Katherine U.
South Lake Morton, FL
Loving, professional care for pets!
Pet care experience
Hi! My name is Katherine and I cannot wait to meet you and your furry loved ones! I have over 20 years of experience caring for all kinds of pets, from dogs and cats to parrots and livestock. I have two degrees in Animal Science and have spent my entire professional life working with animals as a veterinary technician, kennel assistant, dog daycare attendant, livestock researcher, and animal science instructor, so I'm more than prepared to take care of any of your pets' needs! I feel comfortable with pets of any species, breed, size, or age. I also know basic first aid and can administer medications as needed. In my personal life, I've cared for a variety of animals including dogs, cats, small rodents, birds, skunks, fish, and horses. Right now, I have one dog, a spunky little Shih Tzu named Grumpelstiltskin. _____________________________________________________________________________ Currently, I offer drop-in visits and dog walks but may add house-sitting or other services in the future. Drop-In Visits: I come by your residence to feed, play, and/or walk your pets. Each visit lasts approximately 30 minutes, but can be extended if desired. My rate is $25/visit and $10/visit for each additional pet. Dog Walking Services: I come by your residence to walk your dogs for approximately 30 minutes per session. I can walk in your neighborhood, my neighborhood, or bring your dog to other locations (pre-approved by you), such as dog-friendly stores or a local dog park. My rate is $25/visit and $10/visit for each additional dog. _____________________________________________________________________________ If I seem like a good fit for you and your furry family, please send me a message and I'll be happy to get back to you within 24 hours. I hope to hear from you soon!
Reviews
Kat are you around in October?
Katherine, I could not have asked for a better person to take care of our 3.5 year old, one eyed, Golden Retriever! You totally went above and beyond in every aspect! Thank you so much! We will definitely be in touch with you on our next time away from home!
My boyfriend and I just moved to Florida about a month ago and needed to find a pet sitter for our 4 dogs. All of them are either seniors or have special needs so we are very picky about who we want taking care of our babies. Katherine came over for a meet and greet and made us feel very comfortable and at ease and all of our dogs LOVED her. When she came over for her first drop in visit she sent us the best “pupdate” and left us a cute note about her visit and even left our dogs some treats! She is very sweet and her communicate and understanding of the individual needs of each pet is outstanding! 10/10 would recommend!!!!
Katherine was excellent. This was the first time I used this kind of service. If you are looking for a very kind and attentive dog sitter Katherine is your go-to. She took excellent care of my two large pitties without any issues. She was is very professional and educated in her field. She quickly figured out both my dogs personalities. She gave the most wonderful updates along with pictures which was wonderful and definitely put my mind at ease. My dogs were so happy when we came back and I know they were taken care of as her own. Would highly recommend her. She is top notch in her field.
About Katherine U.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I can administer medications as needed and am experienced caring for pets of any breed, size, or age. I follow a fear-free approach to pet care and will attempt to keep your pets' routines as close to normal as I can.
Information Katherine U. would like to know about your pet
I'd love to know: 1. Which pets are you requesting care for? (Name/type/age/temperament/etc.) 2. What would you like me to do for your pets? (Feed/play/walk/etc.) 3. Do your pets have any special needs or other care considerations? (Medications/other) 4. Is there anything else I should know about you, your residence, or your pets? Note: If this is your first time booking a service through Rover, please let me know! I have a first-time booking promo code for $20 off your total reservation that I would be happy to share with you.
A typical day
I love spending time with animals of all kinds and customize my service to fulfill each pet's unique needs. Here are a few examples of activities I can do with your pets (only with your prior permission). High-energy? I can play with them in your home, jog or bike alongside them, or bring them to a local dog park. I can mentally stimulate your pets by teaching tricks or letting them sniff and explore new areas. Low-energy or shy? I am happy to sit calmly and give butt scratches, ear rubs, offer treats, or simply keep them company. In need of extra socialization? I am also able to socialize dogs by bringing them to pet-friendly stores, pet-friendly restaurants, or bringing my own dog as a playmate. _____________________________________________________________________________ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): 1. Do you accept bookings for intact pets? Yes, I can care for intact, spayed, or neutered pets. 2. Do you accept bookings for aggressive pets? I do accept bookings for aggressive pets, however for these animals I require at least two prior meet and greets, proof of current vaccinations, and an additional fee assessed on a case-by-case basis. 3. Do you charge extra for puppies, kittens, or senior pets? Nope! Bookings are charged the same regardless of pet age. 4. Can you water my plants while you're here? Of course! I'm happy to water plants, collect your mail, take out the trash, or honor most any other household requests while caring for your pets. 5. Are there any pets you don't accept? I try to accommodate each pet's needs, but I will deny any bookings that I feel my services would not be in the best interest of the animal. A couple examples would be severely aggressive dogs or pets that need constant veterinary monitoring. 6. What is your cancelation policy? I provide a full refund for cancelations made at least 72 hours prior to the reservation start time. Cancelations made 24-72 hours before the reservation are refunded 50% of the total cost. No refunds are granted for cancelations made within 24 hours of the reservation start time. 7. Do you accept same-day requests? Yes, I will accept same-day requests. Ideally, this will include a quick meet-and-greet with you and the pets, but for last-minute or same-day bookings, I can substitute meet-and-greet appointments for either an in-person meeting with you or a phone call to discuss any relevant details. 8. What if my trip runs long or my flight is delayed? As long as the delay does not interfere with another reservation, I am more than happy to continue caring for your pets as needed. I ask that you please keep me updated on any changes to your travel plans as soon as you are aware. Any additional fees will be assessed by the time of your arrival. 9. What if I return from my trip early? I can end my services early, but my refund policy for this is very similar to my cancelation policy. A full refund is granted for any unused services if canceled at least 72 hours prior to the reservation end time. A 50% refund of unused services is provided if cancelation is made 24-72 hours before the end time of the original reservation. Cancelations made within 24 hours of the reservation end time are not refunded. 10. Can you provide pictures and updates for my pets while I'm gone? Of course! I know it can be hard to leave your furry family at home so I love any chance to provide you with additional reassurances that they are safe, loved, and cared for while you're away. I typically give 1 "pupdate" and 2-5 pictures per pet per day, but I can adjust this as needed.
