I'm Debbie

I'm Debbie | Cat Sitting in , MA

Hi my name is Debbie, I'm in my 40s, and have been married for 24 years. We have a five-year-old cat named Noodles and a four-year-old dog named Ferdinand, and they are our babies!   I have had five amazing cats in my life, but I also have a lot of experience cat sitting for friends and family through the years.  Additionally, I am a long-term volunteer (Kitten Adoption Coordinator - almost 10 years) at a local animal shelter and have done cat care, TNR, foster team work, fundraising, and over 1200 adoptions there, so I have worked a lot with both cats and people.  I am passionate about all animals, especially cats. I am detail-oriented, reliable, organized, conscientious, and very aware of the importance of following directions when it comes to cat sitting. I want what is best for the cat(s) and their people.  I feel that feeding cats and cleaning their litter box(es) is just as important as playing with them - unless they don't want to play, of course!  Sometimes just spending time near a cat is exactly what they crave for their own comfort and security. Over the years, I have learned a lot about reading cat body language and understand that every cat is different and has different needs, likes, desires, quirks, and dislikes. But this is what we all love about cats: their idiosyncrasies! My five cats were all very different from each other, which I was fascinated by. I love getting to know cats and learning about their individual preferences. Of course, nothing feels better than that moment when they trust you and show affection. It's magical. I had a semi-feral cat that took seven months to win over, but it was SO worth it!  But I also know that it doesn't necessarily happen with all cats, and that is absolutely fine. It's important that the cat is comfortable in their home, not that I feel loved! For example, if a cat is showing signs of needing alone time, I quietly sit in the room with them so they know I'm there if they change their mind, but I don't force myself on them. If they hide; I let them hide, as they are saying very clearly that they don't trust me yet. But if they come out to say hello, I take it slowly and follow their...