The Ultimate Guide to Cat Sitters During the Holiday Season
The holiday season is a busy time, and for cat owners, finding reliable care for your furry babes can be a challenge. Should you choose a cat sitter or a cat kennel? How can you find a trustworthy sitter? What should you expect to pay? And most importantly, how do you prepare your cats for their time with a sitter? In this guide, I’ll share my experiences, including using Cat in a Flat, to help make your decision stress-free.
In this blog article, I’ll talk about:
Which is Better for My Cats: Cat Sitters or Cat Kennels?
When I first needed care for my meowsters and friends or family weren’t an option, I considered both alternatives. Cat kennels often provide a secure environment with professional supervision, but the unfamiliar surroundings can be stressful for some cats (and there are always too many Reddit posts sharing tragic stories from cat kennels). Additionally, kennels / catteries charge per pet, making it a much more expensive option if you have multiple cats. My cats, Barney and Mui Mui, had a traumatic relocation experience from Hong Kong to the UK, so I knew they’d be much happier staying in the comfort of their home—even though it meant letting strangers come into our place unsupervised.
Cat sitters, like those found on Cat in a Flat, come to your home, allowing your cats to remain in a familiar environment while you're away. Sitters provide personalised care, feeding, playtime, and litter cleaning, making them an excellent choice for cats that dislike change.
While we are opening our home and entrusting our dearest meowsters to cat sitters, the number one question is always: how and where can we find a trustworthy cat sitter?
How Can I Find A Trustworty Cat Sitter Near Me
When it comes to finding a trustworthy cat sitter, there are some traditional approaches you can try. Asking your neighbours or friends who have pets for recommendations can be a great starting point. Personal recommendations often come with firsthand experiences, which can give you confidence in the sitter's reliability. Alternatively, a quick Google search for "cat sitters near me" will provide plenty of options in your area. However, it’s crucial to thoroughly vet anyone you’re considering—check if they are fully insured, have relevant experience, and, most importantly, have strong reviews from other pet owners.
Alternatively, you can turn to platforms specifically designed for cat sitting like Cat in a flat. Cat in a Flat connects cat owners with local cat lovers who offer pet-sitting services in their free time (I’ve registered as both cat owners & cat sitters on it). It's an easy-to-use platform that ensures both cat sitters and owners are vetted and supported. Simply enter your postcode, and the platform will automatically display registered cat sitters in your area. You’ll be able to view their names, photos, short descriptions, customer ratings, repeat bookings, and rates per visit to help you make an informed decision.
You can see all the registered cat-sitters near you once you search with your postal code and you can see their photos, names, short description, reviews, repeated bookings & rate.
The platform also offers an insurance policy that provides protection for cat owners who book through their platform. (Make sure to read through their insurance policy to understand the coverage) This includes coverage for accidental damage and vet bills resulting from the sitter’s care. If you’re particularly cautious, you can even find cat sitters on the platform who have completed a DBS background check for extra peace of mind.
There are other platforms, such as Trusted Housesitters and Rover, that provide similar services. However, since I haven’t personally tried those yet, I can only share my positive experience with Cat in a Flat, both as a cat owner and a cat sitter. I’ve always managed to find reliable cat sitters in my area, either by contacting shortlisted sitters directly on the platform or by broadcasting a job on the site.
Regardless of how you choose to find a cat sitter, it’s always recommended to arrange a meeting at your home with the sitter before confirming the job or making any payment. A face-to-face meeting is essential to observe how your cat(s) interact with the sitter and ensure they’re the right fit for the job. For bookings made through Cat in a Flat, you’ll need to input your credit card details when setting up your cat owner account, but you won’t be charged until one day before the job begins. This gives you time to confirm the job with the sitter after meeting them.
What is the Usual Rate of a Cat Sitter?
Rates vary depending on location, services, and experience. I’d say on average it’s about £10-15 per visit, with some sitters offering overnight stays for a higher fee. In suburban areas, rates may be slightly lower, while urban centres often charge more.
Don’t forget to budget for peak season surcharges, as the demand for sitters spikes during the holidays. Most sitters charge fairly, and the platform fee on cat-sitting sites (19%o on Cat In A Flat) ensures secure payments and guarantees for both parties.
Things I should do before leaving my cats under the care of a cat-sitter
A few things that you should do before you are entrusting your dear meowsters’ lives with a cat sitter:
Meet the Sitter: Arrange a quick meet-and-greet to allow your cats to get acquainted with the sitter. This is also a great opportunity to share specific instructions and assess the sitter’s comfort level with your cats.
Provide Clear Instructions: Leave a detailed care plan, including feeding schedules, medication instructions (if any), your registered vet’s details, and emergency contacts.
Provide a clear task list: Give the sitter a clear list of tasks to be completed during each visit. For example, feeding, topping up the water bowl, cleaning litter trays, and sending photos/videos of your cats.
Prepare Your Home: Cat-proof areas the sitter will access and stock up on food, litter, and supplies.
Stay in Touch: Most sitters are happy to provide regular updates, including photos and videos, so you can rest assured your cats are happy and well cared for.
Inform your neighbour: Let a trusted neighbour know you’ll have a cat sitter visiting while you’re away. This helps avoid any confusion or alarm about strangers entering your home.
Set up kitten cams: If you like to check on your cats while away, consider setting up cameras. Let your cat sitter know about the cameras’ presence and locations—it’s courteous and ensures transparency. (It’s about monitoring your cats, not your sitter!)
Why Choose a Cat Sitter This Holiday Season?
Whether you’re travelling to see family or taking a much-needed vacation, having a reliable cat sitter ensures your meowsters are happy, comfortable, and safe. Platforms like Cat in a Flat make the process easy, secure, and stress-free, especially if you are looking for last-minute cat-sitters and don’t have much time to do research. By choosing a sitter, you can enjoy your holiday season while knowing your cats are in loving hands.
If you are in Woking area and you need a cat sitter - feel free to check my profile up on Cat in A Flat!