Animal Care & Support

You hold space for them, I’m here to hold space for you.

  • Talisman smiling hugging a yellow labrador retriever who is also smiling.

    Talisman is West Village-based proud cat mama to Count, a senior medical-needs foster fail, and a devoted doggo-auntie to many furry friends (she even has a hat to prove it!). As a volunteer with multiple rescues, she deeply understands the healing power of animals. Talisman has a knack for connecting with cuties of all shapes, sizes, textures, breeds, backgrounds, and personalities. And she applies the same principles of communication, boundaries, and consent to both her human and furry friend clients.

    Scroll down for testimonials. ✨

What I Offer

  • Transition Support: Positive reinforcement, resources, and feedback for the well-being, relationship, and growth of both you and your pet, with a focus on supporting new changes (i.e. new family additions, changing environments, health/medication shifts, etc.).

  • Walks: Solo/single household dog walks for undivided attention and tailored experiences. Basic behavioral adjustments and training is incorporated by default and coordinated/integrated into your established practices.

  • Feeds: Ensuring meal times are consistent and according to your instructions.

  • Snuggles and playtime: Providing affectionate care, positive reinforcement, and stimulation play, to keep your pet feeling loved, engaged, and secure.

  • Meds: Administering medications with care and precision as per your instructions, and offering you personalized guidance for confident medical care.

What to Expect

  • Virtual Updates: Regular sharing of photos, videos, and progress reports.

  • Safety & Engagement: Commitment to being fully present without distractions, that means no earbuds and phone calls.

  • Communication, Consent and Boundaries: For both you and your fur-babies.

  • Judgment Free Zone: Embracing your pet's quirks and unique personality traits.

  • Positive Reinforcement for both you and your pet: A consistent, patient, and loving approach with every interaction. There are no “bad” furry friends! We are all doing our best.

  • Additional Animal Care Resources: click here.

$45-$60 for 1 hour.

Scroll to learn more about my sliding scale pricing approach.

  • Greenwich Village, West Village, SoHo, Union Square, Chelsea, TriBeCa.

  • Solo doggo walks + adventures (please inquire directly for multiple-dog households).

  • Home visits, any number of animals (dogs, cats, bunnies etc.) include scritches, cuddles, playtime, feedings, medical needs, litter boxes, pets and chats. I do not do overnights or boarding at this time.

    Custom sessions available upon request. For guidance through family transitions, please consider my mentorship rates.

    I use the Green Bottle sliding scale method (by Alexis J. Cunningfolk) for my rates. I believe we all deserve consistent access to support. Please click here and/or check out the image below, to see where your circumstances have you fit in on the spectrum.

I donate 2% of my earnings to PupStarz Rescue and Little Wanderers NYC.

I’m deeply involved in the rescue/TNR community and volunteer with both organizations: working adoption events, fostering, operations, building community, photographing adoptable animals, website design (coming soon!), coordinating emergency rescues, adoption and foster coordiation.

Learn more about the organizations I volunteer with here.

Video ID: My Little Wanderers NYC rescue Count who was given two weeks to live in January ‘23 and is thriving! Home and safe furever. ❤️

Testimonials

  • Uni 🐶 & Cleo 😻

    Talisman is an absolute animal whisperer. She was able to train my puppy to follow by close lead while walking outside within a day. She has also watched my cat and even helped provide her with medication when she was diabetic (she's in remission now!). I can't recommend her enough. She is the epitome of kind, responsible, and communicative when petsitting. Anyone would be lucky to have her. — Laura Beachy

  • Lily

    Talisman is the only person I trust my dog with. She knows how to communicate with anxious dogs and comes up with super creative ways to engage, relax and play with them. She’s also very knowledgeable about animal health so I always know my dog is in safe hands. She loves animals so much—and they know it! — Ellen Guido

  • Bobby

    Tally loves your pet the way that you love your pet. She relates to animals the way she relates to people -- she's attentive, loving, always trying to understand how she can help and offering to do so. She's kind, active, organized and quickly adaptable to changing situations. I am sure Tally will give your pet the loving care and supervision that you do. She's the sort of person that you, and your pet, will be happy to count among your friends.

  • Loki

    Talisman cares for pets, plants, and homes as though they were her own. As a long-time pet owner herself, she knows what it means to be entrusted with the care of a beloved animal.

    I have known Talisman for many years and she's highly responsible, exceedingly compassionate, and completely trustworthy. She has taken care of my rabbit—rabbits are shy and delicate—and she took the time to get to know everything about him. I never have to worry when she's taking care of him.

    Talisman will do whatever it takes to keep your pet safe. If she needs to jump in a cab to get to the vet in the middle of the night, she will do it without hesitation. She genuinely loves animals (she's that person who pets every dog she sees) and will spend as much quality time with your pet as you would like her to (and probably more).

    Your pet will probably not miss you while Talisman is around. ; )

  • Pebble

    Talisman has a deep love of animals. She is passionate about caring for both Dogs and Cats. I personally have a 10 lbs terrier named Pebble, and Talisman is on a very short list of people I would trust to watch her with complete trust. I can assure you that your pet will be in the best of hands with her.

    Talisman has stayed at my home, and I have visited her home many times. She is a diligent housekeeper and has always kept an immaculately neat and tidy home. She has a refined attention to small details, and does an excellent job keeping up with regular home cleaning and maintenance.

    Overall you will not find a better more trustworthy caretaker for your property, and you can rest assured that Talisman will treat you pet with a kindness and compassion that few others will match. — Jason & Jes Stricker

  • Bob

    Tally is a very trusted and responsible house / cat sitter. She cares for the home as if it were her own and respects the wishes of the homeowners. She truly loves animals and is very attentive as may be needed. She is also an excellent communicator - clear and friendly. I would definitely request Tally’s help again in house / cat sitting in the future. — Evelyn Ramirez

  • Morty

    I’ve known Talisman for years. She is kind, considerate, thoughtful, generous, and empathetic. She is an excellent host, going out of her way to make her guests feel comfortable and welcome. She even offers slippers when it’s cold out! She has dog-sat for me on numerous occasions and my pup adores her. I would trust her with my home KNOWING that she would return it in better condition than when she arrived. She’s a rare and special human being. — Andrew Medlin