Hi!  

My name is Amy, and I would love to care for your dog or cat, fish, bird or small (or large!) pet when you cannot, just the way you want it done!  

As a life long pet owner, I know exactly what it's like to: 

• work long hours and feel guilty about not having enough time for your pets' needs. When you feel like the only fun your dog has is on the weekends, and you wish you could give much more.

Hearing them sigh, and look longingly at their leash and your shoes, when you just can't get up the oomf after a long day, and a long commute. Maybe it's already dark outside. You haven't even had dinner yet, but oh, the poor dog!! Maybe you're over-compensating with treats and toys, when you know what they really need is your time, which you sadly don't always have!

That guilt! I know it too well. I am here to help!

I have had large dogs for the last 20 years, and now I share a Shiloh Shepherd dog "Renfrew" with my ex. Renny was living with me always, going everywhere I go, head out the window, fur flying in the wind, up until a few months ago. I am now living in a rental house surrounded by wilderness, with no fencing. Renny was too tempted to wander in this new place, and I very sadly had to hand him over full time to my ex. This way Renny could be outside all day, which he loves. I also could see, as could my teenage children, that the ex was always Renny's person. Needless to say, this has been extremely difficult for a major dog lover, used to being synonymous with her dog.

This is why I so sincerely want to provide this love I have for dogs, to help YOU! I would love to give your dog what you usually give him/her when you cannot.

Doggy Daycare with Amy!

Included in Doggy Daycare/Dog Boarding:

• Pick up/ Drop off Complimentary (Westshore: Metchosin, Colwood, Langford, Millstream, Highlands)
• at least 2 hikes/walks, with pictures if requested. One long adventure hike and several shorter walks
• With me all day, on my covered sundeck on the couch if I'm home or supervised in the yard
• Play time: Frisbee, ball, or your dog's favourite

Does your dog love to be with you all day? I can provide that while you are away. In fact, I would LOVE to.

I am available for regular standard dog walks, or longer adventure walks. If I am caring for your dog for the day, or overnight, your dog will have both every day. If you need doggy daycare or boarding long term, my rates will adjust for you. If I am caring for your dog at your home while you are away, your dog will receive everything included in a Doggy Daycare Day with Amy. I can pick up and drop off your dog(s). I live in Metchosin! There is no charge for dog pick up and drop off in the Westshore. I walk every day and I know all of the many many trails and hikes around here. Your pup could have a new adventure every single day while with me.  

I have trained all of the dogs I have owned (one Rotti/Shepherd mix "Mojo", a white shepherd "Kaia", and Renfrew, now 8) utilizing many local trainers, including Don Sullivan and Monique Anstée. I have dealt with and worked through fear aggression and leash aggression. I am confident dealing with with most types of dog misbehaviour (leash pulling, leash aggression) and I am happy to find a place to walk dogs with these issues where we will see no other dogs, guaranteed!  

Do you need to wear your new pup right out? I would love to help with that! I know endless off leash areas and big fields for playing Chuckit and frisbee. (See photos on my gallery) My shepherds were all frisbee nuts! Does your dog love swimming? There's a lake down the road and I am stocked with floating toys!! Just let me know what you need, and I am sure I can find a way!  

As for my love of felines...

When I was in graduate school, 25 years ago, I volunteered for a local cat rescue organization. They were getting tons of calls about stray cats in backyards having kittens, starving, and back then, no one had the resources to trap and spay/neuter, etc. I used the groups' traps and answered these calls, learning so many things along the way. I found foster families and adoptive families for the cats I personally recused. I eventually began working with all of the local animal rescue groups, trying to foster a collaborative approach to the sad cases we were trying to help, since there were so many. One day during this time, a woman with a large number of cats passed away, and a local cat rescue group was looking for someone to live with and care for them. She had left her estate to her 26 cats. There were 4 animal rescue groups operating at that time in Victoria, and they are still all operating today. All four of these organizations put my name forward as the person who should care for these cats. This was an honour and recognition for my hard work and compassion for stray and abandoned cats in the Greater Victoria area. Others took my place there after I married and moved on, and I continued volunteering for the local cat rescue organization in my new area of residence. When I had children, I brought them with me to many of these volunteering events; building warm shelters and feeding stations for feral colonies, socializing feral kittens, taking part in fun fund raising activities, all for the non profits. Of course my kids are animal lovers as well.

It goes without saying that I would love to meet your cat. I can find a way to meet any cat, even if they are extremely shy and have never met another soul. I will put a little bit of A/D wet cat food on my finger and, maybe lying on the floor, with my finger under the couch where shes hiding and can smell it---- until she can no longer resist. We work from there.  

I prefer to care for your cat in your home, and am happy to stay over if needed, or do regular visits, whatever you prefer. In some cases (i.e. if your cat is okay with other friendly cats) I could board your cat at my home. I do have several bedrooms if a private suite is needed.

Fish

If I am house sitting for you this is included no charge. I am an aquarist and have kept many fresh and brackish tanks over the years. (Cichlids and community tanks). I especially love Bettas, I have 2 in 2 planted tanks right now. I am more than happy to care for your fish while you are away. If your fish (Bettas?) need a water change while you're away, just let me know!  

My daughter and I kept Poison Dart frogs for awhile, in a Vivarium. We misted the vivarium several times a day and loved the sound of the happy singing frogs! We raised their food, and they lived long lives. If you have a pet in a tank, I'm sure I can care for it. I can hold a worm in front of your Gecko till he eats. Don't mind feeding the mealworms.

Birds

I absolutely love them, and would be honoured to care for yours. I love visting "Little E" at Butterfly Gardens! I secretly believe that he remembers me. (Like SO many people in Victoria!!). He must have the best life a captive bird can have.  

I am happy to fill your outdoor feeders and water dishes when house sitting for you, all included.

Farm Animals

I am an experienced farm sitter and have references. I can milk both goats and cows. When my kids were growing up I was part of a cow share. I milked a Jersey cow twice a week in exchange for the milk. With cows I am familiar with milking machines, and with goats, hand milking. I take care of a sheep farm every August which requires herding and feeding/watering sheep. I often take care of neighbours' chickens and can handle them if needed.

Reptiles, Frogs, Insects

If I am housesitting and you have small pets this will be included. My kids and I have had fun hatching and raising Praying Mantis in the past. We gave away dozens to schools, and even to the Bug Zoo! Just give me the instuctions, and leave it to me.

Included / Complimentary with Pet Sitting, Walks, Boarding, and House Sitting:

• Regular updates with photos, of adventures, etc.
• Administering medications, including injections
• Care for fish or any additional small pets
• Watering plants, inside and out (plant/garden enthusiast)
• Take out garbage and recycling on days of collection
• Collect mail and newspapers

Checkout 10 AM leaving house and yard extremely clean

Areas Served:

All of Greater Victoria, all the way to Port Renfrew