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I'm an older retired solo traveler, author and working on a sequel about travel and will dedicate much of it to cat and housesitting! I lived in Italy until a little bit ago when I gave up my apartment to cat​/​housesit full-time; prior to that, I left the US at 44 years old with nothing and a one-way ticket planning to recapture the years I had lived in Rome as a teenager. After landing and over the next 25 years, I lived solo in nine countries (and usually at least two cities within each country) to try to satisfy my curiosity about all the cultures of the world. ! I built and ran a kitten rescue shelter during lockdown in Morocco, and have had cats all my life. I've cat-sat (even sometimes in a hat!) for many friends over the years (have many references) -- hand-in-paw with gorgeous cats, late last year and early this one, I spent a month building kitty snow angels in Germany, yodeled for a couple weeks in Switzerland; tiptoed through the tulips outside of Amsterdam for a few weeks, yodeled some more with some Swiss, am getting ready to look at leiderhosen in Bavaria (can't think of anything for that one LOL), will find out if the black forest is really black, then quality-check Belgian waffles and chocolate in November, and finally will try to not get swept off the windswept cliffs in Ireland in December. I can't wait to add more to this list! I can't think of a more wonderful way to spend my days 🙂 I have so much more I could say about animals and traveling and taking care of people homes and pets...after having lived in so many countries (and usually at least two cities within each country so that I can get a true, real feel for life and culture in various places), housesitting is a better way for me to achieve this goal (and of finishing a book sequel!) rather than picking up and moving to a new country for a year or two. With this life I've lived for the past over 25 years, it isn't one that is fair to any animal, and so I've had to do without having a purring snuggle partner! So I take care of others, and if I housesit instead, then you usually find me helping out a shelter or feeding strays. It's important to note that I have no car and let my driver's license lapse years ago after moving back to the EU. As an older adult female, trust and care for other people's animals and homes and belongings isn't even a question for me -- I take care of others as I do my own. That's how I was raised, and that's the credo I believe in and live by. (I will be uploading more references as this year goes by, as I have five more set up through the first of January!)

Job Title

    House/cat sitter and traveler

Pet Care Experience

    Cats

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    Experienced Petsitter

References and Reviews

    Constanza Burgos

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    I am coming here with a positive story to share, being my first time doing this exchange with someone I didn't previously know. I went on vacation to my home country for 5 weeks and the lovely Maria Vano stayed at my place with my dear kitty Berni. She took great care of both my cat and my apartment, sending me updates everyday and making sure my furry daughter receives all the cuddles I couldn't give her during my absence. She left the place clean, my kitty was happy and healthy and even left me a really nice goodbye gift for me: the book she wrote about her stories traveling. Thanks again, Maria! Without your support I couldn't have had the great time off Berlin with my family in my home country. So, do not hesitate in contacting her in case you need help to stay with your furry companions. She is located in Europe, more specifically in Italy!

    Lynda Albertson

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    It is with great enthusiasm that I recommend Maria Vano as a responsible and attentive pet sitter. I have had the pleasure of knowing Maria for years, and during that time, she has consistently demonstrated reliability, kindness, and a genuine love for animals. These qualities were evident once again when she recently house-sat for me for an extensive period and cared for my two cats, Che and Amedeo. Maria’s care for Che and Amedeo was exceptional. She meticulously followed all the care instructions, ensuring that Che, who has a food allergy and requires extra attention for his skin, was fed properly and kept comfortable. She also catered to his personality as a talkative, affectionate cat. Amedeo, who is more skittish, warmed up to Maria surprisingly quickly, and their bond was a testament to her patience and understanding of animal behavior. Maria managed to balance their very different personalities beautifully, creating a happy and calm environment for both. Throughout her time watching over my home, Maria kept me updated with thoughtful messages and photos, providing great peace of mind. When I returned, I found my home in excellent condition, and to my delight, she even mailed us two enrichment gifts for Che and Amedeo, a gesture that reflected her thoughtfulness and genuine care for their well-being. Maria’s dependability and deep empathy for animals make her an outstanding choice for anyone seeking a pet sitter. Knowing her as I do, I can say with confidence that she will care for your pets and home with the utmost dedication and professionalism. I would not hesitate to entrust her with my home and pets again in the future.

    Erhouni Salwa, Veterinarian

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    I had the pleasure of working with Maria during my time as a veterinarian for her animal shelter in Morocco. We collaborated over an extended period, and I witnessed firsthand her unwavering dedication to the animals in her care. Maria affectionately referred to them as her "little babies," which speaks volumes about the way she views and cares for animals. She went above and beyond to ensure the well-being of her kittens, handling everything from feeding to administering home treatments, and covering all expenses herself-including surgeries and complex medical treatments. Maria was also deeply committed to finding safe, loving homes for these animals, often prioritizing their needs above her own. To the community, she was known as a guardian angel for stray animals, especially cats and dogs. People from all over The Cité Portugaise sought her help, recognizing her tireless efforts and genuine passion for animal welfare. It's hard to put into words the level of compassion Maria has for animals. In every way, she is an exceptional caretaker, and I have no doubt she will be a fantastic pet sitter. Erhouni Salwa

    Zaneta Olszak

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    A host review from my 🐱🐱🐱 for anyone that needs a reliable catsitter in the future: Having Maria Vano as a petsitter was an absolute pleasure! From the start, she was warm, communicative, and clearly experienced with cats. She was commited to come and take care of them while working from home. It was great knowing my three boys were in such caring hands—judging by how quickly they bonded with her, they seemed to agree! She kept everything running smoothly while I was away, and I appreciated the balance of staying in touch without overdoing it, making it easy for me to enjoy my time away stress-free. I came home to happy, well-cuddled cats and a perfectly cared-for home. I’d gladly recommend her to anyone looking for a kind, responsible, and attentive sitter!— in Switzerland.

