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-   -   Cat sitters (https://britishexpats.com/forum/france-76/cat-sitters-929467/)

KJMW Nov 23rd 2019 11:50 am

Cat sitters
 
Dear all,
Third time lucky! Is there anyone out there that can point me in the direction of finding cat sitters? Not professional ones but real cat lovers.

Many thanks

EuroTrash Nov 23rd 2019 1:16 pm

Re: Cat sitters
 
I love cats but I'm at the other end of France!
I would suggest you need to use local channels. Ask around you neighbours, ask in your local pet shop if you have one, check out local Fessbook pages.
But, aren't professional cat sitters also people who love cats, but who expect to be paid in the normal way for providing a service to people they don't know? It's different when you do a favour for a friend, but you seem to be looking for a favour from a stranger. I would happily look after cats for neighbours and friends and I wouldn't think of asking anything in return, but I wouldn't cat sit for anyone I didn't know because after all there is potentially an element of responsibility and hassle involved, what if the cat gets sick or gets into a fight and comes home bleeding while you're looking after it?

KJMW Nov 23rd 2019 1:30 pm

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by EuroTrash (Post 12768304)
I love cats but I'm at the other end of France!
I would suggest you need to use local channels. Ask around you neighbours, ask in your local pet shop if you have one, check out local Fessbook pages.
But, aren't professional cat sitters also people who love cats, but who expect to be paid in the normal way for providing a service to people they don't know? It's different when you do a favour for a friend, but you seem to be looking for a favour from a stranger. I would happily look after cats for neighbours and friends and I wouldn't think of asking anything in return, but I wouldn't cat sit for anyone I didn't know because after all there is potentially an element of responsibility and hassle involved, what if the cat gets sick or gets into a fight and comes home bleeding while you're looking after it?

All that you have said, I do. It's not for you that I understand. Anyone who cat sits for me I have to trust implicitly. I have met some wonderful people and made many friends and some are regular cat sitters. I'm not quite sure of the difference cat sitting for a friend or a stranger would be if the cat be injured or become sick. Would you treat the situation differently, I rather hope not!!!

We travel a lot and it's nice to have new sitters from time to time. As for looking for a 'service' for nothing from a stranger, well that depends on your point of view. People who cat sit pay no expenses whatsoever, I provide everything, including some of their meals. I provide a car if needed, all cat food and any medical expenses, heating, Electric TV. everything. In addition the people who do sit are usually active walkers and take advantage of the wonderful countryside and villages that abound. In short it is a free holiday for them, does that sound as if I'm looking for a one way favour? Thank you for your suggestion but as I said, I'm well ahead of you anyway!

EuroTrash Nov 23rd 2019 2:02 pm

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by KJMW (Post 12768315)
All that you have said, I do. It's not for you that I understand. Anyone who cat sits for me I have to trust implicitly. I have met some wonderful people and made many friends and some are regular cat sitters. I'm not quite sure of the difference cat sitting for a friend or a stranger would be if the cat be injured or become sick. Would you treat the situation differently, I rather hope not!!!

We travel a lot and it's nice to have new sitters from time to time. As for looking for a 'service' for nothing from a stranger, well that depends on your point of view. People who cat sit pay no expenses whatsoever, I provide everything, including some of their meals. I provide a car if needed, all cat food and any medical expenses, heating, Electric TV. everything. In addition the people who do sit are usually active walkers and take advantage of the wonderful countryside and villages that abound. In short it is a free holiday for them, does that sound as if I'm looking for a one way favour? Thank you for your suggestion but as I said, I'm well ahead of you anyway!

Ah I completely misunderstood, I thought you were looking for somebody local to pop round and catsit for free for the occasional evening while you went out on the town!
I agree, a long term arrangement is different.

As regards what if the cat gets sick,my point was that if I was catsitting for a friend I would have no qualms doing whatever I thought was best. Even if I couldn't get in touch with them I know which vet they use and I would be 100% confident that they would refund any money I paid out on vet fees. They wouldn't make a fuss over should I have called the vet or shouldn't I, they wouldn't wonder if I had somehow caused the cat's mishap in the first place, because they know me and I know them and we trust each other.

I see why my post sounded off to you, but to be fair there was nothing in your first post to stop it being misinterpreted, you never mentioned "long-term" or "house sit".

Novocastrian Nov 23rd 2019 2:51 pm

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by EuroTrash (Post 12768327)

I see why my post sounded off to you, but to be fair there was nothing in your first post to stop it being misinterpreted, you never mentioned "long-term" or "house sit".

