Catherine O.
Ipswich






Servicios
Catherine puede cuidar
Disponibilidad
Unlike other carers who may consider petsitting to be a side hustle, my high level of care and dedication to your animals is my number 1 priority. I'm a dedicated self-employed dog walker, pet sitter, and professional dog trainer. I'm working towards building a successful petcare and dog training business so that I can dedicate myself 100% to the care of your pets, and ultimately, give my primary school aged daughter a better life (a mum who is home all day caring and training your precious pets instead of stuck at the office!). Unlike other carers who may consider petsitting to be a side hustle, my high level of care and dedication to your animals is my number 1 priority. When you choose me, you're choosing someone who can dedicate all their time and energy into loving, caring for, and understanding your every pet's need. I have a full library of dog training (including assistance dog training) manuals, breed specific dog care books, puppy care books, dog encyclopaedias, and cat care books that I read daily and my knowledge is growing exponentially through my dedication to animal husbandry, dog training, and cat care. Should there ever be problem with your pet under my care, I have access to the Institute of Modern Dog Trainers as well as multiple professional petcare networks for me to consult so that I can not only take better care of your pet, but also advise you on next steps. I'm available for dog walking Monday - Friday 9am - 2.30pm, and on evenings and weekends by request - ideal for those of you who are working and too busy for your buddy! For petsitting in your home, drop-ins, and dog training, I can be more flexible to fit your schedule - so just go ahead and ask.
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Sobre Catherine O.
Comunicación
Adiestramiento de perros
Seguridad, confianza y entorno
ABOUT ME I'm a former primary school teacher and I'm fully DBS checked - so your animals will be safely cared for under my watchful eye, wherever they are. Prior to training as a teacher, I worked in South Africa at Ukutula Lion Sanctuary, where I dedicated my life to the care of lions, cheetahs, tigers, giraffes, zebras and many other wild animals. I bottle fed lion cubs that had been abandoned by their mothers, nursed sick animals, and weaned the cubs onto meat once they were old enough, so that they could be rehabilitated and given a better life, safe from poachers at the sanctuary. Later, in Sri Lanka, I worked as an investigative journalist, assessing the care of elephants in the nation's elephant sanctuaries and zoos - and published my findings in The Sunday Island, the national newspaper of Sri Lanka. Disturbed by what I found, I reported the dank, concrete boxes that the animals were being kept in to the UK charity Born Free - who, a year later, rescued a lion and a black panther from their horrific conditions. After returning back to the UK, and finding that jobs for the zoologically inclined were few and far between, I trained as a primary school teacher. After a few years of teaching, my need to write called to me, and I fell back into journalism, PR, and marketing... but the love for animals never faded. I began dog walking and petsitting on BorrowMyDoggy for free for people in my local community - and I felt so much JOY from working with animals again. Friends and family began to ask me - and pay me - to care for their animals, and recommended me to their friends too. Now, I'm a dedicated self-employed pet professional, so your pet's care is my number 1 priority. YOUR PET'S SAFETY IS MY PRIORITY iPet Level 3 Dog First Aid qualified (coming soon) Fully insured 5 star reviews (on other sites, not just Rover) Experienced former animal sanctuary worker GPS tracking during dog walks Your dog is kept on-lead at all times (unless you give permission otherwise) RELIABLE, HONEST SERVICE If you choose me for dog walking, drop ins, or pet sitting within your own home, you can rest assured that I am fully insured to do so through my business insurance. My insurance also covers me for keys left in my care, meaning you do not need to be home in order for me to help your pets - just leave a key in a safe place (e.g. with a neighbour) and I will return it safely. If inviting me into your home I fully understand that it feels strange to have someone visit. However, I am not at all interested in anything other than your pets (I'm not interested in your personal belongings - and I wouldn't want to risk my business reputation). I've visited many homes when I worked for free via BorrowMyDoggy, and owners there trust me enough to just walk in when they are not home. When I walk your dog, especially for the first time, I can share my location data with you to give you peace of mind about where I have taken your dog. As my business expands, I will be investing in GPS trackers that I can place on your dog, just for additional safety and security. Should you wish to see any identification, please don't hesitate to ask. DOG TRAINING SESSIONS Also available when you book direct - just ask for details! BOARDING WITH ME ***Coming soon!*** Due to popular demand, I will be applying for all appropriate business licences and certifications to open my own home boarding business. I've been doing this for free for a couple of years via BorrowMyDoggy, but it's time to move on and find the perfect location to run this from. Please stay tuned for updates!
