Cristina E.
North Dorchester, MA
Cristina E. 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.
Furry or Scaly! I Love 'em All!
Pet care experience
I've been away from Boston for about three years, but I'm happy to say I'm back, and ready to take care of your critters! I've been a dog lover all my life, and have cared for neighbors' dogs, from Labradors to Miniature Dachshunds, since I was twelve years old. As my tagline suggests, I'm also a lover of cats, rodents, and reptiles! I was a volunteer at the Broken Tail Rescue Center of Cambridge for a year, where I assisted in rehoming cats each week. I also have experience in working with operant conditioning (positive reinforcement training) on a double crested cormorant while at a bird sanctuary, and yes, I have experience training and socializing puppies as well! I've lived with a rescued spaniel mix (Sarah!) and rescued domestic short hair cat (Rainbow!), for ten years, and now, in Fairfax, our family dog is a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Sadie!). I've also had experience with owning guinea pigs, mice, and fish. I am very passionate about reptiles, and have experience handeling corn snakes, rat snakes, king snakes, boa constrictors (bcc, bci, and northern columbian rainbow), ball pythons, carpet pythons, burmese pythons, and anacondas. When I initially moved to the Boston area, I adopted a banana pinstripe ball python (Ringo, a sweet noodle boy, you can read more about him on his pet profile!). I am someone who believes in the healing power a creature can provide, no matter how big or small, and I will enjoy the opportunity to meet and get to know yours!
Reviews
Cristina has done a great job. My pup loves her and she communicates well. Your animal will be in good hands.
Thank you. She does great and i highly recommend.
Quincy loved her visit with Cristina! She is a wonderfully communicative walker :)
Cristina was again great with Nova including her anxious moments and super communicative - thank you again!
About Cristina E.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
When I am home with your fur baby, I will make sure they get all the exercise they need and will help with training that you are going through with your young pet. During house sittings, I also will also confirm with you beforehand how long the dog or cat can be alone, and if needed I can stay home full time with your pet.
Information Cristina E. would like to know about your pet
I like bringing presents for dogs and cats in the form of toys and treats. I will only do this, however, if the owner approves, and if they want to know more information about the toy or treat, they can contact me with questions, or, we can cover this subject in a meet and greet. I would like to know if your dog enjoys parks, and if they are comfortable around other dogs of different sizes. I would also like to know if your dog can be offleash, and if they respond when called. I would also like to know if your dog, cat, rodent, or reptile does not like to be touched in a certain place, as well as the places where they love to be pet! I would also like to know if your pet doesn't like to be approached from behind or disturbed when sleeping. I would also like to know if your critter has any allergies (my Cavie Sadie is allergic to chicken, I know how that is). ******* Please know that I am not the best fit for the following circumstances, with dogs in particular (I mention this so that if any of the following cases apply, that your pup's needs can be met somewhere that suits them!): If your pup is highly territorial and/or wary of strangers. If your dog has moderate to severe resource guarding, whether this applies to their food, high value toys/treats, or crate. If your dog has moderate to severe leash or harness anxiety. Thank you again for your consideration, and I can't wait to meet your furry or scaly family member!
A typical day
When I come over to check on your critters, if they're pooches of the energetic sort, I love to take them on walks to the local park where they can get some of that energy out! I also like to get a jog in with your dog, and don't mind going off leash, if your dog responds when called. I love to bring gifts, such as chew toys and fetch objects, but of course will get the owner's approval first if it is a toy that they believe is suitable for their dog or cat. For reptiles, I will be able to bring frozen/thawed feed if the owner is currently short, and will also do frozen/thawed feed or cricket errands to replenish the reptile's food cabinet! I am also comfortable with live feeds, and know to always supervise when a live rodent is in the enclosure with a snake, in case the snake is not interested at the time (I know how picky ball pythons can be!). I'm also a fan of butt, back, ear, and tummy scratches for the furry kinds, and have always considered myself the "fun aunt" when visiting neighbors' pets!
Services
Cristina can watch in your home
Availability
I am a volunteer at the New England Aquarium on Saturdays, from 1pm-6pm, so I am generally unavailable those days, but it is possible for me to make some exceptions. I currently do not drive, so I only serve where public transit is available around the Greater Boston Area.
About Cristina E.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
When I am home with your fur baby, I will make sure they get all the exercise they need and will help with training that you are going through with your young pet. During house sittings, I also will also confirm with you beforehand how long the dog or cat can be alone, and if needed I can stay home full time with your pet.
Information Cristina E. would like to know about your pet
I like bringing presents for dogs and cats in the form of toys and treats. I will only do this, however, if the owner approves, and if they want to know more information about the toy or treat, they can contact me with questions, or, we can cover this subject in a meet and greet. I would like to know if your dog enjoys parks, and if they are comfortable around other dogs of different sizes. I would also like to know if your dog can be offleash, and if they respond when called. I would also like to know if your dog, cat, rodent, or reptile does not like to be touched in a certain place, as well as the places where they love to be pet! I would also like to know if your pet doesn't like to be approached from behind or disturbed when sleeping. I would also like to know if your critter has any allergies (my Cavie Sadie is allergic to chicken, I know how that is). ******* Please know that I am not the best fit for the following circumstances, with dogs in particular (I mention this so that if any of the following cases apply, that your pup's needs can be met somewhere that suits them!): If your pup is highly territorial and/or wary of strangers. If your dog has moderate to severe resource guarding, whether this applies to their food, high value toys/treats, or crate. If your dog has moderate to severe leash or harness anxiety. Thank you again for your consideration, and I can't wait to meet your furry or scaly family member!
A typical day
When I come over to check on your critters, if they're pooches of the energetic sort, I love to take them on walks to the local park where they can get some of that energy out! I also like to get a jog in with your dog, and don't mind going off leash, if your dog responds when called. I love to bring gifts, such as chew toys and fetch objects, but of course will get the owner's approval first if it is a toy that they believe is suitable for their dog or cat. For reptiles, I will be able to bring frozen/thawed feed if the owner is currently short, and will also do frozen/thawed feed or cricket errands to replenish the reptile's food cabinet! I am also comfortable with live feeds, and know to always supervise when a live rodent is in the enclosure with a snake, in case the snake is not interested at the time (I know how picky ball pythons can be!). I'm also a fan of butt, back, ear, and tummy scratches for the furry kinds, and have always considered myself the "fun aunt" when visiting neighbors' pets!
Location
Boston, MA
Pets
Cristina E.
North Dorchester, MA