He did in a previous post which was deleted by a mod for looking too much like advertizing. He may or may not have noticed.

EuroTrash Nov 23rd 2019 2:58 pm

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by Novocastrian (Post 12768343)
He did in a previous post which was deleted by a mod for looking too much like advertizing. He may or may not have noticed.

OK. I didn't see that one.

KJMW Nov 23rd 2019 3:44 pm

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by EuroTrash (Post 12768327)
Ah I completely misunderstood, I thought you were looking for somebody local to pop round and catsit for free for the occasional evening while you went out on the town!
I agree, a long term arrangement is different.

As regards what if the cat gets sick,my point was that if I was catsitting for a friend I would have no qualms doing whatever I thought was best. Even if I couldn't get in touch with them I know which vet they use and I would be 100% confident that they would refund any money I paid out on vet fees. They wouldn't make a fuss over should I have called the vet or shouldn't I, they wouldn't wonder if I had somehow caused the cat's mishap in the first place, because they know me and I know them and we trust each other.

I see why my post sounded off to you, but to be fair there was nothing in your first post to stop it being misinterpreted, you never mentioned "long-term" or "house sit".

No problem. Thank you for your reply.

dmu Nov 23rd 2019 4:16 pm

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by KJMW (Post 12768274)
Dear all,
Third time lucky! Is there anyone out there that can point me in the direction of finding cat sitters? Not professional ones but real cat lovers.

Many thanks

Apart from neighbours and your local pet supplies, as mentioned, your Vet might know of some one local who renders this service, but probably only on a drop-in-every-day basis to feed your pet(s) and make sure they're OK. It's a different matter if you're looking for cat sitters who'll be living-in (in reality house-sitters). Local people wouldn't normally do this, as they're already on the spot.
How did you find your present sitters? Are you targetting British expats who are looking for a change of scenery from time to time? I can only suggest looking for cat-lovers on the House-sitting sites....
Good luck in your search!

KJMW Nov 23rd 2019 6:33 pm

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by dmu (Post 12768409)
Apart from neighbours and your local pet supplies, as mentioned, your Vet might know of some one local who renders this service, but probably only on a drop-in-every-day basis to feed your pet(s) and make sure they're OK. It's a different matter if you're looking for cat sitters who'll be living-in (in reality house-sitters). Local people wouldn't normally do this, as they're already on the spot.
How did you find your present sitters? Are you targetting British expats who are looking for a change of scenery from time to time? I can only suggest looking for cat-lovers on the House-sitting sites....
Good luck in your search!

Thank you for your reply. I'm looking for anyone (given they are suitable of course!) who will live in with the cats. This place is perfect for those who want to walk in the hills or visit local villages. It's a wonderful part of France. I do have some sitters it's just that the more we have the more travelling we can do;

Thanks again for the reply.

petitefrancaise Nov 23rd 2019 8:02 pm

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by KJMW (Post 12768315)
All that you have said, I do. It's not for you that I understand. Anyone who cat sits for me I have to trust implicitly. I have met some wonderful people and made many friends and some are regular cat sitters. I'm not quite sure of the difference cat sitting for a friend or a stranger would be if the cat be injured or become sick. Would you treat the situation differently, I rather hope not!!!

We travel a lot and it's nice to have new sitters from time to time. As for looking for a 'service' for nothing from a stranger, well that depends on your point of view. People who cat sit pay no expenses whatsoever, I provide everything, including some of their meals. I provide a car if needed, all cat food and any medical expenses, heating, Electric TV. everything. In addition the people who do sit are usually active walkers and take advantage of the wonderful countryside and villages that abound. In short it is a free holiday for them, does that sound as if I'm looking for a one way favour? Thank you for your suggestion but as I said, I'm well ahead of you anyway!

you know that this arrangement is "au noir" and illegal?
I know someone who would perhaps be able to help you out - she is a real cat/dog lover and house-sits for people in the 31/32 departements. She would expect to be paid.

KJMW Nov 24th 2019 4:32 am

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by petitefrancaise (Post 12768498)
you know that this arrangement is "au noir" and illegal?
I know someone who would perhaps be able to help you out - she is a real cat/dog lover and house-sits for people in the 31/32 departements. She would expect to be paid.

Illegal!!! C'mon, don't be ridiculous. Having friends cat sitting isn't, as far as I know illegal anywhere in the world. If you have proof of that claim I would be most interested of course.

EuroTrash Nov 24th 2019 7:36 am

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by petitefrancaise (Post 12768498)
you know that this arrangement is "au noir" and illegal?

