Pet Sitting Richmond

About: For more than 25 years, I have dedicated myself to providing exceptional care for pets of all shapes, sizes, and temperaments. What started as a lifelong passion for animals has evolved into decades of hands-on experience in pet sitting, dog walking, and overnight care. Over the last 25+ years, I have built a reputation based on absolute reliability, deep empathy, and a thorough understanding of animal behavior. Whether your pet is a high-energy puppy who needs structured exercise, an older companion requiring a gentle touch and strict medication schedules, or a shy rescue who needs time and patience to warm up, I adapt my approach to fit their unique personality. What Sets Me Apart: *Decades of Expertise: With 25+ years of experience, there are very few situations I haven't encountered. I am highly adept at reading animal body language, preventing stressful situations, and keeping pets calm, safe, and content. *Medication & Senior Care Specialization: I am fully comfortable administering oral medications, following precise dietary guidelines, and managing the specialized routines of senior or special-needs pets. *Flawless Reliability & Professionalism: I understand that leaving your pet can be stressful. My priority is your peace of mind. I maintain open communication, provide frequent and detailed updates with photos, and strictly adhere to your home and pet care rules. When your pets are under my care, they aren’t just being looked after—they are treated with the same respect, love, and attentiveness that I would demand for my own. I look forward to giving your furry family members a safe, comfortable, and joyful experience! Full-Time Presence & Flexible Care: Because I work from home full-time, my schedule revolves entirely around being present and available. I am here all day long, which means your pet won’t have to endure long hours of solitude. Working from home allows me to seamlessly blend my professional day with high-quality pet care, ensuring a consistent, reassuring human presence for your furry family member. What This Means for Your Pet: *All-Day Companionship & Supervision: Whether your dog needs frequent potty breaks and a midday walk, or your cat loves curling up next to my laptop, I am around to provide companionship, monitoring, and affection throughout the day. *Strict Routine Adherence: Pets thrive on consistency. Because I don’t have a daily commute, I can strictly adhere to your pet's specific feeding windows, exercise routines, and medication schedules exactly when they expect them. *Perfect for Puppies, Seniors, & Special Needs: Being home all day allows me to easily manage the demanding schedules of energetic puppies who need structured attention, or senior pets who require extra bathroom breaks and close monitoring. *Flexible Breaks Dictated by Their Needs: My workflow allows me to take regular breaks to stretch my legs, play fetch in the yard, refresh water bowls, or simply offer some belly rubs, matching my daily rhythm to your pet's natural routine. Whether your pet is high-energy and needs active engagement or is a couch potato who just wants a human in the room, my work-from-home setup provides a safe, attentive, and highly flexible environment for their care. Uncompromising Safety Backed by Decades of Experience: With over 25 years of pet care experience, safety isn't just a checklist for me—it is an instinct. I understand that entrusting your beloved pet and your home to someone else requires immense trust. My priority is providing a secure, predictable, and hazard-free environment where your pet can relax and thrive, whether they are staying with me or I am visiting them in your home. Because I work from home and am here all day long, your pet is never left unsupervised for extended periods. This constant presence is the ultimate safety net, allowing me to monitor health, prevent separation anxiety, and immediately respond to any needs. Safety Protocol in My Home: *Constant Supervision: Working from home means eyes-on care. Pets are never left to roam unmonitored, and I maintain a highly structured environment to prevent any resource guarding or behavioral friction. *Pet-Proofed Spaces: My home is meticulously organized to ensure all cords, medications, toxic plants, and household hazards are entirely out of reach. *Secure Transitions: Doors and gates are strictly managed. I treat entryways with extreme caution to ensure "door-bolters" have zero opportunity to escape. Safety Protocol in Your Home: *Respect & Discretion: I treat your home with the utmost reverence, maintaining a clean space, securing all locks and alarms, and ensuring your privacy is fully protected. *Strict Adherence to Your Rules: I follow your exact instructions regarding off-limit rooms, crating, feeding, and neighborhood walking routes to keep your pet’s environment completely consistent. *Emergency Preparedness: Before you leave, I gather all emergency contacts, vet information, and preferred animal hospital locations so I am fully prepared for any scenario. Building Trust Through Transparency: I believe that communication is the foundation of trust. I am incredibly accessible. You can expect regular, detailed updates alongside plenty of photos and videos, so you never have to wonder how your pet is doing. I care for every animal with the same vigilance, respect, and deep affection that I would demand for my own.

