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

My experiences cat sitting have been amazing. I love every moment of it! I have done daily visits, as well as overnight care. I've taken care of my own cats for my entire life, though I began pet sitting 8 years ago.

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

I love getting to know the kitties and taking care of them. I am an avid cat lover. If I can help them in any way, I will. My family has rescued numerous cats, and I will continue doing so for the rest of my life. If you asked anyone who knows me, they would say I love cats more than anything else in the world. Their safety and wellbeing is the most important thing to me. Cats can't advocate for themselves in the ways we can, so I will always do my best to help support them. Additionally, so many people misunderstand cats. They don't understand that cats have emotions and boundaries. They don't understand that cats won't do exactly what you tell them to. They need to be respected just as you would respect any person in your life. Loving and listening to them makes me so happy.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

I have a 13 year old calico named Matilda. She is the one who current lives with me. She act much younger than she is, and loves to zoom around the house. At my parents' home, I have a 13 year old black cat named Princess. We adopted her when she was only 1 year old. She loves to lay on the arm of the couch, watching people and other animals go by. My baby, who most recently passed, was named Lila. She was a very sweet Siamese cat. She was emotionally intelligent and expressive. Unfortunately, cancer caught up to her right before her 8th birthday.

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

Book the sitter who is the right fit for your cat. Your cat will respond differently to everyone. Listen to their body language and actions. You absolutely need to find a sitter who will respect the boundaries of your cat and house. Make sure any medical needs are able to be taken care of. The meet and greet is an amazing time to see if a sitter interacts well with your cat and vice versa.

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

If you are new to being a cat parent, you can always ask for any advice you need. Communication will be the most important thing. If it'd be helpful, I'm more than willing to spend extra time with you during the meet and greet. If you'd like a lot of pictures or videos, I will send a lot! I will give updates as much as you'd like. Remember, most cats are independent. Many of them will continue their daily routines. For the ones that have separation anxiety or don't do well with change, I will be here as support, for both them and you. Your baby is being taken care of and will be waiting for you when you return 💖

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

When entering the home, I always keep my eye on the opening of the door to ensure your cat doesn't run out. I will ask if your cat has any medical conditions or problems engaging in any normal movements, like walking or jumping. I will never leave anything out that your cat is not allowed to consume or interact with. I lock the door when I get inside, and double check to make sure it is locked when I'm leaving. If there is a house alarm, I will be sure to follow any instructions you leave. I will have my phone on me at all times, so if anything were to happen, I would be able to contact you and law enforcement if needed. In addition, I participated in mixed martial arts for multiple years, so I will protect us.

Are you usually available during holidays?

Unfortunately, this heavily depends. I am going between two locations due to my education, so I may be available in one service area, but not the other. I will always keep my calendar updated though!

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

I will always let them come to me first. I'll sit down in a chair or on the floor and offer out my hand for them to sniff. If they are still too anxious or scared, I will avert my attention to something else entirely to make sure they don't feel watched. If they still seem uncomfortable, I'll leave the room for a bit to give them time to settle. If it's separation anxiety, I will do my best to support them. If they will accept love from me, I will make sure they receive consistent pets and cuddles. I will play with them as much as they'd like to help distract them. I can also play calming music, or if you'd like, leave a voice recording for me to play. My baby, Lila, had separation anxiety, so I know it can be really hard when the person they want isn't.