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The litter tray

Join our community of cat lovers on the Mumsnet Cat forum for kitten advice and help with cat behaviour.

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Original poster

Finding a cat sitter

24 replies

erinaceus · 23/12/2018 02:05

Hi cat lovers of MN

I adopted my first cat today.

So far so good, settling in nicely.

I plan to go away for a couple of days in a couple of weeks. I will need to find someone to care for my cat whilst I am away. The shelter was a branch of Cats Protection and they have a partnership with Trusted Housesitters and gave me a leaflet but I am not sure that is quite what I am looking for. Has anyone used them, and/or can anyone recommend an alternative service?

Cancelling the trip is not an option.

OP posts:

WildCherryBlossom · 23/12/2018 03:12

Could you ask neighbours who have cats? We reciprocate cat feeding with several neighbours who have cats.

Original poster

erinaceus · 23/12/2018 03:47

I would be happy to do this and reciprocate as well. I am a bit concerned about reliability. (I am a massively anxious first time cat owner.) I don’t know which neighbours have cats although I see quite a few cats around. I’ll ask the neighbors I do know if they know who owns a cat.

Ty.

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Broken11Girl · 23/12/2018 04:04

Just Google cat-sitters in your area, if available they should go round to yours to meet you and cat for free, having met them you will know if you feel ok with them. If not or you just prefer someone else make excuses.

SpamChaudFroid · 23/12/2018 04:24

In the past I've done as Broken suggested, and have continued to use the same sitter. Also they often advertise in local pet shops. Maybe your vet might recommend one? You want to make sure they're registered, have DBS checks, insurance etc. She's very good, I always come home to a day by day written report on the kitties, so have an idea of what they've been up to.

Original poster

erinaceus · 23/12/2018 05:08

if available they should go round to yours to meet you and cat for free, having met them you will know if you feel ok with them.

I hadn't realised that -- thank you. DBS checked and insured appeals to me.

I've just registered the cat with a vet so could ask them as well.

Thanks both.

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SpoonBlender · 23/12/2018 05:13

Yes - we got our list of catsitters from the vet, so it's a fine plan. Don't be so nervous! The new fluff will be fine.

Broken11Girl · 23/12/2018 05:36

You're welcome. Yes, should have added my sitter has a DBS check which she showed me . She and Madam BrokenCat interact well.

Toddlerteaplease · 23/12/2018 06:18

See if local cattery's offer a cat sitting service. That's how I found mine. Anymore than one night away i prefer to have them in the cattery though. I found a really good one. One of the staff genuinely adores my pair. And they are so well cared for.

Original poster

erinaceus · 23/12/2018 06:48

I was advised that cat sitter is a better idea than cattery. She's only just gotten out leaving her former home (she's 12) for a six week stint across two catteries at different branches of Cats Protection, so I can see where this advice came from. I would like to have a word with the vet anyway so will ask them then if they can recommend someone.

Cat is less anxious than me it seems. She is totally nonplussed at the toy the adoption centre sold me and seems more interested in scratching my rug than the scratch post. So far, so good.

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viccat · 23/12/2018 08:07

Yes, asking the vet's is a good idea, often vet nurses and animal care assistants offer cat sitting services in their spare time too!

If you have a local Facebook group, you could ask there for recommendations as well.

TrustedHousesitters I think is more for longer holidays, for a few days away you can just have someone pop in once a day for half an hour to feed and scoop the litter etc.

Original poster

erinaceus · 23/12/2018 08:29

That's helpful, thank you. I have a longer trip planned later next year but I think things might be different by then. I am away for 48 hours or so so someone local would be best I think.

OP posts:

LEMtheoriginal · 23/12/2018 08:32

Ask at your local vets. One of the nurses may be able to help God knows we get paid little enough and could use the extra cash i know some of our younger nurses have done similar in the pasr

madcatladyforever · 23/12/2018 08:32

I have used a local independent cat sitter and she is great. She comes round and discusses the cat in detail before her first session. I found her on facebook in my local town page, she was recommended by a number of people.
I can't use her now sadly as kitty has diabetes and is on injections and numerous medications and is a biter.

Original poster

erinaceus · 25/12/2018 08:31

I have registered cat with a vet this morning. Once we are registered I will ask them if they know a willing cat sitter.Thanks guys!

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Toddlerteaplease · 25/12/2018 14:02

I always swore that my two wouldn't go in a cattery because of their background. But due to one of them having health problems I wanted a closer eye kept on them. I found a lovely cattery and they are one of the girls favourite cats. She did me a lovely portrait of the girls together as Maia was very ill and I didn't know how long I'd have her for. And sent me a lovely card when Maia died. Saying that she cried her eyes out. It meant so much that someone else loves them.

SadVillageGirl · 25/12/2018 14:05

I'm a member of trusted Housesitters and sit for free nationwide.

SmallestInTheClass · 27/12/2018 11:55

We found two lovely local sitters on pawshake. They are phone interviewed, and you get insurance and can pay via PayPal.

Ollivander84 · 27/12/2018 23:56

I was so worried about precious first cat when I was in hospital that I had cats protection rehoming woman look after him she wants him back now

Original poster

erinaceus · 28/12/2018 06:05

Yes apparently this worrying about precious first cat is usual? The vet gave me some numbers of cat sitters locally and were reassuring about the experience of owning a cat for the first time.

Thanks everyone who responded. It is nerve wracking owning a cat, I am more stressed than she is.

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PinkSparklyPussyCat · 28/12/2018 07:29

Nearly 11 years down the line and I'm still a nervous wreck!

Toddlerteaplease · 28/12/2018 09:12

Me too! Though mine have had a rough time health wise.

Ollivander84 · 28/12/2018 09:15

Last time I was relaxed enough to ask the neighbour. She took her 5yo daughter with her to feed him. Daughter picked cat up (even I can't do that!) cuddled him and carted him over to the sofa where he purred away and drooled all over her so apparently he likes children!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 28/12/2018 09:17

Harry hasn't really been a picture of health and fitness either! I always thought owning a cat was supposed to be relaxing but I'm not so sure!

Original poster

erinaceus · 30/12/2018 10:00

Cat sitter has been booked.

Thanks everyone!

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