“Michelle did an excellent job taking care of my dogs. She was reliable and caring, and I highly recommend her services. Notably, she went above and beyond when she noticed my older dog had developed a sore that required a vet visit. I truly appreciate Michelle for taking him to the vet and ensuring he received the necessary care. Having her do the drop-in visits was a much better option for my dogs compared to boarding. We will definitely use her services again.”

Betty Jo C.

“Went above what was needed and took care of my dog with so much love and I had no worries about her. Which i usually have to worry about people watching my dog since not many people can handle him”

Corinne J.

“Samantha took great care of our animals and sent lots of cute pics! Her timing of the visits were right on, too! We would definitely use her again!”

Rochelle J.

About: I have a background in positive behavior supports. I would love to care for your fur baby and give you peace of mind. I will try to follow your routine with your dog so they are only in their kennel when necessary for their comfort or safety. With advance notice, I am available to meet you for pickup or drop-off at a time convenient for you. I can walk puppies in the morning, at lunch, or in the evening. I use positive behavior strategies to help your puppy feel safe and happy. I have a female cavapoo named Alice at home who loves friends.

About: I started working with animals in a vet clinic at the age of 16. Since then I’ve worked with a variety of animals in different clinical settings. I am currently studying to become a veterinarian and love caring for animals. I have provided care for animals of all ages and would love to provide the reassurance you need while you are away from your pet! I’m currently working part time so I have plenty of time to check in on your kitties!! I am available on the weekends and weekdays after 12pm! I have an extra room perfectly curated for kitties!! This will keep your kitty separate and safe and in their own environment to relax while you are away!

“The process was easy. Calista and Hannah did a great job.”

Susan D.

“Nikki took great care of our boys while we were gone for a week. We did a combination of house sitting and nightly drop ins depending on the day. Her flexibility to work with this was super helpful and I really appreciate how responsive and friendly she is. I have 2 male Rottweilers and although they’re big goofballs, they can be intimidating and I was so happy to see how confident she was interacting with them. It gave me a lot of peace of mind leaving my boys in her care. I genuinely hope she enjoyed our dogs and was comfortable in our home because I definitely would use her again if she will have us! Thanks so much Nikki!!”

Jen A.

“Julie does a great job! She leaves feedback each day, with pictures, and lets me know the moods of our kitties each day. They seem to enjoy her because they don't run and hide when she arrives. I don't worry about them while I'm away because I know they are being well taken care of. We have used her a couple of times now, and will not hesitate to ask her again!”

Robyn E.

“Camille was amazing with our dog today. She went out of her way to make sure he was well looked after and made sure we knew how he was all day. She has such a loving and kind personality and we won’t hesitate to have her take care of him again.”

Rachael E.

About: Hi, I'm Cassie! I'm so excited to begin this journey with you and your furry family member. As a lifelong dog lover, I truly believe every dog deserves love, respect, and quality care—and I treat each dog as if they were my own. With many years of experience, I offer dependable services including: Dog walking Feeding and administering medication Bathing and basic grooming Dog sitting (short-term or extended) Clean-up care Support with training and behavior I’ve worked with dogs of all energy levels and temperaments. Whether your pup needs a calm cuddle session or a high-energy playtime, I tailor activities to meet their unique needs. I also value ongoing learning. Training and structure are important to me, and I understand how vital it is to balance discipline with compassion. I'm here to help your dog feel safe, engaged, and well-cared for. I’d love to connect and learn more about your dog. Let’s chat soon! I currently work full-time Monday through Friday, but my flexible schedule—combining remote and on-site work—allows me to provide dependable care for your dog throughout the week. Your pet’s needs are important to me, and I’m committed to making sure they’re never left without care for too long. The longest your dog would ever be alone is approximately 6 hours at a time, and I always make sure they’re comfortable, safe, and settled before I step out. I’m located on a half-acre lot that offers plenty of room for your dog to run, sniff, and explore. While the yard is not fenced, your dog will never be left unattended. I’m always outside with them or have them securely attached to a long lead, giving them the freedom to roam safely. I make sure your pup has plenty of shade, fresh water, and anything else they need to stay comfortable and happy while outdoors. Whether they’re high-energy or just want to sunbathe, they’ll have a safe and enjoyable space to do it. When it’s time to rest, I offer both a large and a medium crate, depending on your dog’s needs. I'm happy to crate your pet if that’s part of their routine, or they’re welcome to sleep openly in our home with us—whatever helps them feel most at ease. I share my home with one medium-sized, well-behaved dog who loves meeting new canine friends. He’s friendly, gentle, and enjoys having buddies to play or relax with. I also have an outdoor cat who mostly keeps to herself and doesn’t typically interact with visiting pets. Your dog’s safety and comfort will always come first, and I’ll make sure any introductions are slow, supervised, and stress-free. If I’m providing drop in visits for your pet in your home, you can count on me to provide daily walks, potty breaks, playtime, feeding, medication (if needed), and plenty of love and attention. I’m happy to follow your pet’s routine closely and provide any additional care or accommodations you or your pet may need. My goal is to make their time away from you feel as normal and stress-free as possible.

