Carmen T.
Westlake, CA
Fur is my favorite accessory.
Pet care experience
My love for pets extends back many years! I have had a handful of beloved pets growing up, including: cats, dogs, parakeets, crabs, and hamsters. My very first pet at the age of 4 was a shy, but friendly cat named Jasmine. Next, we adopted a spunky and social Chihuahua named Chi-Chi. I loved Jasmine and Chi-Chi dearly, and they were the first pets to teach me how to care for a being outside of myself. As I’ve grown into adulthood, I continue to nurture my love for animals. Now, I take care of a couple furry friends of my own, Ali and Chai, who are always keeping me on my toes (Chai is in the above picture with me). They are both outgoing and high energy cats, and I have learned so much about cat behavior and care through loving them. In terms of other experiences, I have enjoyed taking care of my friends’ and family’s pets throughout the years as well as volunteering at local animal shelters---feeding, walking, and playing with them. I love making new pet buddies and bringing them as much joy as they bring me! I would be honored to take care of your pet while you are away.
Reviews
Once again, Carmen went above and beyond in taking care of my dog and home while I was gone. She is always super reliable, attentive, and proactive to my dog’s needs. She alerted me immediately when something seemed off with my dog’s behavior and spent extra time and attention with him (including an extra drop-in) to ensure he was ok.
Carmen was great!!
Very caring dog sitter. Carmen is great at feeding and playing with my dog. She is also dependable. Sends daily reports and pictures, above and beyond.
Once again Carmen was incredibly thoughtful, communicative and caring for my sometimes grumpy cat. She respects his moods and boundaries and takes wonderful care of him! Her updates are the best. Book her for your pet and you will not regret it!!
About Carmen T.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
For cats, I typically err on the side of caution as many cats can be anxious when their owners are away. I have studied cat body language through my lived experiences and will only approach a cat who looks open and/or comfortable enough for interaction. If your cat appears tense or anxious, I will give them space, give them lots of slow blinks, and move closer to them as much as they feel comfortable. Sometimes, cats never completely warm up to me, so if that is the case, I will spend time around them without entering their personal space. For dogs, I have found taking the dog on a short walk at the beginning of us meeting helps to build trust. If this is possible for your dog, we will take a short walk before returning home. Alternatively, I may get down on their level and allow them to approach me for some sniffs and pets, using treats provided by the owner to build trust. I always look at how the dog is responding to me before engaging. If a dog looks uncomfortable or is showing signs of agitation, I give them space and let them come to me. Dogs who feel safe are happy dogs! I know how anxiety-provoking it can be to leave your pet alone, so no request is too great! I will always take lots of pictures of your furry friend and update you regularly. Please contact me and ask any questions!
Information Carmen T. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know ahead of time if your pet has any particular needs or behaviors, and I will be happy to accommodate them! Thank you.
A typical day
I love to stimulate your dogs physically and mentally. I have interacted with dogs on both sides of the spectrum in terms of energy, and feel comfortable tailoring what we do to your specific dog's needs. I am a pretty active person, so I can keep up!
Services
Carmen can watch in your home
Availability
In terms of a general schedule, I am a graduate student with online and a couple in-person classes, so my schedule is pretty flexible. Wednesday is the trickiest day, and I am unfortunately unavailable between 9am and 4 pm; however, if your pet has needs outside of that I am more than happy to work with you on that day—let’s chat! Otherwise, my schedule is open, and I can make any other day work. Drop-ins: During this time, I will play with your pet, feed them, and walk them if needed! When we do a meet and greet, I will ask what your dog/cat typically does in a day and try to replicate that as much as possible. I typically complete drop-ins in chunks throughout the day and will try to be as flexible and on time as much as possible. Walks: I will walk your dog for as long as it is appropriate for their breed, age, and health. I am also more than happy to take your fur baby to any nearby dog parks if requested. I enjoy being active outdoors, so any requests for long walks are welcome! I would love to spend the extra time with them. Housesitting: I will typically leave in the morning for 3-4 hours to visit clients/attend class, in the afternoon 2-3 hours to visit clients, and occasionally in the evening for 1-2 hours for any of my night owl friends. When booking, I will always be transparent about my schedule so you know what to expect.
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About Carmen T.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
For cats, I typically err on the side of caution as many cats can be anxious when their owners are away. I have studied cat body language through my lived experiences and will only approach a cat who looks open and/or comfortable enough for interaction. If your cat appears tense or anxious, I will give them space, give them lots of slow blinks, and move closer to them as much as they feel comfortable. Sometimes, cats never completely warm up to me, so if that is the case, I will spend time around them without entering their personal space. For dogs, I have found taking the dog on a short walk at the beginning of us meeting helps to build trust. If this is possible for your dog, we will take a short walk before returning home. Alternatively, I may get down on their level and allow them to approach me for some sniffs and pets, using treats provided by the owner to build trust. I always look at how the dog is responding to me before engaging. If a dog looks uncomfortable or is showing signs of agitation, I give them space and let them come to me. Dogs who feel safe are happy dogs! I know how anxiety-provoking it can be to leave your pet alone, so no request is too great! I will always take lots of pictures of your furry friend and update you regularly. Please contact me and ask any questions!
Information Carmen T. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know ahead of time if your pet has any particular needs or behaviors, and I will be happy to accommodate them! Thank you.
A typical day
I love to stimulate your dogs physically and mentally. I have interacted with dogs on both sides of the spectrum in terms of energy, and feel comfortable tailoring what we do to your specific dog's needs. I am a pretty active person, so I can keep up!
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Pets
Carmen T.
Westlake, CA