How to Make Money Cat Sitting

Author byline: This is a Sponsored Blog Post Written by Tracy Vicory-Rosenquest, Rover.com community member. Rover is the nation's largest network of 5-star pet sitters and dog walkers.

How to Make Money Cat Sitting

With end-of-summer vacation plans in full swing, chances are you’ve got friends and family looking for someone to pet sit  their adorable furballs.  They’re not alone.  Across the country, pet owners are searching for someone qualified to take care of their cats and dogs--and not just for summer vacation.  Pet sitting is an overlooked year-round opportunity to make extra cash or even begin a full-time business.  

You know that your kitties deserve the best, so why not make money providing the same care to other cats in your area?  Rover.com makes it easy to get started as a cat sitter with a nationwide network of pet sitters and pet owners.  In a few simple steps, you can be connected to cat clients and pet owners in your area looking for your care.  

The perks are purrrfect

• Pick your own work schedule!  Whether you’re pouncing around with a busy schedule or ready to start a new business adventure, you determine your availability for cat sitting.  With Rover’s online platform, you set the parameters of your schedule, and cat owners will know exactly when to book you online.  
• Choose the type of cat care you want to provide.  Depending on your interest and availability, you have the choice of creating various kinds of cat care offerings.  You can begin slow with drop-in visits only or create a wide range of options for pet owners to choose from including kitty day care, house sitting at a pet owner’s home, or overnight cat care at your home.  
• Decide your own paycheck.  As a cat sitter, you determine what you’re worth.  Each cat care service you provide will have a different pay rate.  Check out other local pet sitters for the current rates in your area.  Get creative with add-on specials for cat owners including nail trimming, light grooming, and holiday rates.  Payments are automatic and easy!
• Kitty love!  Your clients are cute and playful.  Enjoy cat time without adopting every stray cat you meet.  Plus, you’re getting paid to do what you love.  Rover even has an app that makes it easy to capture your favorite cat sitting moments and send photos to pet owners.  
• Community support.  Rover.com provides numerous resources that will allow you to effectively build your business as well as promote your cat services.  In addition, you have access to 24/7 support including vet services as well as premium insurance coverage.

Sign up and get started as a cat sitter with Rover.com.  First, you’ll create an online profile with photos and details of your feline experience.  Show off your cat skills and share why you’re the cat sitter everyone has been looking for.  Customize your schedule, rates, and the cat services that work for your life.  When this is finished, you’ll complete a background check, so cat owners will know you’re ready.  You can begin accepting clients immediately once you’re accepted.  Enjoy a fun and flexible way to earn extra cash or begin a new career path!

10 Ways To Show Respect For Your Cat On National Respect Your Cat Day

Now, we don't know if this is just another American Greetings card holiday or not, but it was brought to our attention, that today is: National Respect Your Cat Day.

Just like the numerous other "love your pet" holidays that have sprung up by the dozens in recent years, Cody and I feel that cats should be respected EVERY DAY, not just ONE DAY in the year!

That being said, in order to honor this momentous occasion I asked Cody to share some ways that I could be sure to honor his request for my undying respect, and here they are!

1) Serve Food That I Love

2) Have regular Vet Check-Ups
 (yes, my furiends I actually SAID this!)

3) Play With Me when I Want To Play
 Not Just When YOU Want To Or "Have Time" To Play

4) Provide Fun Toys To Play With
 When We DO Play!

5) Provide Comfy Sleeping Spots

6) Don't Bring Home A Dog
(Ok, I will forgive you for this one, it's fun to torment him)

7) Give ME More Blogging Time
(I am tired of you taking over "OUR" blog)

8)  Love Me Even When I Am Old And Gray
(Ok, I am not old and I am already gray, so sue me! I mean GRAYER!!)

9)   Donate To Animals In Need
(and whenever possible, help them to find furever homes)

10) Only Take Photos Of Me
 When I WANT YOU TO!
 (as in NEVER!!)
 If you do NOT obey the vast majority of the above commands

Kitties: What are some ways that YOUR humans can show YOU some more respect? Or...are they pawfect already?

