Catherine K.
Buffalo, NY
Experienced pet & house sitter
Pet care experience
About me & my experience: I deeply enjoy spending time with and caring for animals. I put their happiness and well-being first, and I am open to the challenge of caring for pets that are older or have health issues, medications, or other special needs. As a child my family had a Hungarian Vizsla that I was personally responsible for formally training and taking to dog shows. I also had 2 cats before I started traveling internationally during my 20's too much to be a good parent to any pets. I have a knack for reading their body language and communicating to them that even though I may be a stranger, they can feel safe with me (especially cats!). Your fur babies will receive lots of affection, attention, and company throughout the day if I sit for you. I'll typically spend most of the day at home on my laptop, playing and cuddling with your cats and dogs during and between whatever else I am working on. I like to break up my screen time with exercise and will give your dogs as many outdoor playtime sessions as they want if there is a fenced in yard. Please note in your booking request if your dogs need to be walked on a leash extensively and/or have issues with pulling.
Reviews
Cat did such a great job caring for my senior dog and young cat, and communicated with me very professionally. I will definitely use her the next time I need a petsitter.
Catherine was fantastic! This was our first time using Rover and we were nervous as our dog can take some time to warm up to new people. Catherine is clearly a pro, she charmed our pup less than 10 minutes into the meet and greet! We were thrilled! She sent us updates throughout our trip and we truly felt at ease knowing our dog was in good hands. We will definitely be booking her again!
Wow! Catherine was amazing! She was well prepared, shared photos and updates (but not too often) and went above and beyond just watching the animals. She was so sweet! We will definitely be booking her again!
Cat took great care of Gigi and our home while we were gone! She was very friendly and easy to communicate with. Definitely will be reaching out to her again in the future!
About Catherine K.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
RATES POLICY: In order to keep my housesitting rates affordable to clients who have multiple cats and dogs and fair to everyone who books with me, I have lowered my base rate and added a ***$25/night surcharge for single pets*** which will be a manual adjustment to your request. If you have a large number of pets (particularly multiple cats that don't require much extra work), I will be happy to consider adjusted rates after our first booking is successfully completed. However, each individual pet must have a Rover profile and be included in your booking in order to be covered by the Rover Guarantee. CONSTANT CARE POLICY: I typically spend a maximum of 3-4 hours out and about when I am housesitting, and often much less. I do have a 6 month old kitten at home who I need to check on and spend some quality time with daily, though. If you'd like me to commit to being at your home around the clock, I would need the ability to bring him along (except if your booking is for only one night). If needed he can be separated in the guest room you'd have me sleep in, but he is well-socialized and has done very well tagging along on several sits with multiple dogs as well as other cats. Norbu also provides free extermination service when accompanying me - he will catch & eat every bug in your house! BOARDING: ONLY FELINES! I can only provide boarding for cats in my home at this time. We have 2 spare bedrooms, and your cat (or cats) will have one of those rooms to themselves during their stay. Please provide a bed/bedding they are comfortable with (unwashed so it will smell familiar to them), their normal food, and if possible, an empty litter pan that they have used before and some of their customary litter. I will provide food and water bowls, toys, a scratch post, and any other supplies you do not send, e.g. a spare litter box, blankets, and kibble/wet food blankets - but I strongly recommend bringing as many of their own supplies as possible to reduce discomfort and anxiety. My partner and I each have a cat, and they can socialize with yours according to their personality and comfort level.
Information Catherine K. would like to know about your pet
Any health issues, your vet's contact info, food do's and don'ts (what kind of treats are ok and off limits, how often?), any personality quirks or special emotional needs to be aware of, and whatever else you think I need to know to keep them happy and healthy!
