What is your experience with cat sitting, and how long have you been doing it?

I have been cat sitting for over 10 years for friends and family, as well as professionally. I have done everything from a daily check-in to being a live-in cat sitter for an elderly cat for 3 months. I’m very comfortable with cats that have all different personalities, needs, and health issues. I have worked with cats that are shy, cats that require medication, cats that have anxiety-related issues, and I feel comfortable getting to know the needs of each cat and paying attention to behavioral cues. I have also worked with cat owners who have more than one cat, so I’m very comfortable managing multiple cats at once and making sure that they each get plenty of attention and that their unique needs are met.

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

When I was living in Massachusetts, I was a cat sitter for an 18 year old cat named Pepper for two winters. She was a shy cat so she took a little time to warm up but eventually I could rarely sit down without her curling up in my lap. She was such a special cat and still has a place in my heart.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

I don’t have a kitty myself, but my parents have a cat in Michigan and she is one of the best parts of going home to visit them. Her name is Mabel and she is an angel. When I go home to visit, she immediately wants to go to my room and flops on my yoga mat. Since I don’t have cats myself, I really look forward to cat sitting because I miss being around them!

What is your typical process for working with a new cat parent?

I always schedule a meet & greet and try to be as accommodating and flexible as possible with your schedule. During the meet & greet, I take notes on food, water, litter, toys, medication, behavior, keys, and any other important information. I make sure to check if there’s anything else I should know about your cats or care of your home. I want to make sure that you feel ascomfortable as possible with your cats in my care, so I make sure that I am familiar with all of your needs. I also like to check in about communication preferences. I send detailed check-ins and photos after each visit, but I am happy to adjust based on what would make your experience as stress-free as possible.

How do you ensure the safety & security of the cats and the home while cat sitting?

I am extremely diligent about making sure that the home is safe for cats before I leave. When I arrive for a visit, I typically do a quick check of the space to see if the cats have gotten into anything, had any accidents, or gotten sick. During my visit, I pay attention to what the litter looks like, how much the cat has been eating and drinking, and other behavioral cues to make sure they’re doing ok. Before I leave, I make sure that nothing is left out that cats could get into and that all doors are properly closed and locked.

Are you usually available during holidays?

I am available during most holidays! My dates for Thanksgiving are still open but filling quickly, so please book ahead as soon as you can. 😊