Maisie

Hi, I'm currently looking for something to take up my free time as I have recently finished college. I would love to spend this free time looking after animals which can help build up my experience for a future career. I have experience with a range of different animals so I can offer pet sitting for animals other than dogs if needed. I have always had pets so I have had experience with the daily husbandry of a range of pets including fish, rabbits and cats and I currently have rats and a dog so I have current/ recent knowledge of dog husbandry.

I have recently gained a City & Guilds qualification in Level 3 Animal Management (Wildlife) from college, achieving a merit grade. This qualification has given me a lot of experience of and around animals. The theory modules involved a lot of coursework which developed my knowledge further on animals and these modules included health, husbandry (ie handling and feeding), welfare and anatomy. Alongside the theory lessons, there were practical lessons which were completed within the onsite wildlife park. These practical lessons involved a wide variety of animals from reptiles to small companion animals to more exotic species such as meerkats and raccoons. Theory lessons were mainly worked around companion animals like dogs and cats and a number of times in the health lessons there would be a dog brought in to help teach which would involve grooming and walking the dogs afterwards.

During my time at college I completed 330 hours of work experience. 180 hours were completed at a Pets at Home store in Leeds. This mainly consisted of stacking shelves and keeping the shop floor tidy and this meant cleaning the glass within the fish tanks and the animal enclosures. Occasionaly, if it hand't been done before I arrived I would get to feed the pets and to clean out the animals kept off the shop floor. Working here gave me the experience of the more customer side to the animal industry which gave me more confidence and skills of working around people. The other 150 hours were completed at Hope Pastures. This a charity stables based near Headingley which rescues and rehabilitates neglected equine species. My main roles here were to muck out the fields and the stables for the animals and depending on the number of volunteers that day I would groom at least one of the animals. Working here gave me skills and experience of working around equine species which I had never done before.

My services will include dog walking and pet sitting for any type of animal. If needed I can stay overnight to look after a pet if 24 hour care is needed and the walking and other needs is included in this price for all the animals that require the 24 hour care.