Pet sitter with 10+ years experience

My name is Sam, I have been running Starks and Barks for over 10 years. I am half French and half British and grew up in France just over the border from Geneva, Switzerland where I went to school. I graduated from the International School of Geneva in 2003 and came to the UK for my university studies. I graduated from Winchester university with a BA in education and theatre and went on to do an MA in international communications. ​ Following my MA, joined TT Games Publishing as a QA and French Localisation tester (2008-2011). Sadly my company moved the QA department out of the area and I was unable to move so I accepted the redundancy package offered. I then moved to Microsoft Reading (2012-2012) to do testing for them and as they only work on short term contracts once my project was over I was out of a job so I volunteered with Cats Protection and a local dog rescue. Through CP I got employed with a company providing pet taxi for clients as well as animal transport from the local vet to the overnight hospital. I realised very quickly that although the work was a bit unpredictable, I loved it and wanted to do it full time. I set up Starks and Barks offering dog walking and pet sitting to the local area. ​ In 2009 my husband and I adopted Alfie (black cat in profile photo) from Cats Protection, he was only 3 months old and had been dumped in someone's garden and left to starve. I met Honey in 2015 at the vet while waiting for my overnight cat transport to be ready. She had been signed over to Cats Protection as she was not always using the litter and her owners couldn't afford to investigate what was wrong. CP struggled to find someone to foster her so my husband and I agreed to foster her long term. Sadly after 6 years with us she passed away in June 2021 from cancer. She was well loved and had a wonderful retirement with us. In 2022, we agreed to foster a client’s cat as they were going away for a year, unfortunately, when they got back they decided to move out of Reading and the country so we formally adopted Tigger in January 2024. He has settled in nicely and loves sleeping in my eldest’s bed. ​ In 2016 we welcomed my son who has joined me (until 2020/2021 due to school) on every dog walk and pet sitting job. All my cats and dogs love spending time with him and he is learnt how to look after animals so he may occasionally join on some pet visits. In 2023 we welcomed our second son who, like his older brother, has joined on cat visits and dog walks and has shown great interest in Alfie.

I understand how difficult it is to leave pets and go on holidays, I used to leave Alfie and Honey at a cattery when we left but after two stays, they made it clear they hated it so I would book my fellow pet sitters to come and look after them for me.

I offer pet sitting in your own home, once or twice a day depending on your pet’s needs.

I am always up for snuggles and giving treats, I make sure to keep my cat clients entertained when they’re alone by hiding treats around the house for them to find.

I can also give medication such as metacam and pills but also able to give insulin injections to diabetic cats and, if really needed, I can give IV fluids.