Monica S.
Yucca Valley, CA
2 acre mini farm! KPA-CTP, R+
Pet care experience
* CURBSIDE PICK-UP & DROP-OFF ONLY * **FOR BOARDING/DAYCARE: YOUR PETS MUST BE CURRENT ON VACCINES AND NOT BE SHOWING ANY SYMPTOMS OF CANINE FLU OR KENNEL COUGH WITHIN PAST 2 WEEKS (DUE TO RECENT OUTBREAKS IN LOS ANGELES)** ***TRIAL NIGHT NEEDED FOR NEW BOARDING CLIENTS*** Hi, I’m Mo and I’m a professional animal caretaker. I’ve committed my life to animals and caring for the needs of all creatures whether with wings, claws, paws, or hooves. I offer boarding services as well as 30-minute drop-in visits and housesitting for select clients when I am not boarding. Additional canine concierge/feline services include pick up and drop off if needed, or pet taxi rides such as bringing your pet to the vet. Good behavior is encouraged and rewarded at our house, so your pup will practice manners along with socialization skills and playtime. As a full-time pet sitter, I would love to care for your animals while you are away. My property is dedicated to and designed specifically for animals, with 2 acres fenced with 6 ft chainlink and security surveillance, while being easily accessible from the 247 highway. There is a doggie door and no stairs in our 3 bedroom house. Being a trigger-happy photographer when it comes to capturing special animal moments, I provide updates daily with an abundance of pictures. I am currently getting my certification to be a force free dog trainer, so I may practice 5 minute positive reinforcement or clicker training sessions with your pups if approved! As an animal advocate, I've cared for all kinds of exotic animals, reptiles, small mammals, livestock, and companion pets from tiny to huge, puppies to seniors, high anxiety to special needs, marvelous mutts to purebred pups. I’m elated that my life revolves around animals, and that I can dedicate my life to helping them. BACKGROUND In terms of animal-related work, I have a range of experiences which include fostering, volunteering, rescuing, training, welping, administering oral and injected medication, as well as small mammal care and exotic pet care for reptiles, fish, small mammals and livestock. I donate to shelters regularly, and have been an active volunteer and foster for rescues in Los Angeles. As a dog trainer and animal guardian, my goal is to train PTSD service dogs. I recently learned Tellington T-Touch to provide canine massages to senior pups and am interested in providing aquatherapy in the future as well. In addition to pet sitting, I’ve worked at animal shelters and rescues, pet supply stores, doggie daycare and boarding facilities, with animal trainers and as a dog handler. I use R+ force-free positive reinforcement methods, and hold a Red Cross Dog/Cat CPR and First-Aid certificate. I am currently attending the Dog Trainer Professional program at the Karen Pryor Academy to get my certification in June 2022. My current brood consists of 5 pups, 2 cats, 13 goats, chickens & ducks, rabbits and 1 lovebird. Apart from animals, I worked as a screenwriter as well as a Mandarin interpreter. FULLY INSURED WITH ‘PET SITTERS ASSOCIATES’ Message me to set up a meet and greet in person! SERVICES My service range is about a half hour radius, but I housesit occasionally as far as Pioneertown, 29 Palms, Joshua Tree and surrounding areas, so message me to discuss (distance may be subject to additional gas fees). All services include photos and updates sent daily. Long term bookings welcome. Now offering pick up and drop services! *PLEASE TEXT ME instead of calling as I am usually busy with the pups and can’t answer the phone! **EXISTING CLIENTS: GET $5 OFF every referral and $5 OFF every 5th booking - just mention this to get the discount!** ***NEW CLIENTS: GET $5 OFF your first booking - just mention this to get the discount!