Cat Sitting, Dog Sitting, Pet Sitting, and Dog Walking Services

Lick and Purr is a pet minding (or sitting) and dog walking service based in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, NSW.

Lick and Purr Pet Minding Service logo images  from Clker.com (creative commons CC0 public domain dedication)

If you can't seem to find the time to walk your dog/s as much as you'd like -  I service around the Eastern suburbs, and the Inner West of Sydney. 

I am only too happy to take your dog/s out for a nice long walk around the neighbourhood, to a local dog park, or for a quick stroll around the area; whatever suits you.
I offer pet minding services and I will look after your cat or dog (and even mice, goldfish, birds, rabbits etc.) in their own home/s with the quality of care that only a pet-lover can provide.
​Have a look at the right hand side of this blog for more information on the services I offer, as well as my rates. Please note that my rates are negotiable, and I am happy to provide whatever service you require for your pet/s while you are away.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions! ebbyeryan@gmail.com or 0408 478 224
* I have completed a training course with Pet Sitters Australia (in 2014) and I have completed the Pet First Aid Training basics course as well as the the Pet/Animal Behaviour Basics component of the training.
I have learnt about policies and procedures, and have been trained on pet care, pet first aid, what to do in emergencies, and I have plenty of resources.
I have also taken a basic first-aid course for pets and will be continuing my studies (in animal behaviour and pet care).

Have a look at my Pinterest board for more information about my services as well as information on dogs, cats, and other pets http://www.pinterest.com/ebbye/lick-and-purr-pet-minding-service/

Find Lick and Purr Pet Minding Service on Facebok - and if there is anything else you need, please just ask! https://facebook.com/LickandPurr

Lick and Purr pet minding, pet sitting, and dog walking service

Lick and Purr is a pet minding (or sitting) and dog walking service based in the Eastern suburbs of Sydney, NSW.

If you can't seem to find the time to walk your dog/s as much as you'd like -  I service around the Eastern suburbs and the Inner West of Sydney. I am only too happy to take your dog/s out for a nice long walk around the neighbourhood, to a local dog park, or for a quick stroll around the area; whatever suits you.

I offer pet minding services and I will look after your cat or dog (and even mice, goldfish, birds, rabbits!) in their own home/s with the quality of care that only a pet-lover can provide.

​Have a look at the right hand side of this blog for more information on the services I offer, as well as my rates. Please note that my rates are negotiable, and I am happy to provide whatever service you require for your pet/s while you are away.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions! ebbyeryan@gmail.com or 0408 478 224

* I am currently undergoing training as a pet sitter, so I am learning all about pet care, pet CPR, animal behaviour and how to look after all types of pets very well - so I will have my certification soon.
 
Have a look at my Pinterest board for more information about Lick and Purr as well as information on dogs, cats, and other pets http://www.pinterest.com/ebbye/lick-and-purr-pet-minding-service/

Find lickandpurr on Facebook as well - and if there is anything else you need, please just ask! https://facebook.com/LickandPurr

Cats ... Can you speak their language?

From: http://www.naturalurbanpets.info/language-of-cats/

Dog Walking and Cat Sitting - Pet Minding Services

I love caring for your pets as much as you do!

Source: purrfectpetsitting

Dog Walking:

Every walk will last for at least 30 minutes (unless otherwise requested)
I provide one-off walks or regular bookings; during mornings and evenings (including weekends)
Pet Minding:
If you need someone to mind your pet/s while you are away; I will look after your pet/s for you.
I could visit twice a day, early morning and evening. I spend at least an hour and if you need additional drop-ins or care please let me know!
Services include pet care, food, walks (if needed) , play and cuddles.
(And any additional services such as flea treatment, baths and or medication)
My fees are per hour and are negotiable.
Any extra services needed while you are away including plant watering, mail collection etc. is an additional $5. Public Holiday 10% surcharge.
Cat Sitting:
Cat sitting, cat minding and visits while you are away.
If you are happy to leave your cat safely at home while you are away; I am happy to mind the cat (or cats) and provide services for your cat.
Services include spending a couple of hours each day with your cat, feeding him, her or them twice a day and providing any other additional services.
Dog sitting services same as above.
I service the Eastern Suburbs area of Sydney.
Please contact Elana on 0408 478 224 or email ebbyeryan@gmail.com

I am a pet lover and I have owned many pets including mice, fish, budgies, dogs and cats so I have experience with all types!
I have had a recent Police Check and am happy to provide references.