A typical day
You can expect me to stay in touch regularly and send pics of any cute moments, as well as be proactive if I have any questions about their behavior or health. I will not spend long hours away from your home while you are counting on me to be present with your pets. I will give them plenty of attention and do my best to stick to their established schedules and routines to minimize any separation anxiety while you are away. As an experienced Airbnb host and guest and world traveler, I am very well-versed in caring for others' homes, identifying things that need to be done, making sure your home is clean and secure while you are gone, and treating your space and belongings with the same consideration and respect as I would my own. My housesitting rates always include minor chores like watering plants, collecting mail/packages, and taking trash bins to & from the curb. You are encouraged to let me know if there's anything else I can help with during my stay! I enjoy giving pets company by talking to them often (even if they are deaf!) - I like to ask their opinions on whatever I am doing so they feel engaged and included in my daily activities around the house like cooking, cleaning, feeding them or scooping the litter box. The companionship of cats and dogs has always been especially fulfilling for me, so you can be sure your beloved fur babies will get plenty of interaction and affection while in my care.
Services
Catherine can watch in your home
Availability
CAMERA POLICY: I am fine with any indoor video/audio recording devices for drop-in visits. However, I don't accept overnight housesitting bookings with indoor surveillance - I find it easier to provide the best care for your pets and fully enjoy playtime with them when I'm able to relax with the same sense of privacy I'd have in my own home. I will happily provide regular updates and pics during housesits for your comfort and peace of mind, and you are welcome to monitor my comings and goings with an outdoor Ring doorbell or similar device.
About Catherine K.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
RATES POLICY: In order to keep my housesitting rates affordable to clients who have multiple cats and dogs and fair to everyone who books with me, I have lowered my base rate and added a ***$25/night surcharge for single pets*** which will be a manual adjustment to your request. If you have a large number of pets (particularly multiple cats that don't require much extra work), I will be happy to consider adjusted rates after our first booking is successfully completed. However, each individual pet must have a Rover profile and be included in your booking in order to be covered by the Rover Guarantee. CONSTANT CARE POLICY: I typically spend a maximum of 3-4 hours out and about when I am housesitting, and often much less. I do have a 6 month old kitten at home who I need to check on and spend some quality time with daily, though. If you'd like me to commit to being at your home around the clock, I would need the ability to bring him along (except if your booking is for only one night). If needed he can be separated in the guest room you'd have me sleep in, but he is well-socialized and has done very well tagging along on several sits with multiple dogs as well as other cats. Norbu also provides free extermination service when accompanying me - he will catch & eat every bug in your house! BOARDING: ONLY FELINES! I can only provide boarding for cats in my home at this time. We have 2 spare bedrooms, and your cat (or cats) will have one of those rooms to themselves during their stay. Please provide a bed/bedding they are comfortable with (unwashed so it will smell familiar to them), their normal food, and if possible, an empty litter pan that they have used before and some of their customary litter. I will provide food and water bowls, toys, a scratch post, and any other supplies you do not send, e.g. a spare litter box, blankets, and kibble/wet food blankets - but I strongly recommend bringing as many of their own supplies as possible to reduce discomfort and anxiety. My partner and I each have a cat, and they can socialize with yours according to their personality and comfort level.
Information Catherine K. would like to know about your pet
Any health issues, your vet's contact info, food do's and don'ts (what kind of treats are ok and off limits, how often?), any personality quirks or special emotional needs to be aware of, and whatever else you think I need to know to keep them happy and healthy!
A typical day
You can expect me to stay in touch regularly and send pics of any cute moments, as well as be proactive if I have any questions about their behavior or health. I will not spend long hours away from your home while you are counting on me to be present with your pets. I will give them plenty of attention and do my best to stick to their established schedules and routines to minimize any separation anxiety while you are away. As an experienced Airbnb host and guest and world traveler, I am very well-versed in caring for others' homes, identifying things that need to be done, making sure your home is clean and secure while you are gone, and treating your space and belongings with the same consideration and respect as I would my own. My housesitting rates always include minor chores like watering plants, collecting mail/packages, and taking trash bins to & from the curb. You are encouraged to let me know if there's anything else I can help with during my stay! I enjoy giving pets company by talking to them often (even if they are deaf!) - I like to ask their opinions on whatever I am doing so they feel engaged and included in my daily activities around the house like cooking, cleaning, feeding them or scooping the litter box. The companionship of cats and dogs has always been especially fulfilling for me, so you can be sure your beloved fur babies will get plenty of interaction and affection while in my care.
Location
Buffalo, NY
Pets
Catherine K.
Buffalo, NY