nice to meet you

Hi, I'm Charlie.

I'm the person your dog is thrilled to see and your cat pretends not to notice (until the third visit, when suddenly we're best friends).

Animals have been the constant thread through my whole life. What started as looking after friends' and neighbours' pets grew into something I couldn't imagine not doing, because honestly, there's no better job than making sure someone's best friend has a great day.

I'm based in SW Calgary near Chinook Centre, and I keep my client list small on purpose: every pet gets my full attention, and every family gets someone they actually know, not a rotating roster of strangers.

The paperwork backs it up: a pet nutrition certificate from UC Davis, animal care training, and volunteer hours with a cat rescue. The official bits, below.

Charlie sitting cross-legged on a cat cafe floor, laughing while petting a tuxedo cat

me, at a cat cafe, exactly as happy as I look

the official bits

Trained, certified, and rescue-tested

And before any of it: a lifetime with animals of every kind, which is the part no certificate covers.

Pet Nutrition Certificate

UC Davis

Special diets, portions, and picky eaters handled properly, and I'll notice early if something isn't sitting right.

Animal Care Aide coursework

Handling, daily care, and health basics

Safe handling, medication routines, and knowing what's normal for an animal and what isn't.

Volunteered with a TNR cat rescue

Trap, neuter, return

Rescue cats are the shyest cats there are. After them, your wary one and I will get along just fine.

how I care

The way I'd want it done for my own

A proper hello first

Before an overnight we always meet first, at your place; for walks and drop-ins a free meet & greet is yours for the asking. Your pet sets the pace; I just bring the patience (and, with your okay, the treats).

Your routine, not mine

Pets are happiest when their world stays predictable. Meals, walks, meds, bedtime rituals: everything happens the way you'd do it yourself.

Photos, always

You'll never text "how's everything going?" into the void. Updates come to you first, every visit, every time.

Gentle with the shy ones

Nervous rescues, wary cats, seniors who take a while to warm up. Some of my favourite pals took three visits to say hello. Worth it, every time.

the whole menagerie

Every kind of friend

Dogs and cats are my regulars, and reptiles and aquatic pets are very welcome too. I've never met an animal I didn't want to befriend. A few from over the years:

Charlie cradling a brown hen in her arms in front of a weathered barn — yes, chickens count

Charlie smiling with a brown pet rat sitting on her shoulder — small friends welcome

Charlie kneeling on a sunny lawn behind two happy dogs, a senior black and tan mix and a Bernese mountain dog — sunny day, good boys

Charlie on a sunny patio holding a small yellow duckling — tiny, fluffy, very loud

Leopard gecko standing on a mesh surface beside a terracotta dish — the reptile department

the important stuff

A few things about me

Team both: cats AND dogsFluent in tail wagsProfessional treat dispenserScales & fins welcomeWill win over your cat (eventually)

Not taking new clients right now

My hands are full at the moment, so I'm not booking walks, drop-ins, or overnights. Thank you for thinking of me, genuinely. The photos are staying up, and when that changes I'll say so right here.

Still want to say hello? Write to hello@petcarebycharlie.com, or read the whole note.

thank you for understanding, Charlie