I have had cats all of my adult life, and can’t imagine life without them. They might make every trip up the stairs a death trap; and cover every piece of clothing with a layer of fur but they also make every day better by simply being who they are, little magic creatures! Magic creatures that deserve to be spoiled and doted on.

Yes, I am completely crazy for cats but my love of animals doesn’t end with the fabulous feline, I have love for all small animals (except spiders and snakes… oh no no no)!!!In 2017 I was lucky enough to rescue my very first DOG!

Sure… my husband had a dog when we met, and he also rescued Bodhi in 2017, but THIS was MY first dog. She’s a tri-pawed Husky named Reska and funny enough seems to be a cat in a dog’s body!!

Reska has exposed me to a whole new animal world, a very different world than that of the cat kingdom. Dogs need different care, presence and learn in a way that we never ask from cats (although cats can learn equally well). Having dogs at home has allowed me to grow as a person and encouraged me to learn how to give them the best life possible.

My personal passion for animals and the goal of them living safe, happy & enriched lives is what makes me the caretaker I am today!

My love of animals started at a young age, but I didn’t realize quite how much I love animals until I started working for WICD, in 2018. 

From cat sitting teaching me just how different each cat is, each with a different purrsonality and idea of fun. To Dog Walking teaching me how amazing it is to teach animals, and how much they benefit from it cognitively, which lead me to my true passion.

Now, as a certified canine behaviour consultant and animal trainer, I love each day of “work” helping enrich and better the animals lives I walk into every day. I love how each dog is different, and seeing the progress I help with on a regular basis.

I’m excited to train and work with more animals in the cooperative care setting, and to train dogs, and humans alike! I appreciate each day I get to see your floofs, and I look forward to meeting more!!

Since I was very young, my life has been consumed by animals. At the age of 5; when I finally understood that there was no possibility of me growing up to be a bird or fish, I decided that I wanted to become a veterinarian.

We never had cats when I was younger because my father was allergic, but I was able to develop my passion with dogs, birds, chinchillas, and a lizard. However, my love cats developed outside of the house.

Specifically, this love developed when I volunteered at the SPCA and an animal hospital. While volunteering, I got to do amazing things that I never imagined I’d be able to do, such as caring for very young kittens in multiple ways and assisting in a minor surgery.

Finally, a cat came into the family picture in May of 2018, and we fell in love with her. It’s very important to me that while we’re away, my dog, cat, and bird get cared for as they should and so it’s very easy for me to translate into my own work! I can promise you that I will do my very best to keep your cat(s) as happy as possible while you’re away and make sure it seems like nothing has changed since you left!

Let’s face it, pets are family. When I was growing up, my “family” included a continuous rotation of three cats, one dog and a motel for strays that my mom had going on in the backyard. My family today includes my cat Scout, who lacks in smarts, but makes up for it in spades in the “cuteness” department.

So I understand the worry that comes with leaving behind your family temporarily. And that’s why for that time that you’re away, your cat becomes my cat and gets the same treatment I’d give mine. Do they want to chat? Are they students of the brush arts? Do they wish to practice their hunting skills? Would they like to set up an illegal poker game with the dogs next door? It’s all possible and my pleasure to help. Thanks for letting me extend my “family” a little bit at a time!

WICD is a perfect company when you are a true animal lover! 

My passion for animals started since a very young age, from ladybugs in the jar to stalking camels at the circus.

I’m against animal cruelty of any kind and I’m glad to have collaborated with SPCA and MPAQ in many past and on going cases.

My philosophy about compassion for animals is simple: “If you don’t love it, don’t get it!”

I’m happy to be part of this great team of animal lovers and caregivers so your pet gets extra love and attention when you’re away.

You can count on me for some extra hugs and kisses on their little fury faces!

I have often had cats at home and they have always been my favorite pets even if I love all animals. For me they are essential companions to my happiness more than “just pets”.

Cats have such special personalities that I have always been attracted by their outstanding beauty as well as their independence and feline character.Since my arrival in Montreal in 2013 from France, I have fallen in love with the ginger cat I kept for a month as a foster family and I adopted him, he is now 7 years old and spoiled as any cat should be!

