Melanie M.
Melanie M.
Contact Melanie M.
Highlights
Pet care experience
Caring for your pet like my own.
Hi! I’m Melanie, originally from South Africa and now living in Haarlem. I grew up surrounded by animals and love them. I have two dogs back home who I miss every day, so spending time with pets here really means a lot to me. My husband and I enjoy an active lifestyle - running, being outdoors, and exploring - so I’m happy to care for energetic dogs who need plenty of exercise. I’ve looked after many types of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, chickens, and fish, and I’m comfortable reinforcing routines and basic training. I have a flexible job, which allows me to be present and adapt to your pet’s needs. My husband often joins me during pet sits, and we are available on weekends. We’re also happy to travel further for weekend house sits, but during the week I need to stay in Haarlem. I’m gentle, reliable, and will treat your pet like my own - making sure they feel safe, happy, and well cared for while you’re away. I look forward to meeting you and your furry friend 🐾
Cat care experience
Melanie also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Ratings and reviews
Melanie is a fantastic, reliable, attentive cat sitter. And a great photographer, too!! We were away for almost three weeks, and she reported every day what our beloved cat was doing, taking care of all the details to make him feel cared for, too. We are thankful and happy to rely on her great job!
Melanie was great! After her visits over five weeks this summer, our cat was happy and healthy. And we really appreciated her help with our fish tank. Her communication was excellent and always friendly. I'm really glad she could spend time with our animals this summer and we'd definitely use her again in the future. Highly recommended.
I am very happy about Melanie! Excellent communication and wonderful care for our cat!
Melanie is truly exceptional with animals. No matter the species, she has a natural ability to connect with them—showing genuine love, patience, and care in every interaction. Animals instinctively respond to her calm and nurturing presence, and it’s clear that their wellbeing is always her top priority. Caring for pets is not just something Melanie does—it’s who she is. What might feel like “work” to others is, for her, a true passion. She approaches every animal with warmth, attentiveness, and a deep sense of responsibility, ensuring they feel safe, comfortable, and loved at all times. Melanie’s vibrant and outgoing personality shines through in everything she does. She has a remarkable way of nurturing all living things, whether it’s animals, plants, or people. Her kindness and compassion are evident in every aspect of her life. Without hesitation, I can say that there is no one I would trust more to look after my pets than Melanie. Anyone who entrusts their animals to her care can do so with complete peace of mind.
She was reliable, caring, trustworthy and truly exceptional with a genuine commitment to going the extra mile. My pets were happy, relaxed, and clearly well looked after. Outstanding service that I would highly recommend to anyone.
Calendar and availability
Schedule
Pet care fits very naturally into my daily routine at the moment. I’ve recently moved to the Netherlands and I’m currently learning Dutch, so I have quite a flexible schedule and plenty of free time during the day. This allows me to give pets lots of attention, stick to their routines, and be fully present while caring for them.
Where your pet will stay
Safety, trust & environment
At the moment, I’m not able to host pets in my own home, which makes me even more excited to spend time with them in their own environment - I really miss having animals around and love their company. When caring for pets in an owner’s home, I focus on keeping everything as close to their normal routine as possible, so they feel safe, comfortable, and stress-free. I pay attention to their usual feeding times, exercise, and habits. I adapt to their personality - whether they need playtime, affection, or quiet space. I also treat your home with the same care and respect as my own, making sure everything stays clean and tidy. I believe pets deserve a clean, comfortable space to live in.
A typical day
I enjoy alternating daily walks between: 1 - walking in a park and allowing the dog to smell around. 2 - walking while focusing on obedience (mental stimulation ;)) 3 - training sessions learning new tricks 4 - play sessions (seek-the-treat, tug, obstacle courses) All of the above is, of course, based on the dog's skill level and preference.