No More Fleas! Treatments for Cats

My cat is very furry! And he spends a lot of time outdoors exposing himself to all sorts of things.

I've had a lot of problems getting rid of fleas until I started using Fleas Off as well as using Advocate once a month.

Fleas Off is a natural flea way to control fleas. It contains sterile water, vinegar, garlic, citrus, and herbs. I add a teaspoon to his dry food every day to naturally prevent fleas from biting and laying their eggs.

Source: http://hubblesnaturalpetproducts.bigcartel.com/product/fleas-off-250-ml

Advocate not only treats parasite infections, but monthly treatment can help protect your cat against fleas, heartworm, gastrointestinal worms, lungworm and ear mites. 

Source: http://www.bayeranimal.com.au/default.aspx?Page=50&ItemId=3

Both are brilliant products to treat your cat against things that move in the grass! But you still have to check for ticks and parasites - and if you do find a tick - rush your pet to the vet immediately.

I've also used apple cider vinegar, which actually prevents the fleas from biting. While it doesn't prevent fleas, it does prevent biting (although it does smell very strong!) I actually dilute the apple cider vinegar in water and then cover his fur with a damp cloth - this usually lasts a few days. (And it is not a tried and tested method - it just stopped the constant biting!)

Have your pet checked at least once a year and if you see any problems, strange bites or marks, or if your pet is behaving strangely (drinking too much, scratching incessantly, not eating, showing any signs of distress or acting extremely cranky) - take your pet to the vet as soon as possible.

Adopt a Pet!

Here are reasons why you should adopt a pet rather than buying one - http://www.petrescue.com.au/why_adopt/

I adopted Khaya from a vet when he was 7 months old (he's now just over 2 years) and we both couldn't be happier!

There are many reasons why you should adopt a pet:

1. You are saving a life

2. You are giving an animal a forever home

3. You have their trust and respect for life (this will take time and you will have to earn it and ensure that you give him/her trust and respect in return)

4. There is no bond quite like a bond between a pet and an owner

5. Your pet will give you unconditional love (with the right treatment and care; once your pet has placed his/her trust in you and you have earned that trust - the bond can never be broken)

6. Having a pet is good for you.

7. If you adopt a pet; you have to commit to 10 - 15 years of your life with him/her - adopt wisely - be prepared for the commitment

8. I can think of a hundred more reasons - but this last one is, you don't realise how simple happiness until you have adopted a pet. Mine has added an incredible warmth and spirit to my life!

Source: Pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/19140367136149607/

Keep your dog cool this Summer!

with an ice lick!

Fill the bucket with water (you can use chicken broth, too) and some dog pets and treats 

It takes a day to freeze solid, this will keep your dog entertained throughout the day.

Another alternative is to freeze water (small toys and treats) into a Zoku quick pop maker (you can buy plastic popsicle (frozen ice treats) alternatives anywhere really) and make a whole lot of these treats for a dog to enjoy throughout the summer season!

Here's some recipes and suggestions (and lovely photo) from Southern Lace.

Social Petworking

Coming soon, a way to connect for anyone who loves their pet/s.


Friends Furever, where you can discuss everything about your pet/s and talk about your furry friend/s on a new website and forum.


This will be a great new site for pet lovers to post pictures, info, expertise and experience and meet like minded pet owners.


There are so many famous vets and pets online and it's a great network for people who feel socially isolated or need to discuss, illnesses, issues and animal behaviours.


If you need advise on pet behaviour or pet issues, just Google and find some great people who will offer you advise, resources and assistance for any of your furry friends.


It's a great way to meet, network, find and mingle with pet lovers.

Last year - this time today

Last year this time today, my cat of 8 years Hemingway was put down (or euthanised) because he had advanced lung cancer. People have asked me what it was like for me, to watch him and be with him when he died and I can assure you it was the most graceful and dignified course of action.

 It was very sad, very heart wrenching but there was an immense beauty. My vet was incredible and I stroked him and talked to him throughout. He knew and I knew that he was loved and treasured and I think he knew that my decision was out of love.

It was honestly very special, I was filled with gratitude and I am very grateful that I was with him. My views on this will never change, I promised to love him every single day until the day he died. And I did. I did not want him to die alone. For me, it was hard, I cried and sobbed and couldn't really control my grief, he knew he was loved and valued.

If you love your pet and have no choice other to do this, being with your pet the moment of his/her passing is an incredible gift for both of you. It is an act of certainty but also an act of grace.

