Pet Sitter in Warrenton, Virginia

Hello! My name is Lauren, I attend school at Roanoke College in Salem, Va., but was born and raised in Warrenton, Va. up in Northern Virginia. I'm a second year biology major concentrating in genetics, with the eventual hope of becoming an expert in the preservation of rare species of animals and breeds of horses. I spend my free time away from work and school obsessively checking plane ticket prices and planning my future adventures– Iceland in May is my next big adventure, but I have a big trip Feb-July in South Korea, Japan, China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos. It's safe to assume the whole world is on my travel list! Riding and training horses has largely consumed life up until this past year, but I've decided to take a break and focus on myself and my other passions such as photography, traveling, blogging, research, scuba diving, etc. and really putting more effort into school and work. But enough about that! I would love to care for your dog(s), cats(s), bird(s), fish, rodent(s), reptile(s) and home while you are out of town! I have been offering pet sitting in the pet's home for as long as I've had my driver's license and could get myself from point A to point B without any assistance. But, my entire life has revolved around my family's and my own animals. I currently own 1 horse, as well as 2 cats, 3 guinea pigs, and a dog who stay home while I'm at school. I have an immensely long list of loyal clients that utilize me whenever I am available but am always ready and willing to meet new pets and their families, which is how I got involved with this site! I recently expanded to care for pets while I'm away at college, so my location does some flopping between Warrenton when I'm home for long breaks, and Salem the majority of the time. I am home from May–August and mid December–mid January, and select weeks in the fall and spring, I can count on at least a week off for every 3.5 weeks of class and I come home when I have a free weekend, so I'm actually around Warrenton quite a lot! I had never planned on expanding beyond my little territories in Warrenton, Marshall, Middleburg, Gainesville etc., but not only do I miss my own animals while I'm away at school, I miss my clients and their pets! In addition, I'm told with increasing frequency how difficult it is to find honest and caring accommodation for pets in their own home from someone who is experienced and loving. I feel that in-home care is the most comfortable, as well as the safest and least stressful way to leave most pets, it also tends to be no more expensive (I've found it's typically a lot less) than a reputable boarding facility and your animals receive so much more individual attention and love! I think it's sad that in-home care isn't an option for most people. Even the best kennels and small scale in-home boarding ventures with the most experienced staff cannot offer an environment as safe, relaxing, quiet, and clean as your own house. With so many animals from all different homes and lifestyles cycling through one of those facilities, it doesn't take much to stress your dog out and open the possibility of them contracting an illness, especially if you board at a vets office where contamination from vet techs and other caregivers can be a major problem. In home care eliminates the adjustment to a new environment and allows the routine to stay largely the same, this makes a great deal of a difference to your dogs, but even more so to cats and other animals. I can't imagine another system for my pets and find that those that run boarding businesses call house sitters for their own! I work to make your absence as much of a vacation as the one you're probably on. As a college student, while I cannot open my dorm or my family's home to your dog, I can certainly come in myself and offer this experienced and trustworthy care. Don't pay for a cage while you enjoy your trip, your dog and other pets will thank you! I have experience with nearly any and every animal you can imagine in addition to dogs/cats and no insecurities/fears when it comes to any pet, from guinea pigs to tarantulas! No dog would be turned down due to its breed or size either. I grew up with large German breeds and am experienced with higher drive dogs that tend to be intimidating and more than many people can handle. Many of these kinds of dogs need someone experienced that can meet their exercise and simulation needs in order to keep them content and out of trouble, but this is something that all dogs will benefit from. If you are feeling trapped at home for fear of leaving a high energy or even flat out "difficult" dog that is fearful/aggressive/quirky etc. (but likely just big/rough/needs a lot of exercise!) while away, I can likely offer a solution, and some freedom! I have worked extensively with rescue dogs and am several local rescue groups' go-to-girl when they have to leave their quirky and difficult pack. I'm not a certified trainer and do not market myself as such, but my goal is always to work positively and proactively with my clients dogs to make our collective experience as great as possible. I love working with puppies and more challenging/demanding dogs, but am just as happy relaxing around the house with a more laid back individual. I am comfortable and confident administering medication and caring for animals that need extra attention, from pills and liquid steroids, to insulin injections, ear cleanings, bandaging and so much more. My experience administering medicine, following complicated medical routines, and relatively no squeamishness with anything is due to my extensive background with horses and other farm animals/livestock. From giving stitches, vaccines, complex bandaging/wound care and much much more, I've had to deal with it somewhere along the line and am no stranger to working alongside vets and following complex treatment plans! If you have a geriatric or special needs pet who requires extra attention and/or medication and makes leaving all the more worrisome, I can assure they will get the love and attention they need to continue thriving! I never hope much of my medical experience is needed, but I am confident that it is present should I need to tap into it. Im not sure how often this site is used to look for care beyond dogs, cats, and the occasional small animal, but I feel obligated to mention that a lot of the work I do in NoVa is farm based. Horses are overwhealmingly my specialty (where I got my start petsitting!) and I've worked/interned in all sorts of operations; from full blown breeding ops with multiple stallions, to hobby farms, professional competition barns, and everything in between. Nothing equine or farm based phases me. I attended a farm school through high school and am comfortable with the standard poultry (chickens, ducks, guinea hens, peacocks), both meat and dairy cattle, goats (French Alpines, Nigerians, Lamanchas, etc.), sheep, hogs, I've even cared for camels and zebras! I know how stressful it is to leave a farm when you decide to plan a trip, so don't hesitate to contact me or send my name on to someone in need of a farm sitter. I'm always happy to work with those whose situation is on the unique side and provide peace of mind. But yes, I'll be happy to feed your chickens and collect eggs if you happen to have a coop in the backyard! Whether you need someone to feed, let out, and give lots of love to the dog(s) 2-3 times a day, work hands on with your new puppy or senior dog to ensure they get the nurturing they need, or stop in every/every other to water the plants, feed the cat, etc. I would love to help. No routine is too simple or too complicated for me! In addition, I will be happy to stay at your home to ensure your animals get the attention (nighttime cuddles) and care they need 24/7 or make multiple stops a day. Let's design a schedule that works for your pets! I have a flexible schedule while at school, with my only consistent commitment being pet care and dog walking. While at home, I spend my free time relaxing with my own animals and family, potentially taking a class or two at LFCC, and watching over homes, farms, and pets! If you are planning a trip, it is always advisable to check in with me well in advance as I'm always trying to do some of my own traveling! Animals have always been my passion, I figure there's no better way to spend my free time than providing peace of mind to families while they are out of town and hanging out with their pets! I do most of my business through word of mouth and local advertising, so these sites are more of a secondary source for me to meet new people and their pets. I'm still figuring out how everything works as this has been a bit of a learning process, but I'm beginning to rely upon it more and more! I am always willing to provide contacts from my long-time pet families for new clients to call/email and will happily go above and beyond to help you feel comfortable with me and my services. Hopefully you've enjoyed learning a bit about me and are ready to reach out and introduce yourself and pets! Yours truly, Lauren