Van K.
Van K.
Highlights
Pet care experience
The 'Other Human'
Responsible animal enthusiast seeks furry friend. Canines must enjoy long walks to the park, copious belly rubs, and giving squirrels the stink eye. Felines must enjoy long naps, the occasional catnip, and window gazing. I have had dogs and cats all my life, and am currently owned by Bug — a playful but gloriously dramatic scaredy cat who keeps me well-practiced in the art of patience and gentle reassurance. I would gladly welcome a dog of my own if my situation permitted, but for now I happily borrow yours. I have been pet sitting and house sitting for over 10 years, and have had the privilege of becoming a trusted regular for veterinary medicine professionals and traveling cat owners — a responsibility I don't take lightly. I am comfortable with breeds and personalities of all kinds — the bounding and the mellow, the young and the seniors who prefer a slower pace, the anxious sweethearts who need a calm and patient presence, and busy multi-pet households where every animal deserves individual attention. I follow all routines, rules, and care instructions carefully and thoroughly. My commitment is simple: to make your furry family member feel safe and at ease in their own home, and to make sure you never have to wonder how they're doing. You'll hear from me regularly, with photos of your beloved companion relaxing, playing, and living their best life with their Other Human.
Cat care experience
Van also cares for cats. Learn about their cat-specific care experience.
Qualifications
Safety, trust & environment
Every booking begins with a meet and greet — a chance for us to get acquainted, for your pet to get comfortable with me, and for me to gather everything I need to care for them properly while you’re away. We’ll go over your routines, any safety measures you have in place at home, your vet’s contact information, and a plan for the unlikely event of an emergency. For dog walks, we’ll also talk through your dog’s pace, preferred routes, any reactivity or behavioral considerations, and the training approaches you’re already using — so that when walk day comes, everything feels familiar and consistent for your pup. I want you to feel completely confident before we ever get started. Throughout any stay or visit, I follow your house rules to the letter — whether that means keeping pets off the furniture, respecting specific rooms, using gates or crates, or sharing the couch if that’s what your pet is used to. Your pet’s routine and environment stay as familiar as possible, because consistency is what keeps them feeling safe and settled. On every walk, I proactively avoid other dogs and animals we encounter along the way — no exceptions. For dogs with reactivity or anxiety, this means you never have to worry about an unexpected encounter making things harder. I follow your lead on how to handle any situation that arises, staying consistent with whatever approach you’re already working on with your dog.
Ratings and reviews
Van did an amazing job of watching our two cats for a week while we were on vacation. She stopped by two times a day for 8 days, and followed all my instructions very well. We have a chill adult cat and a little playful kitten, so she gave love and pets to the adult cat and played a lot with the kitten, which I appreciated a lot. She even handled some unexpected situations, like having to go out to get more cat food and Litter Genie refills, and cleaning up a hairball. I’m glad we chose someone who cared about our instructions and rules, and accommodated our requests while we were gone from our children for a week. :)
Van was an amazing sitter for our cat! They met all of our needs and did a great job! I highly recommend Van to watch your pet as they were trustworthy and exceeded our expectations. Thank you Van! We look forward to booking again!
Van did a great job with our animals! We ended up having to delay our trip home by a few hours, and Van was kind enough to swing by and get our dog dinner and let him out again. Would definitely book again!
Van is the best.
We've booked Van a few times now and I can't believe I forgot to leave a review until now! Van is very professional, and our two cats warmed up quickly once they realized that their primary humans won't be home for a few days and has accepted Van as their "Other Human" lol. We really enjoy the regular updates, the pictures, and how much playtime they are getting. Van is our go-to for bookings, and we are thankful and relieved that we can leave our spoiled prissy princess fur babies in capable hands.
Thanks Van! Had special duties to help with some feral foster kitties so much appreciated!
Calendar and availability
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Schedule
My schedule varies by season — I have the most flexibility in the spring and summer months, and my availability may shift somewhat in the fall. That said, I am available during the workweek, evenings, and weekends year-round, and I'm in Gainesville through all holidays. I can often accommodate last-minute requests, but I'm equally happy to plan well in advance — whatever works best for you and your pet.
- Cats0 to 15 lbs16 to 40 lbs41 to 100 lbsDogs over 1 year oldVan can host up to 2 drop-ins per day
- Every animal is unique, and the more I know about yours before we get started, the better I can care for them. Here's what's most helpful to share: Their personality and energy level — are they a social butterfly or more of an introvert? High energy or happily mellow? How do they generally respond to new people and other animals? Any special needs, behaviors, or quirks — medications, supplements, dietary restrictions, anxiety triggers, or anything else that's part of their daily life. Nothing is too small to mention. For dogs specifically, how they do on a leash and whether they have any reactivity or storm anxiety — Florida afternoons being what they are, it's good to have a plan. And don't forget the fun stuff — what makes your pet's tail wag or their motor run! A favorite toy or game? Do they go wild for fetch or live for a good tug of war session? What treat makes them absolutely lose their mind? Is there a particular spot they love to be scratched? The little details are what help me make your pet feel truly loved, not just looked after. And when in doubt, just share it — there's no such thing as too much information when it comes to the animals in my care.
- Drop-In Visitsvisits in your home$23per visit
Not accepting new customers.
House Sittingin your homeAWAYDog Walkingin your neighborhoodAWAY