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Kat with Dogs

The Kat who takes care of dogs

Established 2019, serving the greater bay area

About Us

Hello and welcome to Pet Sitting by Kat!

I'm thrilled you've found your way here! As a lifelong animal lover, I turned my passion into a profession with 60+ clients by establishing my pet sitting business in 2019. Growing up surrounded by all kinds of animals has given me the experience and confidence to care for your beloved pets just like family.

From playful pups and curious cats to fascinating fish, slithering snakes, and beautiful birds – I've had the joy of caring for them all! I understand that your pets aren't just animals; they're cherished family members. That's why I treat every pet sitting assignment with the utmost care and attention.

I proudly serve the entire Greater Bay Area and Monterey County, including Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Francisco, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Monterey, Solano, and Sonoma counties. Whether you're in bustling San Francisco, peaceful Sonoma, Santa Cruz or scenic Monterey, I'm here to care for your pets in the comfort of their own home.

Whether you're planning a vacation, business trip, or just need regular pet care support, I'm here to ensure your 'pawfect' companions receive all the love and attention they deserve while you're away.

Have questions or want to learn more? Feel free to message me directly through this page. I can't wait to meet your furry (or scaly!) family members!

Our Team

Kat Wilkey - Founder & Owner

Kat is the heart and soul of Pet Sitting By Kat—a true dog-whisperer with an extraordinary connection to animals. Her deep intuition about animal wellness and exceptional care has built a reputation throughout the Bay Area. Kat forms almost supernatural bonds with her animal clients, who visibly light up when she arrives at their door.

With years of experience meticulously attending to homes and pets, Kat has instilled a core value in her team: always leave both house and pet in better condition than when you arrived. Her personalized approach includes engaging animals with brisk walks, interactive games like fetch and tug-of-war, scent work, and ensuring they get proper rest.

A proud UCSC alumna (Go Slugs!) and Boulder Creek native, Kat currently resides in Marin where she continues to grow her thriving pet care business.

Tim Handley - Associate Pet Care Provider

Tim has been part of Kat's trusted circle since they met at Boulder Creek Elementary. A genuine animal lover, Tim has a special rapport with all creatures—cats enjoy his company, but dogs seem to recognize a kindred spirit in him. His enthusiasm for play matches their own, as he chases balls with the same zeal that has made him a national tennis competitor.

Currently completing his computer science degree at the University of North Dakota, Tim balances his studies with roles as CEO of Calypso Monterey Bay (a climate change mitigation research project) and Modovolo, a UAV manufacturer. His innovative work includes developing a canine search and rescue platform using drones, bringing together his technological expertise and love for animals.

Beth Smiley - Sustainability & Pet Care Expert

As Kat's sister, Beth brings her unique background in Economic Empowerment, Environmental Sustainability, and Science and Technology to the team. Throughout her career, she has been accompanied by loyal canine and feline companions who have deepened her understanding of animal care and the human-animal bond.

Beth excels at comprehensive animal care—from feeding and grooming to exercise and maintaining clean, safe environments. Her natural athleticism makes her the perfect companion for active dogs who enjoy running and outdoor adventures. Beth's environmental awareness adds a thoughtful dimension to her pet care approach, ensuring practices that benefit both animals and the planet.

Sydney Costan - Athletic Trainer & Finance Specialist

Kat's daughter Sydney combines her Canisius University degree in Finance with her experience as a Division I softball player to bring a unique perspective to pet care. Her background in competitive athletics has given her valuable skills in teamwork, patience, and consistency that transfer seamlessly to animal training.

Sydney specializes in active engagement with pets, incorporating structured physical activities like fetch, obstacle courses, and scent work into their routines. Her additional passion for training police dogs and K-9 units has equipped her with advanced techniques for building effective working relationships between humans and animals.

Her dual expertise in finance and animal training makes Sydney "an essential part of the team," contributing both to the business operations and the excellent care that defines Pet Sitting By Kat.

Our Services

Testimonials

Kat was the trusted sitter for our dog, er… 4th child, Jamba, for years until his recent passing. Kat is a dog whisperer- they love her and she absolutely adores all dogs. Kat is very active and takes them for walks but she's also really great with dogs who don't like walks (and would prefer to just chill). She's attentive, knows how to give medicine, she talks to them- they are her friends! And she gets so much personal joy out of being with all different types of dogs that she just radiates happiness. I have referred them to many friends and will continue to do so.

Jenn Pfeiffer and Jamba, Greenbrae


Kat has been an incredible dog sitter for our dog, Coco, on many occasions. Coco runs to her with excitement when she sees her! Kat is kind, thoughtful, and responsible. She always makes sure to send us updates while we're away, which gives us such peace of mind. We know Coco is not only well cared for but also showered with love and attention. We highly recommend Kat!

Holly Welch and Coco, Greenbrae


Kat is great and very dependable. She takes Sugarboo on numerous walks during the day. My dog absolutely loves her and starts to whine when she hears her pull up. Also my house always looks better when I get home.

Lisa Navarro and Sugarboo, Tiburon


I have used Pet Sitting by Kat the last couple of times I had to travel for business. I have two cats that have some quirky behaviors that require extra care and some extra cleaning. When I returned, my house was cleaner than when I left it, my cats were healthy and happy, and I got regular texts with images of my kitties being happy. They even filled my 7-2 gallon water bottles, something I would never ask for. Many of the niceties I came home to showed great sensitivity to how I come home from business trips: Spent! A made bed with fresh sheets and a sparkling clean house helped me recharge my batteries. Consistently above and beyond the call of duty.

Julie J., Graybie and Pliskey, Watsonville


I feel so very comfortable when I leave my house and cats with Kat. We have two indoor/outdoor cats that typically are waiting to come in around dinner time, and one requires the administration of medicine that isn't easy to get the cat to eat. Kat had a method that made it easier and we quickly adopted it when we returned and that process has been much easier since her last sitting. Having someone with such extensive experience with animals ended up delivering many unexpected benefits. It is almost like she knows what the animals are thinking and what their needs are. Further, she kept us updated on how it all was going so we could vacation with peace of mind. When we got back, our clocks were set to the right time for perhaps the first time since the time-change and our house was cleaner than how we left it. Very professional yet exceedingly personal. We would emphatically recommend her services

Frank Turner, Max and Figgie, Capitola


I have known Kat for several years and she has been pet sitting for our three dogs since she first started her business. Kat is great with animals and our dogs love her (even our skittish and grouchy 17-year-old)! She is unfailingly reliable, punctual, and flexible, and she always leaves our house neat and clean. Whenever we're in a pinch or one of our dogs needs something specific, Kat is always happily willing to accommodate us. It gives us such peace of mind to know our dogs are so well-cared-for when we're out of town. Thank you Kat!

Michele Westhoff, Sammy, Mollie and Zoey, San Rafael

Pricing

Contact me: Kat@petsittingbykat.com

call me at 415 845 9757