Services
Katherine can watch in your home
Availability
I have a relatively flexible schedule and I pride myself on customizing each booking for your family's individual needs. I'm available most days but bookings can quickly fill my calendar.
About Katherine U.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I can administer medications as needed and am experienced caring for pets of any breed, size, or age. I follow a fear-free approach to pet care and will attempt to keep your pets' routines as close to normal as I can.
Information Katherine U. would like to know about your pet
I'd love to know: 1. Which pets are you requesting care for? (Name/type/age/temperament/etc.) 2. What would you like me to do for your pets? (Feed/play/walk/etc.) 3. Do your pets have any special needs or other care considerations? (Medications/other) 4. Is there anything else I should know about you, your residence, or your pets? Note: If this is your first time booking a service through Rover, please let me know! I have a first-time booking promo code for $20 off your total reservation that I would be happy to share with you.
A typical day
I love spending time with animals of all kinds and customize my service to fulfill each pet's unique needs. Here are a few examples of activities I can do with your pets (only with your prior permission). High-energy? I can play with them in your home, jog or bike alongside them, or bring them to a local dog park. I can mentally stimulate your pets by teaching tricks or letting them sniff and explore new areas. Low-energy or shy? I am happy to sit calmly and give butt scratches, ear rubs, offer treats, or simply keep them company. In need of extra socialization? I am also able to socialize dogs by bringing them to pet-friendly stores, pet-friendly restaurants, or bringing my own dog as a playmate. _____________________________________________________________________________ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ): 1. Do you accept bookings for intact pets? Yes, I can care for intact, spayed, or neutered pets. 2. Do you accept bookings for aggressive pets? I do accept bookings for aggressive pets, however for these animals I require at least two prior meet and greets, proof of current vaccinations, and an additional fee assessed on a case-by-case basis. 3. Do you charge extra for puppies, kittens, or senior pets? Nope! Bookings are charged the same regardless of pet age. 4. Can you water my plants while you're here? Of course! I'm happy to water plants, collect your mail, take out the trash, or honor most any other household requests while caring for your pets. 5. Are there any pets you don't accept? I try to accommodate each pet's needs, but I will deny any bookings that I feel my services would not be in the best interest of the animal. A couple examples would be severely aggressive dogs or pets that need constant veterinary monitoring. 6. What is your cancelation policy? I provide a full refund for cancelations made at least 72 hours prior to the reservation start time. Cancelations made 24-72 hours before the reservation are refunded 50% of the total cost. No refunds are granted for cancelations made within 24 hours of the reservation start time. 7. Do you accept same-day requests? Yes, I will accept same-day requests. Ideally, this will include a quick meet-and-greet with you and the pets, but for last-minute or same-day bookings, I can substitute meet-and-greet appointments for either an in-person meeting with you or a phone call to discuss any relevant details. 8. What if my trip runs long or my flight is delayed? As long as the delay does not interfere with another reservation, I am more than happy to continue caring for your pets as needed. I ask that you please keep me updated on any changes to your travel plans as soon as you are aware. Any additional fees will be assessed by the time of your arrival. 9. What if I return from my trip early? I can end my services early, but my refund policy for this is very similar to my cancelation policy. A full refund is granted for any unused services if canceled at least 72 hours prior to the reservation end time. A 50% refund of unused services is provided if cancelation is made 24-72 hours before the end time of the original reservation. Cancelations made within 24 hours of the reservation end time are not refunded. 10. Can you provide pictures and updates for my pets while I'm gone? Of course! I know it can be hard to leave your furry family at home so I love any chance to provide you with additional reassurances that they are safe, loved, and cared for while you're away. I typically give 1 "pupdate" and 2-5 pictures per pet per day, but I can adjust this as needed.
Location
Lakeland, FL
Pets
Katherine U.
South Lake Morton, FL