Kitty Sitters

What a Cat Sitter Does?:

A cat sitter is a person who takes care of cats in their own home (or sometimes the sitter’s) while the owner is away. Their goal is to make sure the cat stays safe, healthy, and comfortable — maintaining normal routines and minimizing stress.

Main Responsibilities:

1. Feeding and fresh water – Providing meals according to the cat’s schedule and dietary needs.

2. Litter box care – Scooping or cleaning the litter box daily and keeping the area tidy.

3. Playtime and companionship – Giving the cat attention, play, or quiet company depending on its personality.

4. Health monitoring – Watching for signs of illness or stress (changes in appetite, litter habits, or behaviour).

Optional Features That May Be Offered:

1. Administering medication – Giving pills, drops, or injections if needed, as directed by the owner or vet.

2. Home security and maintenance – Bringing in mail, watering plants, or turning lights on/off to make the home look lived in (for in-home visits).

3. Communication – Sending regular updates, photos, or notes to the owner for peace of mind.

Types of Visits

• Drop-in visits: The sitter comes once or twice a day for 30–60 minutes to feed, clean, and check on the cat.

• Daytime Care: The sitter stays during the day but leaves at night.

• Overnight stays: The sitter sleeps at your home to provide longer companionship and security.

• Extended or live-in care: For longer trips, they may stay full-time in the home.

🏠 Are Cat Sitters Safe to Have in Your Home?

Generally, yes — reputable cat sitters are trustworthy professionals who take both your pet’s and your home’s safety seriously.
However, since you’re giving them access to your private space, it’s important to verify their reliability and professionalism before you hand over the keys.

Most safety concerns can be avoided by checking references, confirming credentials, and making sure you’re both clear on expectations.

✅ Assurances a Cat Sitter Should Offer

1. Background & References

• Ask for references or reviews from previous clients.

• Many professional sitters undergo background checks — you can request proof.

2. Insurance & Bonding

• Pet sitter insurance covers accidents involving your cat (e.g., injury, medication mistake).

• These are standard for professional sitters and offer peace of mind.

3. Written Agreement

A service contract should outline:

• Duties (feeding, cleaning, playtime, medication, etc.)

• Visit frequency and duration

• Payment terms

• What happens in emergencies or cancellations

• Liability and insurance details

Having it in writing protects both you and the sitter.

4. Emergency Preparedness

Ask what they’d do if:

• Your cat becomes ill or escapes

• There’s a household emergency (power outage, water leak, etc.)
  They should have your vet’s contact info and a clear plan for emergencies.

5. Transparency & Communication

• Reliable sitters send daily updates, photos, or videos.

• You should always know the days when they’re coming and leaving your home.

• Some use smart locks, visit tracking apps, or GPS check-ins for accountability.

6. Meet-and-Greet

Always do an in-person meeting before you hire.
This lets you:

• See how they interact with your cat

• Discuss home access, routines, and safety procedures

• Get a feel for their professionalism and trustworthiness

🚨 Red Flags to Avoid

• Hesitant to provide references, ID, or insurance info

• No contract or vague answers about procedures

• Poor communication or unwillingness to meet in advance

• Rushing to take payment before details are clear

• Concerns about cameras around the home and being filmed

🐾 Bottom Line

Cat sitters are safe to have in your home when they are:

• Experienced, vetted, insured, and communicative

• Willing to provide documentation and meet your cat first

• Professional about respecting your home and privacy

A trustworthy sitter will be as protective of your cat and home as you are.

🐾 Cat Sitter Safety Checklist (Before You Hire)

🧍‍♀️ Identity & Experience

☐ Ask for their full name, phone number, and ID verification
☐ Confirm they have specific cat-care experience (feeding, litter, medication, shy cats, etc.)
☐ Request at least 2 references or reviews from previous clients

🛡️ Professional Assurances

☐ Ask for proof of pet sitter insurance
☐ Request a written service agreement or contract
☐ Review their cancellation, refund, and emergency policies

🐈 Cat Care Details

☐ Discuss your cat’s daily routine, food, litter, and behavior
☐ Make sure they’re comfortable giving medication (if needed)
☐ Provide your vet’s contact info and nearest 24-hour emergency clinic
☐ Leave clear written instructions in case of illness or escape

🏠 Home Access & Security

☐ Arrange how they’ll access your home (key handoff, lockbox, or smart lock)
☐ Clarify what areas are off-limits
☐ Ask if anyone else will enter your home during visits
☐ Confirm they will lock doors, turn off lights, and check security before leaving
☐ Do a test visit or first-day check-in to ensure everything feels right

📱 Communication

☐ Agree on how often you’ll get updates (daily photos, texts, short videos)
☐ Confirm what time they’ll visit and how you’ll know they came (timestamp, message, etc.)
☐ Make sure they can reach you quickly if there’s an emergency

❤️ Final Check

☐ Observe how your cat reacts to them during the meet-and-greet
☐ Ask yourself: Do I feel comfortable trusting them with my pet and home?

If every box is ticked ✅, you can feel confident that your cat (and your home) will be in safe, responsible hands.

Make sure to discuss how they’ll access your home, if they’ll lock up securely and where the key will be stored.

You may also wish to permanently leave a key with a long term sitter you trust so they are prepared for any eventuality to ensure you cat is safe in any emergency.

🧾 After the Job

• You can ask the sitter to provide a summary of visits and any concerns.

• Returns keys and ensures the home is secure and clean.

📋 Before the Job

1. Meet-and-greet: The sitter meets the cat and owner to learn about routines, habits, and quirks.

2. Information exchange: The owner provides feeding instructions, vet info, emergency contacts, and home access details.

3. Trial run (optional): Sometimes a short test visit helps ensure the cat is comfortable.

🔍 Sample “interview” style questions you might ask

• “Can you walk me through a typical visit when you’re looking after a cat like mine?”

• “If you arrived and my cat hadn’t eaten / been to the litter box in 24 hrs, what would you do?”

• “When you administer medication, how do you handle a cat that resists?”

• “If you found my cat hiding or refusing to eat, how would you respond and how soon would you contact me or the vet?”

• “What happens if you’re unwell or can’t get to my home as planned?”

• “What is your cancellation policy? Do you charge extra for weekends/holidays/overnight stays?”

• “How many times per day will you visit? Will you send photos or updates? Which medium do you use — text, Whatsapp, email?”

• “Will you always be the same person? Or will someone else sometimes cover?”