Pet Sitting Merriwood

“Thomas was great with our boy Hercules! We booked him super last minute so we really appreciated his flexibility in navigating that and showing up when we needed him. Hercules had a blast with him too! We will be rebooking with Thomas - highly recommend!”

Cheri M.

About: Hello! My name is Mary. I am a lifelong pet owner and animal enthusiast. I grew up on a horse farm with dogs, cats, horses, hamsters, and the odd rogue toad, so caring for animals with love and respect is literally second nature. I'm a somatic embodiment coach by trade, so I have a unique skill set for helping animals feel relaxed and comfortable in my care. I have joyously fostered 20+ dogs and cats in their transition to forever homes, and have extensive experience with house and pet sitting. I have experience with dogs of all sizes and breeds, from 6 pound little weasels to 80 pound gentle giants. I have a special place in my heart for seniors (and have experience caring for them.) I am comfortable and experienced with administering medication. Because I work from home online and over zoom, I can accommodate animals that need a shorter window of alone time. I'd be delighted to treat your fur family with all the love and care I would give my own. I look forward to hearing from you! I have my own online business, so my schedule is very fluid and flexible. I love walking dogs and can easily do day or evening walks and stop-bys. I have experience with staying in many different homes and I know that every animal has its own unique routines, needs and rituals that help it feel in flow. I'm very happy to work with your pet in the way they are used to.

About: I have grown up with dogs my whole life! At one point, my family had up to four dogs at a time. I also have taken care of other animals (lizards, cats, fish) for neighbors, friends, and random job postings found online! I am capable of bathing, walking, feeding, giving medications/ treatments, socializing, or whatever you need for your pets! I am currently in school online and taking some time off of work! This leaves me with extreme flexibility to take care of your animals. Every pet and pet parent is unique! As long as you give me the gist of what your pet needs, I am happy to provide that.

About: What sets me apart is my deep understanding of pets' unique needs, gained through years of hands-on experience with animals of all ages, breeds, and temperaments. Whether I'm caring for playful puppies, energetic adults, or senior pets with special requirements, I tailor my approach to ensure every animal feels safe, loved, and understood. There is a long line of veterinarians in my family therefore I understand the importance of quality care. My goal is to provide peace of mind for you and a second home for your furry friend, where they’ll receive the same level of care and affection they get from you. Fun fact I hope to become a veterinarian after school! As a college student-athlete, my schedule is flexible. I'm available every day aligning pet care around my class and practice times. Any changes or commitments are communicated in advance for seamless planning and reliable pet care. I am a student-athlete at Berkeley and am looking for a part-time job to spend time and help out with your furry friends. I know your pets mean the world to you, which is why safety is my top priority and I am committed to providing the best care for them so you can rest assured that they are taken care of while you are away.

About: I’ve had pets for 14 years ranging from small dogs, to cats, to rats and hamsters. In the last year, my family has dog sat for friends on vacation and foster puppies. My daughters (age 10 and 12) are particularly obsessed with small dogs, and regularly walk several of our neighbors dogs. We would love to welcome yours into our home. I work from home M-W-F and someone is usually home most weekends. We all love snuggling up with dogs as we work, watch movies, as well as taking them on walks or jogs in our neighborhood. I have a big fenced in yard, lots of space inside where the dogs can roam freely and safely without getting into trouble. They would also have my two daughters to play with, who are old enough to understand how to engage with dogs playfully but also know when to give them space. And are young enough to be home most of the time on weekends and evenings!

“We feel so fortunate to have connected with Shanley when we relocated to the area. She is absolutely amazing and I felt comfortable trusting her with our cats and home from the moment we met. She was always punctual and provided detailed visit notes and the best photos! We will absolutely engage Shanley’s services the next time we travel.”

Jennifer S.

“Such a wonderful pet sitter — she took such great care of my kitties! Thank you for your attention to detail, care, and love for them while i was on holiday. Would definitely hire again!”

Grace S.

“Zsa-Zsa is a lifesaver! She came for a meet & greet on short notice after I got cold feet to send our 5-month-old puppy to doggy daycare. She has since come to check on Auto several times and he’s tired and happy when we get home. Thank you Zsa-Zsa!”

Laura W.

About: I grew up with cats, at one point having three in the family house. Later, I became a dog lover after rescuing a very high-energy Terrier mix. I have availability Tues and Thurs morning to midday and Mon, Wed, and Fri afternoons. I am also available weekends (flexible timing/open availability). The more advanced notice I receive, the better I can accommodate your schedule. Happy to take care of your pet and keep them company, while respecting your space. Please let me know of any particular concerns during booking.

“Richard was great! He was friendly, professional and an excellent communicator. My cats loved him and he sent cute photos of their time together. I recommend Richard as a sitter!”

Jesse W.

“Nicole did a fantastic job caring for my two cats while I was away and filled the bird bath too! She shared detailed daily summaries and cute pictures. I highly recommend Nicole and plan to ask her to pet sit next time I'm away.”

