Cate S.
Lincoln Square, IL
Cate S. has Star Sitter status
The Star Sitter program highlights responsive sitters who deliver highly rated care and have a history of listing accurate availability and preferences, making it easier for pet parents to find the best care for their pets.
Medication Wizard & Pet Butler! 🚁
Pet care experience
I’m a former animal shelter worker, that has adopted and worked with special need pets of various of sizes and species. Through time, of having complex pets and working with extreme situation at the shelter and volunteering-I’ve become an expert in administering medication, special food diets, and navigating behavioral issues/separation anxiety. This includes dogs, cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, bunnies, mice, birds (domestic and pigeons!), frogs, and fish. (Rover is a little confusing for smaller critters, don’t worry ad-hoc services/rates can be made 🐭) I am the pet helicopter mom that realizes something is off before my vet does. Current pet parent peasant to cats Mellow (7) and Ms. Chuck (12). Mellow had a perineal urethrostomy (sometimes referred to as a PU surgery) in 2021, so I’m familiar with urinary issues, blockages, urine crystals, and related symptoms.. Ms. Chuck is a spicy rescue who does not like anyone, including myself. I’m also a big dog lover with experience with small and large breeds, including hunting dogs and rescues with separation anxiety. Extensive experience with: -Oral medications (pill/liquid) -Urinary Issues (Infections, medical/behavioral- litter box trauma is REAL) -Cat asthma/ Heart Murmer -Leash/dog reactive - Senior care/support -Fleas/infections/skin conditions -Weight Loss/exercise support -Dental cleaning (at home) -Liquid IV application -Insulin shots -Nail clipping/Ear cleaning -Medical baths -Post-operation recovery care -Special Needs Support: Blind/Deaf Animals, Food aggression/separation during feeding time, End-of-life care (mashed-up food/sanitary cleanings) - Very spicy pets 🌶️ **** I am able to offer housesitting for a larger radius in Chicago, but drop-in visits may be more limited. Happy to offer one complementary meet and greet for 30 minutes, but I request that you book within 24 hours of that meet/greet or let me know if you’re moving ahead with a different sitter/etc. Boundaries help me be the best pet sitter I can be! 💜***********
Reviews
There is no one I would trust with my spicy princess more than Cate! She’s friendly, flexible, attentive and communicative.
10 out of 5 stars. Cate is incredible and I feel so lucky to have found her and that I know how well taken care of the pups are. She goes above and beyond.
There are not enough words for how well Cate took care of my sweet little scaredy cat. She was incredibly thorough and kind and treated her like her own cat. She is experienced with the same issues I’m currently dealing with and gave great advice and recommendations well beyond what she was paid to do. She was flexible and adapted to the situation and the needs of my cat. I cannot thank her enough for making me feel at ease while out of town. Cate is one of a kind.
Cate was awesome! She handled my grumpy old lady cat with love and kindness !
About Cate S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Your space and furry family members are scared, so I intend to earn your trust with transparent communication, flexibility, and always open to feedback and adjustments. On a first meet and greet, I'll ask about the norms of your home and pet's care to ensure we align our expectations, needs, and how to work best together. Your pet is your family, and I will go out of my way to ensure you feel comfortable and supported with my care. Also meet & greet’s beforehand are important for everyone to feel good and comfortable 💜
Information Cate S. would like to know about your pet
I would love to know their routine, preferences, your vet, an overview of medical care, and where you prefer to take them for emergencies. I also need to know any quirks, or things to look for that indicate that something is off (think of that pee spot in the closet), or that they always do X,Y,Z after meal time.
A typical day
For chill pets: I love to listen to podcasts and watch shows on my phone with them. I also enjoy making little forts if you have leftover cardboard boxes for cats! For more energetic animals, walks, lots of playtime, and playing hide and seek!
Services
Cate can watch in your home
Availability
I work full-time remotely in nonprofit technology and love working from different spaces and spending time with pets. It truly brings me joy to sit and listen to a podcast, read, or work while hanging with someone’s furry (or scaley?) best friend. Honestly, I have great anxiety about leaving my unique-needs animals when I am out of town, so I understand it’s stressful, and I enjoy providing total report cards, videos, and updates. We don’t always know what a pet has gone through, but they have their own trauma and experiences, and this can show up as behavioral. I pride myself on being empathic and supporting your best friend. Worried about an alarm going off, or hearing your pet cry through your camera? Send me a message and I’ll see what I can do. 💓 ***** I am able to offer housesitting for a larger radius in Chicago, but drop-in visits may be more limited. Happy to offer one complementary meet and greet for 30 minutes, but I request that you book within 24 hours of that meet/greet or let me know if you’re moving ahead with a different sitter/etc. Boundaries help me be the best pet sitter I can be! 💜***********
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About Cate S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Your space and furry family members are scared, so I intend to earn your trust with transparent communication, flexibility, and always open to feedback and adjustments. On a first meet and greet, I'll ask about the norms of your home and pet's care to ensure we align our expectations, needs, and how to work best together. Your pet is your family, and I will go out of my way to ensure you feel comfortable and supported with my care. Also meet & greet’s beforehand are important for everyone to feel good and comfortable 💜
Information Cate S. would like to know about your pet
I would love to know their routine, preferences, your vet, an overview of medical care, and where you prefer to take them for emergencies. I also need to know any quirks, or things to look for that indicate that something is off (think of that pee spot in the closet), or that they always do X,Y,Z after meal time.
A typical day
For chill pets: I love to listen to podcasts and watch shows on my phone with them. I also enjoy making little forts if you have leftover cardboard boxes for cats! For more energetic animals, walks, lots of playtime, and playing hide and seek!
Location
Chicago, Illinois, United States, IL
Pets
Cate S.
Lincoln Square, IL