This program will help you find a cat sitter and Get the Most from the one you already have. It's broken down into three east steps and three separate videos.

We share: 

• How to interview potential sitters and what questions to ask
• Links to places to search for a sitter near you
• We break down the cat sitting visit so you can understand everything that gets done so your cats have the best service
• Show you what you really need in order to have peace of mind while you're away. 
• We also have printable pdf workbook to write your answers 

I know how hard to is to find a cat sitter. Believe me there is certainly a need in our industry for more professional feline specific caregivers and service providers - but there are thousands of professional pet sitters in the United States and abroad who really like caring for cats and could be an excellent fit. 

You CAN find a Purrfect service provider for your family, but it all starts with learning a few tricks of the trade and understanding what you need to look for and what questions to ask on a Meet-N-Greet. This lesson will cover all those details. Cats are so special, and cat parents have a unique set of needs - its more than just finding a pet sitter -it's finding a cat sitter that will make you purr. 

We cat lovers want our kitty’s to have their wet food warmed up for a few seconds, mixed with their arthritis medication, topped with three cat treats. 

We also want to know that they have a clean litter box, a comfy bed to sleep on and that the bird feeders are filled for the squirrels, so that our cats have some entertainment when we’re away. And with the technology of smart phones, daily updates with picture and videos should be the norm. That's not too much to ask. Right? That's the passion I have in my business and I want you to have that level of service too!

For over twenty years I've been caring for people's cats when they go away on vacation, stay-cations, business trips, medical emergencies, weekend getaways, family reunions and trips around the world. I see first hand how much cat parents love their babies, and want the best care for them when they’re away. 

Keeping your cats in the comfort of their own home is ideal because it’s less stressful, cats keep on basically the same schedule, they stay on the same diet, and have less of a chance of picking up airborne viruses.

Finally, although every cat is different, and each experience will be unique, by following these steps and using them as a guide, you and your cat sitting team will have peace of mind while keeping your cats in the comfort of home while you're away. 

The best way to have peace of mind when you go away is to understand what you really need from a cat sitter. This video will share the top three things a cat parent must have from their cat sitter.  This is the first video in the Series: How To Find A Cat Sitter That Makes You Purr.

Copyrights@2021 Tonia Fleming

Welcome to the class on Defining Your Number One Need For A Cat Sitter.

I just want to make sure you know that this is the first step in a three part series called How To Find A Cat Sitter That makes You Purr - In three Easy Steps. That class includes all three sections and a workbook:

• Defining Your Number One Need
• Determining Your Cats Ideal Service
• Researching and Interviewing a Cat Sitter

This class a the first section on defining your number one need.

I made this a Mini class because I believe this information is the foundation of having the best experience for the client and the cat sitter.

A Cat Sitter should want to please their clients, but how can they if they don't understand their ultimate number one need.

Any business basics class will tell you first and foremost you have to know what your expectations are of your clients so you can exceed them and for the cat sitting industry this is equivalent to that.

When it comes to caring for cats, the client needs to have peace of mind in order to have a great experience. The thing is that each person has a different idea of what that is. In my experience I have identified three main needs which you will learn about in the next section.

I truly believe that when you finish this mini class you will know exactly which one yours is!

Please print the workbook PDF file below

• Needs Chart.pdf 
• You will also need a pen and a quiet space to dive in.
  
• This Step takes Approximately 10 minutes to complete, You can pause it at anytime.  
• Please email me with any questions. info@purrview.com I would love to connect with you. 

Defining Your Number One Need

Cat parents usually have one of three main needs in order to have peace of mind while away from home. In order to have peace of mind and have a good experience it's vital to identifying which one is your main need. 

There is usually ONE that rises to the top as the most important when it comes down to it. It's rare to have two or all of them. Once you learn about them, you will see how they are all different from each other. 

When a client docent really know what they need it can muddy up the waters, and if a cat sitter docent understand what a client really needs at the end of the day, it can also lead to miss communication and often times the client has a poor overall experience. 

Why is that?

It's because ultimately, people have expectations for that experience. It's not really about hiring a qualified sitter who is trust worthy, and caring, its really about the customer service and communication that the client receives directly. 

Each person has a unique personality types, and each situation is different. Each person has a different expectation to reach Peace of Mind!

There Are Three Main Needs: 

• To Disconnect and Have Fun 
• To Stay Connected 
• To Have Detailed Precise Care

Let's Learn More.....

