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

Professionally, I was a cat sitter in Phoenix for about a year, and then we moved to Michigan, where my husband and I owned and operated Pet Sitting Plus for about 12 years. I have had cats as a part of my family all my life except about a year when I lived on campus at school. I spent three months in Brazil and managed to find a litter of kittens there who needed to be bottle-fed so I even had cats there! I've cared for kittens two weeks old and sick, elderly cats 19 years old and every age in between.

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

I enjoy experiencing the different personalities and quirks of each cat, and getting to know them over time. Cats are so unique, with different color and breed patterns and of course different behaviors. It really seems like cats are evolving and are so much MORE than they ever used to be!

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

My favorite cat sitting job would have to be for a client who deployed to Iraq and needed someone who could care for his three babies in their own home for several months. They had distinct personalities of course and I got to spend significant time and gain the shy one's trust. Mellow was the kitty I remember the most -- he was elderly and just wanted to be cuddled.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

Of course! Seven right now. From the eldest to youngest, they are: Davy Crockett (Davy), Emma, (Buke - leave it to my husband Nick to Nick-name the cats), Maya Angelou (Tones - short for Kitonian), Albert Einstein (Bear), Moonlight (Moonie), Maverick (Mav). And Edgar Allan Poe (Poe), the kitten.

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

Make sure they have cats of their own and check for reliability. Go with your instincts at the Meet and Greet. Ask if their cats are indoor only and if they are spayed/neutered. Ask if they would take their cats with them if they had to move. If they don't get offended and say they're part of the family, I wouldn't hire them because they don't value their cats enough and likely wouldn't value yours.

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

I meet the cat parents of course, and also try to get to know the cats themselves. I listen but also write things down, and I have a template for questions to be sure to ask. I make sure I know the temperament of the new cat(s) and how they interact with their cat siblings or other animals. I try to learn as much as I can about what the cat parent expects and if there are any small things that are important as far as feeding and playtime, favorite toys, etc., that the parents may forget because they are so close to the cat.

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

I make sure I am careful to keep the cats inside at all times. I check your home for hazards to the cats, just like I would for our cats at home, making sure windows are closed and there are no window or electrical cords that are hazardous. I make sure not to leave items of my own accessible to the cat, and when I leave, I make sure the food bowls are picked up and washed so old food is not left out. Of course, dry food will be freshened and left out if instructed, and water bowls will be washed and refilled. I check to make sure your cat does not seem ill or injured, and get them to a vet if needed, after calling you. And of course I lock up and make sure your cats are safely inside when I leave.

Are you usually available during holidays?

Yes. Our family is local and they understand pets' needs. Our times to get together with our kids are flexible.

What is your favorite cat toy?

It used to be Da Bird, the flying feathered "bird" on a string attached to a pole. But for the last two years, the cats have unanimously voted for a toy that is similar in concept to Da Bird but has a wire that is curved, instead of a string, with three feathers around a swivel at the end. The wire makes the pattern easier to vary for the cat and you can kind of bounce it to make the "bird" move differently. Thankfully it's pretty easy to get replacement feathers because the cats go through them pretty quickly when they catch a bird!

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

I bring a book, cue up some of my relaxation music for cats that I have on a playlist on my phone, and sit for a while. I call their name and gently encourage them to come out, and offer a toy if they seem to want to play, but mostly I wait for them. I do want to see all your cats before I leave, of course, to make sure they're safe and healthy. As far as the music, our Little Bear needed relaxation music when he was a very young (2 weeks old) kitten and it really helped him. Our cats all like the music and there is a lot of it available so I think most cats do. If they'd prefer, our cats like jazz, too, so I would try that.