Elijah J.
San Diego, CA
Services
Elijah can care for
Availability
I work set bar shifts (Tues, Fri & Sat: 4-9pm, and Sun: 11-6pm… I am always off on Mon, Wed & Thurs), so I generally work around those shifts [and can also provide overnight care]. Sunday is generally my only shift that is longer than 5-5.5 hours. However, I can get my bar shifts covered for sitting gigs when needed; it just requires me to charge more accordingly.
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About Elijah J.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I prefer to sit in the client’s home, as I feel this is ideal for the pet majority of the time. On occasion, I am able to host a pet [we have one dog in our household]. Because of the logistical nature, however, this would just entail me charging more than my normal rate.
Information Elijah J. would like to know about your pet
I prefer to know the following in advance: What their normal stool sample looks like [so I know to be concerned if it’s not solid, for example], whether they have leash aggression, any known triggers, known commands, etc. For cats, I like to know what they like / don’t like with playing, if they have bad scratching behavior I should watch for [so your furniture stays in good condition], whether they like belly rubs, etc.
A typical day
I enjoy taking dogs to Balboa Park for all the smells and fun sounds [and occasional squirrel sightings!]. I prefer providing longer walks when the dog can handle it. For cats, I try to focus on giving them ample attention [when they want it] and love. I do also have limited experience with parrots and some reptiles [as well].
Location
San Diego, CA
Attentive, Inclusive Pet Care 🐕🌈
Pet care experience
I am a 43-yr old gay Navy vet that got stationed in San Diego, fell in love with the city [and the Padres!], and made it my home when I got out in ‘15 [after 10yrs of service]. I live in North Park, and work as a bartender at Hillcrest Brewing Co (HBC). Working at HBC is where my pet sitting really took off; regulars would come in with their dogs, find out that I’d been sitting for several friends, and ask me about sitting their dogs/cats. Through word of mouth, it became my full-time job [and HBC my part-time]. I recently joined Rover to further expand my client base. What sets me apart is my depth of experience and the level of attention I give every animal in my care. I have nearly two decades of hands-on pet experience, and what started as helping friends and neighbors has grown into a dedicated pet-sitting business built on trust and referrals. I’m comfortable caring for pets with complex needs, including administering medications, managing detailed care routines, and supporting pets prone to seizures. I also have experience with senior pets who need extra patience and gentleness, as well as energetic younger pets who thrive on structure and engagement. Above all, I treat every pet—dogs, cats, and birds—as if they were my own. I focus on providing consistent attention, affection, and a calm environment so they feel safe and loved while you’re away.
Reviews
I was going for a brief trip out of town and Elijah was responsive and ready to help. After he came for a meet and greet with my dog, I felt confident leaving her with him. Throughout the trip, Elijah provided updates and pics. House was the same as when I left. Would definitely book again.
Elijah was fantastic! I have a rescue pitbull who can sometimes get spooked by strangers coming into the house. I asked Elijah to meet us a day early so I could introduce them properly and he was happy to do so. While he was dog sitting he sent a ton of cute photos of the pups and updated me periodically so I knew everything was going smoothly. He’s the first dog sitter I’ve trusted outside of family members and everything went great! 10/10 highly recommend!
Elijah was so helpful in helping us set up an in-house dog sitting, walks, and feeding. We had a meet and greet with our pup before the start date. He kept us informed while we were overseas. He coordinated around his afternoon employment to keep our pup’s walks on track. Elijah was able to communicate with our close friend/emergency contact as she stayed one night during our absence. We got home to a happy pup in a happy home. We are very grateful Elijah worked with us.
Elijah was awesome. Super response. Great with my boys. House is the same state I left it. Wouldn't hesitate to book with him again.
About Elijah J.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I prefer to sit in the client’s home, as I feel this is ideal for the pet majority of the time. On occasion, I am able to host a pet [we have one dog in our household]. Because of the logistical nature, however, this would just entail me charging more than my normal rate.
Information Elijah J. would like to know about your pet
I prefer to know the following in advance: What their normal stool sample looks like [so I know to be concerned if it’s not solid, for example], whether they have leash aggression, any known triggers, known commands, etc. For cats, I like to know what they like / don’t like with playing, if they have bad scratching behavior I should watch for [so your furniture stays in good condition], whether they like belly rubs, etc.
A typical day
I enjoy taking dogs to Balboa Park for all the smells and fun sounds [and occasional squirrel sightings!]. I prefer providing longer walks when the dog can handle it. For cats, I try to focus on giving them ample attention [when they want it] and love. I do also have limited experience with parrots and some reptiles [as well].
Elijah J.
San Diego, CA