TO DISCONNECT

Have Fun, Relax and Enjoy Your Time Away 

The first type needs to disconnect in order to have peace of mind. 

I know that may seem strange to those of you who have a hard time leaving your cats at home when you go away. But there are personality types that have to go away and have fun or disconnect to have a break in order to have peace of mind. 

They need to disconnect from the worries of home and the stress of the world. 

This type does their research for a good sitter that is reliable and can handle lots of situations on their own, they know that the sitter will call them if there is a major problem, but other than that they need to have a break. 

This client usually is traveling for vacation, or work and needs to focus on things while they are away. 

They Usually Say

Do you recognize saying something like this to someone near you or your cat sitter? When I her this its an Alert for me to know this is their need. 

Other things are: 

• We need To Get Away so Bad
• The Kids Are Climbing the Wall We need a new trip
• We're going to Florida for some fun in the sun! 

Do you wish you could go someplace fun? Where would you go this weekend if you could take a short trip and disconnect? Please share in the comment area.

Text and Pictures?

This type still likes getting text and picture updates but they won't look at them the moment the arrive. They usually look at them later in the day or quickly in between whatever they are doing. 

It's ok to want to go away and have fun or disconnect. If you feel this way, don't feel bad. Let your cat sitter know so they can know not to bother you too much or expect a return text right away. 

Once you know what you need you will surely have peace of mind. 

STAY CONNECTED

Can't Have Fun Until They Get The Cat Updates 

The second type is where most of my clients seem to fall - to stay connected! 

It's really hard to go away and have peace of mind unless they get regular updates with how the cats are doing. It's important to see picture of their cats, to know how they are feeling and eating. 

They need to see that their cats are safe, comforted and content while they're away. But its vital for them to have snippets into how the cats feel so they feel connected while they are gone. 

This brings peace of mind. 

Do you feel like this? Are you waiting for the cat updates? Some of my clients call it kitty mail! 

They Usually Say 

I hear it all the time. 

"I know I sound crazy but I miss my cats so much when I am away" 

"It probably seems ridiculous what I do for my cats, right, they're spoiled, I know" 

"I wish I could call them and talk to them - I get so worried about them!" 

These are just a few of the things a typical cat client will say. This is normal, and often a cat parent will have so many cats that there is a lot going on in the house and when they are leaving for a few days and have to take time to explain all the things they do, it can seem overwhelming when they hear themselves list everything. Having a cat sitter that can understand all the details, even if they aren't a perfect person all the time, but can handle making sure everything gets completed, is a huge benefit. But it's not really all the things getting done, its that they can see and know and feel that the cats are doing well, that the cats are content, feeling happy, maybe even having fun too. I like to see that cats are able to maintain their usually routine, naps, and interaction without distress. 

Either way, these cat parents need text and pictures. You know some pet sitters only send a few pictures at the end of a visit. It's called a Digital Report. I send TONS of pictures during the visit because I am partnering with this type of cat parent to be an extension of them. And They like to know all the inter-purrsonal lives of their cats. Then they can have peace of mind. 

What types of things do you say? And can you see yourself in this type?

They Usually Say 

I hear it all the time. 

"I know I sound crazy but I miss my cats so much when I am away" 

"It probably seems ridiculous what I do for my cats, right, they're spoiled, I know" 

"I wish I could call them and talk to them - I get so worried about them!" 

These are just a few of the things a typical cat client will say. This is normal, and often a cat parent will have so many cats that there is a lot going on in the house and when they are leaving for a few days and have to take time to explain all the things they do, it can seem overwhelming when they hear themselves list everything. Having a cat sitter that can understand all the details, even if they aren't a perfect person all the time, but can handle making sure everything gets completed, is a huge benefit. But it's not really all the things getting done, its that they can see and know and feel that the cats are doing well, that the cats are content, feeling happy, maybe even having fun too. I like to see that cats are able to maintain their usually routine, naps, and interaction without distress. 

Either way, these cat parents need text and pictures. You know some pet sitters only send a few pictures at the end of a visit. It's called a Digital Report. I send TONS of pictures during the visit because I am partnering with this type of cat parent to be an extension of them. And They like to know all the inter-purrsonal lives of their cats. Then they can have peace of mind. 

What types of things do you say? And can you see yourself in this type?