*** HOUSE SITTING: I stay in your home after you leave and use it as a home base to come and go. I follow the written instructions that you’ve left, and act as your substitute in caring for your pets. I love them like my own and leave your house clean, pets fed & exercised & groomed & loved on & routine maintained, indoor and outdoor plants watered, lights or radio or TV turned on or off, curtains closed or open, packages and mail and newspaper brought in, trash emptied, counters wiped, floors vacuumed/swept, etc. All other requests are welcome! I can also do laundry, cook for your pets and sleep with them in the guest bed or couch (overnight stays may be subject to additional fees if there are any scheduling conflicts). I practice the “leave no trace” principle; previous clients have even said they wouldn’t be able to tell I was there except for the dozens of photo updates and happy pups upon return! Typically I show up and leave a few hours after you depart and return, stay at your house and spend the night if needed. Unless specified, I will be in and out at 4-6 hour intervals to drop in on other pets, but I can also bring your pup along if they like car rides. Please let me know if you need me to stay in your home 24/7 as it may be subject to an additional fee on a case by case basis. DROP-IN VISITS: 30 mins of checking in on your pet, letting them out to potty, feeding them, refilling their water, playing, treats, short training sessions, belly rubs and cuddles/scratches, short walks, and lots of love! PLAYDATES: 30 minutes of fun with one of my friendly, vaccinated, well-socialized dogs in our secure enclosed backyard or yours - this is the best option to socialize puppies or shy/reactive dogs! This service will be booked as a drop-in visit. DAYCARE: up to 8 hours of fun with us on 5 acres in tree-lined fenced yard. Playtime with toys and pups, walks at dusk/dawn, undevoted attention and cuddles, socialization, boundaries, feeding, grooming, training, learning, exercising, and loving! BOARDING: up to 24 hours of fun and playtime with us. All the daycare goodness plus dinner, evening walks, bedtime snuggles, and a cozy night’s sleep in the house wherever they please, including in my bed. Some pups like to sleep under covers with me and cuddling dogs always helps me sleep better! EXOTIC ANIMAL CARE: I’ve owned rats, mice, cats, dogs, hamsters, reptiles, geckos, bearded dragons, snakes, tortoises, birds, mini pigs, fish, shrimp, lobsters, frogs, snails, dubias, crickets, mealworms and more. I can follow written instructions to the tee. Nothing fazes me! Rates negotiable. ADDITIONAL SERVICES: - DROP OFF/PICK UP - BATHS/BASIC GROOMING & BRUSHING - DOG TRAINING (BASIC OBEDIENCE & CLICKER) - PHOTO SHOOTS - PLAYDATES ...INQUIRE WITHIN FOR OTHER SERVICES!
Reviews
Monica shows such love and compassion for dogs! Our dog can be shy, but she helped her feel confident and comfortable.
Monica did a good job taking care of the doggy’s. She took care of some houseplants too which I really appreciated. I’d recommend her to watch your pups too!!!
Mo is the best and we always feed great leaving our dogs! Thank you for being a great host
Took fantastic care of all our animals and our puppy absolutely loves day care at their place
About Monica S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
For drop-in visits and housesits, I follow all instructions from the client, and prefer written/printed instructions so I have something comprehensive to reference while you are away. If you want to text me instructions through text messages, that works too. In-person meet and greets are usually the best for me to come meet you and you can show me everything, but I would still require instructions either written/printed or texted. This minimizes any potential for miscommunication and ensures your pets get the care they need. For boarding/daycare, I require Meet&Greets and/or trial stays for new clients. The M&G will require you so drop off your dog(s) for an hour so we can determine if they will be a good fit here. We usually let them explore the property first, waiting until they are relaxed before introducing one dog at a time, supervising their interactions and observing for calm body language before introducing another dog. This can take a while so we prefer to have clients drop their dog off for an hour, especially since behavior can be different with and without owners present.
