any advice on petsitters?

thanks. I just want someone that will care about them and take care of them like I do. I hate to leave them. wouldn't it be nice to take them in a camper trailer and they could stay in there, it could be their home away from home, and I would be there at night too. lol I can just picture it, traveling around with cats!

They have a BACK UP??? They were going to bring someone else into your home??? No Way. I wouldn't go with this one at all.

I watch those court shows and a girl was pet sitting for a lady and threw a party in the womans house. Someone at the party stole the cockatoos that were being "watched" by this girl. She said it wasn't her fault that someone took the birds.

Put into the contract that no-one else is allowed in the house except the sitter. Let the local police know that you will be out of town and to check on your home while away.

How long will you be gone?

A pet sitter who paid no attention to the cats? That doesn't sound right at all. When I asked my friend Robyn to catsit (even though she had not been around cats very much) she got right on the floor and let Max walk on her. Max loved her instantly and I knew he would be OK with her. As I mentioned before, she became a cat person by catsitting for Max.

Max walk on her

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I do like the idea of a back up person, BUT I want to MEET that person that may possibly be in charge of my cats and in my house. no one comes near my cats without me approving them first.
I absolutely LOVE animals. if I walk to the mailbox and see someone with a dog, if the dog is friendly, I go right up to the dog and pet it and talk to it. I would do the same with cats. I know you have to "respect" them as she said, but come on, pay some attention to them! no way I will call her back.
I will be gone 4 days. but that is 4 long days because everday they want me to play with them and pet them, at different time thruout the day. they will wonder where I am. well as long as I can trust the person caring for them... and I am going to ask a neighbor to watch for things, to keep an eye on the house.

I posted earlier that I am a pet-sitter. To address funnyfelines concern about not "feeling right" about certain pet-sitters. Trust your instincts. When I go to be interviewed by potential clients. I explain that I also am a cat owner. I will "read" the client's cat's body language. If the cat is super friendly and comes up to me, I will respond with pets and sweet talk. If it runs and hides I may go with the owner and talk to the cat, but I won't chase after it just to give it attention that it is obviously not comfortable with.

As far as the "BACK-UP?" comment made by Dragon Lady, all I can say is this: I too tell people I have a back-up. I am only one person! I cannot always get to the client because of earlier jobs, school,etc. The "back-up" reassures my clients that someone will ALWAYS be able to look after their cat even If I am not able to personally make it. It is no different than a large pet-sitting outfit with one owner and several employees. The owner obviously cannot get to EVERY job (what if I had an emergancy for example?), so she/he has "employees" go on jobs too. My back-ups are my parents. Sometimes if I have an overnight dog sit, and some other client calls later and wants an overnight for the same dates, I HAVE to have a back-up or I can't take that job. Being a small outfit, I cannot afford to lose any regular clients. I understand the reluctance to hire "strangers". I, fortunately was referred to my first client by their housecleaner (she is a member of my church). I also used to work in my neighborhood grocery store. So, most of the neighbors got to know me by shopping at my store. I would get to know them and then they would hire me to take care of their pets. After awhile, the referrals spoke for themselves and that is how I got such a stellar reputation even without being insured or bonded.

I bet you would understand if the client wanted to meet this back up person tho, right? I agree,, if you had an emergency or got sick, whatever reason, there has to be a backup. but this lady was vague about me meeting the backup person...! and, Cassie came right up to her and she barely touched her. maybe it's just me, but when I see a friendly animal, I make a big deal over them, because I love to pet/talk to them.

well this afternoon there are 2 more interviews. I will let you know what happens.

Yes, Max likes to walk on people. He walked up to her, she let him sniff her and he climbed into her lap.

I absolutely think you should have someone watch your babies when you are gone. Like I said, I always do. I hope your interviews go better with the next two. You really need to feel confortable with the people who will be going into your house and taking care of your furbabies. Good luck in finding that person. Sending good vibes your way.

well I had the 2 interviews today. I liked them both. I am not sure yet who I will choose. Both are willing to come back a second time and meet the cats again, and feed the cats, then I can see how they do.
the first sitter that was here today, Leo came right up to, jumped onto the coffee table and let her pet him, but Cassie didn't. the next lady, it was the opposite. but they each had other things they were doing at the time, like naps or playing with a toy mouse,LOL.
Poor Charlie, the most scaredy cat of all them , hid under the bed the whole time, he has just now come out, about a half hour ago! poor boy had a scary day. so I gave him atteniton and treats,and we played with his toy mouse. now he is feeling better. I had fallen asleep on the couch, I woke up and there he was staring at me with big scared eyes! Louise hides too but she is fine as soon as the person leaves, she comes out like nothing ever happend.

This is my personal opinion about the back up.

I don't see why there would be an issue about a possible client wanting to meet or talk to them. And not even being sure of whether the back up would be in town or not to be able to contact them sounds like they're hard to get hold of. Definitely not a quality in a back up. They're meant to be reliable.

Trust your instincts and make sure you have referrals.

I'm glad these interviews went so much better & they are willing to come back again for a second visit, too!
Sounds like things are looking up!

well I like I said, I don't have the choice of having a stranger watching them this time. my family are all going to the reunion, and I don't have anyone else I feel really comfortable with, and they would be strangers to them also.

I just called another company, I talked to her on the phone a couple weeks ago, and I kind of had the impression that she thinks alot of herself, and is higher priced. well I called her again now, I wasn't going to, since she never returned my email, but I thought I just wanted more people to talk to before I decide. get this,she charges about $9 more an hour, and does not do half hour, then she tells me it will take more than an hour. it will NOT, not to come and check on them and fill the food/water dishes. I just didn't like her holier than thou attitude, but I wanted to meet her, well then she says, she requires a 50% deposit at the time of the meeting...!! excuse me?? I told her this is just an interview.
forget her! she needs a reality check, her competition, also a large company, is not like that! holy cow!