B.

“Chloe was amazing!! They stayed with my senior cat for a week and kept my all my plants (indoor and outdoor) alive and thriving. They were very communicative and detail oriented also sent pictures and updates morning and night. The house looked even better then when I left it and my cat didn’t even seem to notice I was gone. I would definitely recommend Chloe for any of your pet or plant needs! Thank you Chloe!!”

Char G.

About: I offer a quieter, more individualized kind of dog sitting. I only take dogs from one household at a time, so your dog won’t be sharing the space with a rotating group of other dogs. That allows me to give them a lot of individual attention and to keep their routine as familiar as possible. I’m a licensed acupuncturist and a therapist in training, so being reliable and observant is a big part of my professional life. I’m also very conscientious about following your instructions closely. I know how much the little details matter, and I make a point of keeping track of feeding schedules, medications, walks, sleeping arrangements, and the routines that help your dog feel at home. I have firsthand experience caring for an anxious dog who later developed dementia and physical limitations. Because of that, I’m especially comfortable with senior dogs and dogs who are sensitive or easily overwhelmed. I understand how much patience and consistency can matter when a dog needs extra support. I’m especially available on weekends, when I can spend plenty of time with your dog rather than fitting visits around a packed schedule. Depending on their personality and energy level, we might have a quiet day at home, take neighborhood walks, or head out to places like Piedmont Park, the Albany Bulb, or the beach. I want your dog to feel comfortable and cared for while you’re away, and I want you to feel completely confident that someone is really paying attention to them. Pet care fits best into my schedule on weekends, when I have plenty of time to give dogs attention, walks, companionship, and a relaxed home environment. I’m generally available from Friday evening through Sunday and can often accommodate weekend boarding or daytime care. During the week I work a regular professional schedule, so I’m intentional about only accepting bookings when I know I can provide the time and attention a pet needs. When a dog is staying with me, I want them to be part of my routine rather than squeezed into it. I take safety and trust seriously and make a point of following each pet’s normal routine as closely as possible. In my home, I provide a calm, comfortable environment and make sure dogs have appropriate supervision, regular walks and potty breaks, fresh water, and plenty of attention. I’m careful about feeding instructions, medications, leash safety, and any behavioral or health concerns you share with me. I also like to know about a dog’s personality, triggers, routines, and preferences ahead of time so I can help them feel comfortable and settled. If I’m caring for a pet in your home, I’m respectful of your space and follow your instructions closely. I’m also happy to send updates and photos so you know how your pet is doing while you’re away.

“She was exceptional. Dogs loved her and she sent wonderful updates during our two week trip. Also, our house was spotless when we returned home which was a great bonus. Can strongly recommend Nicole. We already have dates on the calendar!”

Jeff B.

“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.

“Dennis did an awesome job caring for our special needs dog who suffers from DM. Our dog needs the assistance of a wheelchair for mobility, and Dennis took on the challenge confidently- with patience and understanding. He sent plenty of pictures and updates, and followed our instructions perfectly. I highly recommend!”

Camyle A.

“Bryanna was great! Ready to jump in and help in anyway possible. Took a last minute booking that REALLY helped us. Bryanna was more than happy to go over details with us before the sitting. All the questions Bryanna asked us about our dog and his needs made it apparent that our dog would be cared for while we were gone. We came back to a happy, tired, and well-cared for dog! Would absolutely book again 😊”

Ashley L.

“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.

About: I grew up with all kinds of family pets and including adopting my own puppy at 17. Since moving to Oakland I’ve been lucky to live with several cats and dogs of roommates of all dispositions (both the roommates and their pets) and now my fiancée and I have a perfect baby angel cat son. I’m comfortable with puppies over 3 months old and mostly potty trained, I don’t mind mouthy or jumpy pups and am happy to discourage behaviors according to their training. I’ve had experience with palliative care for two beloved senior dogs that required a little extra help and care and am happy to show your old buddy patience and TLC. Happy to do easy walks around the block or take longer adventures in Oakland’s redwoods! For cats and dogs I am comfortable administering most medications. I’m currently on a long break from full time work and have open week day availability for walks and visits, and can be available weekends with extended notice Ask someone who always wants pictures of my cat, I am happy to send you as many photos of your pet as you would like! I have a keen attention to detail and an above average ability to follow instructions, and I’m happy to do things your way. I have a backseat dog hammock for my car that make sure dogs of all sizes are able to get comfortable.

“Kalen was our last-minute sitter and he took care of our fur babies during the 4th of July weekend with utmost care that we never had to worry about them. Our dogs loved him at the first meet. Especially my Dalmatian being a nervous one that doesn’t trust or get close to strangers easily just started cuddling him as soon they met. Kalen has that calm energy that mostly works for nervous dogs. He is empathetic with them. I can see that they got fed on time, and were taken on enough potty breaks and water which makes us want to book him again in the future. Thank you, Kalen!”

Nivedita T.

“Has always taken good care of our dog”

Michael H.

“Jordan was amazing with my dogs. I have an energetic Olde English Bulldog and a big Saint Bernard that’s picky about who he trusts and she did very well with them. Took them on lots of walks outside and sent tons of cute photos while I was out. She even made an adorable hand drawn card of the two of them. I would highly recommend her if you need someone to watch your dogs at your place.”

Justin M.

“Matthew was able to watch Charlie last minute and was great to work with. Matthew kept me updated, sent pictures, and Charlie seemed very happy and well cared for. Will definitely book again!”

Renata N.

“Courtney is an EXCELLENT dog/house sitter! She took great care of my dog and apartment while I was away. Total professional, would absolutely recommend to anyone”

Nicolas B.

About: Hi! I’m a lifelong dog lover with over 20 years of hands-on experience caring for dogs. I currently have a dog of my own and understand just how much our pets mean to us—they’re family. When I moved my dad to California so I could become his full-time caregiver, bringing his dog with us was never a question. He’s an important part of our family and daily life. I previously had another beloved dog from the age of 13 through 27, giving me experience with puppies, adult dogs, and seniors. I’m comfortable providing patient, attentive care and making sure each dog feels safe, loved, and well cared for while their owners are away. As someone who genuinely loves animals, I know how important it is to trust the person caring for your pet. Whether your dog needs a walk, playtime, or simply some extra companionship, I’ll treat them with the same care and attention I give my own. Pet care is already a natural part of my daily routine. I currently care for my own dog, so daily walks, feeding, playtime, and making sure he gets plenty of attention are already built into my schedule. Because I have a flexible schedule right now, I’m able to provide pets with extra attention, companionship, and care throughout the day rather than just fitting them in between other commitments. Whether it’s a walk, a drop-in visit, or keeping a pet company while their owner is away, I enjoy making sure they feel comfortable, safe, and loved. I believe every pet is happiest when their routine stays as consistent as possible. In a client’s home, I follow all care instructions closely, including feeding schedules, walks, medications (if needed), playtime, and any household rules. I also make sure pets receive plenty of attention, affection, and exercise while their owners are away. For walks and drop-in visits, I prioritize safety, communication, and making sure each pet’s individual needs are met. I understand that every animal has a different personality and comfort level, so I take the time to build trust and help them feel secure. As a pet owner myself, I know how important it is to have peace of mind when someone else is caring for your pet, and I treat every animal as if they were my own.

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.