How long do you spend on each visit?
It depends on the cat! We usually spend up to 20 minutes on each visit and give all our furry friends a cuddle. We try to minimise the stress of being alone, so if the cat wants to be left in peace, we respect that.
What time do you visit?
Usually between 9am and 5pm (in case we need to consult a vet). Clients can specify morning or afternoon visits, but we cannot guarantee specific times unless timed medication is needed.
What security precautions do you take while I'm away?
We do not use sign written vehicles as we do not want to advertise that you are away from home and we try to vary the time of our visits over the booked period. We will take in the post or anything left on the doorstep or in the letter box daily to minimise the appearance of a property being unoccupied. We can alternate lights on and off within different rooms on request. We also will move any dustbins left on the pathway by the refuse collection.
What happens if my cat becomes unwell?
We will take your cat to its own vet if necessary, at our discretion. It's obviously important that you let us know of any existing ailments or problems every time you go away. Vet bills cannot be invoiced so we pay the vet on your behalf - reimbursement is requested as soon as possible on your return. There is no charge for our time spent taking the cat to the vet however.
Should I leave my cat flap open?
This is always a very difficult decision to make when leaving your cats alone. Although keeping the flap shut may prevent any problems with a lonely or bored cat straying or strange cats coming in, it will also prevent escape if there are any emergencies.
Will you water my plants and garden?
We will water a reasonable number of house plants or small gardens at no extra charge. Watering larger gardens takes time away from other cats so there may be an extra charge for this.
What happens if there are problems with the keys, locks or alarms?
If there are lock or key problems when we call, we will try to contact any designated keyholder in the first instance. Our concern is always for the cats' welfare so if there is no alternative we will call a locksmith. If there are problems with alarms, if necessary we will call an alarm engineer and wait for them to arrive - as we try not to leave alarmed properties with the alarm not set, it is essential that on every booking we are aware of any changes to code words for any alarms in case of problems. Any charges made by third parties to rectify problems are the responsibility of the client.
Can you call every other day while I am away?
No. The well being of your cat is our priority while it is in our care and more than 24 hours between visits could be too long if the cat became sick or if any other problems developed. For your peace of mind - and our own - we visit daily during the period of your booking.
How do I pay?
For new customers we normally invoice at the end of the first booking so that you can be sure you are happy with everything before you pay. For subsequent bookings we ask clients to leave a cheque for us to collect on our first visit. Credit card facilities are also now available. For Christmas and New Year bookings, 50% of the total fee is payable in advance - this is non-refundable in the event of cancellation. More details on payment are here.
We are happy to answer any other questions you might have - contact us by email or phone on 020 8768 5333.
