Shiran

Hey there pet-parent! My name is Shiran and I'm a friendly and caring pet-sitter and walker and general all-around animal lover! I'm super excited to work with your pet! You will find I'm exceptionally punctual, responsible, attentive, and polite. I have excellent communication skills and you'll have no trouble getting in contact with me. I know our pets are our families and I will take care of your pet with all the love I have as if they were my very own.

I'm a FULL-TIME PAWSHAKER so I'll be dedicating all my time to your furry/feathery/scaley friends and they'll never be lonely! Your pet will not be left alone and unattended for long stretches of time. All pets welcome indoors and on couch/bed for endless attention and affection.

MY BACKGROUND: I'm the daughter of a veterinary doctor so I grew up around animals of all types (especially common household pets) so I'm very familiar with how to keep your animal at its peak health and happiness. I have a degree in Molecular and Environmental Biology from the University of California, Berkeley and have spent the last four years of my academic career researching animal evolution, ecology, and biology. I have ample experience in animal care including pets, wild animals, and captive-bred animals. In the past I have cared for octopuses, sea slugs, dogs, cats, birds, hamsters, snakes, caimans, crabs, and even beetles! I'm comfortable with pet first aid and pets with all sorts of personalities. I consider myself to have a talent bringing out the best behavior in animals and always have a calming presence.

MY PLACE: I'm based in St Kilda and have a cozy open plan space with a small outdoor area and no other pets. The outdoor area is fully fenced and secured, and gates can be only opened with keys. I have air conditioning for warmer days. I live with my partner, and he is a also a trained biologist and complete animal lover! I live close to many excellent dog-walking spots including the beach, dog parks, the Catani Gardens, and the St Kilda Pier. I tend to host meet & greets here so you can get familiar with the space, but can do other locations too!

YOUR PET'S STAY: I strongly believe pets, especially dogs, should be engaged and entertained often to be happiest and healthiest. As such, I plan regular outdoor adventures for dogs staying with me including beach days, socializing at the dog park, picnics with homemade dog treats, exploring farmers markets, and catch competitions. Of course, there are lots of cuddles in between adventures! Here, your dog will have at least two hours of daily outdoor walk/play. If your dog has lessened mobility due to age or other reasons, they'll receive just as much engagement and attention but we'll cover shorter distances. Every pet has their own needs and I will always do my very best to make sure their needs are met!

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ME:

• Excellent and timely communication, with regular updates and pictures (can even do Skype/FaceTime if you're missing your pet a little extra when you're away!)
• Personalized care for your pet based on their likes and needs
• I use a step-tracking app on walks so you can even check up on how far your pup has walked each day! (on a typical I'll do 10k+ human steps)
• Plenty of outdoor time and regular exercise for your dogs
• Homemade treats for your pup (out of stock sometimes, and yes, I can share the recipe!)
• Attention, affection, and safety for your pet

SERVICES:

• Dog walking: 1hr min each to fun destinations like the beach and parks
• Home visits (1-2 per day): fill up food and water, bring in mail, water plants, play with your pet
• Home pet boarding (completely supervised): your pet stays overnight with me, includes 2 walks a day, lots of playtime and cuddles, treats, super flexible drop off and pick up times
• Pet day care: includes 2 walks a day, lots of playtime and cuddles, treats, super flexible drop off and pick up times
• House sitting

MORE ABOUT ME: I consider myself a dog person because I love long walks on the beach, chasing birds, playing games, cuddles, napping, and rewarding myself with tasty treats after finishing a task! I love spending time with animals and in my free time you can find me engaging in some sort of outdoor recreation like

hiking, SCUBA diving, snorkeling, taking photographs of wildlife, gardening, browsing produce stands at markets, or just soaking up sun rays! I also enjoy cooking, baking, and a quiet time in reading a book or watching a film with some hot tea.

Looking forward to hearing from you and cuddling your pets!