My pet-sitting journey began in college when a coworker asked me to care for her cat while she was away on vacation. Having grown up with pets, I was comfortable taking on the responsibility. During college, I gained experience caring for animals through both volunteering and my photojournalism work. I volunteered on weekends at Cat Town in Oakland, helping care for cats who were often overlooked or considered difficult to adopt. I also created a photo story about Muttville in San Fransisco, a rescue dedicated to finding homes for senior dogs. Spending time with these animals taught me that every pet has different needs and that patience, attention and individual care can make a big difference. After college, I adopted a cat of my own. Since then, I’ve continued pet sitting for friends and coworkers, caring for both cats and dogs through house sitting. I enjoy getting to know the pets I care for and making sure they feel comfortable and safe while their owners are away. I’m attentive to each pet’s individual personality, routine and needs and I’m happy to give them plenty of companionship, playtime and affection.