How to find a new (reliable) cat sitter?

[BinseyPoplars]

Our cat sitter let us down quite badly over the Christmas holidays (basically didn’t turn up all the time, and didn’t tell us); it’s completely broken down the relationship which is sad, because they need the money, and are really nice - but of course the trust is all gone

How do we go about finding someone trustworthy, reliable and who will do what is agreed, so we are confident that the cats are being looked after properly? How did you find yours? Our neighbours who have cats use the same person as us; I haven’t said anything to them (and am not sure if I should?) I can see there are some websites but they are not exactly “agencies” - more of a “matching service” with no oversight?

Is it just a risk that cat owners take? Ours can’t go to a cattery because they are ex-feral rescues; they are with us as a last resort from an elderly relative a few years ago. They don’t even need much attention; just visits for feeding twice a day. Any tips please? TY

I’d just ask the neighbours if they’re around and suggest you return the favour next time they’re away. Failing that we’ve had success with trusted housesitters and now have 2 regulars from there that we use for longer trips.

If you are open to having someone stay in your house we have found Trusted House Sitters pretty reliable. There is a fee to join but you don’t pay the sitters. It does help if you live somewhere vaguely touristy; we live in a very quaint village and get loads of offers for every sit.

Thank you for this. I’m not sure I’m ready to have someone actually live in our house - but we really do need to find a solution! I might have to engineer a weekend away as a trial, before a longer trip, and see how it works out

Dog walkers will do cat visits - have you contacted them?

We use a site called The Cat Butler. It's a franchise, so depends on your area person but ours is amazing.

Asked for recommendations on Facebook, and used one who was a vet nurse, before her had another man who moved away but both did it as a business properly and were fantastic

We asked our vet nurse who she used for her cats.

I used catinaflat when my lovely cat sitter moved away. I found another great cat sitter and use her every time we go away now.

I would ask the neighbours with cats first and offer to look after theirs too. You can tell them you've decided to look for someone else because the sitter was unreliable. I would want to know if I was using the same sitter as you. They can then decide whether they want to continue using this sitter or do an exchange with you or do something else.

I have 2 neighbours and a friend who lives a bit further away who comes if the others don't have time. One of the neighbours has catsat for years and the other offered so now they share it. I pay them all even though they always say they are happy to do it for free.

If you know any of the other neighbours you could ask them.

I asked for recommendations on our local FB page.

Ask your vets if they have any nurses who do let sitting visits. That's how we found ours.

I'm a vet nurse and I cat sit , this would be my suggestion too.
In fact we had a call yesterday asking the same, there is often a nurse who cat sits and if they can't they'll ask around the team for you, bigger pool of people as receptionists may be Interested also.

Trustedhousesitters.com. This does mean they live in your house, but that’s means it’s more secure when you are away. I’ve used them twice and have several friends who have also used them. You pay an annual fee (around £150) and that’s all!

As it is a tourist area could you offer your home to a trusted relative or old friend who lives far away.?

Could you ask a neighbour? I don't have a cat but I'm always happy to feed neighbours' cats - I've just looked after the cat next door for 10 days over Christmas and New Year and it really wasn't a problem.

I use a local company who uses a network of self employed sitters to actually do the visit. I pay a little premiun for this but it gives me piece of mind that the actual sitter is monitored and if there were any issues, or a legitimate reason the sitter couldn't visit that someone else would. The company owner is copied in on my daily updates so knows what is happening.

They have processes in place for managing and monitoring any illness/injury and arranging vet visits if required. They will also deal with medications

I find the organized businesses to be more reliable - I use a place kitty angels and they have several people to cover so if someone can’t make it then someone else can do the visit. They’re based in the midlands. Also I personally would tell your neighbour about your experience with the cat sitter as they might also be let down. If the person didn’t turn up and the cat was left hungry etc then I would absolutely mention it to others.

That's unfortunately not true anymore. THS announced a few weeks ago that they will be charging a fee to both sitters and owners for each stay. It's not much (£6 a stay I think) and apparently it's to ensure that both parties are fully committed.

Thank you everyone - some really useful ideas. Our neighbour won’t be able to help us but I will tell her about the problems with the other cat sitter and I or my teenagers will be able to help her out when needed.

I am on the lookout for a small business as it seems like the option with the most back-up; both the Cat Butler and Kitty Angels sounds brilliant but unfortunately they don’t work in our area. There must be others though. I’m really upset at the cat sitter not having done all the arranged/paid for visits - and also by not knowing whether it was just this trip or whether it has happened before!

My very popular local dog walker is my go to. She walks loops of the neighbourhood multiple times a day so also keeps an eye out for parcels and sends a daily video or picture of the cats. Its worth asking a few to see if they'll do it.

I used Cat in a flat. I asked the people I chose to come round before hand. She was absolutely lovely. She had cars of her own in her home country and really missed having cats to play with. When she couldn’t do it she recommended her cat lover freind. It worked well. And I was sad when they left

I use pawshake which so far has been great for when we are going away for the weekend. I book them for twice a day as we have a siamese and she likes to see people. Ive had the same person who seems to do it as her full time job and sends me pictures which is nice.For longer trips I'm not sure this will work as our cat is so sociable and gets lonely so far we've been lucky with friends and family helping out but it is one of the issues that comes with cats.

I am on Cat in a Flat as a cat sitter. There are a lot of us on there. Find someone with good reviews and ask to meet them beforehand. I always send photos each time I visit so the owner can see their cat is Ok and can see i have been.

Cat in a flat. But pick a few people with reviews. And people with lots of repeat bookings. Invite them for chats and to meet your cat. Then do a trial run with your favourite. Go away for a night and get them to come over and see how it goes.

My neighbour & I look after each other’s cats now but I’ve used Pawshake in the past.

Whoever you get, ask for photos when they visit your cat, then you know they’re going when they agreed to.