Frequently Asked Questions

Do you cover my town or village?

Please visit either the **Stamford Areas Covered **page or the **Cambridge Areas Covered ** for more information, or send us a message using the Contact Us form.

How do I get started?

Step 1: Visit the "Book" page either under Pet Sitting or Dog Walking & Visiting.

Step 2: Fill out the initial contact form to get set up on our pet sitting software Time To Pet

Step 3: You will receive an activation email from your new Time To Pet profile

Step 4: Follow the directions in the activation email. Login to Time To Pet and update your password.

*Pro Tip - download the Time To Pet App on your smart phone and login with your new credentials

Step 5: Within your new Time To Pet profile, update the Pets Tab and My Info tab with specific instructions for care for your cat(s) and home. Please be specfific. These instructions are paramount to your sitter providing great care for your kitty!

Step 6: From the Home page in Time To Pet, click Scheduling > Request New Service and input dates of service needed. Once you've selected your preferred dates of service click Submit Request.

*We will not approve requests without your profile being fully updated!

Step 7: We will reach out directly through the portal within 48 hours to welcome you to The Stamford Catsitter, approve your service requests and answer any questions you may have.

Can I ring you to discuss my enquiry/requirements?

Unfortunately we receive far too high a volume of enquiries to take phonecalls, combined with the fact that we are full-time pet sitters as well so are often out and about. We ask that all prospective and existing clients place enquiries via email, our social media pages or in the Time To Pet portal.

Do you offer a Meet & Greet?

We offer clients one complimemtary Meet & Greet with their assigned sitter once they have a booking in place. You can show them around and they can meet your pet(s). If for your next booking you are assigned a new sitter, they will follow the information provided on the portal rather than coming for another Meet & Greet. The exception to this is if you have particularly nervous pets, pets on medication, very elderly pets or puppies/kittens where it is prudent for the sitter to meet you prior.

Do I need to get you a key cut?

Many regular clients choose to have a key cut for us which we keep locked away safely, but it is up to you if you choose to leave it in a safe place or key safe for us each time. If you are having a key cut for us, please have this ready and tested for the free Meet and Greet. Repeat trips to collect keys if we aren't provided one to keep will incur a fee (outlined in our terms).

Can you water my plants?

We are able to carry out plant watering as part of all services. However, please note that we may all be cat whisperers but we certainly aren't all plant whisperers. We will do our best to keep your plants healthy and alive while you are away, but it is not our area of expertise and our priority will remain your pet's care and the security of your home. Please let us know if you have more than just a few house plants to water, as this will inevitably take up a lot more of the visit.

Will I have the same sitter each time?

We have a very large amount of furry clients, but we do our best to keep it to the same team member for each booking. However in busy periods, this may not always be possible. Our fantastic app/portal holds all of your information and communications from your previous sitter(s), so we can seamlessly share bookings between us. Advance booking increases your chance of being assigned your desired sitter.

My pet is used to a certain feeding schedule. Can you visit at specific times?

If there’s a time you’d ideally like the visits to be, please do let us know and we will do our best to accommodate this. Please note that we cover a wide service area and therefore in busier periods this may not be possible.

What happens if there is an emergency with my pet?

You will be alerted, and with your consent your pet will be taken to their registered veterinarian. If your pet falls ill out of hours, we will take them to your nearest emergency veterinarian. There is space within the Time To Pet app to fill in medical and vet details.

What if the length of visit I’d like isn’t listed?

Please use the Contact Us form to send us a message detailing what length/frequency of visits you’d like and we can put a custom package together for you!

How much notice do you need?

As much notice as possible is appreciated. We get extremely busy at peak times which are Bank Holidays & school Half-Term Weeks, Christmas & New Year, Easter and Summer Holidays. We try our best to accommodate last-minute requests, but this may only be possible for clients whose keys we already hold. 2 weeks notice gives us time to arrange a Meet and Greet, otherwise this may be conducted over a video call.

My cat likes to spend lots of time outside, and you may not see them. Will you still stay for the full service length?

We will only spend the full amount of time if your pet is present, to ensure optimum levels of love and affection can be given to all of our cats. If we have completed all of the duties required around the house and your pet is outside and showing no signs of coming in, we will move onto our next visit. Please note that due to finanical viability, the 30 minute service is the shortest service we offer.

How do the overnight stays/live-in care work?

As we are staying in your home the finer details are entirely up to you, including what time is best to arrive and leave in the morning. We bring our own food, bedding and towels. We are happy for your pet to sleep with us (in fact, it’s encouraged!). We can disuss everything in detail at the Meet & Greet.

How do you get to my pet?

We have 24/7 access to our own cars and full, clean driving licences.