Animals have been a huge part of my life since I was a kid. Growing up in a home filled with pets, especially dogs and exotics (reptiles, birds, small mammals) gave me first hand experience in raising and training them. My childhood dog had multiple litters of puppies, and I took on the responsibility of creating a safe space for her, helping with their birth, and caring caring for them. I cherished every moment! In addition to dogs, some of the other pets I helped take care of over the years are: bearded dragons, several different species of snakes, hamsters, rats, parakeets, cockatiels, and ferrets. I have a particular love for cats right now, as I own 3 and have been fostering from the shelter for several years. Beyond my own pets, I have cared for many dogs and cats belonging to neighbors and friends, and I’ve even rescued strays, helping them find their owners or new homes. One particularly memorable rescue turned out to be half coyote, who I ended up adopting! Training him was a unique challenge, but with patience and understanding, he became an incredible companion. (You might spot him in my pictures; he’s the one with heterochromia.) I love spending time outdoors with dogs, whether it's a walk around the neighborhood or a hike on the trails. Watching their excitement and curiosity about the world is something I never tire of. I have always gravitated towards animals and get along very well with them. My background in Ecology has deepened my appreciation for nature and animals, and I always ensure pets are cared for with attentiveness and kindness. I’ve learned a lot about the science behind things like anatomy and behaviors, too! As for cats, I was never allowed to have them as pets growing up, since several family members were allergic. However, I have been raising and fostering kittens and adult cats from the local shelter for the last 5 years! I currently have 3 of my own, who I love with all my heart and who totally rule my apartment! :) I have done an incredible amount of research on them over the years to ensure they have the proper care, and I can meet their exact and unique needs. I first began fostering/adopting from the shelter in May 2020 - because during COVID shelters were completely overwhelmed. My focus has been on kittens separated from their mothers too early, who would otherwise be euthanized if they didn’t have someone to take them in and give them the “round the clock, every 2 hours” type of care that they need. During covid I was home alone with the kitties, so I spent a lot of my time watching them, learning about them, and understanding their different types of personalities. I am always surprised when people say that cats are “solitary creatures” when that is absolutely not the case! They can form social groups, and often very much enjoy companionship (though some do prefer to be independent), and they LOVE and even need playtime. Every single cat I’ve owned/fostered has learned to play fetch! :) My husband and I joke that our cats actually own our apartment - and we just rent from them, lol. They are like children to me and I try my best to give them the world. I will do the exact same for your babies!! Take a look through my photos to see some of the wonderful animals I’ve had the privilege of caring for over the years. If you have any questions, feel free to ask… I’d love to chat!