Meg S.
Neighborhood 9, MA
Loving all pets, rescue or pedigree
Pet care experience
Dogs have been part of my life since I was four years old, and as I grew up the presence of pets only became more important-- dogs and cats. I've been a shelter and rescue volunteer, gotten certified in pet first aid and CPR, and cared for my pets in sickness and in health. I'm responsible, patient, and experienced as well as genuinely enthusiastic about this chance to work with your pets! A bit about me: I live in Cambridge with my cat Tikvah and dog Stormlight, and have a very flexible schedule due to working as an independent contractor transcribing from home and as a photographer for my own small startup business (Through The Picture Photography). I've worked as a shelter volunteer with various types of dogs and cats and attended a dog behavior class for working with more "difficult" dogs. I don't expect animals from all backgrounds to immediately trust and warm to me and will be as slow and gentle and patient as your pet needs to eventually gain their trust, as I did when socializing cats as a foster mom. They don't have to like me for me to love them; I value each one's unique personality and quirks, eager pups to suspicious seniors and fractious felines to complete lap cats. If your pet has medical concerns, I'm your girl. I've cared for my own dogs and cats through things including Cushings (twice, actually), arthritis, severe pancreatitis and unusual complications requiring gallbladder surgery, and advanced heart disease (double-chambered right ventricle leading to 6/6 heart murmur, to be more specific). I've handled everything from a huge range of oral medications to eyedrops to topical gels to subcutaneous fluids with my own pets and my clients. I'm meticulous in managing medications and keeping a watchful eye for specified symptoms. I truly do understand how difficult and nerve-wracking it is to trust your medically fragile pet's care to someone else, because I've been where you are, and I can promise that I will care for your pet as if they were my own. For any unexpected situations, I'm trained in pet first aid and CPR to ensure your pet's safety in my care. As mentioned, I have personally experienced caring for chronic and acute conditions in my pets for many years, including the bittersweet reality of loving and fighting for a cat who wasn't necessarily expected to last the 11 months I got with him. It's a large part of how I started petsitting and shapes how I interact with clients. My goal is to be the caretaker I wanted for each of my pets: the quiet presence gaining trust, the experienced and dedicated sitter who won't leave until they're medicated and safe, the overzealous observer watching for symptoms, the enthusiastic playmate making an obstacle course of catnip toys and crinkly paper to chase a laser dot through. For bookings with medication, there is an additional fee starting at a baseline and changing based on the complexity of the meds; we can discuss that in detail while going over your pet's individual needs. ***Please note: I do not work with aversives, sorry. My inexperience can turn your tools harmful, a risk I would never take, so I will regretfully have to turn down requests using a prong, unlimited slip, or e-collar.
Reviews
This is the second time we've hired Meg to take care of our ancient cat, and the cat could not possibly be in better hands. We knew Mina was being not just fed, but played with and loved. It was an enormous weight off our minds while we were away.
Meg took great care of our two very anxious cats (and my plants) while we were away for a week. She was very patient with our cats who are afraid of strangers. She went above and beyond, even spending hours searching high and low when one of the cats decided to pull a vanishing act. She made sure to stay until she was able to find him and make sure he was okay.
Meg took care of our elderly cat for 2 weeks while we were away visiting family, and did an unbelievably awesome job. The daily updates were really incredible, as were the photos, and the cat clearly had a great two weeks. Two days before we were due home, the cat awoke with a swollen face, and Meg took on the logistical challenge of taking her to our preferred vet a half-hour's drive away - truly above and beyond the call. I seriously couldn't imagine better care, and Meg will be my first call if my cat needs another sitter in the future, as well as my first recommendation to anyone nearby looking for a pet sitter.
I’m so glad I booked Meg to check in on my cat when I was away for five days. Meg asked thoughtful questions that I hadn’t even thought of to make sure she was prepared for the visits. She gave fun and detailed updates with lots of pictures so I never worried while I was away. I highly recommend Meg and would book her again in a heartbeat!
About Meg S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I'm not able to bring clients' pets into my home, so our adventures are in your space and outside (for dogs, of course). I'm extremely cautious and make sure all of my clients know how seriously I take health and safety. Everyone is told, just as you'll be, that I need to know of any health concerns in the present as well as ongoing conditions. If I have an ill animal, I take strict precautions including change of clothes and shoes if it's even remotely possible I could carry something on my clothes. I also arrange schedules for ill animals to be at the end of my route where possible. For dogs, I love finding adventures based on the area. I try to find at least 2 regular routes that take about the right time so we have some variety. If there are nice green spaces nearby, I make a point of visiting those. If your dog is nervous and gets skittish from the loud city street, I focus on finding some quieter side streets to decompress. I bring a collapsible bowl and some water most days to keep your dog happy and hydrated-- and the same for me if there's any left.
