Kattenoppas Elsdonk

Over: Hi! I’m Gözde, a physiotherapist and an experienced pet sitter and dog walker with over two years of regular professional pet-care experience. For most of the past two years, I worked through the DogGO platform in Turkey, where I completed more than 1,800 dog walks with an average rating of 4.9/5, as well as multiple pet-sitting bookings with a 5/5 average rating. Alongside the platform, I also built my own group of regular clients through recommendations and people I met along the way. Some of these pets became part of my weekly routine for a long time, which is one of the things I value most about this work. My connection with animals started long before I began doing this professionally. Since childhood, I have cared for many stray dogs and cats whenever I could — feeding them, helping with their basic care and making sure they were safe. Caring for animals in need has always been an important part of my life. I also share my own life with a Labrador Retriever and two cats, so I understand how much trust it takes to leave your pet in someone else’s care. For me, pet sitting is built on mutual trust between the owner, the sitter and the animal. When I look after a pet, I care for them with the same attention, patience and responsibility that I would give to my own. I offer dog walking, drop-in visits and house sitting. Depending on your pet’s normal routine, this can include walks, feeding, fresh water, playtime, companionship, basic pet-related cleaning and carefully following any specific care instructions you provide. I’m comfortable with dogs of different sizes and energy levels, including large and active dogs, as well as cats with very different personalities. My professional background as a physiotherapist has also taught me to be observant, patient, responsible and attentive to small changes in behaviour and movement. I always take each animal’s individual needs, comfort and routine seriously. I’m currently studying in Antwerp. For the next two months, most of my classes are on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 8:30 AM and 12:45 PM. Outside of those hours, I can arrange my availability quite flexibly for walks, drop-in visits and house sitting. As my university schedule changes, I will keep my availability updated accordingly. After two years of regular walks and pet sitting, I’ve learned that the nicest part of this work is when you stop feeling like “the sitter” and become a familiar and trusted person in that pet’s life. Over time, many of my regular clients and their pets have started to feel like one big extended family to me, and that is something I genuinely value. I’m currently studying in Antwerp and have a flexible weekly schedule, which allows me to fit pet care around my classes. I’m available on both weekdays and weekends, including for walks, drop-in visits and overnight stays. My availability is always kept up to date on my calendar. I always follow each pet’s usual routine and the owner’s instructions carefully. I take time to understand their personality, habits and needs before providing care. During walks, I prioritise safety and stay attentive to the pet and surroundings. In your home, I’m respectful of your space and make sure your pet feels comfortable and secure. I’m also happy to send regular photos and updates.

“Very kind, attentive, cats were in amazing hands”

Valeria O.

Over: My family started with just 1 dog, I loved playing with her, taking her for walks around the beach and even go on the sea for a quick freshen up during the hot summers. I got lucky to spend 17 years with her. Along the way, we also adopted a energetic kitty who at first, was super sweet, now she's not so fond of love and likes to take her naps far from us unless we can offer her the coolness of the fan or the heat of our blankets. That same year, another cat chose us as family (the one in the picture) and decided he would steal my heart forever. A few years later, a bird appeared on our house and we took care while we waited for someone to call for her which they never did, so we also have her. And two years ago, we rescued a kitty that had been abandoned in the street hence: family of 5 (even if one is resting in heaven now) My biggest memory as a teenager is taking care of my dogs and my cats (the bird is my sister's) and I'm used to having patience to learn the energy they have, what they like and to know their boundaries. Besides my own pets, I have since taken care several times of my friend's dogs while she was on a trip, staying at her house and keeping them company. I recently did the same thing for a friend in Antwerp, visiting her kitty so that she could get clean water, food and several hours of playtime. Besides all of that, my friend's pets always love me even when they usually run away from people. As of now, I'm currently still looking for a job to be able to stay in Antwerp but I thought this would be a good idea to get a little bit of income here and there. I am free every day at any time and I would adapt to whatever the family needs. At my house for the time being will not be possible as I share apartment. As to the owner's house, I would also adapt to whatever they need or would like from me. For instance, at the beginning of the month my friend went away for a week and asked me to take care of her cat. What I did was go twice a day for several hours, once in the morning to give her the daily food and once at night so she wouldn't feel so alone. During those hours I would check her litter, give her fresh water and always keep the curtains closed so she wouldn't have too much sun in the house and be warm. Of course, playing time was a must and we would play until she would take off to take another big nap.

Over: Ik heb ervaring met zowel katten als honden, zowel met mijn eigen huisdieren als met die van mijn buren. Ik zorg regelmatig voor katten, honden etc en ik vind het belangrijk dat elk dier zich veilig, comfortabel en geliefd voelt. Ik ben zorgzaam, geduldig en verantwoordelijk. Ik ben meestal flexibel beschikbaar en kan gemakkelijk mijn planning aanpassen wanneer dat nodig is. Ik vraag wel graag om dit op voorhand te laten weten, zodat ik voldoende tijd kan vrijmaken voor jouw huisdier. De veiligheid en het welzijn van jouw huisdier staan voor mij altijd op de eerste plaats. Ik volg graag de routines en instructies van de eigenaar en let goed op het gedrag en welzijn van het dier. Ik zorg voor een rustige, schone en veilige omgeving en houd je graag op de hoogte met foto’s en updates.