About: I’ve had my rescued dog for 8 years and a rescued cat for 3 years. I love animals and treat my fur babies like family with all my love and company. I currently work from home, so I have lots of flexibilities to accommodate your fur family. I'm usually home with my pets except a few hours at a time to run errands. I have a medium sized dog and a cat at home. They are friendly to new friends. The backyard is unfenced, my dog enjoys running and sniffing around. Your fur-baby will have potty breaks in the backyard supervised and will have so much play time there.

“Jessica was amazing and super sweet! She took wonderful care of Marley. Would highly recommend!!”

Nicole G.

About: I've owned animals throughout my life. Currently, I have a lasb/mastiff mix, 3 cats, 4 lizards and a trantula that I share my home with. I'll care for your pet to the best of my abilities and they will always be loved, safe, and protected In my day to day life, my fiance and I share duties in the indie bookshop and creative space that we own. In the mornings, I get ready and take our dog outside. I always pick up the poop and dispose of it - it's a requirement in our townhome community. I then go in and feed the dog and give her any medications and supplements she may be on. Usually, I leave the house and my fiance takes care of her letting her out and taking a walk during the day. We do have a fenced dog park one block over that we frequently visit to let the pup run around off-leash for a bit and play with any other dogs that may be there and/or throw the ball. In the evening, we always go for a nightly walk before bed. Then our dog has a comfy bed at the foot of our bed and some stairs so she can get on the bed and lay with us. Your dog will get the same experience and care as our sweet girl, along with a playmate so boredom won't be an option. All dogs will be on leash outside of the home and waste will be disposed of properly. There's a fenced dog park near by that will allow your dog to run around off leash with our dog, who is very friendly and patient - an older spayed large dog, gentle as can be. Your dog will get the same care and protection as ours including no access to the cat box or open food they can grab, lots of love and attention, access to clean water always, and extra emphasize on anything you tell me your dog needs. I take our pets health very seriously.

About: Growing up my family has always had dogs from seniors to full litters of puppies. Hiking and exercise have always been vital in our dogs care. Dogs who are house trained are free to roam in and out of the house during the day with use of a dog door and fully fenced 6ft fence outside with 0.5 acres to run around. I take my dogs on walks everyday and would love to include yours as well! Weekends work best for me. Home during the day for the summer months so I have plenty of time to love on your pup. I have a large fenced yard with two dogs who love to be active and play well with others of all sizes both inside and outside as they want.

“Avery was so accommodating with a short-notice request to watch our two large dogs. She was very communicative and ensured that she knew of any special requests based on each dog’s needs. Avery was patient and understanding with our energetic, jumping Lab when she arrived. We would recommend Avery without hesitation!!”

Anna A.

About: We are excited to be back watching dogs after maternity leave. We have always had dogs growing up and quickly got our own once married. He is 7 years old and we love going on long hikes, to the lake, and settling down for some evening snuggles! We have two little girls who are obsessed with dogs and ready to play! We have watched dogs through Rover for 3 years now and absolutely love the experience! We are currently a stay at home mom/ remote workers so I would be home with the pet all day except for a few hours at a time if we go to run errands. Your dog will be in the home with us like our own pet! We only kennel if that is the dogs normal home routine Our yard is currently only fenced with a temporary 4 foot fence as we have just built our home so We can currently only take dogs who are safe being let out to the bathroom and to have supervised play time in that setting.

“I appreciate Pamela's flexibility when it comes to scheduling. We change plans multiple times and she worked it out so that she came to our house. We appreciate her and she is our regular sitter now. I added a puppy this year and she tends to bark at strangers but Pamela dealt with it and my pups were content while we were done all day.”

Missy K.

“Laura was great. Sent lots of photos and I felt totally at ease knowing they were visiting my sweet kitty while we were away. Would definitely rebook with Laura :)”

Paige M.

“Laura took great care of my cats while I was away! She was always very responsive to messages and timely in her visits, sending me great photos and updates. I would recommend her to anyone looking for a pet sitter.”

Hope S.