What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

I like meeting other kitties and people that like kitties! I enjoy being able to provide a true measure of comfort to my clients while they are away, calling on my years of cat care experience and paying attention/reporting any details of my little charges. I always try to engage in play and send lots of videos and photos of their kitties having fun while they are away - That always helps comfort their guardians.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

I share my home with a big ole mackerel tabby named Rupert. I found him in a downtown Denver shelter at 12 weeks back in 2022 and have enjoyed watching him grow and learn and make my home complete. He is very tall and when he stands on his hind legs, he can reach the edge of my kitchen countertop, and likes to "help" me get his food ready. I love looking down at his little adorable face at mealtime! He loves to drink from all the faucets in the house, chasing his puffballs/pushing them under all my appliances, and monitoring everything the neighborhood, excitedly dashing from window to window like the true security guard he is!

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

Always make sure you share your concerns and expectations for your little one's care. Clearly spell out any idiosyncrasies in their personalities, their care, their environment - I want to follow through on all those directions and provide the best possible care experience to us all!

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

The Meet & Greet visit is super-important! I will arrive with a big checklist of questions about your kitty/kitties, including not only the basics of food and litterbox, but their personalities, their routines, their boundaries, etc. It's always best to try out keys/fobs/codes and deadbolts and it is here where you can best guide me in your expectations. I want to know as much as I can about your kitty and what I can expect from them - Are they shy? Outgoing? Food-motivated? Playful? The more I know, the more I can work to satisfy both them AND you!

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

Well, I guess the biggest concern for me would be if the kitty is a door-dasher, to not give them any opportunity to sneak out! After that, it would be to make sure they are not able to access any physical places/spaces that are off limits, and to be careful they are not underfoot as I maneuver through the sit.

Are you usually available during holidays?

I am usually available during the holidays but book up quickly - I can sometimes do multiple sits, but my availability will be limited, depending on the situation.

What is your favorite cat toy?

I have always gotten a good response from kitties with a telescoping feather on a fishpole. I can wield it around playing everything from a dead birdie to a fluttering butterfly to a good ole game of hide and seek - all prove to be irresistble to the feline hunter spirit in a kitty!

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

I don't know of any magic answer here other than realistic expectations and patience. If they are food-motivated, it might be the offering of a treat down at their level with no sudden movements, always speaking in a soft tone. If they are so shy and like to hide, it is important to make enough noise when arriving so if they are sleeping, they have an opportunity to come out and say hello. If they just won't come out, then the info gleaned from the food dish and litterbox becomes more important.