Kathie

Kathie S.

Identity Verification
Online Training

give me doggy-love, cat-cuddles and other animal smiles

0 repeat guests
25 reviews
Accepts Repeat Weekly Bookings for:
Dog Walking, House Visiting
Response rate: 99%
Last seen 20 hours ago
About Kathie
I’ve had pets all my life but right now it's just me and the fish.
I still need a regular dose of doggy-love and cat-cuddles, so pet-friends get a whole lot of smoochin’ from me!

I work from home, with a flexible schedule, and am happy to adapt to your pet’s daily needs.
I can do home visits for feeding and companionship if pets are staying home, or to take your doggies out for a walk.
For a longer stay, especially for dogs, I’d much prefer to have them at my place, where they will have no time to miss you!

I only take one pet family at a time, to keep things low-stress and give us the space to get to know each other.


My home is in a small town in a forest and there are lots of interesting sights and smells for your pet to get its nose into.
I like to give the animals a consistent routine, with a variety of little adventures thrown in ... a stimulating day means a satisfying comfortable sleep, for all of us!
For your cat, this includes on-the-lead wanderings around the yard if it likes a dose of the outdoors, and of course the usual indoor tease and play.
For your doggy, there are rambling walks in the forest and off-the-lead social play in contained local areas, as well as joining me out-and-about if I need to run errands.

I try to keep a pet’s routines, diet, maintenance and activities as close as possible to what they’re used to at home.
In an uncertain environment, I believe the familiar helps to calm and anchor them, and when your baby breathes easy, so do I.

I'm sensitive to each animal's individual personality and particular needs.
So, let me know ‘who’ your pet is ... tell me about their little ways, what they love or don’t, their physical and emotional challenges, and what will best help them feel secure and happy during their time with me.

I also know that pet mums and dads need peace-of-mind, so you’ll get regular updates on how your animal is doing, if that’s your desire.
As a past pet owner who’s had to leave my darlings on occasion, I know all about it!


I can do pick-up and drop-off up to a distance of 10 km from Blackwood, but I actually prefer that you bring your pet to me, at least for their first stay, if at all possible.
I’ve found that dogs settle in much better at my place when they have arrived together with you. If you come in, even for a short while, it seems to create a reassuring association which allows me to be seen as part of the extended pack. It also allows the dog to mentally add my home to the list of places ‘where you are’, and your lingering scent in the environment brings them comfort.

For home-visits to feed and/or walk your pet, the fee includes travel up to 15 km from Blackwood.
I have found that a repeated daily drive at distances longer than that is usually too challenging, esp. if I already have a doggy staying over.
But I may occasionally be able to help you out if all the conditions are right for your planned dates, so please feel free to ask.

I am willing to travel up to 25 km for unusual one-off daycare situations, such as visiting your holiday accommodation to walk & hang out with your pet for a few hours while you pop out for some sightseeing, a relaxing spa or a special dinner.
However this long-drive day-care option has an additional travel fee of $25.


I have no real skills in the management of farm animals [horses, cows, chooks, etc] but I love to be in their presence and am happy to feed & water, check in and monitor, collect eggs, etc.

I'm also happy to care for pet birds and other little pets too.
I can visit them at home or give them a quiet peaceful environment here, provide interaction or cuddles as needed, and a nice clean cage!

I am a nature girl and adore all creatures, domestic and wild.
As a naturopath, I've supported many different types of pets over the years, but as far as my hands-on pet-care experience goes, I'm most at home with dogs and cats.
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Children at home
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Owns pets
Pets Accepted
Small Dog
Medium Dog
Large Dog
Giant Dog
Puppy
Cat
Bird
Rabbit /
Guinea Pig
Kathie's Home
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Type: House
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Large backyard
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Fenced backyard
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Household
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Pets sleep indoors
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Pets sleep outdoors
Policy
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Cancellation: Moderate
A full refund will be offered to Pet Owners if they cancel up until 7 days before the booking at 12 noon. After which Pet Owners will be charged 50% of the total booking value.
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Accepts last-minute bookings
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Accepts long-term bookings
Reviews & Testimonials
25 reviews
Tracy C.
Pet Day Care - Oct 23, 2023
Kathie was great with our 9 month old puppy Cavoodle- warm and friendly and happy to play, walk him and gives lots of puppy cuddles.
Kim H.
Pet Hosting - Oct 17, 2022
Kathie was amazing with our anxious Collie. She dedicated her time to settling & caring for her & extended us daily updates, so we had total peace of mind while on holidays. Thank you Kathie, you are a Godsend!
Lynne M.
Pet Hosting - Sep 28, 2022
Awesome sitter - Murphy was so well looked after not sure if he wanted to come home. Kathie was incredibly kind.
Chris M.
Pet Hosting - Sep 25, 2022
Kathie was amazing. She took on our engergetic and sometimes reactive one year old rescue puppie Hazy at short notice and was an amazing. Kathie really cared about making sure that Hazy's needs were met and she was happy for her stay (a few long bush walks and lots of play in her big and beautiful backyard!). We were sent detailed messages of how Hazy was getting on which set our mind at ease.
Service & Rates
Overnight Pet Services
Pet Hosting
At Sitter's Home
$ 84 / night
Pet Sitting
At Pet's Home
not offered
Daytime Pet Services
Pet Day Care
$ 56 / day
House Visiting
$ 56 / visit
Dog Walking
$ 34 / walk
Dog Grooming
not offered
Dog Training
not offered
Transport
Pick Up - Drop Off
$ 30 / journey
Emergency
Transport
Available