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

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?

Re: Cat sitters
 

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!

Re: Cat sitters
 

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".

Re: Cat sitters
 

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.

Re: Cat sitters
 

OK. I didn't see that one.

Re: Cat sitters
 

No problem. Thank you for your reply.

Re: Cat sitters
 

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!

Re: Cat sitters
 

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.

Re: Cat sitters
 

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.

Re: Cat sitters
 

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.

Re: Cat sitters
 

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."

Re: Cat sitters
 

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<.

Re: Cat sitters
 

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!;)

Re: Cat sitters
 

Trust me, I know my own affairs.

Re: Cat sitters
 

OK.

Re: Cat sitters
 

There's really no need to be rude. If you don't agree with something that's been posted, it's perfectly possible to say so politely.

Re: Cat sitters
 

Please do not resort to this sort of comment as it is not acceptable within the forums where politeness is essential. TIO is a slightly different matter but please do not confuse the two.

Rosemary

Re: Cat sitters
 

Reference has been made to the advice given on the official french government website which contains all the advice you need to live easily and relatively stress free in France There is a reason that this advice is given-that there will be a problem with your house insurance Ignore this advice if you wish but all you are doing is giving your insurance company a "get out of jail card" totally free A quick chat with your insurance company will sort this one way or the other

Re: Cat sitters
 

I have already said I'm in full control of my affairs, but thank you anyway.

Re: Cat sitters
 

Should anyone be interested in looking after my cats whilst I travel I am still interested in it happening. The area I live is amongst the best anywhere in the world for walkers and sight seeing. The Pays Basque is a truly beautiful place. I know I have said it before but I'm not interested in professional cat sitters It's not a question of 'being tight'! I simply like to meet people who may (and have) become very good friends. I also feel 'amateurs' would love the animals more. The only thing that a cat sitter would have to pay out is for most of their own food. The cats are very independent and come and go through a cat flap. I can even throw in a car if necessary. Anytime of the year that suits.

Re: Cat sitters
 

The thing is that I think most of the posters on this site have their own lives and their own commitments France and they can't just drop everything for a few weeks and go somewhere else.
Previously I had an itinerant kind of lifestyle and I might well have been tempted because that's one of the few parts of France I don't know at all, and I do love cats, but my situation has changed and I want to spend as much time as I can at my home in Normandy. But if things change again, which they might, I'll be in touch !
Mightn't you do better putting your proposal up on on UK sites? Someone who lives in the UK and fancies a few weeks in France, either as a holiday or with a view to relocating, would probably jump at it.

Re: Cat sitters
 

I'm absolutely sure that not only most, but everyone has their own lives. I'm not asking anyone to drop anything, far from it. It is simply should someone want, what is in effect, a free holiday, then they are welcome to get in touch. How are people to know if I don't say? The notion that I'm asking people to 'drop everything' simply isn't accurate.

I do have friends who come from the U.K. as well as friends in France who cat sit. I just feel it's nice to expand it somewhat, make new friends perhaps. I do have, though it may not seem like it, adequate numbers of friends and family who come and stay here allowing us to get away. In effect I'm trying to plan ahead with my post. The more people interested in staying here the greater the flexibility I have for travel.

Should your circumstances change then yes, please get in touch. The more the merrier.

Re: Cat sitters
 

My bad, I didn't mean that only most people had their own lives LOL! Everybody has their own life! What I meant was that most posters' lives and commitments are in France. But there are also some second home owners on here, and maybe some francophiles who don't have any stake here at all.

A question, could your sitters bring their own pets?

Re: Cat sitters
 

A budgie perhaps!!! The cats would like that I'm sure. Seriously though the answer is no. The cats are not the sort that take kindly to other pets. They are not wild or anything like that. Quite the contrary; they are quite sensitive. It is why when people ask to come here I do have to make certain things clear: Only a single person or a couple, no pets, no friends, no children. The cats come first. Sounds a bit draconian perhaps but as a cat lover yourself I feel sure that the comfort and wellbeing of the cats would be your first concern also.

Animals are a huge responsibility which is why I never put them in a cat's home.. In fact, they have cost me considerable expense when people have said they would come here, I book a trip then they cancel!!! It has happened to me twice and both trips I had to cancel were to Asia and I'm afraid travel insurance does't cover 'canceled cat sitters!! Another reason why I like to get to know anyone who wants to cat sit, I have to know they are genuine.

As for second home owners or people living here permanently, to me, all is the same regarding getting to know them and the 'feeling' they have for animals.

