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

I have been providing professional cat care for 5 years now! I ADORE cats; their grace, their independence, and their ability to keep us on our toes.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

Unfortunately, my dad had a severe allergy so we never had a cat growing up. So, I took it upon myself to fall in love with OPC... that's Other People's Cats! My partner is also allergic which prevents us from keeping our own cute kitty in the home. Alas! My obsession with OPC continues...

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

Even the most social of cats establish boundaries, and a great cat sitter not only understands this, but can empathize too. I'd encourage cat parents to look for sitters that are deeply appreciative of a cat's inner nature; they train you, not the other way around! A great cat sitter will want to determine your cat's ideal resting state, and catalog how they respond in your absence. A cat sitter with active listening skills usually implies that they're presently minded. The attention a sitter pays to you, the parent, is the attention they'll bring to your cat.

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

In addition to cat care, I am a professional writer. That means I take NOTES! I ensure that household routines are vigorously maintained and well documented beforehand. Questions I like to ask of cat parents to maintain their home plus animal safety: Any phobias a cat might have? Disruptive behaviors they've presented in the past? Hiding spots? Traumatic accidents? Affinity for territorial spraying? Favorite objects that provide comfort? Lure snacks? As creatures of instinct and habit, consistency for a cat ensures positive mental welfare. And that means welfare of your home!

What is your favorite cat toy?

Easy! Feather dancers! This gets kitty active, and that's always a win! Any game that helps your cat feel like a big old lion stalking their prey is a great mental--and physical--boost.

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

For hidey hole kitties, that is, kitties that don't want to be seen by the sitter, there's a variety of methods to try. First, safety. For timid cats, I usually leave the door open in the hidey hole room while closing doors to other rooms not in use. I'll sit outside the hidey hole room near a food bowl or lure treat but won't touch the bowl, as that can be perceived as predatory. Following treat and food bowl lures, scent marking can be useful. Rubbing scent on a towel or a handcloth then leaving it outside the room can help acclimate kitty so a new presence starts to register as familiar.