Not sure that's necessarily the case, PF. I know workaway and suchlike is a grey area, but France seems to accept house-sitting when it's simply a case of being there. The only thing the service public website flags up is the need to get the insurance well sorted.
https://www.service-public.fr/partic...sdroits/F21509
"Home sitting
Il s'agit d'une formule d'échange de services qui vous permet de confier pendant une durée limitée votre habitation à une personne (appelée home sitter), qui s'engage, en contrepartie de la jouissance du logement, à y assurer une présence et un entretien.
Par exemple, l'entretien des animaux, des plantes ou du jardin.
Pour confier votre maison à une personne en home sitting, vous devez disposer d'une clause de villégiature dans votre contrat d'assurance habitation.
Le home sitter doit quant à lui disposer d'une garantie de responsabilité civile (présente dans tous les contrats d'assurance multirisques habitation). S'il n'en dispose, vous devez exiger qu'il en souscrive une. Sinon vous risquez de ne pas être indemnisé par l'assurance pour les dommages qu'il commettra."


KJMW Nov 24th 2019 8:16 am

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by EuroTrash (Post 12768619)
Not sure that's necessarily the case, PF. I know workaway and suchlike is a grey area, but France seems to accept house-sitting when it's simply a case of being there. The only thing the service public website flags up is the need to get the insurance well sorted.
https://www.service-public.fr/partic...sdroits/F21509
"Home sitting
Il s'agit d'une formule d'échange de services qui vous permet de confier pendant une durée limitée votre habitation à une personne (appelée home sitter), qui s'engage, en contrepartie de la jouissance du logement, à y assurer une présence et un entretien.
Par exemple, l'entretien des animaux, des plantes ou du jardin.
Pour confier votre maison à une personne en home sitting, vous devez disposer d'une clause de villégiature dans votre contrat d'assurance habitation.
Le home sitter doit quant à lui disposer d'une garantie de responsabilité civile (présente dans tous les contrats d'assurance multirisques habitation). S'il n'en dispose, vous devez exiger qu'il en souscrive une. Sinon vous risquez de ne pas être indemnisé par l'assurance pour les dommages qu'il commettra."

You are right, it's not the case. I have civil insurance it's usually an integral part of any home insurance. The post was nonsense<.

dmu Nov 24th 2019 8:50 am

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by KJMW (Post 12768629)
You are right, it's not the case. I have civil insurance it's usually an integral part of any home insurance. The post was nonsense<.

Actually, ET hit the nail on the head. "Home insurance" doesn't usually include the clause de villégiature, you have to add it if it's a regular occurrence. Maybe cats are different, but we had to add our various dogs to the home insurance, for damage to and by them. French sitters will have their "responsabilité civile" from their own compulsory home insurance, but what about non-French who haven't? Not to mention insurance for your car if they drive it and your insurance only covers you and your spouse (for example).
An anecdote - French OH has a large family spread all over France and they often come visiting. A neighbour once asked me point-blank if we were running a B&B and I rather suspect she's the present village "spy", ready to denounce us to the Mairie/URSSAF for non-payment of dues. Her predecessor did denounce us once, wrongly thinking that our handyman was working on the black, and the URSSAF turned up one day for an inspection. In your case, even if no money passes hands, leaving your home and pets in some one's hands in your absence should be somehow officialised. Just saying, in case your local spy is over-diligent.....
It seems you've been lucky up to now!;)

KJMW Nov 24th 2019 8:53 am

Re: Cat sitters
 

Originally Posted by dmu (Post 12768659)
Actually, ET hit the nail on the head. "Home insurance" doesn't usually include the clause de villégiature, you have to add it if it's a regular occurrence. Maybe cats are different, but we had to add our various dogs to the home insurance, for damage to and by them. French sitters will have their "responsabilité civile" from their own compulsory home insurance, but what about non-French who haven't? Not to mention insurance for your car if they drive it and your insurance only covers you and your spouse (for example).
An anecdote - French OH has a large family spread all over France and they often come visiting. A neighbour once asked me point-blank if we were running a B&B and I rather suspect she's the present village "spy", ready to denounce us to the Mairie/URSSAF for non-payment of dues. Her predecessor did denounce us once, wrongly thinking that our handyman was working on the black, and the URSSAF turned up one day for an inspection. In your case, even if no money passes hands, leaving your home and pets in some one's hands in your absence should be somehow officialised. Just saying, in case your local spy is over-diligent.....
It seems you've been lucky up to now!;)

Trust me, I know my own affairs.


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