To ensure your pet’s safety while you are out of town, I require all dogs without free outdoor access to have at least 3 visits per day, and cats with free access to food and water to have at least 3 visits per week.

For dog walks, I require a fixed-length non-retractable leash and a properly fitted collar or harness. If you don’t have a non-retractable leash, I can provide one. I am happy to work with whatever equipment you regularly use with your dog- e-collars, prong collars, gentle leaders or slip leads all have their place, and I will do my best to work with your system.

As a native New Englander, I’m well-prepared for all weather conditions! If the heat index is over 90F, I generally limit walks to 20 minutes with a 10 min cooldown afterwards. If it’s very cold, I might request that certain breeds of dog have cold weather gear such as a sweater or booties. Rain doesn’t bother me. In the event of severe weather events I will communicate directly with you to ensure everyone’s safety.

If you have a pet who can’t be left alone for two 4-hour stretches per day, the request is considered constant care. I price this service hourly, but can work with you based on your needs. My basic rates for constant care are $30 for the first hour and $18 for subsequent hours. Since this service requires that I not take on other clients, it is highly dependent on my schedule. Please reach out ASAP if your request might include constant care.

Absolutely. I am not a dog trainer or behaviorist, but many of my clients have adopted “pandemic puppies” over the last few years who have gotten used to having their people home 24/7! Depending on your dog’s needs and the severity of their separation anxiety, we’ll work together to make a plan that will keep Fido happy while you enjoy your time away.

For house sits and drop-ins, any cancellation within 72 hours of the beginning of service is subject to a 50% cancellation fee. For dog walks, it’s 24 hours. I understand that life happens and will always do my best to reschedule if things come up.

Totally! AirTags are a great way to keep track of pets, especially those escape artists! Just be aware that AirTags chime every few hours when they’re separated from their primary iPhone. This is generally not very bothersome, but some anxious dogs might get understandably upset if their collar suddenly starts making noise. In that event I would contact you about removing the tag while you’re away.

Cameras can be a great tool. I get a lot of peace of mind especially with my shy cat clients when the pet parent has a camera to make sure Fluffy is eating. On drop-ins, I request clients point out any cameras. For house sits, I require disclosure of all surveillance or recording devices in the home for my own privacy and safety. Undisclosed recording devices will result in the immediate cancellation of a house sit with no refund.

So glad you asked! I kind of love weird requests. Getting married and want your dog to participate? Let me know! Pet transportation or flight nannying? I might be able to help. If your request is animal-adjacent, even if it seems weird, reach out and you might be surprised what I can do for you!

Yes. I carry insurance through Pet Sitters Associates and am happy to provide a copy of my declarations page to my clients. Maria The Cat Lady is an LLC registered with the State of Maryland.

I’m certified by the American Red Cross in pet first aid and CPR. I’ve also taken Melanie Monteiro’s more intensive Udemy course on pet first aid and CPR. My training in injected, topical, and oral medication and subcutaneous fluids is more informal, consisting of consultation and practice with my personal vet and experience serving clients whose pets have medical needs. I am always happy to discuss my experience in detail as it pretains to your particular pet’s needs!

Payment is due before service is rendered in all cases. For multi-week bookings, we can break payments into 7 day chunks. I accept Venmo, PayPal, Cashapp and soon will support credit card payments through the website.

Certainly! Although I make no promises about my horticultural skill, I’m happy to maintain your home to the best of my ability. That includes watering plants, bringing in mail and packages and cleaning up after myself, including washing sheets and towels when I leave. I ask that you arrange for your own lawn care, but I’m happy to do my very best to keep your flowers and veggies happy.

Absolutely not! I believe that all dogs should be evaluated as individuals. I can’t guarantee I will take your dog on as a client, but as long as I can safely meet their needs, I couldn’t care less if they’re a Cane Corso or a Cockapoo. Of course all dogs are different and certain breeds have special care requirements, but I promise to meet you and your pet where you are and work out the best possible solution.

Yes! Each new client gets a meet and greet free of charge. You are trusting me with a family member, so of course we should meet first. A meet and greet also gives me a chance to see your setup and ask any questions I might have. I do charge $10 for key pickups and dropoffs outside the meet and greet or booking, so if you plan to give me a key, it’s best to have one ready.

Awwww, thanks for asking! Seriously, though- I’m pretty easy. I do ask that if you have spray-style air fresheners you unplug them a week before a house sit. I have reactive airway disease which is triggered by certain environmental chemicals. Not much bothers me, but oven cleaner, spray air fresheners, and certain chemicals used to industrially clean carpets cause me problems. Some clients also ask about leaving me snacks. That is 100% not necessary, as I provide my own food on sits, but if you insist I’m partial to granola bars and lime seltzer. Again, that is totally an unexpected bonus and never assumed! I do not have any dietary restrictions or food allergies. I genuinely appreciate the way my clients make me feel welcome in their homes, and I really do not require a lot. Just a clean place to sleep and the wifi password, and I’m a happy camper.