Jenny S.
Mount Airy, MD
Zookeeper turned Insured Petsitter!
Pet care experience
I grew up with dogs, cats, goats, rabbits, hamsters and chickens. I grew up with a love of animals and would explore the woods and streams by my house for critters. After college, I turned that love into a career and started working as a zoo keeper. I’ve worked at a zoo with animals of all sizes (bears, otters, birds, and everything in between!) for the last twenty years, focusing on training (voluntary ultrasounds and blood draws!) and enrichment. I am skilled at noticing animal behavior and have experience from hand raising babies to modifying spaces for the most senior of animals. I am also experienced administering medication to the most finicky of animals and can give insulin shots to your diabetic pets. At home, I care for my 2 large rescue dogs and 2 cats, leopard geckos, corn snake, chickens and fish (and 2 kids). I volunteered at a horse rescue and currently also petsit for horses regularly. I am comfortable with nearly every animal you can think of- just name the animal and I can help! I have never met an animal I didn’t like! I look forward to meeting yours.
Reviews
Jenny is the best
Wow! So impressed with Jenny, and so thrilled she has formed a forever-bond with our ginormous puppy, Zuma! Book Jenny if you want a reliable, caring, knowledgeable and skilled provider! Will definitely be booking again soon, thanks for everything!
Once again Jenny came in and saved the day. An appointment turned into an all day ordeal but I was not stressed because I knew Jenny was coming to walk the dogs and they would be taken care of until I got home.
Jenny is awesome! Gave detailed updates and sent pictures. I have an older diabetic cat and she was able to administer his insulin without any problems. Definitely will be booking with her again and highly recommend.
About Jenny S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I absolutely love animals. I have devoted my career (and my home) to them. I will give your pet 100% of my attention when I am at your home caring for them. Safety is my utmost priority -twenty years of working with dangerous carnivores has made me very detail orientated and careful. I prefer to meet you and your pet ahead of time- so I always offer a free meet and greet- to make sure you are comfortable with me and I can find out important information about your pet and your home. Communication is essential for trust, so just tell me if I'm sending too many pictures or giving you too many details about your pet while you're away! I take the care of your pets very seriously and am a member of Pet Sitters Associates and have private insurance to make us all feel more comfortable.
Information Jenny S. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know if your pet has any special needs…or treat preferences! I’m happy to come in with some snacks, unless they are on diet restrictions or food aggressive and that’s important for me to know too! Every individual is different and I cater my service to individual pets and families. One of my dog needs a slow feeder because he eats so fast, and my other dog will only eat if I keep him company, so I understand how particular a pet can be. I’d love to know everything about your pet so I can build a trusting relationship with them.
A typical day
I love training. If I can train a leopard or a bear to allow voluntary vaccinations and blood draws to monitor health, or an otter to recall off exhibit when someone's thrown them a shiny quarter, I can help train your dogs! And cats too- I've trained my cats to come running to me from wherever they are in the house when I call them. Training stimulates the mind and keeps an animal bright and engaged. Enrichment (giving toys/activities to encourage animals in natural behavior) is also important- so save those toilet paper rolls, poke some holes and stuff them with catnip or treats and give them to your cats to bat around! It's no lie that every cat loves a cardboard box- even wild cats, like fishing cats or clouded leopards, can't say no!
Services
Jenny can watch in your home
Availability
I left the zoo in DC in 2023 after nearly twenty years and am looking to meet new animal friends locally! My current job teaching at a nature preschool ends next month and I will be transitioning to full-time pet sitting. I'm excited to have much more flexibility and time to spend with your pets.
About Jenny S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I absolutely love animals. I have devoted my career (and my home) to them. I will give your pet 100% of my attention when I am at your home caring for them. Safety is my utmost priority -twenty years of working with dangerous carnivores has made me very detail orientated and careful. I prefer to meet you and your pet ahead of time- so I always offer a free meet and greet- to make sure you are comfortable with me and I can find out important information about your pet and your home. Communication is essential for trust, so just tell me if I'm sending too many pictures or giving you too many details about your pet while you're away! I take the care of your pets very seriously and am a member of Pet Sitters Associates and have private insurance to make us all feel more comfortable.
Information Jenny S. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know if your pet has any special needs…or treat preferences! I’m happy to come in with some snacks, unless they are on diet restrictions or food aggressive and that’s important for me to know too! Every individual is different and I cater my service to individual pets and families. One of my dog needs a slow feeder because he eats so fast, and my other dog will only eat if I keep him company, so I understand how particular a pet can be. I’d love to know everything about your pet so I can build a trusting relationship with them.
A typical day
I love training. If I can train a leopard or a bear to allow voluntary vaccinations and blood draws to monitor health, or an otter to recall off exhibit when someone's thrown them a shiny quarter, I can help train your dogs! And cats too- I've trained my cats to come running to me from wherever they are in the house when I call them. Training stimulates the mind and keeps an animal bright and engaged. Enrichment (giving toys/activities to encourage animals in natural behavior) is also important- so save those toilet paper rolls, poke some holes and stuff them with catnip or treats and give them to your cats to bat around! It's no lie that every cat loves a cardboard box- even wild cats, like fishing cats or clouded leopards, can't say no!
Location
Mount Airy, MD
Pets
Jenny S.
Mount Airy, MD