4.9

Even though I have used Michelle's services in the past with little issue, this 3-day house stay was so troubling I am unfortunately leaving a 1-star review to alert other pet owners, as there were a number of issues. Read on if you'd like to know the details or suffice to know that Michelle may not be a good choice for overnight stays with your pets. I have a very detailed Pet Sitting Info document that I have sent Michelle for previous bookings and because it had been a number of months since she had done any overnight stays for me, I emailed it to her again before leaving with confirmation from her that she had received it. I also messaged her letting her know that if she had any questions, to please not hesitate to message or call me. The first issue began before even arriving at my vacation destination on the first day. I get a call from my next door neighbor (who by Divine Grace happened to be home cleaning because she's moving out) saying that she found my indoor-only cat outside and that she now had him in her house. Michelle had left and was not going to return until the evening. Had it not been for my neighbor, my cat would have been outside, near a very busy street, in the middle of a heat wave with no water. I make it very clear in the Pet Info doc that my cat is a bolter and to be very mindful of where he is with a hand or foot at the ready to block his attempts at escaping. Not only had he escaped, but Michelle hadn't noticed! The second issue is that my cat's litter box was not cleaned the entire time we were gone. I specifically request in the Pet Info doc that his litter box be cleaned at least once a day. The third issue was that the poop bag roll that is attached to my dog's leash had run out so Michelle used paper towels to pick up my dog's poop. She then threw them away in our kitchen garbage. Had she re-read the Pet Info doc, she would have been reminded that there is a small pail in our garage where poop bags are to be placed and she could have messaged me to ask where I keep extra poop bag rolls. Fourth issue: Michelle was sharing a vehicle with her roommate and was being picked up and dropped off at my home. Had I known this, I would have not requested her services because had there been an emergency in which she needed to evacuate my pets or take them to the hospital, she would not have been able to do so. Lastly, I came home to find what was presumably the last poop bag in our front yard and containers of dog food on our kitchen counter un-rinsed and smelling of rotting food, as I make my dog's food. My dog & cat mean the world to me and as such, I am willing to pay a pet sitter well and tip them well, too, so that my pets are well-cared for and their daily routine doesn't change much in my absence. I communicate my expectations clearly in writing and verbally. If a pet care provider can't or doesn't want to follow my instructions on how I want my pets cared for, then my booking request should simply be declined.

Took good care of dogs and house … great communication and sent pics

Michelle was very communicative, sent lots of pics, and I came home to a happy pup & a happy cat! Will definitely rebook w/ her!

Checked in with my baby’s while I was at school! Super great!

Michelle has been incredibly gracious and flexible with our ever-changing plans!

Absolutely amazing. My two dogs are big and can be stubborn. She was patient with them and they loved her. Will definitely have you watch the dogs again.