Welcome pet parents, critter, & nature admirers!

Howdy! Welcome to: THE CRITTER SITTER, CRITTER CORNER STORE, & MOUNTAIN ADVENTURES: TRAIL EXPLORATION GUIDE SERVICE. Salinas pet sitter specializing in Cats, Horses, & Livestock and critter/ country/ western themed gifts/ collectibles, books, DVDs, CDs & custom PC desktop screensavers & more. To navigate through this web site, just click the links at far left column. If you like to explore mountain trails, nature, observe wildlife & enjoy breathtaking views, I offer a guide service- just click on that tab. ENJOY!

Are you looking for an experienced, professional, & affordable pet sitter who treasures pets?

Not able to go places because you worry about your pets well being when you're gone?

Don't want your pet to endure the discomfort of a tiny kennel cage or lack of human contact & playtime?

Your wait is over! This ranch-raised gal showers pets in gentle, loving care in the comfort & safety of the familiar surroundings of your home or bring your kitty here to enjoy my extra large outdoor cat playhouse (see the Kitty Condo Playhouse tab at left column for more info).

I am passionate about kitty cats and horses and enjoy being around livestock like chickens, sheep, and cattle. No dogs please.

I have the benefit of a lifetime of pet care experience, offering competitive, reasonable rates with special discounts. Besides feeding & keeping litter/ bedding area clean & fresh water for your pet(s), price includes: grooming, cuddling, exercising & if needed, giving oral meds. Also part of your visit includes information sheets I created drawing off knowledge I've acquired owning cats all my life and books I've read. Here's what you get: cat &/or horse care tips, cat age conversion chart, illness symptoms/health care, and how to teach your cat to wear a collar and walk on a leash.

2009 Pet Sitting Rates:

Look! Nice & low prices!
These rates are for if I come to your home to care for your pet(s):

*$12 FOR 1 VISIT PER DAY/*$20 FOR 2 VISITS PER DAY
DISCOUNT OFFERED IF 3 or MORE DAYS:
*$10 FOR 1 VISIT PER DAY/ *$18 FOR 2 VISITS PER DAY
*In addition, actual round-trip direct route mileage cost will be added @ .55 cents/mile to cover cost of gasoline.

For information on payments accepted, please click on the Payment & Contact tab at far left column.

FREE surprises gift-wrapped for your pet(s) & you provided for
new customers on your first visit.

Here's more special offers: Once you've used my pet sitting service 3 different times within a year, you can choose any item listed on this web site that's $10 or less and it gets even more fun, once you've used my service 5 or more different times within a year, pick out anything $20 or less! Don't see anything you'd like in those price ranges, I'll take either the $10 or $20 off another item you'd like to purchase.

I am listed in the Yellow Pages book, Yellow Pages Online & on Animal Friends Rescue Project (AFRP) web site.

Want to know a little about me before our meet & greet? See a brief bio below...

I established this business in 1997 as a means to support myself when I retire down the road from my present job at the County as I couldn't think of anything else I'd enjoy doing more than being around critters and people who also love such amazing treasures who enlighten our lives.

I'm 100% cowgirl, was raised on a ranch & ran a Suffolk sheep breeding outfit in my early teens selling the lambs to fellow 4H'ers. I've adored and cared for critters all my life, including chickens, horses, rabbits, geese, ducks, & sheep. As a little girl, my playtime was always with the pets we had on the ranch. I used to treat our adorable tiny red Bantam rooster, Bambi, as my baby & would push him all over the acreage in a baby carriage! We had over 100 chickens & all had names & were my pets. I also have never been without a cat in my life & one of the most memorable was this tortie calico cat that had one leg colored like an orange Tabby and spots all over her face so I named her Freckles. Freckles was a very special cat as she would go hiking with me! When she'd get tired, I'd carry her but she loved the adventures we got into together! I've had the honor and pleasure of being the parent to many horses & kitty cats- most cats of which I adopted from shelters. I've been riding horses since I was a little girl. We used to have this 17 hand high Idaho plow horse & one day, age 4 or 5, I'd climbed up on his back by using the fence rail & was trotting along in the field on him, no bridle & giggling my head off- it was love from then on for all horses. My first horse was a Mustang & he was mean & ornery & threw me off every chance he got but I'd climb right back on & it was this determination that earned me a brand new saddle & a good Quarter Horse of which I was able to teach in no time to be ridden with no bridle at all.  I'd ride from sunup to sundown & he was my best friend. I have competed in polo, dressage, western pleasure, stadium & cross country jumping, halter class & participate at cattle drives.

I take immaculate care of my pet family and customers pets. I love doing fun things with my cats, engaging their whimsy. They are all trained to walk on leashes so they get to enjoy the pleasures of the great outdoors while in the safety of my watchful eye and for the holidays, I always do special things for them, like for Easter, I hide tiny pieces of roast chicken on tin foil & watch them with delight as they run around the yard trying to find them all!

I am an active member of the following organizations: First Presbyterian Church, Salinas, World Wildlife Fund (WWF), National Wildlife Federation (NWF), ASPCA, the American Indian College Fund, National Geographic Society & donate to www.theanimalrescuesite.com, Good Will and Salvation Army. Every winter, I donate to local County, City and SPCA shelters food and blankets to ensure the cats are fed and warm until adopted.

Another side business I have is being a mountain hiking guide at Toro Regional Park.   I sell pictures I’ve taken of all the trails at this park & other parks I hike on my web site as a PC desktop screensaver. The scenery is breathtaking up there. Just click the Hiking Guide Service tab at the left column to find out more.

Thank you so much for your visit & I look forward to meeting your pet family & have the pleasure of doing business with you. Miss Carrie Wilkinson