References and Reviews

    Details

    • GenderFemale - She/her
    • Age60-69

    What kind of places do you like to visit when you housesit

    • Beach
    • City or Town
    • Countryside
    • Mountains

    Need easy access to public transport

    • Yes
    • No

    Desired Locations

    • Anywhere in the world
    • Africa
    • Asia
    • Australasia
    • Europe
    • N America
    • S America
    • Afghanistan
    • Albania
    • Algeria
    • Andorra
    • Angola
    • Antigua and Barbuda
    • Argentina
    • Armenia
    • Australia
    • Austria
    • Azerbaijan
    • Bahamas
    • Bahrain
    • Bangladesh
    • Barbados
    • Belarus
    • Belgium
    • Belize
    • Benin
    • Bhutan
    • Bolivia
    • Bosnia and Herzegovina
    • Botswana
    • Brazil
    • Brunei
    • Bulgaria
    • Burkina Faso
    • Burundi
    • Cabo Verde
    • Cambodia
    • Cameroon
    • Canada
    • Central African Republic
    • Chad
    • Chile
    • China
    • Colombia
    • Comoros
    • Congo
    • Costa Rica
    • Croatia
    • Cuba
    • Cyprus
    • Czech Republic
    • Denmark
    • Djibouti
    • Dominica
    • Dominican Republic
    • Ecuador
    • Egypt
    • El Salvador
    • Equatorial Guinea
    • Eritrea
    • Estonia
    • Eswatini
    • Ethiopia
    • Fiji
    • Finland
    • France
    • Gabon
    • Gambia
    • Georgia
    • Germany
    • Ghana
    • Greece
    • Grenada
    • Guatemala
    • Guinea
    • Guinea-Bissau
    • Guyana
    • Haiti
    • Honduras
    • Hungary
    • Iceland
    • India
    • Indonesia
    • Iran
    • Iraq
    • Ireland
    • Israel
    • Italy
    • Jamaica
    • Japan
    • Jordan
    • Kazakhstan
    • Kenya
    • Kiribati
    • Kosovo
    • Kuwait
    • Kyrgyzstan
    • Laos
    • Latvia
    • Lebanon
    • Lesotho
    • Liberia
    • Libya
    • Liechtenstein
    • Lithuania
    • Luxembourg
    • Madagascar
    • Malawi
    • Malaysia
    • Maldives
    • Mali
    • Malta
    • Marshall Islands
    • Mauritania
    • Mauritius
    • Mexico
    • Micronesia
    • Moldova
    • Monaco
    • Mongolia
    • Montenegro
    • Morocco
    • Mozambique
    • Myanmar
    • Namibia
    • Nauru
    • Nepal
    • Netherlands
    • New Zealand
    • Nicaragua
    • Niger
    • Nigeria
    • North Korea
    • North Macedonia
    • Norway
    • Oman
    • Pakistan
    • Palau
    • Palestine
    • Panama
    • Papua New Guinea
    • Paraguay
    • Peru
    • Philippines
    • Poland
    • Portugal
    • Qatar
    • Romania
    • Russia
    • Rwanda
    • Saint Kitts and Nevis
    • Saint Lucia
    • Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
    • Samoa
    • San Marino
    • Sao Tome and Principe
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Senegal
    • Serbia
    • Seychelles
    • Sierra Leone
    • Singapore
    • Slovakia
    • Slovenia
    • Solomon Islands
    • Somalia
    • South Africa
    • South Korea
    • South Sudan
    • Spain
    • Sri Lanka
    • Sudan
    • Suriname
    • Sweden
    • Switzerland
    • Syria
    • Taiwan
    • Tajikistan
    • Tanzania
    • Thailand
    • Timor-Leste
    • Togo
    • Tonga
    • Trinidad and Tobago
    • Tunisia
    • Turkey
    • Turkmenistan
    • Tuvalu
    • Uganda
    • Ukraine
    • United Arab Emirates
    • United Kingdom
    • United States
    • Uruguay
    • Uzbekistan
    • Vanuatu
    • Vatican City
    • Venezuela
    • Vietnam
    • Yemen
    • Zambia
    • Zimbabwe

    Property maintanance experience

    • DIY
    • Light gardening
    • Lawn care
    • Vegetable patch
    • Hedge management
    • Experienced gardener
    • Pool maintenance
    • Small holding
    • Farm
    • Large estate

    Video call to get to know the owners

    • Yes
    • No

    Reviews (0)