I grew up on a farm in South Africa, where animals weren't a hobby, they were daily life like cows, horses, sheep, and pretty much every creature in between. That hands-on experience, paired with a lifetime of having my own pets (dogs, cats, birds, ducks, bunnies, guinea pigs, hamsters, and yes, a potbelly pig), means I'm genuinely comfortable around animals most sitters wouldn't know what to do with.

These days I'm based in Haarlem and offer drop-in visits and house-sitting for cats and other small pets. I don't take on dogs — I work a 7-to-5 and want to be honest about giving every animal the time they actually deserve. Better to do fewer species well than overcommit.

I have a car and bike, so I can reach you reliably whether you're in the city center or just outside it. If your pet needs basic medication administered, I'm happy to help. My farm background means that side of care doesn't faze me.

What to Expect:
Before your first booking I'll ask about your pet's routine, quirks, and any health needs so I'm not guessing when I arrive. Some cats want to be on your lap in five minutes. Others need ten visits before they'll acknowledge you exist. I work with both, always following their lead rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Each drop-in visit runs 30–45 minutes: fresh food and water, litter box, a quick health check, and quality time — play or calm company, depending on their mood that day. For house-sitting I keep as close to your pet's normal rhythm as possible, same feeding times, same routines, so the disruption to their world is minimal.

I stick to the schedule we agree on. What's booked is what happens. If something looks off during a visit like appetite, energy, behavior, I contact you straight away and can get to a vet if needed. I don't wait and hope.

Photo or video updates after each visit if you'd like them. And if you've got an unusual pet and you're not sure anyone else "gets it" — I probably do.