Mara S.
Ames, IA
Years of Experience
Pet care experience
I have taken care of furry friends of neighbors, friends and family for about 10 years. I just recently moved to Iowa from New York after just graduating with my animal science degree from Cornell University and worked in a veterinary clinic for the last three years before moving! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions!
Reviews
Mara was an amazing sitter! Very responsive, respectful, and timely. Our dog can be a lot to handle and we really appreciated Mara's calm demeanor.
Mara was so great with our kitties! She was detailed and had good communication. We felt at ease knowing that she was watching them.
Mara was amazing! We felt like our dog was safe, loved and in very capable hands the whole time we were away. Thank you, Mara!
This was the first time I did not have an overnight caregiver for my 2 dogs & cat. I was gone 4 days. Mara was incredible! She followed my instructions and bonded so beautifully with my gang:). I have a 15 mo old who I was especially concerned about but he was remarkable with Mara. Mara kept in touch with texts and pics - I could see my gang was relaxed and happy!! Totally recommend Mara!!
About Mara S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
For drop-ins/house sitting: I am happy to keep your pets on their schedule as best as I can weather that be keeping them in a crate during the day/at night or letting them roam free in the house, ect. I am willing to do anything that keeps your pets happy and stress free while you are away including walks, hikes, playing fetch, or just hanging out on the couch! PLEASE READ THE SCHEDULE THAT I FOLLOW IN THE TYPICAL DAY SECTION! For Boarding: I have two of my own dogs that are friendly so your dog will just become a part of my small pack while you are away. I hike almost everyday with my own dogs and typically take any dog that is boarding with me along. My dogs are rarely left alone but when they are, they are crated and I ask that dogs staying with me are also crate trained. All dogs that I board are introduced slowly to my own personal dogs and are closely watched until I feel it is safe for them all to be together. Please let me know if your dog has any type of food/toy aggression before hand so I can accommodate!
Home
Information Mara S. would like to know about your pet
Let me know ahead of time any special needs or accommodations your pet needs so I can be better prepared to care for your pet. I like to know which vet clinic your pet(s) are an established patient at and appreciate if you call them advance to let them know I will be watching your animal just in case there is an emergency in which case I need to take them there.
A typical day
Please let me know what type of activities your pets love! I am happy to take them hiking, play fetch, play tug, or sit on the couch with them, ect! In addition, I also have a large fenced in back yard for the dogs to play all day! DAILY SCHEDULE: I prefer NOT to stay at your house at night. However, here is my schedule for most of my clients; feed/play/take out around 6-7am, let out again throughout the day, feed/play/take out around 5-6pm, and let them out between 9-10pm again. Although this is the scheduled I follow, I would love to know your schedule with your pets and will try to accommodate them as best as I can!
Services
Mara can host
Mara can watch in your home
Availability
Hi! For house sitting: I prefer NOT to stay at your house at night but am happy to hang out with your pets throughout the day. However, here is my schedule for most of my clients: feed/play/take out around 6-7am, let them out between noon-1pm, feed/play/take out around 5-6pm, and let them out between 9-10pm again. Although this is the scheduled I follow, I would love to know your schedule with your pets and will try to accommodate them as best as I can! For Boarding: Your pup(s) will join into my family and interact with my two friendly dogs. There is a bell on the door so they can ring it to go out (if trained to do so). I hike almost everyday with my own dogs and typically take any dog that is boarding with me along. I also have a large fenced in back yard for the dogs to play all day! My dogs are rarely left alone but when they are, they are crated and I ask that dogs staying with me are also crate trained. All dogs that I board are introduced slowly to my own personal dogs and are closely watched until I feel it is safe for them all to be together. Please let me know if your dog has any type of food/toy aggression before hand so I can accommodate! Drop Off/Pick up is between 6:30-7:30am and 6-8pm the day of. Please reach out with any questions!
About Mara S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
For drop-ins/house sitting: I am happy to keep your pets on their schedule as best as I can weather that be keeping them in a crate during the day/at night or letting them roam free in the house, ect. I am willing to do anything that keeps your pets happy and stress free while you are away including walks, hikes, playing fetch, or just hanging out on the couch! PLEASE READ THE SCHEDULE THAT I FOLLOW IN THE TYPICAL DAY SECTION! For Boarding: I have two of my own dogs that are friendly so your dog will just become a part of my small pack while you are away. I hike almost everyday with my own dogs and typically take any dog that is boarding with me along. My dogs are rarely left alone but when they are, they are crated and I ask that dogs staying with me are also crate trained. All dogs that I board are introduced slowly to my own personal dogs and are closely watched until I feel it is safe for them all to be together. Please let me know if your dog has any type of food/toy aggression before hand so I can accommodate!
Home
Information Mara S. would like to know about your pet
Let me know ahead of time any special needs or accommodations your pet needs so I can be better prepared to care for your pet. I like to know which vet clinic your pet(s) are an established patient at and appreciate if you call them advance to let them know I will be watching your animal just in case there is an emergency in which case I need to take them there.
A typical day
Please let me know what type of activities your pets love! I am happy to take them hiking, play fetch, play tug, or sit on the couch with them, ect! In addition, I also have a large fenced in back yard for the dogs to play all day! DAILY SCHEDULE: I prefer NOT to stay at your house at night. However, here is my schedule for most of my clients; feed/play/take out around 6-7am, let out again throughout the day, feed/play/take out around 5-6pm, and let them out between 9-10pm again. Although this is the scheduled I follow, I would love to know your schedule with your pets and will try to accommodate them as best as I can!
Location
Ames, IA
Pets
Mara S.
Ames, IA