Karen

I absolutely love the process of bonding with cats -- getting to know each kitty's unique personality, earning her trust, and building mutual respect and affection. I've been a "cat mom"

since I was 17 years old -- well over 20 years

-- and I have loved every minute of it.

I lost my beautiful Buddy (the big, sweet, black and white boy in my photos) to cancer and I'm not quite ready to bring the next kitty into my home permanently. However, cat sitting informally for friends and neighbours brought both me and those cats who visited with me a lot of joy, so I decided to offer official cat-sitting services.

I offer afternoon or evening visits to your home and I serve the downtown Toronto area. At last count, I have had the pleasure of caring for more than 60 cat friends when their humans travelled.

If you leave your kitty in my care, I will give her a vacation in her own home while you're away. Specifically, I will:

• Follow your special instructions to make sure any interruptions to your cat's routine are minimized.
• Spend time getting to know your cat. I make the effort to understand what each kitty I care for enjoys.
• Talk to your cat. I make sure they know that they are safe and loved while you're away, but that you are coming back for them!
• Play with your cat -- using the favourite toys you provide or toys I have for your kitty to try out. I have furry toys, dangly toys, toys to chew and claw and kick, and toys that roll. Some kitties crawl right into my bag of toys and chose their favourite -- or they decide the bag IS the toy.
• Brush your cat with a soft rubber brush or a wire bristle brush -- depending on what their coat requires and what they enjoy.
• Sit quietly nearby your cat while I read, write, or knit, in order to provide calm company without overstimulating a nervous kitty.
• Offer as much petting, ear rubbing, whisker rubbing, back-scratching, or tummy rubbing as a social kitty desires.
• Make lots of cat treats and catnip available, if you permit it. Catnip comes in the form of dried catnip pieces and catnip stuffed toys.

Bribe your cat with bits of cheese, tuna, or milk, if you permit it. Cat milk (with special digestive enzymes to make it easy on your kitty's tummy) available on request. Please do let me know about any special health or dietary needs!

Treat your kitty as family. In my home, felines are family and that's the way I treat all kitties I meet.

Send you updates regularly so you know how your feline family members are enjoying their vacation while you're away.

There is nothing quite as rewarding as the company of a content cat! If you leave your cat with me, I will do everything possible to make sure your furry family member is deeply content while you're away. My goal is to make your cat forget -- at least for a little while -- how much he or she misses you.

Please contact me with any questions, or to arrange a meet and greet before you book your cat's vacation. I can't wait to bring "the catnip forest" to your special kitty.