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

I’ve been a pet sitter for family and friends for years— my family has always had a ton of pets, so people know I like them! This year I’ve started working almost full time as a pet sitter, and it’s been wonderful!

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

What’s not to love? I enjoy playing with the kitties and giving them pets— and I have a special soft spot for talkative kitties!

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

But I love all of the kitties ;-; It’s very special to me to get to look after Stormy Kitty, though— the miracle survivor Kitty who still has so much attitude, even with his heath issues and at his age!

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

My family has seven total cats at the moment! Their names are Cora, Baby, Teddy, Goosmah, Franklin!, Mercury, and Orpheus! Most of them are around 10 years old, and they co-exist with relative peace in our house. Teddy and Franklin are brothers rescued by someone else from the street and given to us— they are still shy after all these years, but soooo sweet! Cora is a rescue from Minnesota, and the queen of the house. Baby was given to us, as well, and she’s the cutest little creature <3 And Goo was also gifted to us— his jaw is misaligned due to a birth defect (surgical intervention was unsuccessful), so he’s a little slobbery, but he gets regular grooming appointments! Orphie and Mister Mercurio are recent additions to the household— bringing the kitten energy back to the house!

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a cat sitter?

Meet with your potential sitter and see how they get along with your kitties! It’s important that you’re comfortable with them and confident in their ability to care for your kitties!

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

If possible, I’d like to get to meet the kitty with their person/people present, so the cat knows I’m not scary. It’s important to go over the cat’s/cats’ routine, and their usual level of activity/playtime. If they have any specific needs, like grooming or medication administration, I would like to observe how that usually goes. Also need to know where the treats are and how many are allowed! I always ask for vet information and emergency contact if they anticipate being unreachable at any time.

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

I always watch the entrances when I’m coming and going for any escape artists, make sure anything potentially dangerous is put away where cats can’t get it, and lock up the windows/doors as instructed! Anything unusual will get reported to the pet parents.

Are you usually available during holidays?

Not Christmas, but most others are fine! New Year’s Eve, Fourth of July, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Thanksgiving, Easter, and most religious holidays I’m usually free.

What is your favorite cat toy?

The YEEEOOW! catnip toys are an unbeatable hit! That or a crumpled receipt, paper bag, bottle caps, and other little treasures 😆

How do you handle cats that are particularly timid or anxious?

I’m a pretty quiet person, so if a cat is very freaked out I usually sit in their vicinity, either in silence or speaking gently, and do something else quiet. In my experience it’s best to sit on the floor, when possible. If they come out, I talk to them, let them smell me, and offer them treats or something else they like as slowly and calmly as possible. Sometimes they just aren’t comfortable immediately, though, and in my opinion it’s best to let them set the pace of the interaction.