During my free time, I also try to improve the living conditions of a group of homeless cats in my neighborhood with the help of a group of volunteers: we feed them and try to make their lives easier by making and installing winter shelters for them.

Any cat, whether they live in the street or are domestic cats, deserves our attention and good care: I’ll be happy to meet and take care of your kitties with their specific needs and personalities!

Most of my earliest memories involve Bart, my parents’ gentle and loving tabby. He was always a tolerant and affectionate soul, even back when I was a toddler-sized demon! Growing up with a cat by my side helped shape the bulk of my childhood interests. Animals, particularly cats, were always the conversation topic of choice. The books I read in elementary school tended to feature cats as their main protagonists. The first things I learned how to draw were, you guessed it, cats. So I suppose it would be an accurate assumption to say that cats have had a humongous impact on my life, and working with them as an adult is my way of thanking them for everything they’ve done for me. Also, they’re like, really cute!

You don’t need me to tell you that the cuteness factor isn’t the only thing that makes cats special. I’m drawn to their individual personalities and quirks, and maybe also their silky fur and soft squishy toe beans. Nothing makes me happier than having the privilege of getting to know your furry friend. Pets are family, and it’s an honour to be trusted with the well-being of your cat. Each cat I meet and spend time with is a new experience that I will cherish forever. I can’t wait! See you soon.

I’ve always loved animals for as long as I can remember. During my childhood my family had pets ranging from a golden retriever dog, some goldfish, a rabbit and 2 hamsters! While I would be at other people’s houses, I would always want to hang out and see their pets. At this point in time I would say I loved all types of animals equally, I did not necessarily have a fixation on any particular one.

My transition into crazy cat lady (but still all around animal lover!) began when I was a teenager when my mom got an apartment. We took in my cousin’s senior cat as she was moving abroad to teach and we didn’t have any pets at that moment. To my delight, this cat decided to claim me as her person: she always chose to lie on me on the couch, she slept in my bed and always asked me to be picked up. Was it because I had similar features as my cousin? Either way, being chosen as a cat’s person is an unbeatable feeling! This is what determined my adoration for cats and desire to meet and care for as many as I can in my life.

Growing up I always loved animals. As a toddler, we had a German shepherd and an English sheepdog and I was in heaven, but for most of my childhood dogs were absent from my life.

My mom was more of a cat person, so we always had cats around, and I loved them, but deep down I was a dog person. Therefore, as a young adult I adopted my first dog. Logan was a mix between a black lab and golden retriever. As a new dog owner I literally knew nothing about how to raise a dog and I made many mistakes along the way, but with time and help from other dog owners and a couple books from Stanley Coren, Logan and I ended up being a great duo. Through the process, I learned a lot about myself and Logan learned to be a great dog. Sadly, and as all dogs do, Logan left me in 2013. It took a few years, but in 2017 I would meet the dog who changed my life and ultimately my profession.

It was time to get my second dog and I found him. Bodhi is a Lab/Hound Mix that is loving and full of energy. So much so that he quickly became too much for me to handle. So, after an obedience class I learned a little more about dogs and found a new scientific way of training dogs, but that was just the beginning of my learning. In the spring of 2018, I met Gaby Dufresne-Cyr, dog trainer, behavior consultant & the owner of Dogue Shop. She teaches The Animal Behavior Apprenticeship, levels 1 and 2, through her school Dogue Academy in Montreal. So, after careful consideration I decided to follow my passion for dogs and embark on the journey of becoming a Dog trainer and Behavior Consultant through the Animal Behavior Apprenticeship.

As a dog trainer and behavior consultant, it is not always an easy job, but it’s extremely rewarding when you positively impact peoples and dogs’ lives.

Education
– Walks and Wags Pet first Aid Certified – Furry Friends First Aid 2018
– Animal Behavior Apprenticeship Levels 1 & 2 – Dogue Shop 2018-2019
– Dog Emotion and Cognition – Duke University via Coursera 2019
– Animal Behavior and Welfare – University of Edinburgh via Coursera 2020
– The Truth about Cats and Dogs – University of Edinburgh via Coursera 2020

I have a special place in my heart for animals. I grew up in a home that always had furry companions. They are our family. Hence, I understand how stressful it can be to leave them at home while you’re away… that’s why I treat each fur-baby as my own.

