Sitter available
Former Vet Tech and a Cat Whisperer
United States
Testimonials
They have 19 testimonials (view below)
Pet experience
Dog(s), Cat(s), Chicken(s), Bird(s), Fish, Rabbit(s), Tortoise/Turtle(s), Guinea pig(s), Rodent(s), Reptile(s), Other animal(s) – Former Vet Tech, Breeding, Show, Rescue. A lifetime of pets… some mine, many belonging to others.
Police check
They have a police check
Availability
From: 10 Dec 2025
Until: 1 Jun 2026
(see their full availability below)
Occupation
Former Vet Tech
References
They have referees/references (view below)
About this sitter
PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR TESTMONIALS
FULLY VACCINATED + BOOSTER
We are John and Melinda... a married, mature, non-smoking couple who both have a lifelong love for animals. My education was pre-veterinary and I was a vet tech for many years. John has had a home zoo including tropical birds, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, etc. I call him the "cat whisperer", because even the most timid feline will eventually find its way to his lap.
Why they want to house sit
We love to travel and especially like to experience places more as "locals" than "tourists". We're a quiet couple, quite content with each others' company and we don't like crowds. We have no pets at this time through attrition -- we decided it was time for us to be free to travel. But that doesn't mean we don't miss having them around!
Their experience
YES! DECADES of home and animal care... and lots of it on a professional basis.
In addition to veterinary work and a boarding operation, as well as home visits for animal care, I grew up with Bouviers des Flandres dogs (very large) and as an adult I bred and showed them. I also worked caring for hired guard dogs and can handle some pretty tough customers, as well as reassure the tiniest lap pooch.
I've cared for thousands of animals over the years, from New York to California to Maine, the Caribbean and Europe as well (obviously not all through this website). Your pets' needs such as medication, injections, etc. will be met. And they're going to miss us when we're gone!
What can they bring to the assignment
Maturity. Kindness. Communication. Commitment. Cool heads under adverse conditions. And DECADES of experience.
In addition, John and I have owned and renovated almost a dozen homes over the years, from antique homes to country acreage to the Jersey Shore, a Florida island home and a Manhattan apartment. We are quite capable of handling any house emergency issues. I've just retired from real estate in a resort area where rental property management was part of the picture. If your home happens to be on the market you will be assured it will show beautifully under our care.
FACEBOOK: @VetTechHouseSitter
WEBSITE: www.mdecker66.wixsite.com/vet-tech-sitter
WHAT WE NEED:
Clean accommodation for two and a reliable internet connection , or at least cell phone reception. Pre-arrangement with your veterinarian is a must, in case of emergency. If you think we might be a match, let's chat!
Last updated:
10 Dec 2025
Available to house sit
Countries: Caribbean, France, Gibraltar, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Malta, Monaco, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States
Personal details
Age: 56-65 years old
Family status:
Couple
Languages spoken:
English, Spanish (Español/Espanol), French (Français/Francais), Greek
Do they charge?
They don't charge for house sitting services
Availability
Membership
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References
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Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/owners/sitter_listing/32807
Testimonials
Experienced pet sitters, very organized and calm
Melinda and John were clearly very experienced pet sitters, very organized and calm in both the care of our two lovely maine coons and the management of our house. We could not have been more pleased and would recommend them to others without reservation.
Hilary & David, Switzerland, 06 October, 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
A happy cat and a clean house
A happy cat and a clean house, regular reports photos and videos each day of our monthlong trip, all make for a five-star rating for these two experienced house and pet sitters. We had tried to get them the previous year, but they were already booked and we consider ourselves lucky to have booked them this year. We would not hesitate to book them for next year as well! John and Melinda gained the trust of our rather independent cat, Princess, early on in the stay and photos illustrated her contentment and happiness when with them. As mentioned in the opening sentence the reports were regular and most welcome. They left the house so spotless, you'd never know anyone had occupied it in our absence. They cared for our plants and garden - all of which looked great on our return. They used our car during their stay, and it was as spotless as the house. They drove it to the Athens airport and parked it for us to pick up on our return - directions were detailed as to how to find it and it was a smooth transition. We would recommend these two highly - and hope they will one day want to return to rural Greece and care for our home and pets! John and Melinda, thank you both for allowing us a worry-free stay on the other side of the world and taking such good care of our fur kid!!
