How to find cat sitters with diabetic-cat experience

Status
Not open for further replies.
TheBowHuntress

TheBowHuntress

Member Since 2012
Just curious, is there some sort of national/state directory that lists cat sitters who have lots of experience tending a diabetic cat? And most certainly who can be checked out (reviews from their clients?, etc.) We have put off any plans for a vacation (be it 2 days or 2 weeks), but I did tell DH we can just take Gobbles with us if we go anywhere. He doesn't want to do that (of course I do--I seriously have my doubts of leaving him with anyone....) but I mentioned that maybe, slight chance, I would leave him with the right person. My cousin offered (who is the gal that is a member of FDMB, referred me here--though lost her kitty (caninsulin user) some time ago (22 years old and not from FD!--and hasn't posted for a very long time); but she has a few big dogs and 8 cats. I know she would take super good care of him and I trust her implicitly, but I know Gobbles would be so stressed out and scared there; so that is not an option. She would not be able to come over because she works a lot of overtime and has a home, husband and young son.
 
Maybe there's someone on the board who lives in your area? It might be work asking around.
If there's a veterinary school near you, some of the students might be willing and able to help you out. Or maybe one of the techs at your vet's office would be willing to petsit.
I've seen some petsitters advertise that they can handle "special needs". Worth a phone call.
If all else fails, there might be a vet's office who could board him, if you really need to go.

Chester's taking a trip with us this weekend. We're going up to my mom's for a couple of days and we're going to see how well he travels. We don't take a lot of vacations, but we do go visit family several times a year. It would be great if Chester adapts to travel.
 
MaryB & Chester said:
Maybe there's someone on the board who lives in your area? It might be work asking around.
If there's a veterinary school near you, some of the students might be willing and able to help you out. Or maybe one of the techs at your vet's office would be willing to petsit.
I've seen some petsitters advertise that they can handle "special needs". Worth a phone call.
If all else fails, there might be a vet's office who could board him, if you really need to go.

Chester's taking a trip with us this weekend. We're going up to my mom's for a couple of days and we're going to see how well he travels. We don't take a lot of vacations, but we do go visit family several times a year. It would be great if Chester adapts to travel.
Click to expand...
That's a really good idea Mary. There could be someone in my area; I would be, possibly, able to return the favor if I can find the right person. There's no pet school near me. I would entertain the idea of a local vet tech IF they were well versed in FD. I haven't looked at advertisements yet. I don't think I would ever board him: too much stress.
 
Google search pet sitter loc: your address to see what pops up. Then call if the postings don't give you enough info.

Also check Craigslist under pets both looking for pet sitting posts and posting what you need with how much you're willing to pay. You'll have to check references, so be sure to ask for them.
 
No good prospects using a search; the one that looked okay has a weblink but it looks like it isn't there/doesn't work...not impressive :? I think my best shot would be to try to locate a nearby member. A lot of members don't have their location listed, and I can understand that. But if I do a post, and ask anyone nearby and interested to contact me via PM, I might find someone that way.
 
My vet office is very large. They have people there 24 hours and are also a hospital. They do have boarding which I've used and did a great job. But it was expensive. They even have these kitty condos. Not the usual little cages. I was able to put all of my cats together. It was this room type area sectioned off so all of them could relax together. Again it was expensive. Let me get to the point lol- If you have a vet office with a lot of vet techs and you have any that you trust you may want to look into hiring them on the side. A lot of techs are in college or just out of college and would love the extra money. I am like you. I take a lot of vacations without my husband with girlfriends or we have Staycations. We like to go to concerts and festivals. A lot of times we invite people from out of town to stay with us! That is a lot of fun.
 
I, also, had/have a difficult time finding someone to look after Munchkin while we are away. Turns out our vet can't do bs checks on the weekend, not even just pre-shot checks, so no boarding there, not anymore. We did find another vet who can do the bs checks so we'll see how it goes this weekend. Boarding might not be too bad on Gobb. Munchkin seems to do okay, of course, he takes everything with him when he boards though: food, litter, blanket, toys and his favorite sweater to sleep on, and of course insulin & etc. Boarding is not without hiccup, but maybe worth a try, if you found the right place?
 
My pet sitters (all services) have all offered this type of care, both in CT where we used to live and now here in GA. (We currently use Fetch! Pet Sitting.) But if you don't see any services locally that impress you, maybe your vet could recommend someone?

Two of the techs at my current vet's (feline only) practice offer pet sitting, including BG checks, injections etc. I would be very comfortable with either one of them, having seen them in action at their office... maybe your vet would have some similar folks on staff??
 
jt and trouble (GA) said:
Well it's too far to drive but if I could, I'd help you out in a heartbeat. Good luck!
j.
Click to expand...
You are so sweet & such a nice person. Yes, I suppose it is a little ( :lol: ) too far, but thanks for the offer ~ I'd do the same for you!
 
mdmnore88 said:
My vet office is very large. They have people there 24 hours and are also a hospital. They do have boarding which I've used and did a great job. But it was expensive. They even have these kitty condos. Not the usual little cages. I was able to put all of my cats together. It was this room type area sectioned off so all of them could relax together. Again it was expensive. Let me get to the point lol- If you have a vet office with a lot of vet techs and you have any that you trust you may want to look into hiring them on the side. A lot of techs are in college or just out of college and would love the extra money. I am like you. I take a lot of vacations without my husband with girlfriends or we have Staycations. We like to go to concerts and festivals. A lot of times we invite people from out of town to stay with us! That is a lot of fun.
Click to expand...
Vets office/techs would be an option, however, they aren't open 24 hours, and my clinic is the only one I trust in my area. Geez--sounds like you have lots of fun, DH-less!!!
 
rvontrapp said:
I, also, had/have a difficult time finding someone to look after Munchkin while we are away. Turns out our vet can't do bs checks on the weekend, not even just pre-shot checks, so no boarding there, not anymore. We did find another vet who can do the bs checks so we'll see how it goes this weekend. Boarding might not be too bad on Gobb. Munchkin seems to do okay, of course, he takes everything with him when he boards though: food, litter, blanket, toys and his favorite sweater to sleep on, and of course insulin & etc. Boarding is not without hiccup, but maybe worth a try, if you found the right place?
Click to expand...
Oh Gosh, if my boy goes into boarding--he'd be taking all of what Munchkin takes plus his civvies! I would really have to check the place out, they would have to have experience with diabetics, I would have to literally watch them test & shoot Gobbles (bring him in before I left, just to see how they do) AND would want at least 10 references....plus I'd be a nervous wreck the whole time...
 
