5.0

***About Me*** I have over 20 years of experience with dog and cat care in my own home and others' homes, including their medical needs and development. I have owned 7 cats (all strays or rescues) throughout my life. I also spent many weekends helping my grandparents care for their various hunting dogs (Labradors and English Springer Spaniels) and approximately 20+ indoor and outdoor rescue cats. This often included commands training, exercise routines, grooming, medication schedules, and special diets. I have 4 years of volunteer experience at my local rescue shelter, where I cared for newborn kittens and helped to rehabilitate abused dogs (mostly bully breeds). I also worked for one year at a local pet supplies store where I learned extensively about pet products (food, toys, home items, puppy needs, leashes, etc.) here in the Netherlands. Finally, as a nanny during university for 4 years, I often took care of the family pets, including house and barn cats, rabbits, and dogs large and small (Golden Retrievers, Border Collies, Great Pyrenees, Great Danes, Boxers, Pomeranians, and Jack Russels to name a few). --------------------------------------------------- ***Constant Care*** (IMPORTANT) Please contact me about specific rates for care that falls under "Constant Care", a term to describe care that requires near 24/7 attention. For example, this applies to pets that cannot be alone for more than 2 hours due to separation anxiety or an insecure attachment style, are under strict medical care (such as supervision for diabetes or seizures), or who may suffer from reactivity to other animals or humans. Given the time and attention that is required to ensure that all instructions are followed while mitigating your pet's or pets' stress levels and anxiety, "Constant Care" requests are subject to a higher rate than normal housesitting requests. The "Constant Care" rate is not based on breed or age. I am happy to discuss what those rates would be before a meet & greet. This only applies to multi-day housesitting requests. --------------------------------------------------- ***Medical Care*** I am experienced with medical care, as my own cat is FIV+ and has been through bladder stones, life-threatening anemia, FVR and FHV-1, and himself is a rescue that needed medical rehabilitation. I have also assisted with pets that have had cancer treatments, at-home IVs, allergy medication, daily teeth cleaning, and many other special requirements. I am familiar with the medical centers around The Hague and have access to a car if there was any reason your pet may need to go to the veterinarian or emergency center. --------------------------------------------------- ***Dog Walks*** I believe time outdoors is vital for dogs' temperament and overall wellbeing . If close enough and dependent on weather conditions, I will aim to take them to the local forests (Scheveningse Bosjes or Haagse Bos), the dunes, or a nearby park where they can smell the flowers, roll in the grass, socialize, and just be a dog.