1. • As my cat sitter can I trust you? It’s a frequently asked question and one that is at the forefront of most people minds if they have not used a cat sitter before or any other kind of pet sitting service. I can assure you that I am not interested in what is in your home only your cats! I am police checked (CRB) so that you can rest assured I have no past criminal record. I am fully insured with one of the best specialist animal trade industry insurers called Clivertons. I have excellent references and pride myself on being organised, competent, trustworthy, very discreet, reliable and able to get on with anyone.
   

2. • Why does Catnips mainly sit cats? Since I was a child I have adored cats with a passion. I can’t think of a nicer way to spend time than with these beautiful creatures. I also study cat behaviour which is of particular interest to me.
   

3. • Why Catnips as a cat sitting business? I wanted to help other people out in a similar situation to myself. I have 2 Norwegian Forest kittens and it always is a nightmare when it is time to go on holiday or travel on business. Friends cannot always be around to help you as I have been finding out. I wanted to find a cat sitter who I can build a long and close relationship with, whom I can trust with my keys, with my home, and most importantly, with my ‘babies’. Before the kittens I had a seriously ill cat with renal failure, my beloved Figgy. The option for putting her in a cattery was out of the question.
   

4. • What happens when I contact you? If I am free on the dates you are asking about and you are happy with Catnips service prices and our initial phone/email chat then I will arrange to meet you to complete your cat sitting booking. We go through a checklist regarding your pet, discuss every aspect until we are both happy that everything has been covered and sign the paperwork for your booking. You are required to sign a Catnips cat sitting contract, policy and cat sitter information sheet. Full payment is required to complete the booking You can either hand me over a copy of your keys at this stage or I collect a day before you go away. Please be aware there is a charge for a special trip to collect the keys. The day you hand me your keys we will go through any alarm systems you may have along with detailed instructions. I will also try your keys whilst you are there to make sure they work! All information you give me is strictly confidential and will be treated with the utmost security like your keys!
   

5. • What happens to my keys? All keys are kept in a secure locked place with a reference number on. Your address is not attached to the keys! My insurance covers me for key loss, however, that has never happened! Please note I never leave the keys in your house on my last day incase of an unexpected delay in your return.
   

6. • Would you consider other pets? Any small pets will be considered for pet sitting. for instance if there are fish, hamsters or birds to be fed but these are only free in conjunction with a cat sitting visit. Well behaved/trained dogs would also be considered but initially this is a cat sitting company.
   

7. • How long is a visit and what normally happens? A standard cat sitting visit is min 30 MINS. On each visit I clean all food and water bowls and refill, clean all litter trays, any other catty mess, give your cat loads of fuss and cuddles, including basic coat grooming, go around and water any plants if you wish me to, pick up any mail, and generally stay around to give your pet some much needed company. I am more than happy to make my daily visit double the time but please be aware my fee will reflect this.
   

8. • What if my cat needs medication? I am used to giving cats a pill so this is not a problem. Medication giving is no charge.
   

9. • What if my pet becomes ill while I'm away, how will that be handled? I get information from you in advance on how to handle such emergencies. You will be asked to complete a pet sitting form detailing the name of your vet, how much money you authorize to be spent on your pet's behalf, and contact names of people who may help with decision making should you not be reachable. This is highly unlikely to happen but is always good to be prepared for in advance. Please leave out your carry basket so that I have it to hand.
   

10. • Do I need my cat registered with a vets? It is important that your pet is registered with a local vet before any cat sitting starts as my job would be made very difficult if it wasn’t and the unexpected happened. Please be aware that I cannot take on any pets without this information to hand.
    

11. • My cat may suffer from stress or aggression with strangers. How do you handle cats like this?
    

