Alli B
About
38 years animal care experience including; working for Wildlife Rescue- catch/release and medical treatments, petsitting for friends, relatives and referrals by them and my veterinarian, taming and finding homes for countless feral cats. I am experienced in giving maintenance fluids to cats, insulin to cats and dogs, and pills to cats and dogs. For longer petsitting needs, I prefer to stay with the animals to ease their anxiety and give long hours of attention. This helps with our bonding process as well so they are comfortable with me giving any needed medical treatments.
Highlights
Specialties
Length of sitting
Frequency of sitting
Type of pets
Number of pets
Requested services
Reviews
Mel P.
Sasha B.
Kathy H.
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I like to meet the customer and their pets before the petsitting date to make sure I understand their needs and to get the animals familiar with me.
If the job requires a daily drive-to home, I prefer to keep that within 20 miles. If staying at the pet's home for a number of days, I will travel up to 65 miles but there are a minimal number of days based on the job given the cost of gas these days.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Over 25 years of pet sitting; feeding, walking, playing/pampering, watering, administering pills, fluids, insulin or other injectables, cage care for small animals, litterbox, plant care and other needed home care
Taking care of my animals; playing/pampering, administering pills, fluids, injectible medicines, cage care for small animals, litterbox, building climbers, etc.
Wildlife Rehabilitation; wound care, administering medication via pill, injection, topical, tube feeding, blood draws, bottle feeding small to large mammals, care and feeding of small birds to large predatory birds, capture/release, cage habitat preparation, cleaning/maintenance, etc.
feral cat and dog rescue- humane live traps, transport to vet care, medical care, placing in homes
Do you have a standard pricing system for your services? If so, please share the details here.
Pricing depends on the needs of the client. If I stay at the home with the pets, if I drive to the house twice a day, if intense medical care is needed multiple times a day, if there are multiple pets, etc. costs are affected. Length of care can also affect pricing.
Payments available via Cash, Venmo, Square, PayPal
How did you get started in this business?
Having had a love of animals since early childhood, petsitting came naturally to me. Aware of how much their animals loved me, friends and relatives ask me to care for them in their absence. Word of mouth and vet referrals brought many other petsitting clients.
Many clients over the past 25 years had elderly or sick pets in need of pills, insulin, shots, fluids, etc. so I have a lot of experience administering these treatments. Having worked at a wildlife rehabilitation facility, I have a broad knowledge base regarding wound care and other maladies. As a feral cat and dog rescuer, I am well versed in their behaviors and have the patience to work with wild, shy, and ill-tempered animals. Being well aware of how diseases can be transmitted, I take every precaution to keep my clients' pets safe. As someone who works from home and is very portable, I am available to stay in your home with your pet(s) if needed.
What types of customers have you worked with?
Friends, relatives, clients from word-of-mouth and vet referrals. Pets; cats, dogs, birds, snakes, hamsters, etc.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
Two very scared feral cats have recently come to my property. After a few months of feeding them regularly, one is letting me get very close. The other now doesn't run when it sees me but still not getting close. They come when I call. Gaining their trust is big progress. I am honored.
Likewise, I recently charmed a new client's cat into letting my brush him daily. They were amazed that he came out from behind the couch for anyone other than them. Needless to say they were absolutely floored that he let me touch him and he loves it!!
What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a pro in your area of expertise?
Meet the sitter first and let your animals meet them. Animals just know who is good. If medical needs are a concern, get a vet reference if possible. Get previous client references.
What questions should customers think through before talking to pros about their needs?
Meet the sitter first and let your animals meet them. Animals just know who is good. If medical needs are a concern, get a vet reference if possible. Get previous client references. If possible, try to reproduce their regular routine to lessen stress on the animal(s), insure they eat, and prevent bathroom accidents. (Do they eat at 7am and 6pm, go for walks at breakfast, lunch, and dinner, etc.)
Playtime... will the sitter take time to play with your pet(s). It shouldn't just be slap the food/water down and go.
Ask the sitter about their own animal experiences and it will say a lot about how they value animals.