Home
Information Monica S. would like to know about your pet
No breed preferences, but for daycare and boarding all dogs must be well-socialized; no human-aggressive/HA, dog-aggressive/DA or same sex aggressive/SSA clients will be accepted for the safety of any animals under my care (unless for housesits/drop-in visit in visits then SSA/DA is acceptable but HA is not)! Please let me know if your dog has any food allergies/dietary restrictions or takes any medications, any medical issues, aggression/fear history, if they have separation anxiety, prior history of running away or jumping fences, quirks like eating socks or counter surfing, specific fears, and anything I should watch out for or keep an eye on. Please leave an emergency contact in case of wildfire evacuation or natural disasters! For housesits I require written or printed instructions (can also be emailed/texted). For daycare and boarding please let me know if your dog is not fixed, as I need to keep intact dogs separated if in heat (unless for house sitting or drop-in visits). Tell me what your dog’s daily routine is and I’ll try my best to replicate it so they feel at home. Please also let me know if barriers frustrate your dog. I use exercise pens and crates to keep dogs separated during mealtimes for everyone’s safety, but can make other accommodations as needed. Due to recent major outbreaks of canine influenza, bordetella (kennel cough), and leptospirosis in Los Angeles, we require all dog owners to answer the 8 questions below and verify if their dog has shown any symptoms or been to any high risk areas: (please answer Y or N) 1. Has the dog been coughing in the past 2 weeks? Any lethargy, lack of appetite? 2. Has the dog been to a boarding facility in the past 2 weeks? 3. Has the dog been to a dog park or similar places in the past 2 weeks? 4. Has the dog had canine influenza vaccine? 5. Has the dog had a bordetella (aka kennel cough) vaccine in the last year? 6. Has the dog been vomiting? 7. Has the dog been having any symptoms of girardia? Giardia infection in dogs may lead to weight loss, chronic intermittent diarrhea, and fatty stool. Vomiting may occur in some cases. Most dogs do not have a fever but may be less active. The signs may persist for several weeks and gradual weight loss may become apparent. 8. Has the dog had any symptoms of conjunctivitis (aka pink eye)? Conjunctivitis is an uncomfortable condition that may cause your dog to paw at their eye, blink or squint. You may also notice clear or green discharge from the eye or that the white of the eyes, eyelids or area surrounding your dog’s eye are red and swollen.
A typical day
Your dog will have loads of fun playing on our 2 acres of fully fenced land and 3 bedroom house with other dogs. On the first day we usually let them adjust at their own pace and get used to a new environment, giving them their own space if needed. As they get more comfortable they will wrestle, chase each other around and enjoy a plethora of balls and toys. We do several daily training sessions which your dog will be included in, and commands will be reinforced with Charlee Bear or Zuke's organic fat-free treats (let us know if your dog has any food allergies or diet restrictions!). We are currently working on Leave It, Stay (when the gate/door is open), 100% recall, Place, Speak, and Quiet. I can’t gaurantee your dog will learn everything but one thing they will learn is that training is fun! They may also be interested in watching our farm animals and will spend most of the day alternating between exploring the property and playing outside, and coming in through the dog door to nap inside. If they’re not used to the dog door they usually learn it pretty fast by following the other dogs, or they go in and out with me as I do farm chores. Filtered water is always available, as well as dog beds and blankets. Our house is designed for dogs, with two couches in the living room for them to nap and play on. There will be belly rubbing, snuggling on the couch, naps on the bed, and plentiful scratches if your dog enjoys cuddling. Around sunset we feed dinner, reinforcing any commands that your dog knows, then more playtime and some mental stimulation before bedtime ends the day. Your pup can sleep anywhere they please, be it dog bed, couch, or in the human bed snuggling with me and my dogs, who are happy to share the space with other pups. If you bring a towel or clothing with your scent, your pup will be able to sleep dreaming of you!
Services
Monica can host
Monica can watch in your home
Availability
I work from home running a mini farm on 2 acres with goats, ducks, chickens and more. Daycare coming soon! I currently offer boarding and drop-in visits with occasional housesits.
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About Monica S.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
For drop-in visits and housesits, I follow all instructions from the client, and prefer written/printed instructions so I have something comprehensive to reference while you are away. If you want to text me instructions through text messages, that works too. In-person meet and greets are usually the best for me to come meet you and you can show me everything, but I would still require instructions either written/printed or texted. This minimizes any potential for miscommunication and ensures your pets get the care they need. For boarding/daycare, I require Meet&Greets and/or trial stays for new clients. The M&G will require you so drop off your dog(s) for an hour so we can determine if they will be a good fit here. We usually let them explore the property first, waiting until they are relaxed before introducing one dog at a time, supervising their interactions and observing for calm body language before introducing another dog. This can take a while so we prefer to have clients drop their dog off for an hour, especially since behavior can be different with and without owners present.