There is  a guideline for this course of action: If there comes a time when you know that I am suffering please euthanise me. I trust that you will always make the right decision for me for I am the blood of your heart. Be with me - I want you to be my last vision.

There are still days when I accidentally call my now a year and a half cat Khaya, Hemingway and there are still many times that I compare Khaya's actions and behaviours to Hemmy's.

Khaya is a complete softie, he loves hugs and affection, he is truly an incredible little soul and he brings me great pleasure and joy. I promised myself my next cat would be nothing like Hemingway, so I could remember him fondly - but I do miss his crazy feral ways.

Somewhere (I hope) I will see him again.

Vale Hemingway, you are missed.

Tips to keep pets healthy and happy

Khaya is no longer a kitten, he is now 1 year and 3 months old.

I haven't written much on this blog, been busy concentrating on my business but thought I would give you some things I have learnt from my pets.

To keep a budgie happy and healthy - you can tell by the sounds that they make. If it is a whistling singing, chirpy sound, then that is a good sign:

Vary budgie food, I add milletts and budgie treats to her actual bowl of food to give her variety. She has a shell thing to chew on, to keep her beak healthy and it comes with vitamins.

Use the lice spray once a week on her (40 cm away) and on the cage. Their seeds attract lice.

Empty bowl of food everyday, they crack the seeds and leave what looks like a bowl full of food, but it is often just empty shells.

Budgies are desert birds and retain their water, change the bowl every day.

And clean cage once a week, the seed thing again, attracts lice and mice and germs.

Cat: How you can tell whether it is well and happy, no abrasions or wounds on skin, no dirt on skin/fur, they purr when they are comfortable and are not begging for food.

I do the same thing with Khaya, I vary his food. I try out different types of biscuits and wet food. He mainly gets dry biscuits apparently this helps with teeth maintenance.

I change his water once a day and provide him with cat grass. I also try to find food with vegetables, just to keep him healthy.

Clean cat litter once a week. Obviously by this I mean change completely, I clean cat litter all the time, but once a week, like with all my other pets, I clean tank, cage, cat litter etc

Khaya has a flea collar, he gets bathed every few weeks and because he has long hair he gets brushed and I use dry shampoo on him once a week. He doesn't mind.

And I play with him everyday, cats need the attention.

And the 3 fish, I clean out 25% of their tank a week, clean the tank's glass every few days, feed them twice a day, add plants so they can eat and it gives them variety.

I keep them happy by cleaning their tank, keeping the water clear (I use special salt and cleaning agents from Japan for this).

It sounds like a lot of work, but it isn't. They all get fed the same time every morning. Everything gets cleaned and cleared once a week. They all get attention every day of some kind.

I talk to the budgie and let her out when I can - the cat has tried to eat her. And Khaya the cat rules the house and gets away with every thing. The fish are the hardest, I am slowly learning how to keep them healthy and happy without over doing it.

Tell me your tips to have healthy and happy pets?

Kitten ...

I lost Hemingway on the 29 July after 8 years. He had advanced lung cancer and I was devastated to have him put down.

After all the vet bills, and seeing him slowly get thinner and thinner, I knew it was the right thing for him, but it didn't hurt any less and I still feel the loss of him every day. I got him when he was a tiny, feral baby and I loved him and all his crazy ways.

Vale Hemingway.

I got a 6 month old kitten 4 days later and my gosh, I have suddenly become a kitten trainer for my vampire kitten.

I had to force a collar with 2 bells and a tag on him, because he is going to be an outdoor cat and I have to make sure both he and the possums/ducks/ bush mice and sewer rats are all safe.

Then I decided to walk him around with a cat harness which he hates, hates, hates! That seems to be the only way because he is a bit wild and vampirish and  I think I have to be a bit protective.

He leaps and bites so I have to use a spray bottle on him. I only have to raise the spray bottle at him and he runs away, so that works! He hates the word no, every time I say the word no, his eyes go bright green and his ears go flat.

I do believe that it is not only about feeding a kitten, it is about raising a kitten.

Vampire and I bonded straight away but because he got abandoned and then rescued, he went a bit wild and unsettled and I am responsible for raising him, loving him and making him feel safe.

How do you raise your kitten?

Second visit to the vet ...

I went to Animals Doctors again to have my cat checked. I hate it when Hemingway is sick and strange and I had no idea what was wrong with him.

Now he is back on antibiotics and I have to rub paste on his upper lip.

