Ellen A.
Creston-Kenilworth, OR
Ellen A. 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.
PDX-born, dog & cat lover fur-ever
Pet care experience
Hi! Ellen here (she/her). ****** Please consider a meet and greet or a video call prior to visit. It’s your space and I want you to feel comfortable with me. This entails a free meet and greet that lasts about 15-25 min. It is meaningful for everyone. If not, and by that i mean if you won’t consider a stop-in / greet and meet at your home or even video call (open to those too) prior to any first time visit, I’m probably not the person for you bc I want my services to be exactly what you and your pets need. Guessing or assuming what you want for any type of visit or walk with your beloved animal(s) is not my forte. I’m here to serve my clients how they’d like me to serve them. Guessing how things are done is never recommended by me at least. Before I continue, please note I do accept drop ins during nighttime hours, even up to as late as 1 am for graveyard or swing shift workers in need of a sitter or walker. And you better believe as someone from here I’m well versed in both the east and north sides of PDX. :) I love dogs & cats equally. I don’t discriminate. Period. DOGS: Raised here, in a family of four, I grew up in a loving family with a purebred Rottweiler (she was a sweet gal, Heidi) and now as an adult living here, bc Portland is my home and heart, I share my place with a little terrier from Mexico, so I’ve been around and feel confident in the presence of dogs of all sizes and breeds having worked with Pit Bulls and German Shepherds as clients. CATS. I love cats too, bc they’re undeniable goofballs :). In college I began falling in love with cats so for about the last 22 years I’ve been caring for at least 1-2 cats often alone in my apartments over the years. I’ll never grow tired or lose interest in cats or dogs :) ALSO: In addition to drop ins and walks I am happy to provide additional light ”chores” as an add-on service if needed/requested such as cleaning up a bit in the pet’s vicinity or doing a few dishes, straightening up e.g, blanket folding etc & cleaning or washing pet dishes as needed. Flexible to that if you need anything “extra.” And I don’t charge much for a small add on service
Reviews
Ellen is a wonderful person and did such a great job taking care of our little boy, Charlie while we were away! She is very attentive and prepared; documenting the visit and informing us of his well-being and any other updates. She took care of him, made sure he was fed and had some play-time. Her flexible hours were a blessing as well! Thank you so much!
Ellen is wonderful. She’s reliable, communicative and detail oriented. She took great care of my cat.
Ellen is literally an angel! She takes such amazing care of our cat and is incredibly communicative. She is a master at cleaning the litter box and leaves it insanely clean. I feel such gratitude for her care of our pet!
My pups love Ellen.
About Ellen A.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Note: I prefer visits that include at least two for a specific client because I’ve done one off walks and it’s precarious when you’re rushed and don’t feel like you know a Lot in general one-off services. I’m still open to them however. *Please don’t hesitate to Invite me to meet your pets beforehand, I’m happy to do this and it’s free to you bc that’s how I learn the critical details of your furry companions. A meet and greet is the term. Video chats are acceptable but not ideal — at least for me. Again I will absolutely do them and understand :) I care for pets based on their needs and personalities; I ensure I respect your pet’s quirks and routines, and I know that their safety, health and happiness come first. If you ask me to give them belly rugs, I’m all for it! If you note that your cat or dog does not like to be touched or bothered but only fed or walked, I completely accept that bc yes, there are pets that prefer to keep to themselves, and of course I respect that too. Not all pets are lovey, but all are worthy of our love — and i want to show my love and compassion to him, her or them however the owner feels most comfortable, even if that means the animal(s) will only tolerate a back scratch (assuming the owner will tell me these details). To reiterate, I do anything I can or am asked of to show I care for them and to consider their well being & I never take the visits for granted! ^ Let’s communicate productively and when necessary because that ensures I know what’s expected of me for the care of your pets
Information Ellen A. would like to know about your pet
