The lovely Renee from St Kilda East, VIC has a genuine, palpable love of all creatures great and small and makes it her mission to build a genuine connection with each of her furry house guests. Find out more about her experience of being a Mad Paws Pet Sitter and why we think she’s one of the best Sitters around.
What made you become a Mad Paws sitter?
I became a Mad Paws sitter as I’d seen the platform advertised and liking the concept (and having looked after people’s pets previously) thought to get involved. In my opinion, people’s pets maintain better health, happiness and wellbeing when looked after by a pet-sitter, as opposed to being confined in an unfamiliar environment such as a kennel with limited exercise and social interaction. Mad Paws makes connecting pet owners with sitters easy.
What is your favourite thing about being a Mad Paws sitter?
Having the continual opportunity to make new furry friends that I develop close bonds and trusting friendships with. I really love connecting with the animals and giving them the time, love and respect – that just like humans – they crave. It’s always reciprocated ten-fold! It’s a very rewarding experience to look after people’s pets, and animals truly teach you so much!
Through looking after so many pets (mainly dogs and cats to date) I have learnt more than just about animal behaviour/dynamics (which is so interesting to observe and learn!), but about myself. Animals, especially dogs, are so similar to humans in so many ways, the parallels I see daily never cease to amaze me. Animals are so much smarter than some people realise – it’s just a matter of learning how animals communicate and interact, and then connecting with them through feeling, sensing and instinct/intuition.
To further add, I’ve also met some wonderful pet owners and friends along the way, and being a people person, avid inquisitive learner and animal lover, being a pet-sitter is a wonderful mix of all things I love.
If you could pet sit for any animal, what would you pick and why?
Personally, I feel a connection to all animals but given a choice, I do love my dogs. I also love my cats for pats and cuddles, but being an energetic person myself, I find dogs and I share the same love of the outdoors and living an active lifestyle! I enjoy being able to take my dogs out for park/beach sessions, on walks/jogs and coffee sessions to dog-friendly cafes, that I enjoy. I’ve had so many wonderful experiences and funny memorable moments with dogs, and I love their sense of play, freedom and loyalty.
I also find it very rewarding when I am looking after more shy/reserved/troubled dogs, especially rescue dogs that don’t give their trust or affections away easily, and with time, love and patience – to see them come around. To have the animals trust my company and come out of their shell, now that’s rewarding!
What would be your top tip for a new Mad Paws sitter?
To always get back to pet owners when they write to you, in a timely manner. People respect those that they know will let them know whether they can help them with their animals. Having good communication from the start helps for successful and repeat bookings, alongside referrals.
Can you sum up your Mad Paws experience in a few words?
Rewarding, sometimes crazy, sometimes eventful, entertaining and energetic experience filled with much beautiful companionship and friendship, love and affection, inquisitive learning (on both the part of animal and human!) and many memorable moments!
Do you have any particularly memorable furry clients?
I have numerous memorable fury clients – all for different reasons – but most recently I looked after three extremely adorable dachshunds that didn’t just go to anybody, and yet they gave their affections to me. To be given an animal’s trust – personally means so much, and I always value this dearly, giving back equal parts love and respect.
Furthermore, these darlings not only gave me their trust, they made me chuckle so much with their big personalities maintained in their little bodies and I’ll never forget how they would cover themselves fully with their blankets upon going to sleep and then peep their little heads out with big eyes beaming when I’d call their names! It’s moments like these you cherish and talk about long after with a smile on your face!
Wish Renee was your Pet Sitter? Check out her profile now!
