Has anyone used Cat in a Flat?

[Greyrockin]

I'm having a few days away at the end of September and the neighbour who usually looks after my cat is away at the same time. I'm thinking of using a sitter from Cat in a Flat and wondered if anyone else has used this site and if it's generally okay?

He doesn't do very well in catteries, he gets stressed and doesn't eat so home is best for him I think.

Cat tax:

I’ve used it but the person who came was recommended by my neighbour. I booked her through the website, she came round to meet us and get a key and it’s all gone well so far.

A friend of mine is a sitter for Cat in a Flat and is very conscientious. She gets lots of bookings.

Loads! Found some excellent sitters through them, I always go for people with lots of reviews. Highly recommended.

Edit - your cat is GORGEOUS.

I am a Cat in Flat sitter, as is my daughter. Part of the service is to provide daily updates, videos, photos, etc., so you can see how your cat is doing. You can also see reviews of the sitters on their website, if that might help you decide. Lovely cat!

Oh he’s gorgeous! Yes, we’ve used Cat in a Flat a fair few times, and always a good experience. We also go for people with lots of reviews.

I use it but only one person and I knew her before. It works well though.

Thanks everyone. I've contacted a sitter who has good reviews and looks after a couple of older cats already. She's available so hopefully all will go well. Puss cat is nervous around humans so chances are she might not even see him.

Yes I've used Cat in a Flat and so has a close friend. No issues at all!

I only clicked on this thread because I confused the title with Flat Cats which is a company that supplies screens to put over your upstairs windows so you can keep them open without your cats being able to get out, but I now see that it's like a AirBnB model to connect cat owners with independent cat sitters.

In that case it's likely one of those things where people's experience varies according to the individuals providing the service. I haven't used Cat in a Flat but earlier this year I found a new cat sitter who advertised on https://www.petbacker.com/ as my old cat sitter, who I'd been using for over a decade retired. So that could be another place to look, but Cat in a Flat looks similar.

I googled cat sitter and my town and also looked on Facebook and found a few options, so for each one googled them to find out as much information as possible just to see reviews and if they appeared genuine, honest, trustworthy etc, as it's a big thing to allow a stranger the keys to your home and responsibility of feeding your pets while you're away.

The lady I settled with was listed on Petbacker and had a Facebook page for her business. She had a few good reviews on Petbacker and also Google and her FB page was clearly that of an animal lover with lots of pictures of her, her family, her own pets and also those she boards in her own home - it was the FB page that convinced me she looked OK as it had a few years of posts of her being a pet sitter.

Before committing, she came to meet us and the cats and we had a good chat. We've now used her a few times and it's all been great - she sends Whatsapp updates and photos and most of the cats seem to like her, except the one that doesn't like anyone except me and DP.

Thanks @Bjorkdidit - that's really useful too. I've provisionally booked a sitter who has good reviews on Cat in a Flat. She lives down the road and is coming over next week for a meet-up so hopefully will be fine.

It is the idea of a stranger in my home that I worry about - not necessarily because I think they will do anything - I'm autistic and get stressed with anyone being in my house (yes, I am one of those weirdo mumsnetters!)

I found an amazing cattery a little while ago - who only goes by word of mouth and doesn't need to advertise. It's on a farm on a quiet lane with window views looking out onto fields of horses and sheep and the kindest guy running it - but my cat just stressed the whole time and the guy was really worried that puss wasn't eating, no matter what he tried. As soon as I got my cat back home he was purring and wolfing his food down (I sent a video to the cattery owner to show him it was just homesickness and nothing to do with the care he provided). I know puss will be better at home so I need to get over my aversion to having people in my home when I'm not there.

I used it. Had a good experience, although my sitter has moved back to Mexico!

Yes I have. I found it great. I’m also a cat sitter on there myself and do the odd cat sitting - that works well too!

Used it for the first time in January on the basis of somebody posting on here. The furry twat loved her visiting and spoiling him rotten with food, conversation and playing.

I was surprised just how many sitters were in my area, actually - I had assumed it would be difficult to find somebody, but it was easy.

Yes! Met two lovely ladies through them, both huge cat lovers. Did a great job and have used them both since depending on availability. Theyve been great, both cats looked after well, updates and pics offered as part of the service.

Also, I don't know if this is standard but they have offered things like curtains and lights, parcels and bins so it's not obvious the house is empty.

Yes we used it, had a local student, she came round to meet our cat and be shown where everything was. She was lovely and very reliable, sent a cat picture every time she went round.

Another happy CIAF user here. The idea of her being in a cattery is quite distressing so glad we have an alternative. We've used a few different sitters and all have been good. I did try Pawshake which was fine but not so many sitters in our area.