*pet or pets’ personalities and dispositions— for cats and dogs *cat needs, feeding, scooping, litter box cleaning, playing, engaging with or even leaving them alone if they’re afraid or skittish I’m okay with that *what you’d like me to take care of during a drop in which includes but is not limited to: the “rules” with letting dogs out in existing backyards, things to look for or be aware of, and special needs and requests are often happily agreed to unless it’s beyond the scope of my pay *notes about their leash behavior how they may act on a leash and how they do or don’t get along with other dogs on the street or path… some are triggered even by joggers so tell me this if you know. I’m also interested in your preferred walking paths or routes, commands they know, bathroom habits etc :)
A typical day
I’m happy to do what is asked of me of the owner of the dog or cat(s), what dog walks are best for your pet and areas they prefer, giving fresh water or medication for all animals, scooping litter. cuddling (if your dog or cat enjoys that, loving up to them with permission or keeping my distance which may be more important to some owners and I will respect that. I do playtime with dogs and cats, leashing and putting on gear prior to walks, picking up waste, being considerate or owners space/home, and in fact I’m perfectly fine if you feel the need for home recording of my visits if it provides peace of mind bc hey, todays world is filled with some awful people who unfortunately somehow make it onto gig apps.. I do what is asked of me always
Services
Ellen can watch in your home
Availability
Late morning and evening gal at this time in life :) if my hours aren’t in alignment with what you need but like my profile - go ahead and message me, there are times I am open to requests that are not perfectly matched to my available times
About Ellen A.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
Note: I prefer visits that include at least two for a specific client because I’ve done one off walks and it’s precarious when you’re rushed and don’t feel like you know a Lot in general one-off services. I’m still open to them however. *Please don’t hesitate to Invite me to meet your pets beforehand, I’m happy to do this and it’s free to you bc that’s how I learn the critical details of your furry companions. A meet and greet is the term. Video chats are acceptable but not ideal — at least for me. Again I will absolutely do them and understand :) I care for pets based on their needs and personalities; I ensure I respect your pet’s quirks and routines, and I know that their safety, health and happiness come first. If you ask me to give them belly rugs, I’m all for it! If you note that your cat or dog does not like to be touched or bothered but only fed or walked, I completely accept that bc yes, there are pets that prefer to keep to themselves, and of course I respect that too. Not all pets are lovey, but all are worthy of our love — and i want to show my love and compassion to him, her or them however the owner feels most comfortable, even if that means the animal(s) will only tolerate a back scratch (assuming the owner will tell me these details). To reiterate, I do anything I can or am asked of to show I care for them and to consider their well being & I never take the visits for granted! ^ Let’s communicate productively and when necessary because that ensures I know what’s expected of me for the care of your pets
Information Ellen A. would like to know about your pet
*pet or pets’ personalities and dispositions— for cats and dogs *cat needs, feeding, scooping, litter box cleaning, playing, engaging with or even leaving them alone if they’re afraid or skittish I’m okay with that *what you’d like me to take care of during a drop in which includes but is not limited to: the “rules” with letting dogs out in existing backyards, things to look for or be aware of, and special needs and requests are often happily agreed to unless it’s beyond the scope of my pay *notes about their leash behavior how they may act on a leash and how they do or don’t get along with other dogs on the street or path… some are triggered even by joggers so tell me this if you know. I’m also interested in your preferred walking paths or routes, commands they know, bathroom habits etc :)
A typical day
I’m happy to do what is asked of me of the owner of the dog or cat(s), what dog walks are best for your pet and areas they prefer, giving fresh water or medication for all animals, scooping litter. cuddling (if your dog or cat enjoys that, loving up to them with permission or keeping my distance which may be more important to some owners and I will respect that. I do playtime with dogs and cats, leashing and putting on gear prior to walks, picking up waste, being considerate or owners space/home, and in fact I’m perfectly fine if you feel the need for home recording of my visits if it provides peace of mind bc hey, todays world is filled with some awful people who unfortunately somehow make it onto gig apps.. I do what is asked of me always
Location
Portland, OR
Pets
Ellen A.
Creston-Kenilworth, OR