Question for cat sitters

**Medusa** · 04-17-2009, 05:39 PM

I've decided to start a cat sitting service; I'm currently working on my contract, fliers, etc. I've chosen the name That Cat Lady because when people plan a trip and then say "Ok, now who can we call to watch the cats?", invariably someone will say "Hey, call that cat lady, what's 'er name."

Anyhow, my question is: do any of you offer the service of administering meds? I can easily pill my cats, give subQ fluid treatments and injections but they're my cats. We know and love each other and I know their personalities enough that I feel confident that nothing will go wrong. Plus the liability makes me very nervous. I'm having my insurance agent look into bonding and insurance but my vet feels that under no circumstances should I administer meds. I will be offering many other services besides feeding, watering, cleaning litter boxes, etc. but inevitably I'm going to get an interested party w/cats that need medication. My vet said that I should tell them to board their cats w/an accessible vet. It makes good sense to me. What say you?

**wolflady** · 04-17-2009, 05:46 PM

That's a real good question. At first I was going to say "yes" if it's a paid service, because people with cats on meds go away too, but after you mentioned liability, I got to thinking. Would that mean you'd have to turn down families with cats on meds? Or, perhaps you could have a meeting session with the cat you were to sit to have the owner show you the ins and outs of medicating, and if it didn't look like the cat would be able to work with you, then the owners would have time to find other alternatives.

Or, perhaps you could put a disclaimer in your notice regarding meds?

**hugs**

**wolflady** · 04-17-2009, 05:48 PM

I forgot to mention in my last post that it would probably also be a good idea to look and see if there are similar services in the area or on the internet. Maybe those would offer some ideas as well in terms of what is expected/offered for a cat sitting service.

**Medusa** · 04-17-2009, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by wolflady

I forgot to mention in my last post that it would probably also be a good idea to look and see if there are similar services in the area or on the internet. Maybe those would offer some ideas as well in terms of what is expected/offered for a cat sitting service.

I definitely will have a clause holding me harmless, etc. but you know how that goes: "Fluffy was fine until she gave her the meds", etc. even though I've done it hundreds of times w/my own cats.

There are only two services w/in a 20 mile radius and they are pet sitters, i.e., they'll sit for dogs, hamsters, reptiles, birds, etc. I am specializing in just cats. I would hate to turn down business because so many of us have cats on meds; every one of mine is on meds and I would have to put my Pidge in hospital because of her subQ treatments if I need to go out of town. It just seems so natural to be able to say "No worries. I can give meds. Just be sure to measure them out for me w/a schedule." My vet really got me to thinking, though.

**phesina** · 04-17-2009, 07:16 PM

Dear Mary, I'm so sorry I hadn't yet replied to your e-mail asking me about this. I'm way behind with all my e-mail. Let me try and give an answer here.

I haven't had to give pills to cats I've sat for. I have had a couple of diabetic cats who needed insulin twice a day roughly 12 hours apart, but they were no trouble. I've also given cats sub-Q fluids, but these have all been cats who have been easy to handle.

I think I would want to do this on a case-by-case basis. Before I would say I'd give medications or fluids to a cat, I'd want to give it a try with the owner present or otherwise have some kind of guaranteed reassurance that this is not going to be traumatic for either the cat or me. It is very important to have specifics stated very clearly in your contract in those cases. I would look very closely into legal ramifications and liabilities.

In vets' offices they have very heavy gloves to wear and specially trained technicians, usually more than one person available at a time, to deal with cats who do not accept medication gladly.

Best wishes! Please let us know what you decide to do.

**Medusa** · 04-17-2009, 08:30 PM

Oh no worries, Pat, really. We're all so busy and I completely understand. I, too, thought about doing it on a case-by-case basis but my vet put the fear of litigation into me. Until I'm firm on what I decide, I won't do it. Just by word of mouth, someone has already emailed me for a week in June so I need to get cracking on this. I would like to know, though, if you're licensed. I need to do some investigating to find out if a license is necessary if I don't board anyone's cats. I will not be bringing any home; I'll be going to their homes instead.

**carole** · 04-19-2009, 04:41 PM

In all honestly Mary i would not do it, even if you have a disclaimer in there, if something goes wrong ,you are going to feel responsible and bad, i had considered doing a pet sitter service in my area too, and it was not something i had even thought about ,but now that you mention it, i would not go there, just my opinion for what it is worth, hey and good luck with it all, if anyone can make a go of it YOU can.

I love your chosen name Mary and also your's Donna, gosh i could only come up with Caroles cat sitting services Duh how creative of me lol.