Testimonials
Carla, Long Beach, CA
In our absence, Melinda took excellent care of our home, car, and animals. Our eldest dog, “Bitsy” (20 human years old!) was ill in our absence and was immediately cared for by Melinda. With much experience as a vet tech (and owning animals herself) she was able to recognize the condition as Idiopathic Vestibular Disorder. Bitsy was completely off-balance, head cocked to one side. Melinda immediately took Bitsy to our vet where the diagnosis was confirmed, tests run, medication prescribed. Melinda kept us updated with emails (and even photo posts) to put our mind at ease, half way across the globe.
Barbara, Hudson, MA
Melinda took care of my family’s dogs during our vacation to Martha's Vineyard. We live in MA but also have a home in the Lakes region of New Hampshire. We had an unusual arrangement for our dog-sitting! Melinda came to our home in MA and took the dogs on an adventure to their favorite place (NH) and stayed there with them. Needless to say I think the dogs, Romeo, a weimeraner/viszla mix and Roxy (puppy) black lab mix had
a fantastic adventure! Melinda is very experienced with dogs, training, and as a vet tech. We were very confident leaving our babies with her. When we returned home to MA our dogs were
there happy and healthy!!
I would not hesitate to hire Melinda as a petsitter/homesitter. She is thorough and thoughtful and knows dogs!! We love Melinda!!
Jan, Little Egg Harbor, NJ
Melinda is not just a trusted friend and neighbor, but someone who has watched our home and pets for us. During superstorm Sandy, Melinda and her husband stayed with us through the recovery. Her husband is an amazing chef, Melinda helpful in every other way. From demolition, to navigating the insurance clams, she was able to help many of our elderly and confused neighbors.
Carol, Bridgton ME
Melinda and John were great cat/house sitters! They went above and beyond a normal housesit. Unfortunately, while we were away on vacation, our water expansion tank let go and flooded the basement. They contacted local repair people, got the repair done and then they spent a good amount of time cleaning up the basement, making sure nothing was on the floor. They ran dehumidifiers and fans to prevent mold and mildew. Needless to say, we were very grateful for their hard work. They kept in touch with us daily and sent photos of our fur babies. The cats were also glad they were there. They played with them, cuddled with them, groomed them and kept them happy!! I would invite them back in a heartbeat!
Colleen, Clifton, NJ
We were very happy using Melinda for pet sitting services. She took our Jack Russell Terrier in while someone was recovering from hip replacement surgery - no dogs underfoot please! Roxy was very happy with Melinda, and given that Melinda was a vet tech, we knew if anything happened with the dog, she would know what to do. When Roxy returned home, her tail would wag when you mentioned the name “Melinda” !
Martha, Naples, ME
This was the first time using TrustedHousesitters, and we were understandably a little anxious about having strangers come into our home for three weeks. We needn't have worried. Melinda and John were easy and competent. She communicated with me several times before we left on our trip and sent me a terrific organizer for information important to us both. We talked for a few minutes when they arrived the day we left, and we knew right away our house and our cats were in able hands. Melinda sent photos several times and kept us updated. When we returned, the house was spotless and our cats were content. We were very lucky that Melinda and John responded to our request!
Arwyn, Windham, NH
Melinda and John were an absolute dream -- we could not recommend them more highly! They took care of our house and our two cats for four and a half months. They kept in regular contact, let us know when any issues arose with the house, then took care of them without hesitation. And when we got home, the house looked as though we'd never left. Most importantly, though, they took excellent care of our cats -- not just feeding them and changing the litterbox, but also giving them all the love and pets, and playing with our highly active part Maine Coon on the regular. The beasties clearly loved them! We would ask Melinda and John to sit our house and cats again in a heartbeat, and highly recommend them.
Camden, Maine
Patrice, Washington, DC
Solo Melinda proved to be a great sitter for my two cats. We received the perfect amount of text updates and photos every other days or so. Very good communicator and our home was in great condition upon our return. Dali & Hoatzin enjoyed her company and we would have her back again.
