Katharine D.
Katharine D.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Quiet, Precise Home & Pet Sitting
Are you a professional traveling for work or vacation? Do you need a house sitter who follows instructions with the same precision used in a lab? I am a PhD microbiologist and former UC Davis postdoctoral researcher, currently transitioning from academic research to state policy work. I have experience with taking care of my own pets, taking care of others' pets, and following precise protocols for taking safe, kind, and meticulous care of research animals as diverse as squid and cattle. While navigating the state hiring timeline, I am offering premium house/pet sitting services for clients who value maturity, reliability, and absolute adherence to their home routines. What do I offer? - The "Adult" Standard: I am a professional in my 30s. I do not throw parties. I do not invite guests. I do not treat your home like a dorm. It remains a sanctuary. - Protocol-Driven Care: My background is in the lab, not the clinic. I don't guess at animal psychology, but I follow your care protocols exactly. Medication schedules, dietary measurements, and security routines are executed precisely as written. - Cleanliness & Respect: I am trained to leave a workspace cleaner than I found it. Your home will be maintained to a high standard of order and hygiene. - Privacy Firewall: As a professional in transition, I offer a level of privacy that your students or subordinates cannot. Your personal life remains completely separate from your professional hierarchy. Logistics: - References: Current Landlord (vouching for impeccable property care) + Professional References. - Availability: I housesit a maximum of two weeks per month. - Animals I Will Sit: Adult and senior dogs, small non-venomous/poisonous animals (both mammals and reptiles - non-venomous snakes < 4 feet in length ok!), and aquatics only. For aquatics especially, please prepare a care sheet with the number and species (with scientific names if you know them) of all animals in the tank(s) and required physicochemical parameters for each tank, in addition to health information and feeding schedules. No cats may be present in the home (I am allergic). - Behavioral Requirements: Your dog must be fully housetrained and preferably also trained to follow some basic commands ("sit", "stay", "come"). I do not accept dogs with severe separation anxiety, constant barking, aggression towards humans, or destructive tendencies. I do not accept small animals/aquatics with aggression towards humans or destructive tendencies. - Other requirements: I am a working professional. Your home must have reliable high-speed Wi-Fi and a quiet place to sit and work while I housesit/watch your pet. If I am staying in your home, for my safety and security, I require that no other humans other than you come over for the duration.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
My background as a laboratory scientist means I operate with an exacting standard of cleanliness, precision, and respect for established protocols. Your home is treated as a secure, private environment. I do not invite guests over, I maintain a strict privacy firewall, and I ensure all home security and maintenance routines are followed to the letter. My goal is to leave your home cleaner than I found it, providing clear, reliable updates (including photo and video) so you can travel with absolute peace of mind.
Ratings and reviews
Katharine has been an excellent tenant and has consistently shown herself to be responsible, communicative, and dependable. She always pays rent on time, responds quickly, and is very considerate and respectful. Based on my experience with her, I would absolutely trust her to provide loving and reliable care for pets. I highly recommend Katharine to anyone looking for a responsible and caring pet caregiver.
Katharine house sat for us for a few weeks several years ago - she kept our cat well entertained, fed, and cared for. Simply the best!
Katherine lived with me and my French Bulldog, who was a puppy at the time. She was very patient and kind with him. I know Katherine to be a very responsible person, I’m sure your pup will appreciate her chill & calm demeanor as well!
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
I work remotely full-time as a policy consultant, meaning my schedule is highly flexible and I can be present in the home for the majority of the day. I maintain a quiet, predictable, and focused daily routine. Because my work is entirely remote, your pets will have consistent companionship, and their specific feeding, walking, and medication schedules will be executed exactly as you prescribe them.
Prices include all fees.