If you’re looking for very basic care, this sitter may be fine. But based on our experience, I wouldn’t recommend her for pets who need companionship or engagement. On our initial FaceTime call, I explained that our cat simply needed someone to spend time with her while we were away; she’s low-maintenance but used to having people around. I also noted that, given the holiday, being gone for 5–6 hours was totally fine as long as she checked in. Allie agreed to this. The first night, she was out for over six hours and didn’t return until around midnight. I restated our expectations, but the pattern continued. What we received was essentially brief drop-ins: feeding, sleeping there, and leaving again. From our living room camera, we could see our cat trying to greet her, and while not unkind, Allie didn’t offer much interaction beyond the basics. Playtime was very short, and she didn’t stay more than a minute or two during visits. It was tough to watch our cat waiting by the door and not getting the connection she’s used to. While our cat was physically safe, the emotional care and presence we hoped for just weren’t there. If your pet only needs food, water, and quick check-ins, she may work well. But if your pet needs companionship, warmth, or consistent presence, our experience didn’t reflect that level of care.

Allie came in last minute and took over for another sitter and I appreciated that so much. She did an excellent job. Clearly she is a reliable sitter and we would hire her again.