Melissa H.
Gastonia, NC
Services
Melissa can care for
Availability
Flexible Drop-In Visits I’m available morning, afternoon, and evening for: Feeding & water refresh Potty breaks Walks & playtime Medication if needed Lots of affection and attention Transportation Available 🚗 I own a reliable SUV and can: Pick up and drop off pets Weekly Availability Weekdays: Open availability Weekends: Available Holidays & school breaks: Usually available with advance notice Your pet won’t just be watched — they’ll be cared for, exercised, and loved on a regular routine so they feel comfortable and safe while you’re away.
About Melissa H.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
In Your Home (Drop-ins or Walks) I keep your pet’s routine consistent so they feel secure while you’re away. Feeding and fresh water Walks and potty breaks Playtime and attention Medication administration if needed Litter box or yard cleanup Mail/packages brought in & lights adjusted (if requested) Photo updates so you know they’re happy Every pet has a different personality and energy level, so I adjust care to match — whether they want to play all day or just cuddle and relax. Your pet’s safety, comfort, and happiness always come first.
Information Melissa H. would like to know about your pet
To give your pet the safest and most comfortable care possible, I gather a few details ahead of time so I can match their normal routine and avoid stress. Health & Safety Any medical conditions or injuries Medications (dose & schedule) Allergies or food sensitivities Vet contact information & emergency contact Vaccination status Spayed/neutered? Behavior & Personality Energy level (very active, moderate, relaxed) Temperament with strangers, kids, or other animals Separation anxiety or escape tendencies Fears (thunder, vacuum, crates, car rides, etc.) Any history of biting, guarding, or aggression Commands they know Daily Routine Feeding schedule & portion size Potty schedule and signals Sleeping habits (crate, bed, free roam) Favorite toys or comfort items Walk habits (puller, reactive, loves other dogs) Comfort Preferences Where they like to rest Things that calm them Things that overstimulate them Treat rules The more I know, the smoother their stay will be — my goal is for them to feel like they’re just on a fun vacation, not away from home.
A typical day
I tailor activities to each pet’s age, personality, and energy level — whether they’re playful, curious, or just want a cozy companion. Outdoor Fun Supervised playtime Fetch, tug-of-war, and chase games Walks and sniff adventures (great mental exercise!) Sunbathing and relaxing fresh-air time Indoor Enrichment Puzzle toys and treat games Basic training practice (sit, stay, recall — keeps their mind busy) Hide-and-seek with toys or treats Gentle play for seniors or low-energy pets Comfort & Social Time Lots of cuddles and attention Brushing and calm bonding time Music/TV background so they don’t feel alone Quiet nap areas when they need rest I don’t believe in just “watching” pets — I interact with them throughout the day so they stay happy, relaxed, and mentally stimulated while you’re away.
Location
Gastonia, NC
Pets
Melissa H. has Star Sitter status
The Star Sitter program highlights responsive sitters who deliver highly rated care and have a history of listing accurate availability and preferences, making it easier for pet parents to find the best care for their pets.
Your fur baby will be my fur baby!
Pet care experience
With 13 years of experience in the Veterianry world, know a kennel cough from a reverse sneeze! Your fur baby will be safe with me!
Reviews
Leaving our little Wrangler for an entire week was something we were honestly worried about. He's a Yorkie Poo who is very attached to us, a little spoiled, and doesn't do well when we're away. From the moment Melissa started caring for him, all of those worries disappeared. She didn't just watch our dog. She truly cared for him. She warmed his food, prepared his meals, remembered to take extra food out of the freezer, and followed every detail we left for her. But what meant the most was the love and attention she gave him. The pictures and videos she sent every day showed him playing, relaxing, and looking so happy. Seeing his tail wag and his happy little face made it so much easier for us to enjoy our vacation, knowing he was in such wonderful hands. When we came home, Wrangler was happy, healthy, well fed, and had clearly been loved all week. It honestly felt like he had been staying with family. As an unexpected bonus, our house was spotless. The countertops were wiped down, everything was neat, and she had taken wonderful care of our home as well. Melissa went far beyond anything we expected. She gave us complete peace of mind, and that's a priceless gift when you're trusting someone with a beloved member of your family. We feel so fortunate to have found her, and we're already booking her again next week. We recommend her without hesitation to anyone looking for a kind, dependable, and truly exceptional pet sitter.
Another great stay with Melissa! Our dog, Rosie, stayed for a week while we were on vaca. We got lots of pictures and videos every day. Melissa has great communication and I always feel like Rosie’s in great hands while we are away
Melissa took great care of our fur babies while we were away. She went above & beyond!
Melissa was absolutely wonderful! My husband and I were out of the country for a week and were nervous leaving our puppy for the first time. Melissa took amazing care of her and sent photo updates all the time, which really put us at ease. Our dog loved playing with her dogs and it was nice that she had a separate area for just her in case she got overwhelmed and needed to relax. We will definitely book with her again in the future!
About Melissa H.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
In Your Home (Drop-ins or Walks) I keep your pet’s routine consistent so they feel secure while you’re away. Feeding and fresh water Walks and potty breaks Playtime and attention Medication administration if needed Litter box or yard cleanup Mail/packages brought in & lights adjusted (if requested) Photo updates so you know they’re happy Every pet has a different personality and energy level, so I adjust care to match — whether they want to play all day or just cuddle and relax. Your pet’s safety, comfort, and happiness always come first.
Information Melissa H. would like to know about your pet
To give your pet the safest and most comfortable care possible, I gather a few details ahead of time so I can match their normal routine and avoid stress. Health & Safety Any medical conditions or injuries Medications (dose & schedule) Allergies or food sensitivities Vet contact information & emergency contact Vaccination status Spayed/neutered? Behavior & Personality Energy level (very active, moderate, relaxed) Temperament with strangers, kids, or other animals Separation anxiety or escape tendencies Fears (thunder, vacuum, crates, car rides, etc.) Any history of biting, guarding, or aggression Commands they know Daily Routine Feeding schedule & portion size Potty schedule and signals Sleeping habits (crate, bed, free roam) Favorite toys or comfort items Walk habits (puller, reactive, loves other dogs) Comfort Preferences Where they like to rest Things that calm them Things that overstimulate them Treat rules The more I know, the smoother their stay will be — my goal is for them to feel like they’re just on a fun vacation, not away from home.
A typical day
I tailor activities to each pet’s age, personality, and energy level — whether they’re playful, curious, or just want a cozy companion. Outdoor Fun Supervised playtime Fetch, tug-of-war, and chase games Walks and sniff adventures (great mental exercise!) Sunbathing and relaxing fresh-air time Indoor Enrichment Puzzle toys and treat games Basic training practice (sit, stay, recall — keeps their mind busy) Hide-and-seek with toys or treats Gentle play for seniors or low-energy pets Comfort & Social Time Lots of cuddles and attention Brushing and calm bonding time Music/TV background so they don’t feel alone Quiet nap areas when they need rest I don’t believe in just “watching” pets — I interact with them throughout the day so they stay happy, relaxed, and mentally stimulated while you’re away.
Melissa H.
Gastonia, NC