Masha

Hi, my name is Masha and animals are my biggest passion.

I grew up around animals and back in 2013 have joined Hunter Animal Rescue and have been a hands-on dog and cat carer since then. I have rescued, rehabilitated and rehomed 100+ animals so I know a lot about pets and their needs. I am very experienced in dog psychology after caring for dogs with severe anxiety, fear and aggression issues.

After struggling to find a reliable place to leave my own pets when I traveled, where they wouldn't be left alone in a kennel all day and night besides being let out for just 30 minutes to play with other (social?) dogs and where they wouldn't be left outside in the weather I've decided to offer that service to others in the same situation. In my care all animals are looked after as if they were my own, they get to socialise, play and run around all day long and at night they are inside the house safe and warm.

I have two elderly small dogs Frankie and Benji, who love to welcome new canine visitors and play with them (less of that now they aren't as energetic due to age). My husband James is also an animal lover and is helping me out. We also have a 2.5-year-old daughter, finally now she is old enough to understand that she needs to be gentle with animals. I had to pause pet sitting when she was born until I could trust her to not be rough with animals. She is extremely gentle with them now, but regardless she is always supervised.

All animals I care for I treat as my own (and I treat my own as my kids). During their stay, dogs go in and out during the day and stay inside away from the weather at night time. The yard is clean, completely fenced off and secure. The home environment is calm and free from pet toxins. I'm home all the time being a stay at home mum (besides taking my daughter to swim/dance/music lessons and playgroups sometimes).

The overnight stay fee includes 2 meals per day and administration of any necessary medications as well as numerous games during the day in a large yard to make sure the dog is entertained and watching TV on the couch with the family in the evening. The fee is charged on a 24-hour basis, so if you drop the dog off at 9 am, pick up needs to be before 9 am on the day of pickup.

Regular photo updates. Service is subject to dog-friendly dogs of small size only to make sure safety of all fur residents. No dogs with excessive barking to make sure my neighbours are comfortable.

If your dog/cat prefers to stay in their familiar home environment while you are away, I'm happy to come to your place and check on them, feed them (food to be provided), give them any required medication, change litter and play with them to make sure they are happy and aren't bored.

Photo updates each visit.

Service is subject to location (Cessnock and nearby suburbs only).

I'm Animal First Aid Trained and have experience with special needs animals.