Información que a Catherine O. le gustaría saber sobre tu mascota
Name? Age? Any medication, allergies, or medical issues? Vaccination records? Last flea and worm treatment? Neutered/spayed? Any aggressive tendencies? Has your cat/dog ever bitten anyone and why? Is your dog/cat reactive or nervous of other dogs or people? What command words does your dog know? Is your cat litter box trained? Is your dog housetrained? What diet do you feed your dog/cat? Is your dog/cat a rescue? Do they have any behavioral needs? Is your dog crate trained? Where do they sleep at night? Does your cat get into their carrier easily should they need to go to the vet? Do your pets have insurance and are they registered with a local vet? I'll likely ask more when I first meet your cat/dog. This is so that I can provide the highest level of care possible for your animals.
Un día normal
Your dogs will enjoy visiting local nature trails, sniffing out all the neighbourhood smells, and playing games like fetch, scentwork, and developing their basic on-lead skills to keep their brains busy. If your dog is a lead-puller, I will work with you over a number of walks to resolve the issue - training your dog to walk politely on the lead. I help dogs gain confidence in walking to heel, practice their recall, and even teach them a few tricks to help their brains to thrive. I love to give dogs (and cats) a wide range of enriching activities, which I tailor specifically to your pet. If your pet loves to sniff, we play scentwork games such as 'go find' where I hide treats along the walk, or teach them to play hide-and-seek, using their noses to find me. If you have a dog that loves to dig, I can provide a dig box so that they can dig to their heart's content. It's the same with cats - some cats love to be lap cats but aren't so interested in play, in which case, I'll give them lots of attention and fuss. I'm pretty good at getting a cat to purr! Some cats are more energetic and need dedicated play sessions, so I will get them hunting, leaping, and diving after a toy before I feed them, so that they get that 'hunt, catch, kill, eat' need fulfilled.
Ubicación
Ipswich, Reino Unido
Mascotas
The dog trainer who pet sits 🎉🐾💙
Experiencia en el cuidado de mascotas
Looking for someone truly exceptional to care for your beloved pet? Look no further! As a self-employed pet professional, my aim is to make this much more than just a job; it's about providing the best life for my family, and that dedication shines through in every aspect of my work. With a DBS check, full insurance, and a stack of 5-star reviews from happy clients across multiple platforms (not just on Rover), you can rest assured your furry friend is in the safest hands. My passion for animals runs deep. Before dedicating my life to pet care here, I spent invaluable time working at Ukutula, a lion sanctuary in South Africa. There, I provided round-the-clock care to critically endangered animals, including lions, tigers, zebras, giraffes, and cheetahs. Imagine bottle-feeding lion cubs, helping them through the weaning process, and educating the public about their complex needs – that's the level of dedication and expertise I bring to every pet I care for. My background as a former primary school teacher further reinforces my trustworthiness and ability to provide a nurturing, responsible environment. My personal experience with animals is just as rich. I'm the proud owner of Harry, my rescue cat, whom I found, nursed back to health from an underweight, flea-ridden state, and provided urgent medical care. He's now 8 years old and flourishing! My own experience extends to having owned a springer spaniel and a greyhound, and I've had the pleasure of caring for a diverse range of breeds, including Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Cavapoos, Huskies, Border Collies, a Chihuahua, and many different cats. You can often find me at Crufts and other dog shows, learning new and exciting ways to engage your dog, and I have an extensive library of books dedicated to dog care, breeding, genetics, diet, and dog training (including assistance dog training). I am always growing and learning new things in order to successfully care for and nurture your pets. For the past four years, I've built a solid 5-star reputation on BorrowMyDoggy, another dog care website, consistently earning the trust of local owners to care for their dogs in their absence. Whether your dog needs an adventurous walk, your cat requires loving in-home care, or you're looking for a reliable pet sitter in your own home, I offer a range of services tailored to your needs. My drop-in visits are perfect for puppies who need extra attention or dogs who thrive on consistent check-ins. My unique background means I'm not just a pet sitter; I'm a seasoned animal professional and dog trainer who understands diverse animal behaviours and needs. I'm committed to providing your pet with the highest standard of care, ensuring they're happy, healthy, and loved while you're away. Ready to give your pet the exceptional care they deserve? Let's chat!
Experiencia en el cuidado de gatos