Jackie, Greece, 25 August, 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
I can’t recommend them enough
This was our second sit with Melinda and John and I can’t recommend them enough. They were great with our 2 cats who were so well adjusted when we got home that it was like we never left. They communicated every few days as we asked and sent pictures. The house was spotless and neat upon our return. I can’t say enough good things about these sitters. If you are lucky enough to get them, you won’t regret it.
Trudy, United States, 26 February, 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Melinda takes it to a whole new level
I really got lucky this time. - but Melinda takes it to a whole new level. It didn't take her long to get my scared little closet cat out of the closet. I got pics and an update everyday which eased my worried mind. Upon my return, EllieMae was normal as I got fussed at for several hours, which proved that she got the very best of care. I highly recommend these two wonderful people for any sit that you need. I will be looking for Melinda again when I plan a trip and I can only hope that she will be available. Thank you Ms. Melinda and Mr. John for caring for my little girl!
Carol, United States, 08 February, 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Melinda and John were fantastic
Melinda and John were fantastic. They Really seemed to like my cat and caught pictures of him with all his antics. The house was spotless and even cleaned the refrigerator thoroughly! Do not hesitate to have them stay in your home.
Mary, United States, 22 January, 2025(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
We are so very grateful
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, United States, 05 September, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Absolutely amazing
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, United Kingdom, 31 May, 2024(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
You won’t be disappointed
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.
Trudy, United States, 29 December, 2023(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Went above and beyond
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, Greece, 26 April, 2023(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Excellent 5-star house sitters
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, United States, 06 January, 2023(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Do not hesitate to have Melinda sit for you
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, United States, 02 October, 2022(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
In good hands
Melinda was great and took great care of the kitties and the house. She left for another housesit before we arrived home and we found a spotless house with fresh sheets on the bed, a nice note, and happy cats. Your home and pet will be in good hands with Melinda.
Beverley, United States, 19 February, 2022(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
We were very happy
We were very happy to have Melinda look after Piklz on our recent trip! It’s always a bit unsettling inviting a stranger into your home, but Melinda made us feel comfortable from the beginning. Communication was easy and we felt very confident that our cat and home were being well cared for. We only wish Melinda had experienced better weather :-(.
Kim & Hugh, United States, 24 October, 2021(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
I would highly recommend Melinda and John
I would highly recommend Melinda and John as they were prompt with all communications both prior to and after the stay at our home. Boots was very happy when we returned from our trip. The house was cleaner than when we left! Would have them come her in the future any time!
Robert, United States, 11 October, 2021(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Five stars is not enough
I really don't know where to begin in my praise of Melinda as both a cat and home sitter. Melinda and John came to my rescue after another sitter became ill and couldn't come after I had already left my home (luckily I have fantastic neighbors). But, my sweet kitty is QUITE skittish and rarely allows anyone to get near her if I am not present. Melinda arrived (pushed up her arrival date when she heard about my saga) and, going on just a video I had made for the previous sitter, she somehow managed to have Roxie sitting on her lap within a couple of days!! Melinda figured out how to coax Roxie with small portions of food, sent regular photos, also sent me photos of important-looking mail, kept me in the loop as issues came up with the house (ie...an old dishwasher that was not behaving). Nothing seemed to phase them and they were always pleasant. When I came home, that house was cleaner than I had ever seen it and Melinda had even bought extra cat food! Five stars is not enough!
Leslie, Italy, 16 June, 2021(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
A great sitter
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.
Patrice, United States, 03 April, 2021(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Melinda and John were amazing house/pet sitters
Melinda and John were amazing house/pet sitters. They sent us updates about Lexi (our super senior cat) very frequently. Lexi always looked happy and content. Would love for them to house/pet sit for us anytime we're traveling!
Lauren, United States, 16 January, 2020(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
Our house and cats were in able hands
This was the first time using a sitter, 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!
Martha, United States, 01 May, 2019(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)
I would invite them back in a heartbeat
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!
Carol, United States, 09 July, 2018(This was sourced outside of MindMyHouse, but is verified)