Hi! I'm Mara, originally from Canada but I've lived in Belgium for 8 years and in Gentbrugge for just over 3. My constant companion throughout has been Bowie, a sweet black shorthair cat named after the musical legend himself. 🖤

I have a background in animal welfare so caring for animals has been a big part of my life both personally and professionally. Cats are my specialty as I grew up with them and understand them well, but I also have experience with dogs, small animals, and birds.

Beyond my own cat, I've looked after the pets of family, neighbours, and friends over the years. I've also become a bit of a neighbourhood cat lady: several stray cats have passed through my backyard in Gentbrugge, and I'm happy to say I eventually got them all to a shelter where they were adopted. 

I pay close attention to behaviour, especially with nervous or shy cats. I'm always calm and patient, particularly on first visits, so your pet will feel safe and comfortable with me.

During each visit I'll take care of their food and water, cleaning the litterbox, medication if needed, and of course give them plenty of attention and playtime. 30 minutes isn't a lot of time, so I'm happy to stay a little longer if your pet needs it. I'm also glad to do some light grooming and water your plants (fellow plant mum here). Since I work from home as a freelancer, my schedule is generally flexible so I could pop by in the middle of the day if that works better for you, especially if timing medications is needed. 

I know how important it is to feel secure that your fur baby is in good hands, so I will always send daily updates with photos to show you how they are doing. 

I'm available in English and working on my Dutch, so Nederlandse eigenaars zijn ook welkom! When I'm not looking after animals, you'll find me dancing in my kitchen while I cook, working on a creative project, or out in nature. Feel free to reach out, I'd love to meet your pet!