Mari

Your friendly neighborhood pet-loving nerd and goblin :)

Vancouver
19 times favorited
10 recurring guests
Lives with 2 cats and 1 pet
Usually responds within few hours
1w ago
Last activity
<2h
Response time
House sitting
24h stay, in your home
75 CAD
/night
All services and rates

About Mari

Hello! I'm your friendly neighborhood nerd/goblin :) 

You might often see me at a local park or coffee shop with a book in hand, but one of my biggest hobbies is cozying up to play games while my cat Benny keeps me company. 

I have roughly 5-7 years as an experienced cat foster through VOKRA. I've had a lot of experience with young, senior (who needed special diet and medication), and feral/skittish cats. Cats are my absolute favourite animal (quickly followed by owls and dinosaurs- we can still count dinos around here, right?).

I haven't fostered with VOKRA since we adopted Benny. Benny is an anxious kitty so I would need a separate room to slowly introduce any new cats to the house (he's still getting used to his sister!). I, unfortunately, cannot take any pets into my home for this same reason, but I am happy to offer overnight and full-time care for any pets that need it. 

I have found pets often just enjoy the presence of someone with them; I used to sit in the same room as my shy fosters and read books aloud to them or play music. I also enjoy working with very casual training for both cats (Benny sits before his meals, and is learning new tricks slowly!) and dogs (I had German Shepherds and Golden retrievers growing up so I have plenty of experience with dogs as well, it's just been a while).

My main motivation to be a pet sitter is to help ensure that anyone who needs care for their pets can find someone who really will care for their pet's needs. I love spending time with all kinds of animals, and will happily keep you updated with pictures while you are away (I know I always appreciate that when I am not around my Benny and Chai).


I have an Instagram now! Please visit me here (@cozy.critters.petcare) to check out some photos of purrfect pets and a few fun facts!
- Please let me know if you are comfortable with me sharing photos of your pet online when you book :)

Find our Instagram here: https://tinyurl.com/4nkmvyd2



--------- IMPORTANT: Due to health reasons, I normally foxus my care to cats and small animals, since they require little physical exertion. Since I have been feeling better lately and it helps with my physical therapy, this summer I am accepting -some- dogs for walks and care on a case by case basis! I would be happy to meet so we can discuss if I am the right person to look after your doggo :) The best match will be well trained dogs who do not require long walks or running, seniors or pups are ok. I prefer medium to small dogs to ensure I have the strength to help your pet in case of any emergencies. (Updated on June 2024)


--------*----------*---------

I have chronic migraines and hEDS, and occasionally my joint pain does not permit me to do a whole lot. For this reason, my focus in pet care is limited to small animals, small dogs, and cats, as I cannot lift heavy weights or walk long distances. This is also the reason why I am looking to supplement my income with pet-sitting, as most retail jobs would be too physically demanding for me.

I am fully COVID-vaccinated, as is my partner, and I will happily abide by any house rules you might have in regard to the care of your pets, plants, and home.

-*-*-*-*-*-*-

SERVICES OVERVIEW:

* Home visits (1 or 2x day): Each visit will be between 30-90 minutes, when possible I will aim for an hour on average. It will include feeding, fresh water, and litterbox cleaning. Depending on the comfort level of your pet, I will also gladly shower them with pets and playtime, or simply keep them company and chat with them :) 

If you need plants watered or mail brought in, please let me know- I'm happy to help with that!


* House sitting: 

Full round-clock care, feeding, litterbox changes, and playtime. Please let me know of your pet's full routine and needs, as well as any other care your home might require, like watering plants, bringing in mail, trash/recycling taken out, and how long your pets are comfortable on their own in case I need to step out for 2-3 hours and can't bring them with me (do they have separation anxiety?)

I look forward to hearing from you soon and helping you look after your pets whenever you need! :)

Mari's services

At your home

Dog Walking
An experienced dog walker will pick up your dog from your home for a 30 min walk
7 CAD for each additional pet
20 CAD
/walk
One home visit a day
Book a pet sitter to stop by your home to feed and play with your pet
25 CAD
/day
House Sitting
A sitter stays overnight in your home and cares for your pet
75 CAD
/night
Two home visits a day
Two drop-in visits for your pet
45 CAD
/day

Mari also offers

Cancellation policy: Flexible

Full refund if canceled before 12:00 p.m. one day before the booking, 50% refund afterward.

No refund is payable if the booking is canceled on or after the start date.

Note: All times are based on the sitter’s time zone

Reviews

starstarstarstarstar
Communication
starstarstarstarstar
Conscientious
starstarstarstarstar
Profile accuracy
starstarstarstarstar
Treatment of animals
starstarstarstarstar
Value
starstarstarstarstar
House Sitting
Alison, 2024-07-22

We hired Mari for the first time last week and we are delighted with her service. She sent excellent, thorough updates every day and even trimmed our kitty's claws! She is very knowledgeable about cats and I felt very secure having my furbaby in her care. Thank you Mari!!

starstarstarstarstar
Home Visits
Liz, 2024-04-18

Lowry loves his visits with Mari. I also feel so comfortable knowing she is looking after him!

1
2
3
4
5
...
12
next page

Availability

Mari's Pets

Chai
Guinea pig
Benny
Cat
Gremishka (mimi)
Cat

Skills

Specific Skills

I speak English & Spanish & Portuguese
+5 years of experience
Familiar with dog training techniques
I have had years of experience fostering cats with VOKRA (stopped ~2 and a bit years ago when we adopted Benny). I've fostered senior kitties who needed medication administration, young cats, as well as pairs and cats who were feral/skittish. I am also a very patient and easy-going person so I do my best to make sure everyone, and all pets, around me feel comfortable and happy. I also have experience with small animals (I own a chinchilla), such as chinchillas (most experience), hamsters (some experience), gerbils, bunnies, etc. I have never worked with ferrets but I would love to! With dogs, I have experience with medium breeds because I used to have them growing up, but this was before some of my more notable health issues cropped up. Nowadays I would prefer to work with small dogs due to weight limitations (in case pup needs to be lifted at any point and to ensure I can handle the strength on the opposite end of the leash). I have some experience working with training both cats and a dogs in a very casual environment. Most of the time I have worked using treats and verbal commands, but would be happy to increase my knowledge of clicker training to accomodate your pet's needs!

Experience with

Rescuing pets

Stats

Phone interviewed
Verified
SMS
Verified
Mari

Mari

Your friendly neighborhood pet-loving nerd and goblin :)

Vancouver
House sitting
24h stay, in your home
75 CAD
/night
All services and rates
Contact Mari

Cancellation policy: Flexible

Full refund if canceled before 12:00 p.m. one day before the booking, 50% refund afterward.

No refund is payable if the booking is canceled on or after the start date.

Note: All times are based on the sitter’s time zone

Book via Pawshake to enjoy The Pawshake Guarantee, in-house customer support, booking guarantee, safe cashless payments, no booking fees, no change fees, daily updates and more!

Contact Mari