Penny G.

About: As a family we have fostered, trained and rehomed over 30 rescue dogs. We currently live in the Oakland hills with our three dogs. I’m comfortable with any size or breed I’m a stay at home dad and artist. My kids need me less as they’re teenagers now so I have the time and availability for pet care. We have fostered a range of breeds over the years. I have plenty of experience with dogs of all sizes and temperaments. We also have a fenced in backyard for any visiting dogs.

About: I’ve always loved animals, for their big hearts and one of a kind personality traits. My family had a Rottweiler when I was a child and she always felt like the little sister I never had. My hours are flexible so I’m open to meeting your requirements to watch over your pet. I currently don’t have any pets at the moment, so having the opportunity to cuddle up & spend some time making a new furry friend would be a treat. Overall, I’m very passionate when it comes to the safety & well-being of your pets, so I look forward to providing I am currently a freelance filmmaker, so my schedule is pretty flexible! I’m available for boarding on the weekdays, Saturdays from 10am-4pm and Sundays after 3pm it's important for me to understand the type of pet I'm caring for so that i can gauge what type of activities they're into. I love being outdoors, so if your pet is active then i can take them to some of my favorite hiking trails that are near your home. If they're homebodies then I'll typically play some tug-o-war, or fetch with their favorite toys until they're tired. Then i'll feed them and chill out.

“Michelle was amazing! I had a last minute emergency come up and I had to leave my 4 month old puppy home alone all day. I was frantic bc 1, I’ve never left him since the day I got him & 2, bc no one was been around my puppy alone since the day I got him. Michelle was able to fulfill my last minute request and put my mind at ease. Michelle was very communicative; she sent pictures and videos during both of her visits. I could cry at how great Michelle is Thank you again Michelle for your help”

Chris B.

About: Aside from owning my own dogs for over 10 years, I have worked as a professional pet-sitter and dog-walker for 2 years. I make sure to be intentional with how I spend my time with your loved one and bring them back feeling cared for and hopefully tired! I'm currently a part-time student, so I will have lot's of time to dedicate to your pet! I am mostly available to sit or walk on weekdays between 12 - 8 pm but if this time frame doesn't work, feel free to send me a message and I would be happy to accommodate you! I make sure to keep an eye on them at all times and will diligently follow whatever rules or other safety precautions you have inside or outside your home. I am loving yet respectful of their space, and comfortable with different types of pets and personalities.

About: For the last four years I’ve lived in a home with two Rhodesian Ridgebacks. One was a senior at 13 years old and the other is three. I’ve learned how to adapt to their different needs based on age and personality while setting boundaries and aligning to my Housemate’s desires for their care. (Which has helped me get to know new dogs pretty quickly.) We walk, play and cuddle. When needed I administer medication, feed them, and sometimes cook for them. I look forward to chatting with you about your family’s needs. When house sitting I do not schedule any other families for walks or drop-ins. The care I provide is all inclusive so that your baby gets all of my love and care. If I am not house sitting, I’m available everyday after 11am for walks and drop-ins within a 1 mile radius of lower Rockridge or easily reachable by public transportation. To ensure safety and comfort, I won’t be walking any other dogs outside of your household. I am available to spend time with your pet(s) in their home where they will be the most comfortable. I’ll come to you for walks.

About: Apart from owning and taken care of (and training) my own dogs for over 15 years, I am also a go to dog walker/sitter for many of my friends and family. I have taken care of dogs with various sizes, temperaments, and energy levels. I love to hike and go on runs with my dogs, so I know how to make a fun, tiring activity while still maintaining safety and care. I currently work part-time from home, so I have a very flexible schedule and am able to always have eyes on your pup. I am usually available for last minute requests on weekdays and weekends. My apartment has various grassy areas for dogs to run around and sniff in! While I can take the dogs on hikes, I always keep them on leash and on the built path. I also try my best to avoid other dogs unless stated clearly that their interactions are okay

“very responsive, friendly, punctual and they even gave our pup some extra time which is greatly appreciated :). We will definitely rebook soon!”

Josh B.

“Jena is wonderful! She's a great communicator and is punctual and trustworthy. Our dogs loved her which was evident in the cute photos she sent. Thank you Jena!”

Lynn and David H.

About: Since 2011, I’ve cared for dogs and cats of all kinds...puppies to seniors, from Pomeranians to Labradors, to Siamese cats. I truly enjoy being around animals and offer dog daycare, pet sitting and dog boarding. I share my home with Lola, a large, goofy, and very friendly pup who gets along with everyone—humans and dogs alike. As a result, I’m only able to board dogs who are also dog-friendly. I am also available for drop in visits (dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, and more...no snakes tho. I work from home so I am available for boarding and drop-in visits any day as long as I received advance notice, otherwise I am pretty flexible. My home is your dog home while you are away. It is dog proof, with no sharp corners, many rugs, and use of gates to limit room access when needed, I live in the neighborhood of Montclair in Oakland, a house with a garden and surrounded by nature.