Home
Information Monica S. would like to know about your pet
No breed preferences, but for daycare and boarding all dogs must be well-socialized; no human-aggressive/HA, dog-aggressive/DA or same sex aggressive/SSA clients will be accepted for the safety of any animals under my care (unless for housesits/drop-in visit in visits then SSA/DA is acceptable but HA is not)! Please let me know if your dog has any food allergies/dietary restrictions or takes any medications, any medical issues, aggression/fear history, if they have separation anxiety, prior history of running away or jumping fences, quirks like eating socks or counter surfing, specific fears, and anything I should watch out for or keep an eye on. Please leave an emergency contact in case of wildfire evacuation or natural disasters! For housesits I require written or printed instructions (can also be emailed/texted). For daycare and boarding please let me know if your dog is not fixed, as I need to keep intact dogs separated if in heat (unless for house sitting or drop-in visits). Tell me what your dog’s daily routine is and I’ll try my best to replicate it so they feel at home. Please also let me know if barriers frustrate your dog. I use exercise pens and crates to keep dogs separated during mealtimes for everyone’s safety, but can make other accommodations as needed. Due to recent major outbreaks of canine influenza, bordetella (kennel cough), and leptospirosis in Los Angeles, we require all dog owners to answer the 8 questions below and verify if their dog has shown any symptoms or been to any high risk areas: (please answer Y or N) 1. Has the dog been coughing in the past 2 weeks? Any lethargy, lack of appetite? 2. Has the dog been to a boarding facility in the past 2 weeks? 3. Has the dog been to a dog park or similar places in the past 2 weeks? 4. Has the dog had canine influenza vaccine? 5. Has the dog had a bordetella (aka kennel cough) vaccine in the last year? 6. Has the dog been vomiting? 7. Has the dog been having any symptoms of girardia? Giardia infection in dogs may lead to weight loss, chronic intermittent diarrhea, and fatty stool. Vomiting may occur in some cases. Most dogs do not have a fever but may be less active. The signs may persist for several weeks and gradual weight loss may become apparent. 8. Has the dog had any symptoms of conjunctivitis (aka pink eye)? Conjunctivitis is an uncomfortable condition that may cause your dog to paw at their eye, blink or squint. You may also notice clear or green discharge from the eye or that the white of the eyes, eyelids or area surrounding your dog’s eye are red and swollen.
A typical day
Your dog will have loads of fun playing on our 2 acres of fully fenced land and 3 bedroom house with other dogs. On the first day we usually let them adjust at their own pace and get used to a new environment, giving them their own space if needed. As they get more comfortable they will wrestle, chase each other around and enjoy a plethora of balls and toys. We do several daily training sessions which your dog will be included in, and commands will be reinforced with Charlee Bear or Zuke's organic fat-free treats (let us know if your dog has any food allergies or diet restrictions!). We are currently working on Leave It, Stay (when the gate/door is open), 100% recall, Place, Speak, and Quiet. I can’t gaurantee your dog will learn everything but one thing they will learn is that training is fun! They may also be interested in watching our farm animals and will spend most of the day alternating between exploring the property and playing outside, and coming in through the dog door to nap inside. If they’re not used to the dog door they usually learn it pretty fast by following the other dogs, or they go in and out with me as I do farm chores. Filtered water is always available, as well as dog beds and blankets. Our house is designed for dogs, with two couches in the living room for them to nap and play on. There will be belly rubbing, snuggling on the couch, naps on the bed, and plentiful scratches if your dog enjoys cuddling. Around sunset we feed dinner, reinforcing any commands that your dog knows, then more playtime and some mental stimulation before bedtime ends the day. Your pup can sleep anywhere they please, be it dog bed, couch, or in the human bed snuggling with me and my dogs, who are happy to share the space with other pups. If you bring a towel or clothing with your scent, your pup will be able to sleep dreaming of you!
Location
Yucca Valley, CA
Pets
Monica S.
Yucca Valley, CA