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

My experience with cats started over 10 years ago. When I was 18, I spent about two years house sitting for a family who cared for more than 40 cats on their property. Many of them were rescued outdoor cats that had been spayed/neutered and vaccinated. My responsibilities included daily feeding, monitoring their well-being, and helping maintain a safe and comfortable environment for them. 🏠🐾🐾🐾 Since then, I have continued caring for cats for friends and family, including households with multiple cats. I am comfortable following feeding routines, refreshing water, cleaning litter boxes, monitoring behavior, and providing companionship based on each cat's personality. 😻 I also have a 5-year-old cat of my own named Momo, who has taught me even more about understanding feline behavior, building trust, and recognizing when something may be out of the ordinary. 😽

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

Yes! I have a 5-year-old long-haired tabby named Momo. I adopted him when he was just 3 weeks old. He was one of the 4 kittens born to a friend’s cat. 🐾 Although Momo is a very large tabby whose size and tiger-like stripes make him look like a tough neighborhood boss covered in tattoos, he’s actually timid enough to run away from a plastic bag. 😹 One of my favorite things about Momo is his sweet personality. He has never been destructive and has never been the type to knock things off shelves or scratch furniture. Every time I feed him, he walks a circle around me and rubs his head against my legs before he starts eating, almost as if he’s saying thank you. 🥰 Being Momo’s cat mom has helped me understand that every cat has a unique personality, and I always try to respect each cat’s individual comfort. 😌

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

I believe every cat deserves to be approached at their own pace. When caring for timid or anxious cats, I never force interaction. Instead, I focus on creating a calm, predictable environment and allowing the cat to decide how much interaction they are comfortable with. 😺 I pay attention to body language and respect their boundaries. Some cats may prefer to observe from a distance during the first few visits, while others may warm up quickly. My goal is to make sure they feel safe and secure, whether that means engaging in play, offering gentle companionship, or simply being a quiet and reassuring presence.🐈 Over the years, I have cared for cats with many different personalities, and I've learned that patience and consistency go a long way in building trust. 😸