Information Meg S. would like to know about your pet
To ensure that you and your dog or cat have the best experience with me, I'd like to know the following before walking or sitting. -Allergies (food and otherwise) -Medical conditions -Regular and emergency veterinary contacts and preferences -Behavioral concerns or cautions, and any triggers -Your usual routine and what your pet is used to, and any major likes or dislikes -Any training routines you'd like continued during my visit -If treats are left out, how many your pet can have -For cats, any places they may hide -Anything else you want me to know!
A typical day
On a walk, what we do depends on the dog. I like to speak with the owners and make sure I know what's best for each individual pet, so there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. For younger dogs full of energy and still working on training, we might have an energetic walk working on fun, exercise, and walking on a leash nicely, maybe pausing a few times and do basic cues like "sit" or "down" to work on generalizing them outside of the usual environment and also work on listening in distracting environments if that's your routine. With a senior dog dog, we'd probably take a gentle walk and keep to easy footing, try not to go up and down too many hills, and see how they hold up. For a delicate small dog on a dangerously cold sort of freezing day, activities might be a short walk outside as a potty break and then playing with toys together inside to work off the energy without worrying about extreme temperature. With cats, each visit includes the standards (cleaned and refilled water dishes, clean and refilled food, cleaned litterbox, and any medication or other tasks) plus fun time! I love brushing, playing, cuddling, or just chatting with a cat who likes companionable sharing of the space. With your permission, I sometimes bring hand quilting when I'm working with a timid cat who needs space to adjust without being crowded or an elderly cat who may want to nap most days. Basically, each client is different and we'll have a conversation before I care for your pet to go over your rules and preferences and see what I can do to help out and fit into the routine where you need me.
Services
Meg can watch in your home
Availability
I take your schedule needs seriously and ask all of my clients to please respect my schedule with their bookings. Rover does not allow a strict or even moderate cancelation policy for walks, but my policy is no refund for cancelation within a day because the time has already been blocked off and my schedule set around my commitments to you. I do the same and keep my bookings with the serious commitment that your cherished living animals are in my care. The responsibility of caring for them every day is not taken lightly and they're treated as my own. Since I don't drive, I arrange bookings carefully and with a time range that works for us both! I typically am fairly available throughout the day, but work around other bookings already confirmed and daily schedule differences.
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About Meg S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
I'm not able to bring clients' pets into my home, so our adventures are in your space and outside (for dogs, of course). I'm extremely cautious and make sure all of my clients know how seriously I take health and safety. Everyone is told, just as you'll be, that I need to know of any health concerns in the present as well as ongoing conditions. If I have an ill animal, I take strict precautions including change of clothes and shoes if it's even remotely possible I could carry something on my clothes. I also arrange schedules for ill animals to be at the end of my route where possible. For dogs, I love finding adventures based on the area. I try to find at least 2 regular routes that take about the right time so we have some variety. If there are nice green spaces nearby, I make a point of visiting those. If your dog is nervous and gets skittish from the loud city street, I focus on finding some quieter side streets to decompress. I bring a collapsible bowl and some water most days to keep your dog happy and hydrated-- and the same for me if there's any left.
Information Meg S. would like to know about your pet
To ensure that you and your dog or cat have the best experience with me, I'd like to know the following before walking or sitting. -Allergies (food and otherwise) -Medical conditions -Regular and emergency veterinary contacts and preferences -Behavioral concerns or cautions, and any triggers -Your usual routine and what your pet is used to, and any major likes or dislikes -Any training routines you'd like continued during my visit -If treats are left out, how many your pet can have -For cats, any places they may hide -Anything else you want me to know!
A typical day
On a walk, what we do depends on the dog. I like to speak with the owners and make sure I know what's best for each individual pet, so there's no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. For younger dogs full of energy and still working on training, we might have an energetic walk working on fun, exercise, and walking on a leash nicely, maybe pausing a few times and do basic cues like "sit" or "down" to work on generalizing them outside of the usual environment and also work on listening in distracting environments if that's your routine. With a senior dog dog, we'd probably take a gentle walk and keep to easy footing, try not to go up and down too many hills, and see how they hold up. For a delicate small dog on a dangerously cold sort of freezing day, activities might be a short walk outside as a potty break and then playing with toys together inside to work off the energy without worrying about extreme temperature. With cats, each visit includes the standards (cleaned and refilled water dishes, clean and refilled food, cleaned litterbox, and any medication or other tasks) plus fun time! I love brushing, playing, cuddling, or just chatting with a cat who likes companionable sharing of the space. With your permission, I sometimes bring hand quilting when I'm working with a timid cat who needs space to adjust without being crowded or an elderly cat who may want to nap most days. Basically, each client is different and we'll have a conversation before I care for your pet to go over your rules and preferences and see what I can do to help out and fit into the routine where you need me.
Location
Cambridge, MA
Pets
Meg S.
Neighborhood 9, MA