Cute and cozy care for your cat!

Hello,

It is so lovely to meet you. My name is Briony, and I work for a healthcare charity.

I have been catsitting for over three years now, and was very sad to say goodbye to a wonderful group of cats (and their owners!) when my fiancé and I relocated to Wellington late last summer. Now that we are settled in this lovely town, I would love to begin catsitting again.

A bit about me: I absolutely love cats! I am that annoying person who can't go for a walk without stopping to greet every single cat I pass. A ten minute walk can take upwards of half an hour, much to the bemusement of my long-suffering partner!

This has been a lifelong love affair. As a child, I was never allowed a cat, as my Mum was allergic. I made up for it by circling my neighbourhood finding as many cats as I could to play with - my poor mother!

Later, I was lucky enough to have a DREAM job - I worked for Battersea Dogs and Cats Home. 🐱🐶 There, I spent time with hundreds of cats, and truly came to appreciate and love the quirks and personalities of each and every one; from the sweet and affectionate to the aloof and sassy! While at the charity, I took advantage of all the learning and training opportunities available, including Understanding Cat Body Language, Understanding Cat Enrichment, and An Introduction to Cat Nutrition.

Since moving to Wellington, I've missed my regular catsitting clients from my previous town of Aylesbury. I’m excited to build new connections and provide the same loving care to your feline friends. I look forward to getting to know your cats and ensuring they feel happy and comfortable in your absence!

I provide a personal service to all my catsitting clients, and this includes:

🐱 I like to meet before sitting your pets, as I understand what a personal and important decision choosing a sitter can be. This can be done at your home, or in a more neutral location (at a cafe, for example). This is no obligation, and I promise I will not take it personally if you decide I am not quite the right fit for your cat.

🐱 In the past, I have given lightly worn items of clothing to owners ahead of their departure, to allow the cat(s) time to adjust to my scent ahead of my visits. This makes my first visit as stress-free as possible for the cat (and for you, too!)

🐱 I am happy to help with other small pets, including reptiles, rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, fish, and some exotic animals (please ask for more details).

🐱 I am able to administer basic medications.

🐱 I am a keen gardener, and happy to water/maintain your plants, indoor and outdoor.

🐱 I am happy to collect parcels, mail, etc. I am happy to leave basic groceries for your return, replenish bird seed, and leave out and return your recycling and bins.

🐱 Anything else? Just pop me a message and I'll see what I can do! ❤️

While working for Battersea, I learnt that the key thing for caring for cats is allowing them the two C's: choice and control. I carry this principle into my cat sitting now, and always do things on the cat's terms. (For example, allowing them to initiate contact, and reading body language when playing/fussing to avoid overstimulation). I think that it is so important for cats to feel safe and at ease, especially in their own home!

For cats who enjoy play, I very much enjoy coming up with games and activities, and love thinking of news ways to get my furry friends moving and thinking.

I am particularly talented at taking excellent cat photos (if I do say so myself....)

And above all else, I adore cats. Cats are a part of the family, and I understand that choosing someone to care for them is a big decision. I will do anything I can to help make that decision easier for you, including meeting you (and your furry friend) beforehand, and providing any additional information and references as required.