Cats at Home | The Cat Lady

Cats are happiest at home!

For cats, losing their care-giver can be unsettling. It may only be a day or two, but they have no idea of when, or even if you will return. Add to this the prospect of a whole new environment, such as a cattery, and cats can become stressed very fast. Stressed cats are visibly very unhappy. They can suffer toileting problems, refuse to eat or drink, get depressed or panic and try to escape risking injury to themselves. They can also suffer long term effects, such as a UTI which can be dangerous particularly in male cats, or sores from overgrooming. Simply put, avoiding this upset should always be the main goal of any cat owner.

Consultation

We insist on coming to meet you and your cat(s) before we will carry out visits. It's important that we meet you and have the opportunity to discuss your needs and expectations, not to mention hearing all about your cats personality! We charge for this consultation and you can expect it to last between 20-40 minutes. We like to meet the account holder, and the cat(s) if possible. We don't need you to tidy up or give us a house tour, but it's helpful if you can show us where your cats like to hang out, and where things are. We will also collect two keys from you at the meeting.

Before You Go

Please ensure you leave your home safe for your cats.
Set the heating at a comfortable temperature - 15 degrees or above.
Check for any dangling cords/string/wool that can be a hazard.
Don't leave toys out that could be swallowed and cause choking.
Turn off electrical sockets where possible.
Check bath/sink plugs are left out (unplugged) in case taps are knocked and turned on.
Make sure windows and doors are securely locked.
Consider the use of timed lights for your home security and your cat's comfort.

While You're Away

We will update you after every visit with a journal that you receive through our app. It includes a list of the things we have done, and lots of photos to put your mind at rest.

When You're Home

Please let us know you are home safe. If you are delayed at all and need extra visit, we can continue to care for your cat(s) until you return.

Keyper Service

We prefer to retain your keys, coded with no names and locked away, for future bookings. This enables us to visit at short notice or in an emergency. We will continue to visit if anything happens and you don't arrive home when you expect. We can also help if you get locked out!

If you would prefer to have your keys put through the letterbox after our last booking, please let us know. We suggest you ensure someone else also has a key in case you are delayed returning home.