Ruthanne F.
Madison, WI
I pawsitively love dogs and cats!
Pet care experience
I have helped care for and raise seven dogs weighing 15-100+ lbs. Four of the dogs were my own, and the others belonged to family or friends that I dogsat for often. I watered, fed, walked, played with, potty trained, and cleaned up after these dogs, ranging from puppies to elderly. I've also learned to bathe, clean the teeth of, and feed pills to dogs, as well as cater to a dog with anxiety using treats and compression/thunder coat to help calm them. I've also cared for three separate cats that I've lived with in different places. I fed, watered, and played with the cats, as well as changed kitty litter. I love cats just as much as dogs, and I know that each animal is different and I tailor my approach to suit the personalities of each pet. I have found that the best solution for most issues that pets have is lots of exercise and fun! I have availability throughout the afternoon on weekdays. I am happy to drop in to feed, walk, and play with your pet. I know how important it is to build a trusting relationship with your pet. I always pay close attention to a pet's vocal cues and body language and tailor my care to their comfort level and personality. Some pets require lots of high energy playtime, while others prefer calmer focus and attention. I will also listen closely to your directions on how to care for your pet, and always keep dogs on leash when outside of a fenced-in area. I genuinely hope to build a close friendship with your pet as I get to know them, and always keep a pocket full of treats to reward good, or just plain cute, behavior!
Reviews
Ruthanne was great. Had her watch my two kittens while I was out of town and she was timely and took care of the basics and also was able to bring the playful side out of two otherwise very shy kittens!
Ruthanne was amazing. We had some last minute alterations due to a hurricane and she was incredibly accommodating. We came back and the dogs were relaxed and happy which is a great sign that they weren't stressed and had a great time.
Ruthanne is awesome. She took great care of my pup!
We are so grateful for Ruthanne! She is exceptional! She went above and beyond to make sure our furry family members were well cared for while we were away. We have a young 8 month old dog, who has been with us only 3 months, that we had never been away from. We were quite anxious about leaving him. Seeing how well he liked Ruthanne and how wonderful she was with him was very reassuring before we left! She also provided loving care for our two cats, one who can get very, very stressed when we are gone. They were both very healthy appearing and content when we returned. She also cared for our furry mostly-caged pets, two Guinea pigs and two rabbits. While she noted she had little experience with caged pets, she was very willing to learn and did everything that was needed to provide them with excellent care - even cleaning cages mid-week. What we really appreciated about Ruthanne was her great attitude, can-do will-do spirit, kindness to us and our pets, flexibility and understanding with a few last minute changes, honesty thoughtfulness, and attention to detail. She was great to work with and kept us informed about things going on (like an unexpected workman showing up) and addressed things that needed attention (like realizing we did not have enough supplemental lettuce for the rabbits, cuddling our frightened dog through a thunderstorm, cleaning up after our anxious cat). She took great care of our pets and home. We were able to trust here completely! We would hire her again in a heartbeat and hope she will be available next time we need someone! Our dog misses her!
About Ruthanne F.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
The safety and happiness of your pets is of the upmost importance to me. I will follow whatever rules you may have in your home.
Information Ruthanne F. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know if your pet has any medical needs or illnesses so I can better care for them. Information on how they do around other people and animals is also helpful, as well as if they like to be touched or picked up. I want your pet to feel safe and happy the entire time I am with them!
A typical day
I love playing tug of war and fetch with dogs and taking long walks. If there's a dog park nearby, I'd love to walk them there and run around. If your pet likes to be scratched, you better believe I'll give them the petting of a lifetime! Cats also often enjoy batting a toy mouse around from time to time, so I'll do my best to capture their interest and get them up and moving around. Sometimes, all a pet wants is a nice cuddle session, complete with ear scratches, so after I tire them out I will not hesitate to give them some cuddles before I leave.
Services
Ruthanne can watch in your home
Availability
I’m keeping open a window of 5 hours on weekdays from 11am-4pm. If you need me outside of those hours I’m willing to discuss such a possibility, it just depends on the details.
About Ruthanne F.
Communication
Skills
Safety, trust & environment
The safety and happiness of your pets is of the upmost importance to me. I will follow whatever rules you may have in your home.
Information Ruthanne F. would like to know about your pet
Please let me know if your pet has any medical needs or illnesses so I can better care for them. Information on how they do around other people and animals is also helpful, as well as if they like to be touched or picked up. I want your pet to feel safe and happy the entire time I am with them!
A typical day
I love playing tug of war and fetch with dogs and taking long walks. If there's a dog park nearby, I'd love to walk them there and run around. If your pet likes to be scratched, you better believe I'll give them the petting of a lifetime! Cats also often enjoy batting a toy mouse around from time to time, so I'll do my best to capture their interest and get them up and moving around. Sometimes, all a pet wants is a nice cuddle session, complete with ear scratches, so after I tire them out I will not hesitate to give them some cuddles before I leave.
Location
Madison, WI
Ruthanne F.
Madison, WI