Sara Walker

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What We Love To Do

Pet Sitting Pet Boarding

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About Us

***UPDATE: I am pregnant and due May 19th of this year! Due to this I will be unavailable for sitting for a few months around this time. Thank you for your understanding!!!***

***FOR LIABILITY REASONS, I only accept dogs approximately 40 lbs and smaller! All pets must be up-to-date on vaccines and flea/tick prevention, and all pets must pass a meet & greet at my home to ensure everyone gets along!***

Hello! My name is Sara. I was a dog and cat boarding and dog daycare manager at a popular animal hospital in Duluth for several years. I originally started at an entry level in 2015 and worked my way up to a management position in 2017, where I stayed until 2021. I had to leave the position due to relocating to Athens. Since then, I spent some time at another veterinary hospital local to Athens as a receptionist from 2021 to 2022. In 2022 I switched to a work from home position, but found myself deeply missing the fulfillment that comes from taking care of pets. I started doing pet sitting for family, friends, and a smattering of former clients from my previous work places - and have just recently decided to try and branch out to do it more frequently as a side business!

In my time as a kennel manager, I took several professionally-taught classes on dog behavior and worked closely with the head veterinarian and business owner to learn about the in's and out's of dog behavior. While I am NOT a medically trained professional (I can not and WILL not make diagnoses or provide treatment for your pets, as I am not registered!!), I do have some knowledge of common health conditions and medications that dogs and cats might experience over their lives. I have a wide array of knowledge of dozens of different dog breeds and everything in-between. I also cared for cats that were away from home and helped in any way I could to try and keep them comfortable. I became very aware of anxiety in dogs and cats: how to spot it, how to try to soothe it without reinforcing it, and the best ways to avoid triggering anxiety in the future. Through slow and steady acclimation I regularly assisted new pets to the kennel facility get more comfortable and accustomed to their home away from home.

The facility I managed also had large play groups of up to 10-15 dogs at a time that were monitored at all times. This only continued to reinforce my experience with dog behavior and reading their signals to avoid any scuffles from occurring in the first place. Altercations between animals were rare to nonexistent.

Finally, I learned about numerous different types of food and medications and how to best administer them. I became quite experienced with getting pets to take their medication orally and also learned how to administer insulin subcutaneously. I didn't at all mind sitting and feeding pets by hand if they were too nervous to eat on their own, and would regularly clean ears, wrinkle folds, and anything else needed as requested by their owners for dogs with sensitive skin. I especially fell in love with senior pets- those that are always eager for a buddy to curl up on and for pets and attention, but are perhaps a bit too sensitive to be in large groups or around many other dogs.

Working as a kennel manager made a huge difference in the amount of experience and understanding I have with animals. I strive to offer a safe, calm and comforting home for your beloved pets to relax in while you are away. I want to put your mind at ease so you don't have to worry at all- your pet will be loved like they're my own when they're here. :)

ALL PETS MUST BE UP-TO-DATE ON VACCINES AND FLEA/TICK MEDICATION!

PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANY FOOD ALLERGIES YOUR PET MAY HAVE!

I have a fenced in backyard and am available during the day to tend to your pet at any time. We do not have any dogs in the house, though we do have a cat that keeps to herself. I am experienced with anxious animals and have several years' experience of pet care in a professional setting, so I am well aware how to handle animals of all sizes, temperaments and ages. I am able to administer medication on whatever schedule is required, and have experience administering insulin injections as well.

I do offer basic grooming services if you are interested! **Please note I will not provide haircuts beyond very minimal cut-outs of small mats, etc.**

BATH ONLY: $40
DREMEL NAIL TRIM ONLY: $20
ANAL GLAND EXPRESSION: $15

Please note that I will NOT perform a grooming service if your pet is very distressed or trying to bite during! I will of course refund any fees for services that are unable to be completed.

***I do have a young child (with another on the way) and a cat in the home, so please let me know if either of these may be a potential risk. I am always very particular and careful with my toddler and ensure that she treats animals with respect. For very senior or fragile pets, my toddler will not be permitted around them.***