St Albans & Hertfordshire
Bespoke Pet & Home Care
Care given as though every animal were our own.
A single, dedicated carer for your pets and home — thirty-five years of trusted experience across dogs, cats, exotics and poultry, in St Albans, Hertfordshire and beyond.
For over thirty-five years, animals have been the constant thread through my life — first as a passion, now as a profession I take as seriously as any I could imagine.
Every client I work with has one point of contact: me. Not a rotating pool of sitters, not an app matching you to whoever's free that day. I meet you and your pets in your home before any booking is confirmed, and I build a care plan around your routine — not the other way round.
I care for dogs, cats, small mammals, poultry and exotics — including rescued reptiles — and I extend that same care to your home: post, plants, deliveries, and the small details that matter while you're away.
— Jo, Home From Home SanctuaryRound-the-clock, in-home care for your pets and property while you travel — including post, plants and light home upkeep.
Solo or routine walks and drop-in visits, built around your dog's usual pace, route and temperament.
Structured, gentle support through the early months — routine, socialisation and foundational training.
Calm, reward-based training tailored to your dog's individual needs — never fear or correction-based.
In-home or salon grooming for dogs and small mammals, delivered with patience and familiarity.
Independent-minded visits respecting your cat's routine, with feeding, litter and companionship.
Specialist care for rabbits, guinea pigs, poultry and reptiles — every enclosure treated as its own world.
Professional microchipping for dogs, cats and other pets, carried out safely and calmly at home.
Your beloved pet cared for with devotion on your wedding day — from ceremony to celebration, in dedicated, experienced hands.
All services follow an in-home consultation — pricing is tailored to your pets and your requirements, never a flat rate card.
"I booked Joanne very last minute to look after my dog Oakley. She was very accommodating and let us meet beforehand. Her lovely dog Snuggles played brilliantly with mine. Joanne took them for long walks, sent lots of updates throughout the day, and dropped Oakley back home. He was happy and exhausted! I have already recommended Joanne to friends — she really did go above and beyond."
Dog boarding · Verified on Rover"Joanne is beyond wonderful. I had an emergency and needed urgent help — she arrived within a few hours, quickly got up to speed on the dogs' routines, medicine and habits. All three dogs immediately liked her. She kept me updated frequently with videos, messages and photos. I could see my dogs were so happy. She even collected medicine from the vet for me. You were a life saver, Joanne."
Emergency house sitting · Verified on Rover"Joanne looked after Mutley for a week. She proved her flexibility when I needed to tweak timings and kept me fully up to date several times a day with pictures and videos. Mutley was seen to be interacting and happy throughout. Joanne is clearly passionate about the animals in her care. I plan to book again."
House sitting · Verified on Rover"Jo was great with our new puppy. She took the time to meet her before the sitting day and was careful to understand her routine and food. Communication was excellent and she sent lovely photos throughout so we could see the puppy was having fun. See you again soon, Jo!"
Puppy day care · Verified on Rover"Joanne was very good with Kobi. She checked in with me during the day and sent photos. She was very flexible with drop off and pick up and her communication was excellent."
House sitting · Verified on Rover"We were really happy with Jo. Our cat liked her instantly and they bonded really well while we were away. We received regular updates and could see our pet felt safe and relaxed at all times. The house was left in pristine condition too. Thank you, Jo!"
Cat & house sitting · Verified on RoverRecognised by the BBC for outstanding community contribution — awarded for the work of the Serenity Pet Food Bank CIC, supporting families and their pets across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Honoured at the Animal Star Awards for dedication to animal welfare — celebrating the life-changing impact of the pet food bank and the rescue work that inspired Home From Home Sanctuary.
Pricing is tailored to your pets, your property and the care involved — following an in-home consultation, never a flat rate card. Tell us a little about what you need, and we'll be in touch within 24 hours.