DETAILED PRECISE CARE

Worry Most of All the Types

Are you a worrier. Do you have so many details that you have a hard time believing that someone else can actually care for your cats and keep them happy unless every single detail is done perfectly each and every time? If so, then this could be your type. 

I want to tell you something, someone can do a good job for your and the cats, and not have to do it like you would for the cats to have a good time and feel loved and content. But if this is your type of need, you will not have peace of mind unless you explain that you need detailed precise care. 

I can't tell you how many clients over the past 25 years had this need, but didn't really explain it. I think it is because they didn't actually know they had it and I didn't know that they needed it. If I had know, I believe I would have been able to make an experience much better for a client, by setting aside more time into my schedule for the care they needed, the tasks they wanted and texting the details to them so they felt like it was being done to their level. 

This type is by far the hardest to please, especially when they can't tell you. Sometimes a client doesn't want to make you feel bad so they sort of Try You Out without explaining what they need, until you are either in the middle of the service or after the service. 

If you can find a cat sitter that can do detailed precise care and they can add on extra time to do it well, this experience will be wonderful for you and the cat sitter. Trust me, after I realized there was a type that needed this, I try and communicate much differently when I am sitting, and before they leave I try and get everything in the time to pet app so I can quickly refer to the details. It works great. 

Do you have a hard time leaving because you think about all the things that need to get done in a precise way? Then you could be this type.

They Say Things Like

"I really NEED this to be put back this way"

"Do you think you can do all this the way I need to have it done?" 

"I left a list on the counter of how I like the process to go for the cats"

"It's very easy to do, you just do this, then this, then add that, then do this, and then place it just like this first, then put it back this way, all done no problem"

Detailed precise care is different that staying connected because you need to know exactly how things are getting done. It's more important to you because the cats will be happy if things are done in a certain way, not that they are done. 

For example, if your cats all need specific wet food and then dry food after they eat wet food, making sure they have wet food is different that needing a cat sitter to scoop it out in a certain way, smush it in a certain way and then have the spoon cleaned before adding dry food. If a person was watching the cat sitter on video they would use a microphone to tell them how to feed them. Can you see the difference. 

Another example of detailed precise case is having a cat sitter put back a broom on a hook facing a certain direction. If it's not in the exact direction when they get home the client feel stressed out. 

These are not bad things. I want to be clear I have about 20% of clients that have this Need. 

Text and Pictures? 

This type of need, really benefits from more details on HOW things are getting done. They love their cats and I find that they will respond 

I am an imperfect person, but I like details, so I try and 

• Communicate ahead of time to work out the details with the client
• Factor in additional time so I can be thorough and not rush 
• And text the client more information about HOW things are getting done. 

I believe that by doing these things, a client can have more peace of mind when they go away. 

Here is an example of a Detailed Precise Care text

"Hello, the cats are enjoyed the 1/2 can of wet food, smushed down with the fork, I added the tree treats on the side, I warmed up the food for 8 seconds so it was warm and yummy. Fluffy really enjoys eating her breakfast, she took her time, and I sat with her while she ate, after 5 minutes she was still holding her food down and seems content. She has been purring and following me around the house while I do chores. I cleaned the water bowl and gave fresh water from the spring water. Then I scooped the litter box, U and BM look normal, I added some fresh litter and swept up around the box. I put the broom back on the hook and everything is nice and tidy." 

What kinds of things would you need and how can you share that with your sitter?

OVERVIEW OF THE THREE NEEDS

Let's be honest do you see yourself as someone who needs to disconnect? It's ok to go away and have fun.

Do you see yourself as someone that needs to stay connected? This is the middle of the road need. Most cat clients have this need. They love to hear what's going on at home, seeing pictures of the cats so they can have peace of mind while they're away.

Finally, do you need detailed precise care? It's ok to need more detailed services. Let your cat sitter know that you would like them to do this in a particular way or take care of a lot of tasks that need to be completed in a certain way. if they are the temperament type that can do detailed care and add little more time to the visit to complete them they would be happy to do that for your I am sure.

Congratulations for finishing the class. 

I am sure you know what your number one need is by now. I hope you won't keep it to yourself, please share what you learned with your cat sitter so they can deliver excellent services and you can have more peace of mind! 

Would you also share your findings with us in the comment section? We would love to know how this has helped you and if you learned anything new?

#findacatsitter