Patricia L.

I grew up with cats, dogs, fish, small birds, gerbils, rabbits, mice, turtles, and snakes. When I was ten we bought a farm and started raising dairy goats, ducks, chickens, and bees. We started raising dairy goats professionally and when I was twelve we had a dairy with over 200 animals. We showed them at several fairs each year including the National Show for many years. During this time I learned to do various needed veterinary procedures (mostly on goats) such as obstetric, injections, vaccinating, tattooing, disbudding, dehorning, clipping, and hoof trimming. I am able to hand milk goats and cows and handle and groom horses. I have raised and trained dogs, ponies and horses. My family has always had special family dogs and cats, and we have had horses and ponies since 1973. I also have experience with tropical fish, small birds (mostly parakeets and cockatiels), hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, rats, rabbits, sheep, and cows.
I started house and farm sitting for my parents at 10, for others when I was 15. My own family currently has about 25 dairy goats, 6 chickens, 2 horses, 1 pony, 4 dogs, and 2 cats. I am very responsible! I am currently working part time as a substitute teacher and have my own family and animals, but I am available to farm and pet sit on weekdays with advance notice, as well as on evenings, weekends and holiday breaks, including overnight stays at your house. I also have several family members who are very experienced with animal care who can provide back-up assistance if needed, for your animals and home or for mine . I can care for animals in your home or at your farm and can provide boarding for caged or aquarium animals and possibly a cat or small dog at my house. I live in Brown County but I am regularly in the Bloomington area on an almost a daily basis. Rates start at those listed but will vary by difficulty of the assignment, miles away, type of animal(s), etc.