Animals have always been part of my life.

I’m an Italian living in Leiden, and caring for animals has been one of the biggest parts of who I am for as long as I can remember.

I grew up surrounded by dogs, cats, horses, and pretty much any animal that crossed my path. My very first dog, a medium-sized Border Collie mix, came into my life when I was only two years old. We quite literally grew up together. Some of my happiest childhood memories are with him: playing in the garden, going on long walks, learning about trust, loyalty, and unconditional love long before I even realised it.

When he passed away, the emptiness was heartbreaking. My family and I couldn’t imagine our home without a dog for very long, so in 2020 Spritz joined our family. He’s a large, incredibly strong dog with a wonderful personality and endless energy. Since he was a puppy, I’ve been deeply involved in his care and education, teaching him his basic commands, taking him on daily walks, playing with him, and making sure he grew up feeling loved, safe, and happy. Watching him grow has been one of the greatest joys of my life.

That same year, my brother, who has now been living in the Netherlands for over seven years, adopted two beautiful Bengal cats together with his wife. Anyone who knows the breed knows they are far from “easy” cats. They are incredibly intelligent, energetic, curious, and need constant stimulation and attention. On several occasions, whenever my brother and his wife travelled, I stayed at their home for two weeks or more, taking care not only of the cats but of the entire house as if it were my own. Feeding them, playing with them, keeping them entertained, respecting their routines, and making sure they felt safe quickly became second nature to me.

Unfortunately, after moving to the Netherlands myself almost two years ago, I don’t get to see Spritz nearly as often as I’d like. I miss having him around every day, and that’s where my passion for pet sitting comes from. Being able to spend time with animals again, even if they’re not technically mine, is something that genuinely makes me happy. It doesn’t feel like a job to me. It feels like spending time doing something I truly love.

Over the past few years I’ve also regularly looked after my partner’s Labrador, a lovely, affectionate girl who, like most Labradors, is incredibly cuddly, playful, and always ready to see if there’s something she can sneak into her mouth! Looking after dogs with completely different personalities, sizes, and energy levels has taught me that every pet is unique and deserves care that’s tailored specifically to them.

Whether it’s my aunt’s tiny Chihuahua, my brother’s Bengal cats, my partner’s Labrador, my energetic Spritz, or your own pet, I genuinely enjoy getting to know each animal’s personality and building their trust.

When you leave your pet with me, you can expect much more than someone who simply feeds them or takes them for a walk. I will treat them with the same patience, affection, responsibility, and attention that I give my own animals. I know how difficult it can be to leave a beloved pet in someone else’s hands, so I’ll always make sure you receive regular updates, photos, and messages, giving you complete peace of mind while you’re away.

What I offer:

• Dog walking tailored to your dog’s age, energy level, and routine.
• Home visits including feeding, fresh water, playtime, cuddles, litter cleaning, and companionship.
• House sitting, ensuring both your pets and your home are looked after with the utmost care.
• Experience with small and large dogs, strong breeds, puppies, senior dogs, and cats.
• Following your pet’s usual routine, reinforcing basic commands if desired, administering oral medication when needed, and adapting my care to any special requirements.

I’m based in Leiden and I’m happy to care for pets in the surrounding area. My goal is simple: to make sure your pet feels safe, relaxed, loved, and cared for while you’re away, so that you can leave home knowing they’re in trusted hands.