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Nikki I.

Schenectady, NY

5.0 out of 5 stars
9 reviews
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Services

Nikki can care for

Cats
0 to 15 lbs
16 to 40 lbs
41 to 100 lbs
over 101 lbs

Availability

My engagements (work, volunteering, assisting with family childcare, etc.) are part-time only and highly flexible. My calendar reflects times that I am available (with notice) to intentionally commit my time and attention to your animals.

Available
Not available
SMTWTFS
House Sitting Cancellation Policy:

About Nikki I.

Communication

82% response rate
Usually responds in around an hour

Dog skills

32 years of experience

Safety, trust & environment

Cats boarded in my home are given their own private bedroom with lots of natural sunlight and views over the garden for prime bird-watching. They will receive visits and love all day long, kept separate and unbothered by my cantankerous orange fluff-ball. Because one of my two dogs is very seldomly dog-social, out of fairness to her AND to clients' dogs I do not offer dog boarding in my home. I will happily care for your dog in your home, including overnights when my schedule allows.

Location

Schenectady, NY

Nikki I.'s Neighborhood

Pets

Your dog's new best friend

Pet care experience

With my 7+ year career in non-profit animal welfare and vet med, including running a spay/neuter and vaccination clinic, (plus 30+ years of personal experience caring for cats, dogs, small animals, horses and exotics) you can rest easy leaving your animals in my experienced and loving care. From rambunctious puppies and kittens, to shy and reactive dogs (I have one of those myself), to seniors with special medical needs (I have THREE of those!), I've seen them all. When you entrust me with the care of your animal, they become like members of my extended four-legged family, receiving the same loving attention and care as my own.

Cat care experience

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A cat's world, we just live in it.

Nikki also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.

Reviews

Judy D.
Boarding • Sep 15, 2025
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Nikki did a fantastic job taking care of my kitties. She has a lovely space for visiting animals and they had everything they could have wanted. Nikki did a great job letting me know how they were doing, so I didn’t worry. I definitely recommend having Nikki care for your pets. If I need to temporarily board my pets, I will hire her again.

Samantha L.
Aug 18, 2025

Nikki is an absolute angel and is the best pet sitter you will ever find. She has watched our three dogs and cat more than 10 times and they see her as part of their own family. Nikki is communicative, responsible, conscientious, reliable, and always goes above and beyond with our pets without ever being asked. She is always one step ahead and anticipates our needs before we do. We receive so many pictures and videos of our dogs relaxing and spending time with her inside and outside, and it makes us feel great to know that they barely notice we are gone! Nikki’s years of personal and professional experience with animals make her tremendously qualified on paper, but her fierce love and compassion toward all animals set her apart from anyone I’ve ever met. She is closely in tune with our pets’ routines & needs, and asks questions up front to understand any special needs or concerns. Most recently Nikki noticed one of our dogs was hogging all the food at mealtime, so she hung around to make sure the other one was able to eat too. When I’d warned her about our dog’s separation anxiety, Nikki asked permission to utilize our tv to entertain them. When we came back, our dogs were peacefully relaxing and enjoying watching the birds on TV! I am so thankful to have found Nikki, whose services allow my family to travel without any stress or guilt about leaving our pets behind. She is confident, kind, thoughtful, and tremendously dedicated to providing a special and joyful experience for our pets while we are away. There is no one else we feel comfortable trusting with our babies in our home. It is an absolute life saver to know that they are cared for by someone who loves them as much as we do.

Kaelyn D.
Aug 14, 2025

Nikki is exactly the type of person you want to take care of your pets. She will treat them like her own and will even make up custom little songs for them. Nikki is incredibly kind and trustworthy and I have yet to find an animal that hasn’t fallen in love with her immediately (just don’t get upset if they end up loving her a little bit more than they love you. She’s just that lovable.)

Jasmine F.
Aug 14, 2025

Nikki is truly exceptional, and I feel so lucky to know her and her love for animals. What sets her apart is her deep background in animal care—she has hands-on experience working at an animal shelter, which really shows in how knowledgeable, calm, and compassionate she is with pets of all kinds. My dogs instantly connected with her, and I could tell they felt safe and comfortable. Nikki understands animal behavior and wellness on a professional level, and it gave me so much peace of mind knowing she was watching out for more than just the basics—she was tuned into the emotional and physical well-being the entire time. She provided regular updates, asked thoughtful questions, and handled everything with total professionalism and heart. If you’re looking for someone with real experience, a genuine love for animals, and the ability to handle pets with both expertise and care, Nikki is the one! I can’t recommend her highly enough!

About Nikki I.

Communication

82% response rate
Usually responds in around an hour

Dog skills

32 years of experience

Safety, trust & environment

Cats boarded in my home are given their own private bedroom with lots of natural sunlight and views over the garden for prime bird-watching. They will receive visits and love all day long, kept separate and unbothered by my cantankerous orange fluff-ball. Because one of my two dogs is very seldomly dog-social, out of fairness to her AND to clients' dogs I do not offer dog boarding in my home. I will happily care for your dog in your home, including overnights when my schedule allows.

Each sitter joining Rover needs to pass a background check. And by booking on Rover, you can get photo & message updates, 24/7 support, and reimbursement for eligible vet care.
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Nikki I.

Schenectady, NY

5.0 out of 5 stars
9 reviews