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Julie Z.

Star Sitter

Sunset Village, WI

5 out of 4.9 stars
22 reviews
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Julie Z. 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.

I let dogs be dogs!

Pet care experience

Whether your dog is shy, elderly, boisterous, or just wants to sniff, my home and back yard are a fun and welcoming spaces for them to just be themselves. I’ve taken more than a dozen training classes with Dogs Best Friend Training, volunteered with Fetch Wisconsin, and cared for several beloved coonhounds, a Giant Schnauzer, and a few mutts, from puppyhood to the Rainbow Bridge. I have a special spot in my heart for older dogs, and even have a ramp exit from my home into the back yard, should anyone’s legs not do stairs. My current pup is a 35-lb terrier/pittie mix rescue I foster-failed with from FetchWI. She loves other dogs and is available for play at any time.

Reviews

Shelby L.
Doggy Day Care • Aug 08, 2025
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Julie let me know a new dog would be present at the same time as my dog, and she made sure to attempt to make introduce successful with a 3rd dog. She let me know she was able to keep dogs in separate areas as needed, let dogs have space from each other, and make sure my pup was safe and comfortable.

Taralinda W.
Dog Boarding • Aug 02, 2025
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Julie and her resident dog Zilla are fantastic. They took such great care of my 4 month old puppy - highly recommend!

Amy R.
Dog Boarding • Jul 21, 2025
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Julie took such good care of our Apple! We left her for an extended stay of 11 days, and Apple had a wonderful time. Julie kept us well informed with daily updates and pictures which gave us great peace of mind. Thank you Julie! We will definitely book with you again!

Shelby L.
Doggy Day Care • Jul 15, 2025
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Stella has a great time visiting! Zilla puts up with her quirks like Stella going on her crate and she tires her out with lots of play! Julie is accommodating and provides flexibility so we were able to move into new house while she watched Stella.

About Julie Z.

Communication

8 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
90% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

25 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Senior dog experience

Safety, trust & environment

Dogs can choose to spend time indoors or out, weather permitting. They can smell the ferns, check out the rain garden, play in the grass, run around under the firs, and say hello to the kids next door. They can zoom around with my resident dog, chill out on the deck or play toss and fetch with me. Indoors they can explore my downstairs and rest on a dog bed, or hang out near me on the futon.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has 1 dog
No children present
Dogs allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 0-2 hours

Information Julie Z. would like to know about your pet

I especially love older dogs and will tenderly care for arthritic or slow-moving pooches. Please let me know if you do not want your dog to use steps, or if they can’t. I will make sure they exit the house to the back yard via the ramp. My resident dog is not big (about 35 pounds) and plays hard. She gets along very well with other dogs and loves to both chase and be chased. My rule is “everyone has to be having a good time”, so if anyone gets overwhelmed, we slow things down. Because I don’t walk dogs or bring them to dog parks, if your dog will not get their needed exercise in my back yard, please consider bringing them to someone who can provide that service. UPDATE: I am marking myself unavailable for Mondays, but repeat clients please ask if you have a need for a day I am unavailable.

A typical day

NOTE: I do not take dogs on walks. Their main exercise is zooming around in my back yard. After an initial meet-and-greet and some outdoor time dogs will rest, sniff, and play throughout the day. As I supervise, and join in the fun, I’ll be observing their interactions, play style, and behavior. Their play, eating and rest sessions will be tailored their preferences. If they are enjoying playing with my resident dog I’ll encourage it. They will be separated for any feeding. I encourage crate use because it can really help a dog feel safe and secure, but dogs that don’t like it can stay in a separate space when needed. Overnight guest dogs should be able to sleep in a separate space, to allow for my resident dog to have time with just me.

Services

Boarding
in the sitter's home
$50per night
Doggy Day Care
in the sitter's home
$36per day

Julie can host

Spayed and neutered dogs only
No females in heat
Takes only 1 client at a time

Availability

I work from home full-time, leaving only for short errands, generally less than two hours every few days. Dogs at my house get frequent potty breaks and playtime in the spacious fenced back yard. Dogs are never left unsupervised outdoors. They can play with my resident dog, who is a very friendly gal with the motto “Delta Delta Delta can I help ya help ya help ya?”. If I have to be gone for a bit there is plenty of room to crate them, or possibly keep them in a separate space. Water is available at all times, indoors and out. For now, I am only accepting one guest dog at a time for daycare or overnight stays. Dropoff and pickup times are 7-9am and 4-6pm Monday through Saturday.

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Boarding Cancellation Policy:

About Julie Z.

Communication

8 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
90% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards

Skills

25 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Senior dog experience

Safety, trust & environment

Dogs can choose to spend time indoors or out, weather permitting. They can smell the ferns, check out the rain garden, play in the grass, run around under the firs, and say hello to the kids next door. They can zoom around with my resident dog, chill out on the deck or play toss and fetch with me. Indoors they can explore my downstairs and rest on a dog bed, or hang out near me on the futon.

Home

Lives in a house
Has a fenced yard
Non-smoking household
Has 1 dog
No children present
Dogs allowed on bed
Dogs allowed on furniture
Potty breaks every 0-2 hours

Information Julie Z. would like to know about your pet

I especially love older dogs and will tenderly care for arthritic or slow-moving pooches. Please let me know if you do not want your dog to use steps, or if they can’t. I will make sure they exit the house to the back yard via the ramp. My resident dog is not big (about 35 pounds) and plays hard. She gets along very well with other dogs and loves to both chase and be chased. My rule is “everyone has to be having a good time”, so if anyone gets overwhelmed, we slow things down. Because I don’t walk dogs or bring them to dog parks, if your dog will not get their needed exercise in my back yard, please consider bringing them to someone who can provide that service. UPDATE: I am marking myself unavailable for Mondays, but repeat clients please ask if you have a need for a day I am unavailable.

A typical day

NOTE: I do not take dogs on walks. Their main exercise is zooming around in my back yard. After an initial meet-and-greet and some outdoor time dogs will rest, sniff, and play throughout the day. As I supervise, and join in the fun, I’ll be observing their interactions, play style, and behavior. Their play, eating and rest sessions will be tailored their preferences. If they are enjoying playing with my resident dog I’ll encourage it. They will be separated for any feeding. I encourage crate use because it can really help a dog feel safe and secure, but dogs that don’t like it can stay in a separate space when needed. Overnight guest dogs should be able to sleep in a separate space, to allow for my resident dog to have time with just me.

Location

Madison, WI

Julie Z.'s Neighborhood

Pets

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Julie Z.

Star Sitter

Sunset Village, WI

5 out of 4.9 stars
22 reviews