After his visit to the vet; he has disappeared probably because after his ordeal at the vet; he has to recover.

Animal Doctors ...

This vet gets my highest recommendation.

I've had Hemingway for 8 years and it is like living with a wild tiger. He hates vets, hates them. He has embarassed me by hanging on to people's necks and hissing, scratching, hiding behind computers and he has managed to get thrown out of 1 vet and removed from vet care when I paid for him to stay there while I went away for a few days.

Not Animal Doctors. This vet has such a gentle way with animals and lets Hemingway take his time with him. Of course, I hardly ever take Hemmy to the vet, not for his yearly injections (I know, I feel awful) and not for anything unless I am convinced I have no choice.

I have an appointment on Monday so will have to lock the cat flap and shove Hemmy into his cat box. The cat box is out and open so Hemmy knows something is up and hopefully will not go as deranged and psycho like every other time; when I put him in it.

I think for me, having a good vet, is just as important as having a great doctor, endocrinologist and who ever else medically I need. I love people who love their jobs, who have a passion about their work and who have such a way with animals (or humans for that matter).

I am so glad that I went and got kicked out of quite a few vets (Hemmy attacked a vet and hung onto his neck, refused to get out of a box at another one, went psycho at another one and attacked two men at a grooming parlour) until I found the right one.

If you live in Sydney; take your pet/s to someone who not only has a great way with animals but also is amazing to the owners.

Pet friendly accommodation in Sydney ...

Want to take your pets ( I am assuming dogs) on holiday with you?

Have a look at these wonderful and pet friendly stays for you and your pets.

Farewell Toby, a complete Wonderdog

Dr Katrina Warren's 14 year old chocolate collie Toby died on Tuesday I think and he was quite a dog.



When I moved to Sydney I watched Dr Katrina and Dr Harry give vet advice to people on their programmes and Toby was always there, an absolute favourite pet and an intelligent dog.


I think with anyone who loses a pet; there is a great sense of loss. You build such a bond with your pet, especially over many years and Toby was so active on TV, in a book and a companion by Dr Katrina Warren's side.


RIP to a wonderful dog. I heard someone on Twitter console someone who lost a pet saying they leave footprints on your heart and I believe this is completely true.

Greeting ...

What have you trained your pet to do?


My cat, Hemingway knows how to greet and murmurs a soft and subtle greeting every time I walk in and out of a room he is lying in. I assume because I always greet him, say hello by his name when I come and go and he picked it up.


It is the sweetest sound, a very soft one syllable greeting and he does it to visitors as well.


He has also learnt what kiss is. And either rubs his head against my lips when I say kiss or bends his head down for a kiss.


I am not sure if this is acquired behaviour or some sort of conditioning, but he has been living with me for 8 years nearly and definitely has picked up some of my traits.


What does your pet do?

Seafaring cats

Here is a great post by the cat diaries about sea faring cats.

Do you believe that cats have magical powers?

Well they certainly kept the rats and mice away.

Sydney's favourite pet shops

Sydney has hundreds of pet shops, pet supply stores, pet accessories and even discount pet shops.

Which are your favourites? I like these two:

Mollycoddledpets

Oz Pet Shop

What kind of animals are you likely to meet in Sydney ...

I love knowing what kind of wildlife lives in Sydney.

I live above a gully so I have met ducks, butterflies, possums and sewer rats. The sewer rats are probably the most unpleasant rat I have ever seen. They are huge and nasty.

I have a kookaburra who comes to visit my courtyard and cat, ducks who visit the swimming pool and a huge collection of birds who scream outside the windows at dawn.

Do you know the wildlife in your area?

Here are some insects, bugs and other animals you may encounter.

Take your dog or cat on holiday ...

Ok, sometimes you need a pet sitter to look after your cat, dog, lizard or bird while you go on holiday for the weekend, month or whatever.

It's great to have someone pet sit and you don't have to worry about a thing.

But you also have the chance to take them with you. I'd say it's more likely that they'd accommodate dogs rather than cats because there is something about dogs. They tend to me more loyal in some ways and probably wouldn't run away.

I wouldn't dare take my cat with me on holiday. He'd flip out. But I have a friend who has a Burmese and he goes everywhere including on holidays with her. They've been on a train and camping and taken road trips, this is one unique cat. Do you know of cats so sedate and calm?

Here is a list of pet friendly accommodation. I am actually very impressed by this site, they have romantic, cheap and haunted options for Sydney stayz as well.

Take your dog or cat with you and enjoy!