I am a 3rd year Psychology undergraduate student at McGill University. When I’m not in class or doing homework, I’m either playing with cats or walking a dog!

Being a part of ‘West Island Cats and Dogs’ is simply amazing. I am grateful to spend my time with animals (and a wonderful team!)

“Animals are a window to your soul and a doorway to your spiritual destiny. If you let them into your life and allow them to teach you, you will be better for it – Kim Shotola”

My life can be categorized into two parts: Wanting pets, and having pets. When I finally adopted my first dog, my life completely changed.

Not only did I now have a dog like I always dreamed of, I also met my best friend for the first time and her name was Chanel. When she was 6 years old, me and my family decided she should have a sister, and that’s where little Roma came in. Growing up alongside two of the best dogs in the world allowed me to learn that love doesn’t always come with words, but sometimes it comes in a tail wag, and sometimes it comes in a lick to the face.

My love for animals, however, knows no boundaries, and I soon found myself finding ways to rescue the stray cat who sometimes came to my apartment looking for food. It was love at first sight, and although getting his trust was a slow process, I’m now the owner of two amazing dogs and one extremely sweet orange cat. Living with him has allowed me to understand the differences between cats and dogs much better, and take care of them depending on their different needs.

While taking care of my happy trio, I’ve had many stressful situations where I’ve had to entrust them to the care of others, and that’s precisely why I joined West Island Cats and Dogs: To be able to take care of pets as if they were my own, and letting pet owners just like me feel safe and calm when being away from their best friends

I’ve been and animal and nature lover ever since I can remember.  Pets have enriched my family life, bringing so much joy and laughter.

We have 2 senior dogs at home now, however my most special bond was with our cat Samson, who passed away in 2015.

Retiring from the corporate world during the pandemic, I’m now enjoying being part of a wonderful team of like minded animal lovers with West Island Cats and Dogs!!  Our pets are so precious!

Growing up, we always had at least one cat around, family was never complete without a cat. I grew up taking care of them and growing to love all animals.

When I turned 17, I decided to foster a rescue cat, Bella. I fell in love with her within days. Watching her come out of her shell and socialize with me filled my heart. On my 18th birthday, I signed the adoption papers. My life would not be complete without her and I understand the importance of caring for her. I could never imagine leaving her alone.

This is why I joined WICD! I love nothing more than caring for cats and making sure they’re loved, whether it’s Bella or your fur baby, they all deserve someone to be there for them everyday!

“Animals are a window to your soul and a doorway to your spiritual destiny. If you let them into your life and allow them to teach you, you will be better for it – Kim Shotola”

My passion for animals is beyond imaginable and the love and the connection that I have built towards them is unbreakable.

Over the last couple of years of my life I have been wanting to become a Veterinarian, which I’m working towards, but what really keeps me going is my beautiful Parrots who have been by my side through it all.

As a kid I would go to the pet store and stay there for hours just to be around the dogs and cats because I wasn’t able to have any at home. I would always ask the people working if I could go play with the dogs and they would let me because they knew that would give the the dogs all the exercise they needed!

I always knew that I would care for animals later in my life. They are such wonderful additions to our lives!

My love for cats began at an early age after being born into an animal-loving household. To this day me and my three sisters are bonded by our impulse to treat our pets as members of the family.

Although I grew up loving all animals, I developed an especially close connection to our feline companions. From an early age I related to their quiet and reserved demeanor, and I empathized with how some of them hide their tender nature behind a mask of timidness and apprehension.

Never did I think I would be able to turn my passion for cats into a profession until I discovered WICD. I have loved getting to know every new kitty I encounter, whether it is one that warms up to me immediately, or one that runs away and hides. There is such a strong sense of satisfaction that comes with getting a skittish cat to trust you, and I have a talent for getting animals to come out of their shell.

I could never replace the love that an animal has for their human parents, but I do try and provide as much comfort and consolation to pets when they have to be apart from their owners.