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kelsey d.

5.0 out of 5 stars
2 repeat clients
Profile image

kelsey d.

5.0 out of 5 stars
2 repeat clients

Contact for Drop-In Visits

from $15 per visit

Highlights

Enhanced background check
20 years of experience
Can administer medication
Special needs experience
Senior dog experience
Can provide daily exercise

Pet care experience

Dog Nerd, Trainer, & Cat Mom

Hi! I'm Kelsey. I graduated from USF with a science degree and left my job in clinical research to hangout with animals all day. This is my full time job (and dream job, tehe). I'm basically a huge dog nerd. When I was a little kid I would fall asleep studying my collection of 13 dog encyclopedias (hope my parent still have those). My love of dogs has followed me into adulthood - I've trained my own late German Shepherd in Search and Recovery as well as protection, and I have fostered many dogs (and cats!) over the years. I've cared for chihuahuas, to Great Danes, to bulldogs and everything in between. I truly love them all and appreciate all their little quirks and unique ways of communicating. I'm super dog nerd, but spending time with my own cats brings me immeasurable joy as well. I even started a little catnip company for my cat. Anyway, I would love to care for your pet! Looking forward to hearing from you :)

Cat care experience

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20+ yrs of Experienced Cat Care

kelsey also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.

Qualifications

2 repeat pet parents
100% response rate
Usually responds in a few minutes
100% bookings with photo updates
Sends updates with Rover Cards
20 years of experience
Oral medication administration
Injected medication administration

Pets

Safety, trust & environment

Safety is always my first priority. I take the time to learn each pet's routine, personality, triggers, and any special instructions before caring for them. I'm attentive to doors, gates, leashes, harnesses, and anything else that could create a safety issue, and I never assume that every pet has the same needs. In my clients' homes, I'm respectful of their space and leave things exactly as I found them. I'm careful about securing doors and gates when I leave and making sure pets have everything they need before I go. I also believe trust is earned through good communication. I'll keep you updated during visits, let you know if I notice anything unusual, and always reach out if I have any questions or concerns. My goal is for you to feel completely comfortable knowing your pet is safe, cared for, and getting plenty of attention while you're away.

Ratings and reviews

5.0
stars
6 ratings
Forrest M.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dog Walking • Aug 21, 2026

Kelsey is the best dog walker in St Pete

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Katie Rose W.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Dog Walking • Jun 25, 2026

Kelsey was great! Will definitely rebook.

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Ryan T.
May 19, 2026

Left our golden with Kelsey for a long weekend and got a different dog back. Tired, happy, didn't even sulk at us for leaving. Her german shepherd is the best playmate Murphy has ever had, and Kelsey clearly runs a tight ship at her place. Got photos every day without having to ask. Already booked her for Thanksgiving.

Marlene H.
May 19, 2026

I'm 78 years old and my little Biscuit is the love of my life. After my hip surgery last year, I just couldn't give him the walks he needed anymore, and the poor thing was getting restless. My granddaughter found Kelsey for me, and what a blessing she has been. She always shows up right when she says she will, which matters a great deal to me, and she takes the time to chat for a minute before heading out. Biscuit hears her at the door now and goes absolutely bonkers. She knows he gets nervous around the big dogs on our street, so she takes him a different way, and she always brings him back with his paws wiped off before I can even ask. She's a kind young woman and she treats Biscuit like he's somebody, which he is. I tell all the ladies at my cooking club about her.

Jessica M.
May 19, 2026

I cannot say enough good things about Kelsey. Between back-to-back meetings and a travel schedule that's honestly a little ridiculous, I used to feel awful every time I left my dog at home. Then I found Kelsey, and everything changed. From the very first walk, I could tell my girl wasn't just getting exercise, she was getting real attention. I come home to a happy, tired, satisfied dog, and Kelsey sends little updates throughout the day that make it obvious she's actually paying attention. Things like which dog my girl made friends with at the park, or how she insisted on sniffing the same bush for five minutes straight. Kelsey treats her like one of her own, and at this point I'm pretty sure my dog likes Kelsey more than she likes me. If you're someone who worries about your dog being just another name on a packed schedule, book with Kelsey. You won't regret it.

Calendar and availability

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
Available
Not available
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Schedule

Pet care is my full-time job, so caring for animals is what my days revolve around! I have a flexible schedule and am able to build my day around the needs of my clients rather than fitting pet care in around another job. I'm generally available for walks and drop-ins throughout the day, and I'm happy to work with you to find a schedule that keeps your pet comfortable and on their normal routine. My goal is to give each pet plenty of attention and make them feel comfortable, safe, and happy.

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs
kelsey can host up to 10 drop-ins per day
The more I know about your pet, the better! Before a booking, I like to know about their normal routine, personality, energy level, likes and dislikes, feeding and medication instructions, and any behavioral quirks or triggers I should be aware of. No information is too much! I truly love talking about animals (prob my fave topic actually) and could go on and on all day, so hit me with all the info you want! For dogs, it's especially helpful to know how they are around other dogs, people, cats, and anything else they might encounter on a walk. I also like to know about leash behavior, escape tendencies, and any commands or training you're currently working on. For cats, I'd love to know their usual routine, how social they are, their favorite ways to play, and anything unusual about their eating, litter box habits, or behavior. Again, there's no such thing as too much information! I enjoy knowing their funny little details that make them unique.
Each sitter joining Rover needs to pass a background check. And by booking on Rover, you can get photo & message updates, 24/7 support, and reimbursement for eligible vet care.