Instructions
Find the Purrfect Sitter
Ask the sales associates at independent pet supply stores (not PetCo or PetSmart) about cat sitters. They talk with lots of people about their experiences with pet care professionals and seem to know everyone in the pet care community. They'll probably have some great recommendations for you.
Ask friends about their pet sitters. Your veterinarian might be able to recommend people, too. But sitters who love dogs aren't necessarily cat people. Ask for the names of people who love and understand cats.
When you find a potential sitter, ask for and check his references. In addition to finding out whether he's reliable and honest, ask if the cats seem calm and happy when their families return home. A cat who's hiding under the bed probably did not have a good experience with the sitter. Also ask if the cat sitter put all the used litter and empty cat food cans outside in the trash. This indicates that he respects his clients' homes and cares about doing a good job.
If your cat is on medication, ask the sitter to do a trial visit to make sure she'll be able to medicate the cat. Have her come while you're at work or out of the house. You should be prepared to pay for this visit.
Questions To Ask Potential Cat Sitters
"How long have you been a cat sitter?" Experience matters, especially if your cats are old or have health problems. And a full-time cat sitter will probably be better able to meet your cats' needs than someone who fits cat sitting in around the demands of a full-time job.
"Will you be making all the visits yourself or will you have someone else come part of the time?" Your cats will do best if the same person comes all the time.
"Will your children be coming with you?" If your cats are very shy or aren't used to children, they'll be happiest with a sitter who leaves his kids at home.
"Will you always visit at about the same time of day?" Cats are creatures of habit and like to be able to develop a routine with their pet sitters. If the sitter sometimes visits in the mornings and comes in the afternoon or evening other days, the cats won't know what to expect and will be anxious and stressed.
"Do you have a backup plan in case you get sick or injured?" Accidents happen, and your sitter should have a plan in place so her clients will continue to receive care even if she can't get there.
"May I call or email you to find out how my cats are doing?" Your sitter should be willing to provide updates when you request them.
How to Hire a Cat Sitter
You've made your hotel reservations and purchased your airplane tickets. Now the only thing left to do before you head off on that dream vacation is making arrangements for the cats. While friends and neighbors may offer to feed them while you're out of town, chances are they'll get better, more reliable care from a professional pet sitter. How do you find a great cat sitter? Here are some suggestions.