Hi! I'm Stella, a PhD student at the University of Melbourne and a lifelong animal lover. I grew up in a home full of pets—my family currently has three dogs—and caring for animals has always been a big part of my life.

What inspired me to join Pawshake was a lovely experience looking after two cats for almost a month. My PhD supervisor asked if I could help care for her friend's cats while they were overseas, and I absolutely loved it. Spending time with them reminded me how much I missed having animals around, and I realised I'd love to help other pet owners while spending time with animals again.

Over the years I've cared for dogs, cats, rabbits and pet rats. I've also regularly looked after a friend's pug who follows a strict diet and daily medication schedule, so I'm confident following detailed care instructions and adapting to each pet's individual needs. During a period of severe flooding, I also volunteered at an animal shelter, helping care for displaced animals and supporting their daily routines. That experience taught me the importance of patience and adapting my approach to help nervous or fearful animals feel safe and comfortable.

I'm happy to provide pet sitting, home visits, dog walking, feeding, playtime, litter tray or cage cleaning, and oral medication if needed. I'll carefully follow your instructions and keep your pet's routine as normal as possible. I also love sending regular photo and video updates, so you'll always know how your furry family member is doing.

If your pet is staying with me, they'll be in a safe environment. My apartment is secure, with all windows kept closed. The only windows I open are fitted with secure safety mesh, allowing fresh air while keeping curious pets safely indoors.

As a PhD student, my schedule is fairly consistent during the week. I usually work on campus between 9:00 am and 4:00 pm, so I can offer walks and care before I leave in the morning and again as soon as I'm home in the afternoon. My weekends are much more flexible, allowing me to dedicate even more time to longer walks, play sessions and plenty of companionship. If your pet has specific needs or benefits from extra company, I'm always happy to discuss my schedule before accepting a booking to make sure I'm the right fit.

I look forward to meeting you and your pets!