Karlena F.
Fayetteville, AR
Godmother to at least four animals
Pet care experience
At just 12 years old, I began volunteering with a dog rescue. I did everything from bath time to administering vaccinations. I adopted my own dog, Abilene, at 13 years old. I paid the adoption fee with my allowance. More recently, I worked full-time at a dog and cat rescue, where I practiced safety procedures, watched over puppies and kittens in the office, took in strays, and learned the ins and outs of what truly trustworthy pet ownership looks like. In 2022, I trained my own dog to be my service animal, and she has passed the public access test with flying colors. I regularly fostered dogs and cats in need, so I have ample experience welcoming a foreign pet into my home.
Reviews
I’ve known Karlena for a long time. She grew up around both cats and dogs. She had a dog-walking/pet-sitting service in the neighborhood from age 11-14 and volunteered with a dog rescue organization on Saturdays as a teenager. She has trained a service dog and fostered cats in her home. Karlena loved animals and will give them the time they need! She is a trustworthy human to have in your home.
Karlena previously worked for the Animal Rescue CARE for Animals based in Little Rock, of which I am the programs coordinator for. She had lots of exposure to all kinds of dogs as well as some with health or behavioral issues. In her first few weeks here, she had to care for one of our fosters that recently had a leg amputated. She was quick to jump in and learn everything she could about him and what his needs were. Karlena was able to watch and care for him. She was able to handle any dog that we threw at her, either to watch over or to as a foster parent herself. She is very capable of handling just about anything. I would highly recommend her as a caregiver for animals.
About Karlena F.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
My home consists of my 11 year old, female, golden border collie, my 10 year old, female, Norwegian Forrest cat, my betta fish, and my roommate's 6 month old, female lab mix. The house is very large, and has hardwood floors throughout, so there is ample room for all the animals to run and play. My back yard is enormous, and fenced on three sides. We do not leave the dogs unattended in the yard, but still provide lots of outdoors time. All animals in the house are kept up to date on vaccinations and flea/tick preventative. Animals are fed separately (and can be fed in different rooms if necessary). Pets are allowed on furniture and beds. We believe in the power of snuggles. I have a strict no-tolerance policy on begging and feeding dogs "people food."
Home
Information Karlena F. would like to know about your pet
I would like to know the size and energy level of any dog spending time in my home. Dogs who are especially dominant or hard-headed may not be a good fit for my home, as my own senior dog is alpha and does not like to be challenged. All dogs must be potty-trained and house-trained. Dogs who are not well-behaved in the home will be crated while unattended, but never for more than two hours at a time! Dogs need to be tolerant of cats and have no hunting instinct that could end up harming my cat.
A typical day
My house is full of love and squeaky toys. Your dog or cat will never be bored! I have a huge backyard that is fenced on three sides, so dogs who can be trusted not to run away will enjoy playing fetch or chase in the yard. They can chase the resident best friend, Birdie, a 6 month old lab mix who has never met an animal she didn't like. Dogs who cannot be off-leash will be taken on two walks per day in my quiet, residential neighborhood. Due to my own physical limitations, I will not be able to walk dogs over 4o pounds if they pull a lot on leash.
Services
Karlena can host
Karlena can watch in your home
Availability
I am an artist and work "full-time" from home as a painter. This means I am home almost all day, every day, and have an incredibly flexible schedule. I can pet sit, dog walk, or board your pet at virtually any time.
About Karlena F.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
My home consists of my 11 year old, female, golden border collie, my 10 year old, female, Norwegian Forrest cat, my betta fish, and my roommate's 6 month old, female lab mix. The house is very large, and has hardwood floors throughout, so there is ample room for all the animals to run and play. My back yard is enormous, and fenced on three sides. We do not leave the dogs unattended in the yard, but still provide lots of outdoors time. All animals in the house are kept up to date on vaccinations and flea/tick preventative. Animals are fed separately (and can be fed in different rooms if necessary). Pets are allowed on furniture and beds. We believe in the power of snuggles. I have a strict no-tolerance policy on begging and feeding dogs "people food."
Home
Information Karlena F. would like to know about your pet
I would like to know the size and energy level of any dog spending time in my home. Dogs who are especially dominant or hard-headed may not be a good fit for my home, as my own senior dog is alpha and does not like to be challenged. All dogs must be potty-trained and house-trained. Dogs who are not well-behaved in the home will be crated while unattended, but never for more than two hours at a time! Dogs need to be tolerant of cats and have no hunting instinct that could end up harming my cat.
A typical day
My house is full of love and squeaky toys. Your dog or cat will never be bored! I have a huge backyard that is fenced on three sides, so dogs who can be trusted not to run away will enjoy playing fetch or chase in the yard. They can chase the resident best friend, Birdie, a 6 month old lab mix who has never met an animal she didn't like. Dogs who cannot be off-leash will be taken on two walks per day in my quiet, residential neighborhood. Due to my own physical limitations, I will not be able to walk dogs over 4o pounds if they pull a lot on leash.
Location
Fayetteville, AR
Pets
Karlena F.
Fayetteville, AR