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

I have been cat sitting for just over a year now and have met many different cats with a wide variety of personalities and needs! I have had the cats who come right up to you for snuggles the first time they meet you to the cats that are timid and want to be left to themselves. I have also had experience giving different medications to cats. I do my best to adjust to each cat’s specific needs so I can help them feel as secure and comfortable as possible in my presence while their owner is away.

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

What I love most about cat sitting is that I get o see so many different cat personalities and get to learn how do adapt to the different personalities. It is also so fun and rewarding to see shy cats get more comfortable around me and get to see their true personality and spunk shine through.

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

I don’t have a specific reservation that I would say is my favorite but I love the reservations where the cat(s) want to snuggle or get pets while I’m there. I cat sit because I enjoy interacting with cats so any reservation where the cat is eager to be around me definitely makes it way onto my favorites list!

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

Yes! I have a handsome little man named Leo. He is 9 years old and I adopted him almost 3 years ago after graduating from college. He is my child and I love him more than he could ever imagine. I also have my childhood cat, Jolene, that lives at home with my parents. I get to see her when I visit them and love holding her like a baby (see attached photos for an example lol).

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

Make sure you choose someone who you feel comfortable with being both in your home and in charge of caring for you kitty! Meet and greets are super helpful for determining if someone is the right fit for you. It allows you to get a feel for their personality & experience, and lets you ask any questions you may have. Even if the right fit is not me- that's perfectly fine! It's all about what makes you and your cat the most comfortable :)

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

I always reach out to the cat parent fo thank them for trusting me with their cat while being away and ask any questions I have regarding the reservation. Once confirming the reservation, I go into the meet & greet ready to learn as much as possible from the parent about the cat’s routine. I also ask questions of my own about the cat just to make sure I’m as prepared as I can be while also showing the owner that I truly care about their cat’s comfort and safety. I also want the parent to feel comfortable with their choice of choosing me as their sitter, so I make sure to answer any questions they may have for me.

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

I think meet and greets are a great way to ensure safety of both the cats and the home as it gives me the opportunity to ask the owners any questions I may have. For example regarding the cats: do they have any medical conditions I should be aware of, is there anything that causes their cat(s) to become anxious/scared, are there any unusual places in the house that the cat likes to hide, and also if the cat likes to wander through open doors. I can then also ask about any home security I should be aware of, any safety issues in the surrounding area, and then also just general knowledge about the house. I like to be as prepared as I can ahead of time so that once the sitting reservation begins, I already know what to be on the lookout for.

Are you usually available during holidays?

I am available during most holidays and am happy to work with clients to accommodate their specific needs during that time.

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

One reason I like to meet cats before sitting for them is because it gives me the ability to learn beforehand what helps them to feel more comfortable with my presence. Whether that’s introducing myself slowly or just giving the cat the space it desires while still being able to give them the care and attention they deserve, I am able to adapt to their needs. Having an anxious cat myself, I have learned different behaviors cats exhibit when uncomfortable such as growling, hiding, growing small, etc. and have learned how to help reduce those behaviors as well as his overall anxiety. I would incorporate this experience into the care of any cat I work with, anxious/timid or not.