First Aid Certificate

Owns pets

Police Check

Response within an hour

Hi Pawrents! 👋 

✅ Police checked & insured 👮‍♀️ 
✅ Non-smoker, Ensure home security with a live-in sitter-servicing all Melbourne areas 
✅ 8+ years pet care experience in UK & AUS 
✅ Active rescue cat foster carer – providing a calm, supportive home environment for felines recovering from illness, surgery or stressful circumstances. 🐈
✅ 24-hour Constant Care Option – limited time away (<2 hours) available on request
✅ Special Needs Welcome – elderly pets, and anxious/nervous/timid pets and rescues-See reviews below
✅ Ex cattery attendant at The Lost Dog’s Home 🐾
✅ Able to administer medications 💊 
✅ Completed RSPCA pet sitter training 🔖
✅ A customised service - every pet, every time
📆 Discounts for long-term bookings (21+ nights) 

All prices include regular photo updates, lots of love, and peace of mind while you're away.

*First meet & greet is always free when you book with me.

ABOUT ME: 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

I’m a single 35 year old living in a pet-less household. Animals have been a big part of my life since I was a child, and I adore them. This includes birds, fish, cats, dogs, chickens and various reptiles. I have a wealth of experience looking after pets of all sizes, ages and breeds. I’m currently not in a position to take on full-time commitment of pet ownership. Until then, I will love your pet like it’s my own, give it my undivided love, energy and attention.

I genuinely love and appreciate all animals big or small. I enjoy the physical and emotional benefits of having a furry companion and their unconditional love. As an empath, animals seem to be drawn to me-I’ve been known as the pet whisperer! I find the human - animal bond so special and deeply rewarding - that’s why I love what I do! 

I don't think life is quite complete without an animal family member! I know how stressful it can be for animals to be away from their owners or home alone and that they need regular stimulation, love and exercise. I am very interactive with my animals and spoil them.I have my own car for transportation and am available for bookings at short notice or for longer term arrangements.

Little did I know was that most kennels, vets that offer overnight stays or even 5 star pet hotels have no staff overnight and to me this is when pets need someone with them to feel secure. While kennels and catteries offer a cage/condo at $40–$90 per night, I provide personalized in-home care at $120/night. Your pet stays in their familiar environment, receives one-on-one attention, and avoids the stress of shared facilities. For multi-pet families, this is often more affordable and certainly more comforting for your pets.

MY SERVICES EXPLAINED: 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

OVERNIGHT PET-SITTING: A holiday for you and staycation for your fur baby! I provide a personalised and tailored service to each individual owner and their pet. I consider your wants & adjust my services to the needs of each individual animal I look after - personality, quirks, energy levels & all. This is how I ensure the animals in my care are not anxious or lonely in the absence of their owner but instead, happy, and relaxed when you return home. Your darlings will have their own holiday when I look after them! 😻 Note: bookings Minimum 2 night stay 

Over the past 4 years I have house sat for 60+ homes varying from Studios, townhouses and acreages (across various house/pet sitting platforms) and regularly have a list of clients who call me back requesting my services.

🏡 Basic home care included with overnight pet sits. I will bring in any parcels/mail delivered, ensure plants are watered & put out the bins, along with a security check to ensure that everything’s A-OK on the home front. As a responsible and respectful house-sitter, your home will be left as it was found.

I’m a non-smoker and non-drinker, live a quiet lifestyle and am currently finishing off my positive psychology degree which has kept be busy. I currently own my home in SE Melbourne. I’d treat your place like it is my own, with respect and leave everything just the way I find it when I arrive. I won’t have any guests over either.

- PET DAY CARE: is at the pet’s home, within their own environment. I find this is less disruptive for your pets too as they are in their own environment. I am home most of the time so your fur babies would not be left alone for long periods.
- DOG-WALKING: strictly on-leash only (unless in an enclosed dog park) up to 45mins duration.
- HOUSE VISITS:  are up to 30 mins duration, to feed, clean litter/poop patrol, cuddles and quick play time.
My listing price is per visit. If you require twice daily visits, please book in accordingly.

Who I specialise in: 

    * anxious pets
    * rescue pets
    * senior pets
    * medical needs

💰 Transparent Service Pricing (reflected from my end)

MOST POPULAR:-
OVERNIGHT PET SITTING (at your home):

· Dog Base rate (first pet): $120 per night
1 cat only: $80/night
· Each additional pet: +$20 per night
Multi-pet pricing:
 · 2 pets: $140 (or $100 for 2 cats)
· 3 pets: $160 (or $120 for 3 cats)
.  Puppy surcharge (under 12 months): +$50 per night
· Last-minute bookings (<48 hours notice): +20%
· Extended hours or Half-day care (≤5 hours): $55
· Evening care (after 6 PM, no overnight): $65
· Holiday period surcharge: +20% 
· 24-hour constant care (<2 hours away): $240 per day
· Long-stay discount (21+ nights): Price on Asking

My standard overnight rate covers a ~24-hour period. For an early morning start or late afternoon finish, I add a half-day care fee ($55) for the extra time outside standard hours.

🛠️ ADDITIONAL SERVICES & FEES:

· Key pickup/drop-off: $15 each way
· Second meet & greet (if required due to undisclosed details): $30
· Special needs care (injections): +$5 per day
· Vet trips: $35 + $0.70/km travel
· Last-minute bookings (<48 hours notice): +20%

✍🏼 DETAILS TO PROVIDE WHEN BOOKING =🦴🦴🦴

Pet breed, age, daily routine, eating & sleep regime, medical conditions/medications, behavioural issues currently aware of, service requested, vet & emergency contact details, estimated departure/arrival times.