Re: Cat sitters
 

or a pet mouse maybe? :hysterical:
That narrows it down to animal lovers with no pets of their own, then. Thanks, that's clear now.

Re: Cat sitters
 

Hi,
All the more reason to cultivate your neighbours or nearby cat-lovers, who would be less likely to cancel at the last minute and ruin your plans. At least for when you fancy going away on a short trip and your reliable family and friends aren't available....
As suggested by ET, you may do better to search for potential sitters on UK sites - there hasn't been much response here, and members who have pets of their own would have to look for minders themselves....:)

Re: Cat sitters
 

I think , with respect, you are missing the point. I throw open to anyone the possibility to come and cat sit. My neighbours have cat slitted at short notice and I don't have any problems with having people come here to cat sit over a longer term. I plan for the long term and that is why I post as I do. I'm thinking of next year and the year after that.
I'm giving those that may be interested an opportunity to plan ahead. It is a mutual thing.

Re: Cat sitters
 

Not sure which point I missed - I had high-lighted in red the fact that your cats are independent and can go in and out through the cat flap, therefore that you wouldn't necessarily need some one sleeping in your house. You hadn't mentioned that neighbours had already cat-sat before....
Anyway, good luck with your search...

Re: Cat sitters
 

Possibly the point you missed is that the cats always have someone living in. Yes, they do come and go as they please through a cat flap but it is essential, as far as I'm concerned anyway, that should a cat come home injured or whatever, then someone is here to look after them; Not possible if it is a neighbour just popping in occasionally. Thank you for your interest quite obviously you care for pets as I do.

Re: Cat sitters
 

Far from missing the point, I thought that DMU's interpretation was bang on target and I too would have made similar comments given what you have told us so far.
I'm an animal lover too, and have often thought about looking after other's pets for short periods (say an afternoon or even a full day), but must confess have never done so to date.
We have always loved our pets dearly, but never loose sight of the fact they are domestic animals - not our children, which is why when we wish to get away, we have on rare occasions left them in professional kennels, after having spent considerable time beforehand scrutinizing the facilities. This is essential for complete peace of mind, and we've never been disappointed and are even now good friends with the French owner and his wife.
Reading between your lines, if you were a close neighbour, to be honest I wouldn't feel happy or totally comfortable pet-sitting for you. You give the impression of being very uncompromising, and should an unfortunate accident occur, I wouldn't particularly relish the consequences.
You certainly sound a 'genuine sort', so perhaps I've misread between some lines of your post, but I can't help wondering if others reading this feel the same way as myself.

Re: Cat sitters
 

You are right on one point anyway. When it comes to animals I am uncompromising. You have, somewhat inadvertently I think, revealed something also of your character. Of course animals are not human and should not be treated as such but that doesn't, in my view, mean you treat them with any less of responsibility, care or, if need be, compassion. Animals have accidents, become sick and in the past it has happened that a cat has needed vet attention. On one occasion it was only the very quick action of the cat sitter that saved the cat's life. You have misread me. In itself that isn't a problem and should others feel the same way then that also isn't a problem. When people get in touch with me with a view to cat sit there are many exchanges before it comes to pass. When someone does cat sit I give them absolute responsibility regarding the welfare of the cats. I have to make sure they are suitable and would act to safeguard the welfare of the animal and are not here just 'for a holiday'! I would reiterate, despite your comment about 'not relishing' the consequences: I have made many friends as a result of people cat sitting some of whom did have to seek vet treatment. I can honestly say that as far as I'm aware no one has ever had any concerns that they would be blamed for anything befalling the cats. I would certainly be angry if something did befall the cats and nothing was done about it; I'm sure you would feel the same.

Re: Cat sitters
 

I think you have spelled out there the inherent contradiction that posters have been feeling uneasy with..

Re: Cat sitters
 

No contradiction: people come here to look after the cats, it's quite clear.

Re: Cat sitters
 

+1
Also the "long walks and sight-seeing" is somewhat unfeasible due to the time spent looking after the cats.
TBH (to be honest), from what I've read so far, I would be wary of looking after these independent yet sensitive pets who always need some one living in, and with at least one accident on record. ;)
I'll watch the development of this thread with interest....

Re: Cat sitters
 

To be equally honest if you can't understand the simplicity of what I have been saying regarding cat care and also enjoying the Pays basque you need not be at all wary! I simply wouldn't have you here. That's what I meant in my posts when I said that numerous exchanges have to be made before I let anyone care for my animals, they have to show that they can live a balanced, normal life here whilst caring for the cats.