News for 2024 – price increase

Happy New Year! I hope you had a lovely end to 2023 and are looking forward to the good things the new year will bring.

As 2024 begins, I have had time to reflect on my work this past year. Spending time with so many beautiful cats and making the owners’ holidays calm and stress-free has been an absolute joy. Yes, there have been challenges. It has been unprecedentedly busy in 2023 compared to the previous two years. Some days, I was out from 6 am and getting home at 9 pm, which is bonkers! Not that I am complaining. It is simply food for thought for where my cat sitting business and life go this year. I am sending this with some extra information about the price increase for 2024 to be transparent about my thoughts and reasons behind it.

2023 Rates

£12 for one visit per day

£20 for two visits per day

I have kept my rates as low as possible for as long as possible. While I have been relatively happy with my income, the current financial climate has made running my business at those rates unsustainable. After taxes and expenses, I receive well below the National Minimum Wage (NMW is £10.42 per hour, and I end up with around £8.00 per hour for one sit per day, or around £6.00 per hour for two visits per day after tax and expenses). The amount of time I dedicate to cat sitting while I don’t have additional work is increasing to cover the costs and have some profit. I have done a lot of thinking and compared my service, experience and rates against many of the other sitters in the SK8 and surrounding area to adjust mine for 2024 to be able to carry on.

2024 Rates

£20 for one 1-hour visit per day

£35 for two 1-hour visits per day

Any confirmed bookings will be at the rate agreed at booking.

Further bookings will be at the new 2024 rate as of today 08/01/2024.

Thank you

While I understand that the increase might be steep for some, I hope that you will appreciate why I have had to do it. I aim to remain competitive in the market while offering the high standard of care you are accustomed to. You can see my comparison chart below, where you can find sitters providing services at lower rates than me for less time spent with your cats – please feel free to reach out to them if they better fit your ongoing needs.

Not just cat sitting

The time I spend at a property during a visit means I can address any household issues, limiting possible damage, stress and cost for the home and cat owner. You also get the convenience of just going away while your cats are comfortable and happy at home, knowing that someone kind and diligent cares for your pets and home.

This year, in addition to cat care, I have:

• Arranged for emergency vet visits for cats
• Organised replacement locks for a property where the owner lost their keys
• Repaired central heating systems for two properties
• Had an emergency internal leak repaired (having turned off the water from street level)
• Arranged emergency repairs for an external burst pipe and central heating failure
• Unpacked and cared for plant deliveries
• Watered, weeded and cared for gardens and indoor plants
• Taken delivery of large items, moving them to a suitable location
• Logged into a work computer to send an urgent file to a client’s colleague

My offer as your cat sitter

I have over 30 years of experience in cat care, have been a homeowner for over 18 years, and continue to develop my skills and knowledge in cat care and property maintenance. I also offer additional services during sits, such as claw trimming and grooming, can handle pet and home emergencies with a level head, and provide detailed updates and professional photos included in the price of the visits.

• One hour visit
• Tailored activities for your cat/s
• Over 30 years of experience in cat care
• Homeowner for over 18 years
• Specialised care for senior, super senior, and special needs cats
• Understanding of different breed care requirements
• Skilled with multi-cat households
• Understanding of feline behaviour and wellbeing
• Patient and caring
• Experienced with medications, including injections
• Tips and tricks to support animals while owners are away
• Thorough updates after each visit
• Photographs and videos of your cat/s
• Home security – checking locks, opening and closing curtains and changing lights etc.
• Trained in Level 1 Construction for home maintenance issues
• Well-networked with local tradespeople for repairs
• Knowledgeable in plant and garden care
• Driving licence and own a car
• I don’t charge per cat
• I don’t charge travel costs
• I don’t charge extra for cleaning up or doing additional tasks during the hour visit
• I don’t charge extra for weekends or bank holidays

Finally, I have received some abrupt messages recently and throughout the year, particularly during busy periods when I cannot balance the long days with multiple clients, sending updates and caring for myself. It is demoralising to receive demanding or “guilt-tripping” messages when you’re simply trying to care for as many cats as possible and manage to have some time for yourself and your cats. Because of this, please consider your messages before pressing send and have some understanding about delayed replies during peak times.

While I will be sad to lose any of you as wonderful clients, you will value my decision and, hopefully, support me in continuing cat sitting through 2024.

Thanks for coming along on this journey with me. Whatever you decide to do for cat sitting, I hope you and your furry ones have an excellent year!

Sarah xx