I request that owners please be honest and upfront about your pet’s quirks and/or behavioural issues so I can supervise the appropriately. 

💬 COMMUNICATION: You’ll never have to worry about how your pet is doing whilst you’re away. I’ll ensure to keep you updated with the occasional text or we can set up a WhatsApp group for couples so that all parties are kept up-to-date.

📝 Please note that pet parents are required to provide handover notes outlining pet & house requirements in written format PRIOR to the commencement of the sit. Please either communicate this via MadPaws message/email/supply notes at the pets home 

GETTING TO KNOW YOUR PET: Your animals receive personalised attention, plenty of love, play, quality time & TLC. Throughout my years' of caring for animals, I will always ensure to adhere to your pet’s usual routines and habits (feeding time, walk duration, etc). 

1st TIME USING A SITTER?🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

You may wish to consider booking me in for additional walks or daycare or overnight stays in the lead up to a longer booking. This will help the transition period prior to the actual sit starting. Please discuss your needs during our initial phonecall. Note this is OPTIONAL and may not be required however we can gauge this during our discussions

All too often, I hear that the service provider you have engaged in in the past has resulted in your animals ignoring you when you arrive home or are not happy to see you, or they seem distressed or “out of character,”.  This is usually due to their needs not being met. Some places/people will even say this is normal, IT IS NOT. It may be common, but let me reassure you, it is certainly NOT normal.

🤝🏽MEET AND GREET: 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

The purpose of the “meet and greet” is to ensure “mutual fit” prior to locking in a booking, and although obligation free, please respect my time by ensuring you have the PRIOR intention of knowing you want to engage in my services. Ie your travel dates are confirmed
This is an opportunity to make sure we are both comfortable with everything before agreeing to go ahead with the booking. 

For those short on time, an alternative to a prior meet & greet is for me to arrive 1/2hr-1hr prior to your departure time on the day of the booking to run through pet & household items, this tends to be more efficient for all parties. Feel free to ask any questions!

Please have keys ready on the meet and greet to handover if happy to proceed otherwise, or have a lock box - if I am required to pick up keys at a later date, to account for travel time back and forth another walk or visit will need to be paid.

✅ SECURING A BOOKING: 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴

Payment must be made within 48 hours of either a written/verbal agreement (text, mad paws message, phone) when your dates are “confirmed” from my end (REPEAT CLIENTS) or within 48 hours of a “meet and greet” & my approval of your booking on mad paws (NEW CLIENTS), to officially “lock in” dates.

If unable to make payment within this time frame, then to be fair on other clients, I will open my availability and be unable to hold your dates. Of course, you can choose to take the risk and pay later if your like, as your dates quite possibly may still be available closer to, yet please know, there is no guarantee. 

If by chance, you opt for the later, and your dates are filled, I am under no obligation to have made you aware prior, although I do understand life gets busy and I do try my best to try follow up, however understand I do get a lot of enquiries and in busy periods especially, I get extremely busy with bookings. To date, this has never been an issue but just to make mention in case!

I AM RELIABLE – once you have paid you are officially locked in with me! No cancelling on you last minute and causing you unnecessary stress! I also cater to the fact that sometimes people are late getting back or have flight delays sometimes on the rare occasion up to a day or two, know that I’ll have you covered and even if I have a back to back booking I’ll work something out

NB: Initiating a booking enquiry means that you have read and understood the conditions outlined above

I look forward to hearing from you to discuss your furmily’s needs 🐕 🐈 

With thanks, Zahra

FAQ:

Q: Do you care for pets other than dogs and cats?
A: Yes! I have experience with birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, reptiles, and fish. Pricing varies by pet type—please ask for a quote.

Q: Why is your rate higher than a kennel?
A: Kennels provide basic boarding in shared spaces. I provide live-in, personalized care in your home—including security, routine maintenance, and one-on-one love. It’s less stressful for your pet and more reassuring for you.

Q: How do you handle anxious or special needs pets?
A: With patience, experience, and compassion. I follow your pet’s routine closely to minimize stress and can administer medications, including injections. For pets with high anxiety, I offer a 24-hour constant care option where I’m away for less than 2 hours in a 24-hour period.

Q: Can we meet before booking?
A: Absolutely. I always recommend a free meet & greet so you, your pets, and I can feel comfortable before confirming a booking.

Q: Are you police checked and insured?
A: Yes, I have a current police check and am covered by MadPaws insurance for all bookings made through the platform.

 Q: What if my pet gets sick or there’s an emergency?
A: I’ll contact you immediately and take your pet to your nominated vet. A vet trip fee of $35 + $0.70/km applies for transport and time.

Your trusted, live-in sitter-keeping pets calm and homes safe😺 🐶💕

20 years of experience

Offers pet grooming

Offers pet training

Has vet-related TAFE certification

Is a vet student

Professional Certification / Qualifications

Can administer pill medication

Can administer liquid medication

Can administer subcutaneous medication

Can administer topical medication

Household

Zahra A.

puppy

smallDog

mediumDog

largeDog

giantDog

creature

bird

Full refund up to 14 days before the booking at 12pm. After which you will pay 50% of the booking.

Zahra

Your trusted, live-in sitter-keeping pets calm and homes safe😺 🐶💕

Services Offered

$135

$112

$51

Pets accepted

Zahra's home

Zahra's neighbourhood

5.0
93 ratings

Q&A

Mad Paws Guarantee

Cancellation policy

Zahra

Your trusted, live-in sitter-keeping pets calm and homes safe😺 🐶💕

Services Offered

$135

$112

$51

Pets accepted

Zahra's home

Zahra's neighbourhood

5.093 ratings

Q&A

Mad Paws Guarantee

Cancellation policy

5.0
93 ratings