Some pets may find your non presence stressful or become aggressive when being looked after by a stranger. Although I will not take on any job where the cat is known to show ‘territorial’ aggression, whereby it has been known to attack strangers entering your home, sometimes a cat will react with a mild form of aggression, such as hissing, purely out of stress or fear and as long as I am made aware of this I can prepare how to enter your home and be around your cat. Some owners will not know how their cat will react BUT If you feel your cat will react in this way it is IMPORTANT you buy plug in Felliway diffusers at least 2/3 weeks before your holiday. Felliway has a great calming influence on most cats and will make my job easier! I absolutely must be informed of any behaviour problems your cat may have prior to my acceptance of the booking as, if I am attacked by an extremely aggressive cat, I will make other arrangements whilst you are away and terminate my services with immediate effect. Of course you will be informed of my decision before I terminate and I will always work with you in finding a replacement such as a friend or boarding kennel. The latter is for extreme cases of aggression only of which I have had to deal with on at least two occasions.

1. • What happens if you can’t make it?  I only take on cat sitting jobs where I can be present personally! If I am ill my husband always steps in to help me out. His name is Gordon and he is pictured on the about page. He also is my assistant cat groomer!
   

2. • Why do you not employ other cat sitters? My concept of Catnips was to offer a personalised intimate cat sitting service whereby I was the sole cat sitter. My cat sitting business was never about making as much money as possible but about my personal enjoyment of cats and the kind of service I would want if I were looking for a sitter. I believe in building strong bonds with my clients and their cats.
   

3. • What if my return date is extended or my flights delayed? I will make sure you are covered. Any additional dates will be added including fees for bank holiday should your delay fall on these days.
   

4. • Should I leave my cat flap open or closed? That decision is entirely up to you. If your cat is used to going out it may get stressed being shut in. Maybe consider the special magnet cat flaps so only the cats collar, also with a magnet on, can open it. In special circumstances I let the cat out personally but this is only done when the cat is used to an arrangement where it returns after 1 or 2 hours ( I have this arrangement with some clients and it works really well) ... Please discuss with me if this is the case!
   

5. • What do I do regarding food? Please ensure you have left adequate food for the length of time you are away. Of course, if you run short, I am more than happy to pop to the shops and will add any costs from this to your balance.
   

6. • Do you work over the Xmas period? Yes. I am happy to provide you with a cat sitting service over Xmas if I am not going away myself (which is rare) I charge double on Xmas, Boxing day and New Years Day.
   

7. • What is your cancellation policy? All cancellations must be received no later than 7 days prior to the first scheduled date or the full fee is chargeable.  50% is non-returnable unless in exceptional circumstances or when your trip was so far in advance that I feel enough notice was given. During busy holiday periods any cancellation made within two weeks of first scheduled cat sit is liable to the full fee. This is because at busy times Catnips close our books after a certain number of bookings and therefore if you cancel at short notice, not only have you lost other cats my services but you've also lost me work. I consider my busiest times to be Easter, Summer holiday period, and Xmas.
   

8. • Do you supply any other services? Sometimes a cat needs extra TLC, like mine when she was ill, so an overnight stay is required. I am happy to offer this service. Just ask me and I can give you a quote once I know what is required. I can also be your pet taxi in my merc estate and I can
   

offer harness training for any in-door cats. Please be aware that you will need to start training your cat when it is a kitten. A new recent service I offer is called TV nights where I spend an evening watching TV with your cat! Strange as it may sound It’s amazing how much this service relaxes your cat and makes it feel loved and relaxed until your return. I offer this service to clients who are away for longer than 2 weeks or whose cats are a little anxious and not used to being alone. I also offer a mobile home grooming service specialising in long haired breeds. Please click on LONDON MOBILE CAT GROOMER to find out more

1. • My cat may have fleas. What should I do? As we visit a great many cats' homes it is essential for the well being of all Catnips cats that a de-fleaing course is administered prior to sitting should you see any signs of fleas. Furthermore we would ask your permission to take appropriate action should Catnips see any tell-tale signs of fleas on your cat during the sitting period. Any costs incurred will be added to the final balance.
   

1. • Why double at xmas and Bank holidays? I give up my bank holidays xmas and new year celebrations to offer the best cat care I can. Whilst you sit down to eat xmas dinner with your families I will be cuddling your moggie and making sure they are getting the best care and attention whilst your away! My charges reflect this. On xmas day, out of my own pocket, all cats in my care get their own xmas stocking with a special Catnips present.
   

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