Liz, Roanoke, VA August 2021
This was my first time using Trusted House Sitters and it could not have been better!! Melinda and John are a 15 out of 10 stars. I have three cats all of whom have different personalities. Abigail will be 22 on November 1 and sleeps 23 1/2 a day, Analise (14) sleeps 22 hours a day under the covers in my bed and James Bond (8) is my "wild child" (aka my ADHD toddler). Analise is shy and skittish and I thought she would be invisible. Early on they sent a picture of her sitting at the dinner table beside John! They sent pictures and texts throughout the week. I felt so comfortable with them here. Although Abigail is healthy, I felt a great sense of relief knowing Melinda is a retired vet tech. They were quite understanding that I had not gotten the house in order as I had planned. They left the house in pristine order with clean sheets on the bed and dishes done. I hope they will be free next year when we go to the beach and will agree to house sit again. Amazing experience!
Do not hesitate to have Melinda sit for you! Melinda was a pro - communicative and capable. Before I left for my trip I felt very comfortable leaving my pets and home in her care. She was communicative while I was away. She was a trooper when some frustrating things came up with my apartment complex which had just implemented new annoying parking regulations. I came back to very happy cats and a beautifully clean apartment. Thanks for everything Melinda! -- Kristen, Chapel Hill, NC
Melinda and John went above and beyond what was expected of them. They were really helpful to the incoming sitter and made things run smoothly throughout their sit. They communicated really well and kept me updated on my cat and any household issues . I am very happy to recommend them .
Tracy, Agios Nikolaos, Greece
We were very fortunate to have John and Melinda look after our two cats and house for 5 weeks from mid-April to mid-May of 2022. They were responsible for making sure that our indoor/outdoor cats were brought in before nightfall (coyotes in our neighborhood) and maintaining a 4,500 sq. ft. house with a pool and lots of property.
We had great communication with them before and during their housesit, as they were very thorough about getting the critical information about the house and cats which was most reassuring as it showed just how seriously they took their responsibilities. During our stay, they got in touch with us whenever they had any questions and frequently sent us pictures of our fur buddies whom we missed so much while away. When we returned, the house was spotless, cats happy!
BILL & ELLEN ( California, Feb 2020 - 5+ weeks)
Melinda and her husband John were fabulous. They treated our home & cats (two 13 yo Siamese darlings) as their own. As a vet tech, Melinda was able to give daily medicine to our IBD suffering cat with no stress or problem. I believe they would be up to any pet or home challenge! We came home after a month long journey to an immaculate house and car (what a bonus!) and purring, relaxed cats. Melinda and John are wonderful.
​
Sherri, Waikoloa, Hawaii
Melinda was great with our cats. She even changed her original plans from driving to flying when her husband couldn’t join her, rather than cancel the sit. We so appreciated that! Our home was spotless on our return and the cats were happy. She even did laundry and remade the bed before leaving us. She is very pleasant and easy to deal with. Melinda sent us lots of updates and pictures of our cats while we were away. I would not hesitate to use her again for future sits. I can’t recommend her enough. You won’t be disappointed.
Melinda and John were absolutely amazing and I can't recommend them highly enough. They had great communication right from the get go and sent regular photo updates of my fur baby during my trip which was brilliant. Gracie was so well looked after - plenty of cuddles and Melinda even managed to brush her and give her a mani and pedicure, both which she usually doesn't let me do very easily. Thanks Melinda, you're a star! My flat was spotless when I got back too. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would! -- Rebecca, Glasgow, Scotland
Melinda came on quick notice after the sitter who had signed up had a debilitating accident. She is personable and reliable and created a strong bond with our cat. We are so very grateful to her!
-- Martha, Maine
​
Melinda & John were excellent 5-star house sitters. Melinda was very organized & asked all the right questions PRIOR to the house sit. My 2 cats warmed up to them immediately. When we came home the house was spotless, and they were so sweet to leave us some snacks of fruit, crackers & a cheese spread when we returned home. They kept in touch with us, while we were in Africa, and I felt totally secure in leaving my 2 precious cats in their care.
Barbara, Naples, FL
​
