Animal Care & Support

Here for your pets, here for you.

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.

Rates

Service Areas

Greenwich Village, West Village, Meatpacking, Chelsea, and Upper West Side.

Offerings

Transition Support
Positive reinforcement, resources, and feedback for the well-being, relationship, and growth of both you and your pet. Focused on navigating new changes such as family additions, environmental shifts, or health and medication adjustments.

Dog Walks
Solo or single-household dog walks for undivided attention and tailored experiences. Basic behavioral adjustments and training are seamlessly integrated into your established practices.

In-Home Visits
Loving, detail-oriented care for all pets (dogs, cats, bunnies, and more), including:

  • Quality playtime and snuggles to keep pets engaged and secure

  • Meals served on schedule and as instructed

  • Medications administered with precision and care, along with personalized guidance for medical transitions

  • Litter care and household clean-up

Overnight Care & Boarding
Personalized, attentive care while you’re away, ensuring your pets feel comfortable and loved on a case-by-case basis.

Specialized Support Services
Expertise in:

  • Sensitive and reactive animals

  • Basic training and behavioral reinforcement

  • Helping families adjust to new pets

  • Compassionate senior pet care and medical transitions.

What to Expect

Virtual Updates
Regular photos, videos, and progress reports so you always feel connected.

Safety & Engagement
Fully present care without distractions—no earbuds, no phone calls, just undivided attention.

Communication, Consent & Boundaries
Respectful and open communication for both you and your pets.

Judgment-Free Zone
Embracing your pet’s quirks and unique personality traits with warmth and understanding.

Positive Reinforcement
A consistent, patient, and loving approach with every interaction. There are no “bad” furry friends—just a team doing its best!

Additional Resources
Find helpful animal care resources
here.

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Sliding Scale Rates

I believe we all deserve consistent access to support. I use the Green Bottle sliding scale method (by Alexis J. Cunningfolk) for my approach.

Please click here and/or check out the image below, for guidance on determining the appropriate rate based on how your financial and life circumstances.

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

Testimonials

  • Shadow

    I've been fortunate to experience Talisman's exceptional pet care services through my beloved companion Shadow, a spirited 70-pound rescue with a rich blend of Lab, Husky, Hound, and Shepherd heritage. Over the years, Talisman has become more than just a service provider – she's become an integral part of our family's support system, always ready to step in for everything from urgent walks to overnight stays.

    What truly sets Talisman apart is her remarkable ability to forge genuine connections with animals. Shadow's face lights up every time she arrives, knowing he's in for another amazing adventure, whether it's an invigorating walk through familiar neighborhoods or exciting off-leash explorations in new territories. Her calm, grounded presence creates a sense of security that both pets and their owners can feel instantly.

    As someone who deeply cares about their dog's wellbeing, I've been consistently impressed by Talisman's professional approach. Her communication is impeccable – she's always responsive, thoughtful, and follows care instructions with meticulous attention to detail. Yet she also brings creativity and insight to her work, offering wonderful ideas to enrich the time she spends with her four-legged clients.

    In my years of working with various pet care providers, I've never encountered someone with Talisman's unique gift for animal connection. Whether dealing with a tiny kitten or a large dog like Shadow, she demonstrates an innate understanding of each animal's individual needs and personality. Her patient, intuitive approach allows her to build trust with even the most challenging or timid pets.

    I can say without hesitation that leaving Shadow in Talisman's care gives me complete peace of mind. For anyone seeking exceptional pet care services, I couldn't recommend her more highly. Talisman brings a rare combination of professionalism, compassion, and genuine love for animals to everything she does – truly a guardian angel for our beloved pets. —KP Portelli

  • Walter

    ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5 stars)

    I can't recommend Talisman enough! When I adopted my rescue puppy, Walter, I was facing a lot of uncertainty—it's been years since I had a dog, and the transition was much more challenging than I anticipated. That’s where Talisman came in, and she became a total lifesaver.

    From the very start, Talisman was an incredible support system. She’s so much more than just a dog walker—she offered invaluable training, advice, and encouragement. She helped reinforce key commands and behaviors that are essential for city living, which made a huge difference in Walter’s development.

    There were moments where I felt frustrated or unsure, and Talisman’s guidance gave me the confidence I needed to push through. She made me feel like I was a good dog parent, even during tough times, and I truly believe that’s why my relationship with Walter is so strong today.

    I think every new dog owner could benefit from having someone like Talisman by their side, especially in those crucial first months of training. Walter is the well-behaved, happy pup he is today thanks to Talisman’s expertise and unwavering support. Weather it’s walks or housesitting, she has truly been a game changer! —Jackie DeHoney

  • 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. —Meg Reilly

  • 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. ; ) —Morgan Avery

  • 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

Shadow has the all-star wiggles. 🤓