Katie J.
Katie J.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Giving your pets all the love!
Hello, friend!!! I have been housesitting and caring for other's pets, homes, and gardens since my teen years. As a writer I spend a lot of time working from home, meaning that I will largely be available throughout the day to give your pets all the attention they need and ease the discomfort of having their loved one (you!) away for a while. Staying attuned to an animal's needs comes naturally for me as it brings me fulfillment as well. Cats are my absolute favorite - I have had a cat as a companion in every stage of my life and cared for many more. I have cared for many dogs as well, but mostly quieter dogs with a "cat-like" demeanor. I have sensory sensitives so I am unable to care for younger and more energetic dogs that bark a lot. (Barking because excited for certain activities is expected and fine, though). Other pets I have owned and cared for include smaller pets such as goldfish, bearded dragons, hermit crabs, snakes, and tarantulas. I have great respect for what a home means and treat every space I am in with reverence, keeping it clean and cared for. I also have light experience gardening and am comfortable watering a mass of plants! I have housesat several locations that have an entire array of potted plants. I always make sure they are well tended to and kept as lively as ever! A little bit about me - I am a 35 year old writer and performance artist. (They/them pronouns). I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, and attended college in Santa Fe, New Mexico where I received my BA in Creative Writing and Literature. I remained in the beautiful high desert for close to a decade in earlier adulthood. The culture and gorgeous landscapes of both Northern California and New Mexico have deeply informed who I am. I've also worked in childcare and children's entertainment. Being a caretaker has always come naturally to me and often brings me a sense of fulfillment. Some of my favorite activities (other than writing and performing) are hiking, reading, dancing, reading tarot, and making art. Any of my close loved ones will tell you I am a calm, kind, humorous, intelligent, and thoughtful person who approaches all things in life from the heart and with great intention. I can't wait to meet you and give your beloved pets the attention and love they deserve while you go on your next great adventure!
Cat care experience
Katie also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
All pet care will take place in your home, so I will keep your pets' routine as stated, ensuring that nothing is disrupted for them aside from your departure. Plants and home will also be cared for as you would care for it. Cleanliness is part of my values, so you can expect your home to be as organized and neat as you left it. I do not do deep cleaning such as vacuuming unless previously negotiated.
Ratings and reviews
Katie stayed at our house and took care of our cat ("Fluff"), houseplants, and garden while we were away for 14 days. They did a wonderful job! Katie has a calm, soothing, easygoing (yet reliable/responsible) personality. They were punctual and came fully prepared for their two-week stay. Before we left, Katie asked relevant questions to make sure they understood exactly what we wanted done. Katie's intuitive sense of what cats want/need was immediately obvious to us (and to Fluff!) We appreciated Katie’s flexibility with scheduling and with some of the unique “quirks” of our house. We had limited cell service during our trip, and Katie likes some quiet creative time each day away from electronic distractions; nevertheless, we managed to stay in touch, and Katie sent us informative updates with photos of Fluff at least every 2-3 days. When we got home, our cat was relaxed and unstressed – an indication that she got plenty of love and attention in addition to food and water. Our house and plants were also well cared for and looked just as we had left them. We would be happy to have Katie house sit and take care of our cat and plants again in the future.
As a family friend, I’ve known Katie for over 30 years. Katie is exceedingly kind, emotionally intuitive, and deeply creative. When they housesat for us, we felt at ease knowing that our home was in good hands and that our two dogs were getting lots of love and attention (and probably being serenaded at every meal!).
Katie is reliable, responsible and will treat your home and pets with the utmost respect and care. They have taken excellent care of my home and pets numerous times and have always left things neat with plants and pets thriving. Katie is creative, intelligent, thoughtful, and playful. They care about the environment, are very kind and trustworthy, and I recommend their house and pet sitting services with no hesitation. Truly, Katie is a quality person!
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
Since I mostly work from home writing, pet care easily fits into my daily schedule. Occasionally, I have live performances and community events but when I am needed all day elsewhere I typically know well in advance and can communicate with you effectively to make sure this housesit is still a good fit for both of us and especially your beloved pet!