Love, Cody

6 Things to consider for your Cat when leaving for the 4th of July weekend

The Fourth of July weekend is rapidly approaching!! It is the time for BBQ's featuring
"All-American" favorites such as chargrilled hamburgers and hotdogs, corn-on-the-cob oozing butter from every scrumptious kernel, camping, parades, fireworks and sparklers!! Most cats and dogs are terrified of the sound of fireworks, and sparklers can cause severe burns to cats, dogs and their humans should a renegade ember ignite clothing or fur. Plan to keep everyone far enough away and safe from the evening light show.

It is hard to imagine that once the Fourth Of July approaches summer is already half over, yep, half over (at least as far as the back-to-school ads are concerned).

Many people leave town for a few days to enjoy some fun and sun. Can't take your cat along for the fesitivities? Please don't forget to provide for him in your absence.

Cats are more self-sufficient than dogs and tend to do well on their own (for no more than 3 nights) providing his needs are taken into consideration.


1) Provide plenty of food and water: there are many wonderful automatic feeders on the market (most tend to be 48 hr feeders) that will dispense food automatically either when a timer is set or when the cat taps a pad or lever to dispense the food. There are also commercial "water coolers" that are great for cats that can be filled in advance with plenty of water so he doesn't have to crack open a cold one from the fridge.  I would test the dispensers thoroughly before you leave to be sure they are functioning properly. To give you double peace of mind I would still put out small bowls of kibble and water around the house in the event the dispensers don't function properly while you are gone. To give your cat some entertainment you can even hide treats around the house for him to find in your absence (under pillows, in his bed, on windowsills, etc.) This will provide some fun and put his hunting skills to good use.

2) Call home and let your cat hear your voice

Still have an answering machine? Experts say that calling home and leaving a message for your cat can offer him comfort, the sound of your voice will reassure him. I used to do this with my Angel Bobo,  and have to admit it upset me more because I thought Bobo would be more distressed hearing me and not being able to find me. What do you think? I think another good idea which I have implemented is to leave a radio playing soothing music on or leave your TV on. The voices in the background will offer companionship and comfort for a lonely kitty.


3) Clean the litter box before you leave- Providing a second or third (depending on the number of cats you have) might be a good idea if you have a cat that is fastidious about using a clean litter box. Your cat may be angry with you for leaving and you do not want a dirty litter box to be an excuse for him marking his territory all over your home.

4) Leave windows closed or open just a tiny bit

Never leave your windows wide open in your absence. If you do not have air conditioning leave the windows just slightly open. The sight of a scurrying squirrel or other animal can excite your cat and he can possibly push the screen out while you are gone. Screen falls out, your cat is gone.


5) Think about the temperature in your home- Not using air conditioning when it is warm may be great for you when you are there with the windows open, for your cat, not so much. If you have air turn it on (your cat's comfort is more important than pinching pennies) or leave a fan running in a place that your cat cannot be harmed by the rotating blades.

6) Leave some toys out-But, put away any toys (such as toys that dangle by a string) that require supervision. You don't want your kitty accidentally in danger caused by a toy while you are away.

Your cat should do fine if the above tips are implemented. I have instituted all of them when I had a household that just had a cat and no dog,  and frankly I am much more comfortable with having a trusted friend or family member stop in at least once a day to check on my beloved baby. Be sure they are a bona fide cat lover, someone that truly cares about cats and will actually play with your cat, talk to him, soothe him and care about his well being while you are away, not just someone looking to earn a few extra bucks.

If you are having someone check on your cat be sure to:

Provide the phone number of where you will be along with your cell phone number.

Provide the name, address and phone number of your vet and the clinic you prefer your cat being taken to in (gasp) the event of an unexpected emergency. If you don't have one already, purchase The Petter Planner, this is a great resource to leave out for your pet sitter!

Call your caretaker at least once a day (not 4 and 5 times a day like I tend to do because I am a neurotic kitty mama) to see how things are going and to answer any questions they may have.

Have a list of your cat's favorite hiding spots- spare your caretaker the stress of having to search in a frenzied state for a kitty who they think is missing but is in fact snoozing serenely on the towels in your linen closet.

Now that all of the important things have been done to provide safety and comfort for your cat while you are gone, if you haven't already, GET PACKING and pussyfoot on out of here and have a HAPPY AND SAFE FOURTH OF JULY WEEKEND!!!!!!