Experienced companion animal/home carer

More information about this house sitter

I'm Kat––a multi-faceted freelancer bearing more than 25 years of companion animal and home care experience. To date, my expertise in both fields now spans 4 countries, in both professional and "sharing economy" capacities.

I am also an ecclesiastically ordained holistic wellness/culinary professional, studio musician, and literary freelancer by trade(s). Remaining active in the organisation of community projects and specialised retreats/workshops, I often work remotely as chief operator of a consultancy business in relation to many of the aforementioned. The ability to virtually assist clients around the world from any location has been a blessing throughout periods of lockdown, and travels with me wherever I go.

I currently live with my partner (Alex––another experienced nutritional chef/qualified holistic health coach) and our little British Longhair "floof" feline companion in Colchester––where we often host culinary events, wellness retreats, and workshops relating to food prep, health/wellness, and natural care solutions.

Having grown up on a family-owned fruit orchard with many companion animals, I now carry with me a lifetime of care experience for flora and fauna of many types.
A lifelong adoration for Earth and fellow Earthlings has led me to having made many lovely connections with people, animals, and gardens all over the world, in addition to a fair amount of professional success in relation to such.

Along the way I have also accumulated a fair amount of veterinary technician experience, so am relatively well versed in matters related to clinical & natural healthcare for elderly and "special needs" companions of many types. As such, I am able to offer decades of experience and loving care (including therapeutic and technical training in veterinary environments) for animals of all types, shapes, sizes, temperaments––and happy to offer many glowing references upon request.

I even clip claws and administer medications (including injections, pills, and subcutaneous fluids)––generally for a small additional fee. =)

Since having spent the last couple of years working with Alex on an ongoing, collaborative basis in relation to a number of projects, life has felt relatively busy with work/family (as well as a cat of our own) at home. As such, "sharing economy" sitting is something I have mostly been willing to consider only in cases where necessary travel or "special circumstance" are involved.
Thus, I am most receptive to offers for short term paid assignments within the Colchester area––with preference given to assignments in and around the city centre (as those are easiest for me to reach on foot).

However, Alex and I have also been aiming to leave city life behind and would very much like to begin focusing upon finding an ideal "permanent" location in more rural settings. As we have just recently begun to discuss the possibility of selling our home, we are not yet certain as to where we might like to remain on a permanent basis. As such, we remain quite open to the idea of spending time in various locations to "get a feel" for everyday life in those areas.
Thus, we (as a couple) are now incredibly willing to consider longer-term situations (preferably in rural settings) in which everyone's needs may be ideally met.

Although I may continue to accept certain assignments as a solo sitter, Alex and I (as a couple) have both been feeling rather keen to take into consideration any peaceful situations from which we may be able to work quietly on our collaborative endeavours whilst enjoying a bit of time in nature.

For anyone aiming to book me as a solo sitter: please note that I personally offer a certain level of priority to Sphynx cat households (in loving memory of my own little Sphynx who passed away in 2018 at age 19.25) & pointers (I grew up with and adore this dog breed so much) virtually anywhere/for any duration of time––along with animals/people/places with whom I have worked previously. As such, if you are a Sphynx or German Shorthaired (or English) Pointer household in search of someone who will adore and deeply understand the unique needs/personalities of your companion animals, please do not hesitate to reach out. The same applies to anyone with whom I have worked happily and successfully in the past (regardless of species, breed, etc.)––so please do reach out if you would like to have me back and I will happily consider making arrangements to reunite with dear old friends. =)

Both Alex and I enjoy juicing on a near-daily basis, regularly practice yoga/daily physical therapy/fitness training, engage in a fair amount of hiking/wild food foraging whenever possible, and make a habit of visiting with small family farms & orchards in places wherever we travel (for pleasure/sustenance and also as part of the aforementioned community project with which I have been involved for the past decade).
Having volunteered in community gardens since the mid-2000s has also provided me with a fair amount of experience with helping green things to grow and thrive. With that said, Alex has incredibly green fingers and has been the chief designer and steadfast steward to our lush, productive garden for more than 24 years––and often serves as consultant (& hands-on helper) for nearby smallholdings, friends, and neighbours who aim to improve their own botanical growing situations. Thus, he may potentially be able to assist in areas which may prove far more challenging for my slightly more limited range of experience

If care of garden/trees/home is required, please send as detailed an outline as possible of your daily routine in relation to such. We are always eager to learn about new plants, trees, and also quite keen on permaculture and wild edibles!

When travelling longer distances, it is our preference to stay in places where it is possible for us to prepare our own food (raw/live/organic, 100% plant-based) & store produce/juices in a refrigerator. I (Kat) generally prefer baths over showers (mainly for therapeutic reasons), & we always clean up after ourselves rather meticulously.

We are both fully licenced drivers/car owners (Kat in the USA & Alex in the U.K.) who may also be happy to drive your car whilst caring for your home & companions. However, please do enquire in advance so that we may discuss logistics & sort matters such as insurance ahead of time.

Additionally, we neither smoke nor drink alcohol at any time, and also avoid use of anything potentially mind-altering or pharmaceutically derived. Thus, you can rest assured that we will be sober, present, alert and fully aware at all times when caring for your home and/or members of your extended family.

Somewhat related, we also aim to use natural (often homemade/handmade) methods for cleaning/personal care, and feel most comfortable in eco-friendly, non-smoking environments.

For more modest households who may often find it difficult to book sitters bearing preference to stay in "high tech" homes (offering use of "SMART" appliances/televisions, gaming consoles, Netflix, Alexa, Google Home/Nest, etc.)––we also aim to live somewhat modestly (& even "off-grid") in many respects and generally prefer to avoid certain types of technology.
As such, we will most happily consider "low tech" assignments first and above all.

Neither of us watches television, so access to such is unnecessary. Additionally, as raw foodists we are rather unlikely to use a hob, oven, or microwave at any time, for any reason.

Whilst we both use laptop computers (to which we often connect to wireless networks) for "administrative" aspects of our daily lives, we find it just as easy to set up via tethered connection.

In closing, I (Kat) have decided to create an addendum to this profile in response to some enquiries I have received from kind, respectful households who were initially concerned about whether or not I would be comfortable in situations where raw (meat) feeding is part of the daily routine. Yes, I am fully confident, comfortable, and a strong advocate of raw feeding––especially for felines!

Many thanks to you for reading and considering all of the above. =) Read more...