SusanandOwen said:
My pet sitters (all services) have all offered this type of care, both in CT where we used to live and now here in GA. (We currently use Fetch! Pet Sitting.) But if you don't see any services locally that impress you, maybe your vet could recommend someone?

Two of the techs at my current vet's (feline only) practice offer pet sitting, including BG checks, injections etc. I would be very comfortable with either one of them, having seen them in action at their office... maybe your vet would have some similar folks on staff??
Click to expand...
One of the vet tech's where Gobby goes has a sugar-kitty. I spoke to her once, one sugar mom to another; she tests, but not as much as I do (I think she said a few times a week). That may be something to think about. I would think she lives in the area. I will put that thought on the back burner.
 
I'm in state, but still too far to help out. :sad:

I hired a vet tech from my vet's office to come to the house twice a day (before and after work). She checked bg, gave shots and all the other pet sitting stuff. When Maggie had a health problem while we were away, the vet tech immediately called the vet and took her in. It worked out well. Call the vet and ask if anyone there does pet sitting.
 
Maggies Mom Debby said:
I'm in state, but still too far to help out. :sad:

I hired a vet tech from my vet's office to come to the house twice a day (before and after work). She checked bg, gave shots and all the other pet sitting stuff. When Maggie had a health problem while we were away, the vet tech immediately called the vet and took her in. It worked out well. Call the vet and ask if anyone there does pet sitting.
Click to expand...
Good idea. We have no plans for vacation yet, but it would be nice to have someone in place. I will ask about the tech who has the diabetic cat and do a post of some sort.
 
I asked my vet to recommend a pet sitter and I also used google to research them. Then I called them and asked about whether they gave meds. They said yes and I did a consult with the one sitter in person they have that does insulin - and testing!. No problem... they were great and we are using them again next week when we are away. If you do decide to go away let me know and I will give you tips on what to do to make sure they dont make any mistakes. Mine dropped the insulin vial and smashed it. Bought us a new one but still thank goodness we had a backup!

Wendy
 
A lot of Vet Techs offer cat-sitting duties so I would check with your vet to see if they have any techs willing to do it. It actually might be a good thing if they've never cared for a diabetic feline before because you can offer to "train them up" with your cat so they can then bring back all their wonderful, newfound knowledge to the vet and they can then extend their pet-sitting services to include diabetic care. You might even be able to convince them to charge you the regular price for the experience they will receive cat-sitting a diabetic vs. add-on fees for testing and shooting.
 
Hey Wendy,

Would you mind terribly just going ahead and posting your tips? I'm going away this weekend and working on my instruction sheet. Munchkin is staying at a vet's office, but not our vet (they are not familiar with him).
 
Good luck finding one!!!
And...you just gave me a great business idea!!
I've thought of the same thing for when we go out of town...how stressful...don't want to have to worry about the fur babies while your gone...
 
I should have added that I did have to show the vet tech how I tested - she knew how to test in the office with a blood draw, not with a glucometer. She picked it up almost immediately! And I gave her a sheet with instructions on when to shoot, when not to shoot, and other important information like treating a hypo. Though she knew about hypos, I listed it out for her anyway. She also called my phone after each visit and left a message with Maggie's numbers so I wouldn't worry as much.
 
Wendy&Tiggy said:
I asked my vet to recommend a pet sitter and I also used google to research them. Then I called them and asked about whether they gave meds. They said yes and I did a consult with the one sitter in person they have that does insulin - and testing!. No problem... they were great and we are using them again next week when we are away. If you do decide to go away let me know and I will give you tips on what to do to make sure they dont make any mistakes. Mine dropped the insulin vial and smashed it. Bought us a new one but still thank goodness we had a backup!

Wendy
Click to expand...
Sounds good; I would love tips Wendy!
 
KPassa said:
A lot of Vet Techs offer cat-sitting duties so I would check with your vet to see if they have any techs willing to do it. It actually might be a good thing if they've never cared for a diabetic feline before because you can offer to "train them up" with your cat so they can then bring back all their wonderful, newfound knowledge to the vet and they can then extend their pet-sitting services to include diabetic care. You might even be able to convince them to charge you the regular price for the experience they will receive cat-sitting a diabetic vs. add-on fees for testing and shooting.
Click to expand...
A possibility, indeed!
 
Maggies Mom Debby said:
I should have added that I did have to show the vet tech how I tested - she knew how to test in the office with a blood draw, not with a glucometer. She picked it up almost immediately! And I gave her a sheet with instructions on when to shoot, when not to shoot, and other important information like treating a hypo. Though she knew about hypos, I listed it out for her anyway. She also called my phone after each visit and left a message with Maggie's numbers so I wouldn't worry as much.
Click to expand...
Wow; sounds like she did great. I'll be you really appreciate the phone calls. When my daughter tests Gobbles from time to time she takes a picture of the glucometer showing BG...then text's me with it...
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top