Catherine también cuida gatos. Obtén más información sobre su experiencia cuidando gatos.
Reseñas

Excellent sitter, Angus was very well looked after during my trip away. I also appreciate your quick response when I had this urgent request to take care of him last minute.
I highly recommend Catherine. She is unflappable and dealt happily with our puppy, two adult dogs and cat when she looked after them at our home so that we could go and visit family elsewhere. She played with the dogs and did some gentle training, and even won over our nomally aloof cat. We will definitely use her services again.

You should not hesitate to book Cat to care for your dog. She really goes above and beyond. Cat is the first person I have ever employed to look after my dog overnight and I was so nervous about leaving him. I could instantly tell she has everything under control and I was really able to enjoy my night away! Her great understanding of dog behaviour meant that she was not put off by my dogs history of reactivity to some other dogs. 5 star all round.


Catherine jumped in and helped us with doggy day care at very short notice; she asked all the right questions to make sure she understood our dogs’ needs, gave them lots of love and attention, kept us updated and even did training exercises with them. Thank you so much, we will definitely come back again :-)
Sobre Catherine O.
Comunicación
Adiestramiento de perros
Seguridad, confianza y entorno
ABOUT ME I'm a former primary school teacher and I'm fully DBS checked - so your animals will be safely cared for under my watchful eye, wherever they are. Prior to training as a teacher, I worked in South Africa at Ukutula Lion Sanctuary, where I dedicated my life to the care of lions, cheetahs, tigers, giraffes, zebras and many other wild animals. I bottle fed lion cubs that had been abandoned by their mothers, nursed sick animals, and weaned the cubs onto meat once they were old enough, so that they could be rehabilitated and given a better life, safe from poachers at the sanctuary. Later, in Sri Lanka, I worked as an investigative journalist, assessing the care of elephants in the nation's elephant sanctuaries and zoos - and published my findings in The Sunday Island, the national newspaper of Sri Lanka. Disturbed by what I found, I reported the dank, concrete boxes that the animals were being kept in to the UK charity Born Free - who, a year later, rescued a lion and a black panther from their horrific conditions. After returning back to the UK, and finding that jobs for the zoologically inclined were few and far between, I trained as a primary school teacher. After a few years of teaching, my need to write called to me, and I fell back into journalism, PR, and marketing... but the love for animals never faded. I began dog walking and petsitting on BorrowMyDoggy for free for people in my local community - and I felt so much JOY from working with animals again. Friends and family began to ask me - and pay me - to care for their animals, and recommended me to their friends too. Now, I'm a dedicated self-employed pet professional, so your pet's care is my number 1 priority. YOUR PET'S SAFETY IS MY PRIORITY iPet Level 3 Dog First Aid qualified (coming soon) Fully insured 5 star reviews (on other sites, not just Rover) Experienced former animal sanctuary worker GPS tracking during dog walks Your dog is kept on-lead at all times (unless you give permission otherwise) RELIABLE, HONEST SERVICE If you choose me for dog walking, drop ins, or pet sitting within your own home, you can rest assured that I am fully insured to do so through my business insurance. My insurance also covers me for keys left in my care, meaning you do not need to be home in order for me to help your pets - just leave a key in a safe place (e.g. with a neighbour) and I will return it safely. If inviting me into your home I fully understand that it feels strange to have someone visit. However, I am not at all interested in anything other than your pets (I'm not interested in your personal belongings - and I wouldn't want to risk my business reputation). I've visited many homes when I worked for free via BorrowMyDoggy, and owners there trust me enough to just walk in when they are not home. When I walk your dog, especially for the first time, I can share my location data with you to give you peace of mind about where I have taken your dog. As my business expands, I will be investing in GPS trackers that I can place on your dog, just for additional safety and security. Should you wish to see any identification, please don't hesitate to ask. DOG TRAINING SESSIONS Also available when you book direct - just ask for details! BOARDING WITH ME ***Coming soon!*** Due to popular demand, I will be applying for all appropriate business licences and certifications to open my own home boarding business. I've been doing this for free for a couple of years via BorrowMyDoggy, but it's time to move on and find the perfect location to run this from. Please stay tuned for updates!
Información que a Catherine O. le gustaría saber sobre tu mascota
Name? Age? Any medication, allergies, or medical issues? Vaccination records? Last flea and worm treatment? Neutered/spayed? Any aggressive tendencies? Has your cat/dog ever bitten anyone and why? Is your dog/cat reactive or nervous of other dogs or people? What command words does your dog know? Is your cat litter box trained? Is your dog housetrained? What diet do you feed your dog/cat? Is your dog/cat a rescue? Do they have any behavioral needs? Is your dog crate trained? Where do they sleep at night? Does your cat get into their carrier easily should they need to go to the vet? Do your pets have insurance and are they registered with a local vet? I'll likely ask more when I first meet your cat/dog. This is so that I can provide the highest level of care possible for your animals.
Un día normal
Your dogs will enjoy visiting local nature trails, sniffing out all the neighbourhood smells, and playing games like fetch, scentwork, and developing their basic on-lead skills to keep their brains busy. If your dog is a lead-puller, I will work with you over a number of walks to resolve the issue - training your dog to walk politely on the lead. I help dogs gain confidence in walking to heel, practice their recall, and even teach them a few tricks to help their brains to thrive. I love to give dogs (and cats) a wide range of enriching activities, which I tailor specifically to your pet. If your pet loves to sniff, we play scentwork games such as 'go find' where I hide treats along the walk, or teach them to play hide-and-seek, using their noses to find me. If you have a dog that loves to dig, I can provide a dig box so that they can dig to their heart's content. It's the same with cats - some cats love to be lap cats but aren't so interested in play, in which case, I'll give them lots of attention and fuss. I'm pretty good at getting a cat to purr! Some cats are more energetic and need dedicated play sessions, so I will get them hunting, leaping, and diving after a toy before I feed them, so that they get that 'hunt, catch, kill, eat' need fulfilled.
Catherine O.
Ipswich
