My home-office setup - these units were heavy!
From Engineering to Exotic Pets
Growing up in San Francisco, I was surrounded by all kinds of pets in my home – rabbits, parrots, turtles, snakes, cats, dogs and even hens (who I lovingly named Flappy and Sweetie)! Even during high school, I couldn’t resist spending my lunch breaks hanging out with the adoptable cuties at local pet stores. Maybe that’s why finals week at UC Santa Cruz (where they brought in animals to de-stress students) was always a personal favorite; I loved snuggling up with the lovable bernese mountain dog giants.
I found myself working in a range of roles after college, from renewable energy to technical sales for major companies in the Bay Area. After a few years into my career, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I should be working in a different industry. That calling became very clear when I adopted my amazing pets: first Milo and Luca (guinea pigs!), then Coco and Kai (more guinea pigs!), and finally Chungus and Puppy Dog (not guinea pigs, but are my inseparable bunnies!).
Chungus (left) and Puppy Dog (right) snuggling together. They are always by each other’s sides!
House of Guineas: Born from a Passion for Pets
The first time I needed to leave home after adopting my adorable crew, panic set in. Finding someone to care for these little fluff balls, with their specific dietary needs and skittish personalities, felt like an impossible mission. It was overwhelming shifting through different sitters, many of whom only cared for cats and dogs. Thankfully, I found a caring sitter, but the worry lingered – were there enough experienced sitters familiar with exotic pets like mine? This experience opened my eyes to the challenges of finding reliable care for my unique companions.
One of my many photogenic pets (and who you see everywhere) Milo!
The occasional trip became a logistical hurdle – reliable and knowledgeable exotic pet sitters were scarce. This experience fueled my desire to create House of Guineas Pet Care: a professional, San Francisco pet care service offering specialized care for exotic pets, and peace of mind for both their owners and companions.
My Exotic Veterinary Background: Expertise You Can Trust
Place your trust in experienced, professional hands. I currently volunteer as a Medical Assistant at the House Rabbit Society in Richimond, California, where I vaccinate bunnies as well as support the onsite veterinarian with pre and post-operation surgeries.
I also worked as an Exotic Veterinary Assistant at the local Bay Area Bird and Exotics Hospital in San Francisco provided me with a comprehensive understanding of the specialized care exotic pets require. My professional experience at the veterinary hospital involved providing care for a wide variety of animals – from reptiles like snakes, bearded dragons and geckos, to birds such as African greys and budgies, and small mammals including rabbits (ask about the baby Flemish Giant!) and guinea pigs.
I’m proficient in essential skills learned in a clinical setting, including:
- Proficiency in administering medications (such as oral and topical) and treatments as prescribed by veterinarians
- Safe handling and species-specific care routines, along with gentle restraint techniques
- Detailed knowledge of normal vs. abnormal behaviors and subtle signs of illness across a wide range of exotic species
- Post-procedure monitoring and recovery support
This isn’t just pet sitting; it’s specialized care grounded in real-world veterinary experience. You can relax knowing your pet will receive attentive, knowledgeable, and compassionate care, informed by professional standards and a genuine understanding of their specific needs.
Animals I will happily care for:
Reptiles:
- Snakes
- Fat-tailed Geckos
- Leopard Geckos
- Bearded Dragons
- Chameleons
- Iguanas
- Large Tortoises (We often needed a scale for dogs to measure these guys!)
- Box Turtles
Amphibians:
- Newts
- Frogs
- Axolotls
Birds:
- Budgies (often interchanged with parakeets~)
- Finches
- Parrots
- Cockatoos
- African Greys
- Chickens
- Ducks
- Conures
Small Mammals:
- Hamsters
- Rats
- Guinea Pigs
- Rabbits (from Dwarf to Flemish Giants)
- Chinchillas
- Ferrets
Aquarium Buddies:
- Fish
- Eels
- Crabs
- Snails
- Shrimp
And many more!
Ready to create your perfect care plan? Get started with my in-home pet care services