Maria M.
Maria M.
Contact for Drop-In Visits
from $25 per visit
Highlights
Pet care experience
Trusted Care: 36+ Five-Star Reviews
I bring over 12 years of hands-on pet care experience and have cared for 50+ animals, including horses, bunnies, turtles, chickens, dogs, cats, goats, and reptiles. My background includes rescue dogs, seniors, puppies, anxious pets, and multi-pet households. Raised around a family-run rescue shelter in Colombia, I developed early awareness of behavioral sensitivity and trauma-informed handling. I understand how to support reactive dogs, pets adjusting to new environments, and animals deeply attached to their routines. I’m confident with structured walks, medication administration, feeding schedules, and maintaining consistency — because routine creates safety. I work comfortably with high-energy breeds who need firm structure as well as senior dogs who require patience and gentle pacing. Safety, emotional regulation, and calm leadership guide everything I do. With 36+ five-star reviews, I’ve built a reputation for reliability, attentiveness, and creating environments where pets feel secure and balanced. Animals respond quickly to steady, grounded presence — and that’s exactly what I provide.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
▸▸ Meet & Greet First I require a Meet & Greet to ensure energetic compatibility and comfort before booking. ▸▸ Home Integrity Standard I maintain a clean, respectful presence in every home. Surfaces are cared for, plants are tended thoughtfully, and shared spaces are reset daily. You’ll return to a home that feels orderly and well-kept, never disrupted. ▸▸ Security Discipline Calm authority prevents accidents. ✔️ Double-check of gates and entry points ✔️ Leash inspection before every walk ✔️ Awareness of flight-risk behaviors ✔️ Structured handling of anxious animals ▸▸ Communication & Updates You'll receive consistent photo updates so you can see your pet thriving in real time. With 36+ five-star reviews, families choose me again and again because they know communication, safety, and integrity come first.
Ratings and reviews
She was fabulous and very responsive to our requests. We received wonderful photos and amazing care of our cat and dog while we were gone. Came back to a clean house and happy animals and loved the incredibly thorough details that we received while gone. Thank you for being so easy to work with! It’s always a relief knowing your babies are in good hands.
Paula (aka Maria) was excellent! Another sitter that I had booked months ago for a trip out of the country cancelled at the last minute (2 weeks before departure) and that's when I found Paula. She came for a meet and greet, asked all the right questions and we agreed we were a great fit. She took exceptionally great care of my home and my pup while I was away. She updated me daily with pictures, took care of getting the mail, watching the pool water levels and all the little things that needed attention while I was away...including making sure I had enough food for my pup when I got back. She made sure the house was left "better than she found it", something not all sitters do. I am most grateful for the peace of mind I had while away.
Really appreciated how Paula exhausted my pooch! Wasn’t sure if my (typical) ball-of-fire was going to make it up the drive, when they arrived home. We (both) slept like rocks that night!
Paula is always a joy. White and Snow absolutely love her and get so excited when it’s time for their walks🐾 Paula is reliable, kind, and clearly has a natural way with dogs. She’s attentive, patient, and always makes sure White and Snow get great exercise and attention. It’s such a comfort knowing White and Snow are in such good hands, and the updates and photos Paula shares from their walks are always wonderful to see. I would highly recommend Paula to anyone looking for a caring and dependable dog walker.
Paula is so amazing with Frank and very patient as Frank is recently adopted and still getting used to walking on a leash. There has been so much improvement since Paula has been walking him! Frank absolutely loves Paula, who genuinely loves dogs, is always on time, and posts fun photos and updates from their walks 🩷🐶
Paula is a delightful person who is highly responsive, timely, clean and tidy taking excellent care of my diabetic cat Charlie as well as my house and plants. I was very grateful for her efforts and her care. I would be happy to hire Paula again. Thank you!
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
As a remote entrepreneur, I offer something many sitters can’t: consistent daytime presence. Your pet isn’t left alone for long stretches or squeezed between other bookings. My flexible work schedule allows me to integrate care naturally throughout the day. This includes: ✔️ Midday enrichment walks or structured backyard play ✔️ Consistent feeding and medication routines ✔️ Responsive potty breaks (no long waits by the door) ✔️ Calm, attentive evening companionship Because I’m home, I can adjust in real time, whether your dog needs extra exercise, reassurance during a storm, or simply quiet company nearby. My workday flows with your pet’s rhythm and their well-being.
- Cats0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsover 101 lbsMaria can host up to 3 drop-ins per day
- (For House Sitting/Day Care Only) To provide safe, aligned care, I ask a few thoughtful questions before confirming any stay. Every dog is different, and understanding their behavior, routines, and sensitivities allows me to create the smoothest possible experience. Here are some of the key areas we’ll review together: ▸▸ Safety & Physical Behavior - Leash Manners: How does your dog respond to squirrels, cats, or other dogs while on leash? Do they pull or lunge? - Door & Fence Awareness: Is your dog a “bolter” at open doors? Can they jump or climb fencing? - Prey Drive: How do they react to small animals or birds during walks? These details help me determine appropriate walking routes, equipment, and structure. ▸▸ Anxiety, Routine & Temperament - Separation Behavior: How does your dog behave when left alone? Any barking, chewing, or accidents? - Resource Guarding: Are they protective over food, toys, beds, or furniture? - Storm or Noise Sensitivity: How do they respond to thunder, fireworks, or loud vehicles? Understanding emotional triggers allows me to create a calm, predictable environment and adjust accordingly. ▸▸ Health & Home Protocol - Medical Needs: Any joint issues, allergies, medications, or past health concerns I should monitor? - Bathroom Signals: How does your dog indicate they need to go outside? Are they fully house-trained in new environments? - Home Boundaries: Are there off-limits rooms, furniture rules, or special instructions? ▸▸ Why This Matters Clear communication upfront prevents stress later. My goal is to maintain your dog’s routine, protect their safety, and ensure your home remains secure and respected.