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

I have been catsitting for around a decade - I started by looking after my sister's cats when she first adopted them as kittens, and branched out from there to caring for the cats of other friends and clients. I've dropped in to feed and cuddle with friends' lonely felines while their parents are away on vacation, and I've stayed overnight to keep an eye on needier kitties while their parents take longer trips. When previous housemates have had cats, I've stepped up to be their backup cat-carer whenever they've needed help - I love connecting with new cats and spending time with them.

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

The cats! If you're a cat parent, you know well that every cat is a unique little person with their own personalities, quirks, and needs. I love every interaction, from shy kitties who give you the boon of a glance from afar, to bolder cats who strut right out to demand pets the second you walk in the door. I love finding out what makes each cat happy, and giving them that companionship while their people are away - I always love to stick around and spend time with the cat after they're fed, even if it's just sitting in the same room while they snooze companionably.

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

Technically not a reservation - about a decade ago, my sister adopted two kittens, sisters, named Thomasin and Tasmine. Thomasin is a sweet and shy black cat; her sister Tasmine (who has since sadly passed) was a loving and rambunctious tortoiseshell. My sister was making a point of staying home with them, but one day had an unavoidable day-long obligation, so tagged me in to look after them - my first time really caring for kitties. Over the course of that day, as the kittens used me as their personal human-shaped jungle gym, I fell in absolute love with them (and with catsitting).

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

I have one ridiculous tabby boy named Anatoli Smorin, or Tolya for short. He's a four-year-old former street cat who has decided that laps and attention are the best things ever, and he will try out different creative yowls if he is not receiving sufficient quantities of either.

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

Your cat is a very specific and particular little person: don't hesitate to tell the sitter of all of your cat's quirks! Do they have a favorite toy? Have you noticed they make certain sounds when they want certain things? If you have anecdotes, please share them. And when it comes to food, cleanup (e.g. litterboxes), and any medications, there's no such thing as being too specific with your instructions, and no such thing as a cat that's too finicky. We don't want your cats to settle for care that's just "enough" while you're gone!

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

Ideally, I like to meet both the cat(s) and their parent(s) beforehand in situ, but I understand that that's not always possible. I like to learn as much about the cat's specific needs and likes beforehand - what makes your cat really happy? And I like to establish the specific timeframe you'd like your cat fed in; I know that some cats are on stricter feeding/medication schedules than others. Lastly, if you're able to provide me with written instructions to double-check, even if it's just a text message thread, I greatly appreciate that.

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

I'm very careful when opening and closing doors to the outside world - slow and cautious are key. I like to check and double-check all things safety-related on my way out: has anything been bumped, opened, or turned on (e.g. an appliance) by an exploring cat? Is there anything in reach that could be a risk? Are all doors to the outside locked, and all windows shut? I also tend to over-report if I see anything of concern - while hairballs are frequently just a fact of life, I'll still message immediately if I see any vomit.

Are you usually available during holidays?

It depends on the holiday - my family is largely MA-based, so for most holidays I can still do drop-in visits, but would unlikely be able to do an overnight.

What is your favorite cat toy?

I love wand toys, be they the kind with a long waving ribbon or a dangling toy lure at the end, because they create a connection between you and the cat, and also let the cat decide how they want to interact: will they hunker down and stalk their prey, or will they leap straight into battle? Or do they just want to grab on and bunny-kick? Wand toys are versatile, and they let the cat play how they want to play.

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

When it comes to timid cats, I try to make them comfortable with my presence without imposing on them - I give them the space they need, and let them come to me if they want to. I try and treat them like I'm a cat that's trying to put them at ease - sitting in the same space but not too close, not making too much eye contact, or slow-blinking at them if I do. And I understand some cats may never want to get too close to someone who's not their parent - unless a cat is in danger, or needs medication administered directly, I'm never going to force interaction.