For cat sitter on Meowtel, deciding which homes to service is a key part of running your business. Helping to support a safe environment is crucial for the well-being of the cats and yourself. Here are some tips on how to assess if the homes you visit are fit for service and ready for a purrfectly amazing reservation.
Navigating Unfit Environments and Setting Boundaries
Establishing clear expectations with the cat parent is often helpful before continuing with their reservation if you notice any red flags throughout your interactions. Deciding not to proceed due to an unfit home environment typically happens after a meet and greet, if you feel that your health or safety could be adversely affected by being in that space, or if you do not feel comfortable with the condition that the cat(s) may be in. Unfortunately, sometimes when a home is found to be messy during a meet and greet, it remains unchanged even after the cat parent is apologetic or has promised to tidy things up. It's crucial to prioritize your own well-being and the well-being of the cats in your care by only accepting reservations in homes that meet satisfactory standards for both parties.
For this reason, many sitters find that attending a meet and greet in person is the most effective way to assess a home. While virtual meet and greets are permissible, you may not be getting the entire picture of the cat parent's home. Familiarizing yourself with the home prior to a reservation can help you avoid a sticky situation, and gives you added time to reach out to Meowtel for help and support. For more tips on this process, check out our guide on making a meet and greet meow-velous.
If you need to report an unfit or unsafe home or believe you have witnessed animal cruelty or neglect, please call 1-844-MEOWTEL immediately or email [email protected] with photos and videos of what you saw. It's a priority to keep cats safe and happy, and that starts with their living environment.
Here are some of the key points to keep in mind to help your reservations go smoothly:
1. Paws Off Hazards
It is important to be sure that both the cats in your care and you are not in a potentially dangerous situation. This includes checking for hazards such as obstructions at the point of entry or exit, overgrown vegetation, doors that are not able to be locked, or any other dangers that may be present in the home. It's also helpful to verify that you have adequate lighting to complete all your tasks, including being able to see to enter and exit the home safely. For more advice on personal safety, read our article on safety tips for sitters.
Another potential hazard is unannounced home dwellers. This can present itself by actually running into a surprise guest, or even just noticing that things are not as you left them (dishes that weren't out before, items moved around, etc.) Cat parents should let you know if anyone else will have access to the home throughout the duration of your reservation.
If you arrive at a home that is unlocked, and you are unsure if someone is inside, let the owner know. With their permission, you can also follow up with local law enforcement to check the home to confirm that no one is inside. Remember, if a home doesn't feel safe, you can always choose to cancel the reservation!
2. Pawsitively Cozy
A clean and comfortable living space is essential for any cat to live their best life. Excessive hair, dust, or litter box accidents can make for an uncomfortable living environment, and repulsive odors can be unbearable for both cats and humans alike. Pests and infestations can also create an unsafe and unsanitary environment, and independent sitters may choose to limit the time spent in a home or cancel a reservation if a home does not meet satisfactory standards for cleanliness and comfort.
When entering a cat parent's home, you might want to assess the cleanliness and overall safety of the environment. Look for any signs of clutter or unsanitary conditions, such as overflowing garbage, large numbers of uncleaned pet accidents, lack of access to tap water due to overstacked dirty dishes in the sink, food waste, etc.
Remember, cats thrive in a clean and healthy environment, and if you notice any signs of abuse or mistreatment during your visit, don't hesitate to contact Meowtel Support for assistance. Documentation is very helpful in delicate situations such as these; see our guide on when and what to document. If you can, it is highly recommended to use your phone's camera to document what you're witnessing. For more information and guidance on this impurrtant subject, please read the Fit For Service Home Environments FAQ.
3. Achoo-Free Homes
The well-being of the cats is of the utmost importance. Extreme temperatures can be detrimental to a cat's health, and you may want to monitor and notify the cat parent of the temperature in the home and make adjustments if possible.
It's also good to be aware of any potential health hazards, such as illegal substances or drug paraphernalia that may be present in the home. Hoarder homes, where there is an excessive accumulation of items, can also create an unhealthy and unsafe environment for both cats and humans.
If any of these situations arise, you may choose to alter the visit duration to complete the critical care tasks such as feeding, water refresh, medications, and litter box scooping, and to report the situation to Meowtel Support.
4. Communicable diseases
Cat sitters on Meowtel have the pleasure of interacting with a variety of kitties on a regular basis. This often includes multiple visits throughout the day, as well as returning home to your own pets. To help support the health of all cat clients, many sitters find it impurrtant to ask about any potential health concerns a client's kitty may have at a meet and greet. Highly transmissible diseases such as ringworm, or upper respiratory infections have the potential to pose health risks to all kitties under your care, despite best efforts and practices to keep everyone safe. Meowtel partnered with the ameowzing veterinarian Dr. Danny Cox at Petzey to give expert advice on which diseases are the most transmissible and what practices sitters can do to keep the feline community safe. Place your paws here for more info.
5. How to Handle the Situation Tactfully
By now, you might be asking yourself what the best way to handle any of these situations might be. The cleanliness or upkeep of a person's home is often a very delicate and uncomfortable thing to have to discuss. If you are at a meet and greet and feel that a home is not fit for service, here are some ideas on how to handle things.
Scenario: You show up for your meet and greet and find that the cat parent's home smells very strongly of pet waste, and there is garbage stacked throughout the house.
Response #1
This is tough, we know. If you feel comfortable, one way to approach this subject would be to soften your decline of their reservation by saying something like.
"I really appreciate you taking the time to meet with me today and letting me get to know your cats. I noticed though that my allergies seem really irritated here. Since this is the case, I am sadly going to have to decline the reservation."
If you feel that you are able to be more direct, a firm but gentle decline is also fine. Something as simple as:
Response #2
"It was very nice getting to meet you and the kitties. Unfortunately, I don't think that I am the perfect fit for this reservation. I apologize that it didn't work out and I will reach out to Meowtel Support for you so that they can assist you further."
You may still get some follow-up questions, but providing you remain factual but kind, you can provide the cat parent with the correct response.
Response #3
If you feel too nervous to do either of the above, another option is to message the cat parent shortly after you leave a meet and greet (but this would not be the best option if you have already exchanged keys). Saying something like:
"I apologize for the inconvenience, but unfortunately I can no longer take care of this reservation for you. I will reach out to Meowtel Support so they can assist you."
You may get some follow-up questions, but this may be a space where you feel safer answering them.
Lastly, as uncomfortable and sad as these situations can be, it's always good to keep in mind that individuals whose homes fall into these categories may be struggling in some way themselves. Some cat parents are elderly and cannot clean their homes the way they once could, others may be suffering from mental health issues. While it is not your responsibility to fix these situations, it is helpful to keep these things in mind. Your safety always comes first. However, when a situation allows, approaching it with a gentle and clear response can go a long way. And remember, Meowtel Support is here to help!
Ready to find the purrfect sitter for your feline friend? Find a cat sitter on Meowtel today!
