Derrick is a lifelong animal lover with a special affection for cats. Having lived with and cared for cats throughout his life, he understands that every cat has a different personality and needs time to settle into a new environment. Some cats want attention and playtime right away, while others prefer a quiet corner and a little distance until they feel comfortable. Derrick is happy to adapt to each cat’s individual temperament and routine.
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His spacious one-bedroom apartment in Ridgewood, Queens, close to Bushwick, offers a clean, quiet and comfortable setting for visiting cats. The apartment is cat-ready, with screened windows and no other pets in the home, allowing guest cats to enjoy a peaceful environment without having to adjust to unfamiliar animals.

Derrick takes owners’ instructions seriously and understands how important consistency can be when a cat is away from home. He is comfortable following established feeding and litter routines, providing playtime and affection, and administering medications when given proper instructions. Outside of caring for animals, Derrick is an artist, educator and nonprofit professional who enjoys museums, dance, nature and exploring New York.

Kitty in NY offers both In-Home Boarding, where your cat stays in the home of one of our carefully selected caregivers, and Cat Sitting, with visits to your cat in your own home. Whether you are planning a weekend away or a longer trip, we can help find the option and caregiver that best suits your cat’s personality and needs. Contact us to tell us about your cat and your travel dates, and we’ll be happy to help arrange their care.

If you are looking for a temporary home for your cat while you are away, Isabel could be available and would love to take care of your pet until you return. Boarding is recommended for very social cats or long term situations. If you are only leaving for a short weekend or a holiday we propose cat sitting visits. Contact us and send more details about the service you need, we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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REVIEWS

Prithvi - follow up survey 8/26/2026
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Isabel was extremely caring of the cats, sent us lots of amazing pictures and updates, and was a warm and gentle person with a very nice home for our cats.

Adam - follow up survey 8/9/2026
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Isabel helped Tiger to feel comfortable loved and at home right away. She kept us updated daily and we really appreciate that Tiger was in the best hands!

Brittany - follow up survey 1/5/2024 
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Isabelle was is kind and warm, both towards people and animals. Isabelle is an excellent communicator; they sent daily photos and text updating us on our pet’s wellbeing. After picking up our pet, we could tell that our pet was well taken care of, and their disposition was just as we had left them (calm and comfortable). We highly recommend Isabel, and look forward to working with them again.
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Cat sitting visits are recommended for short periods of time, if you are leaving the city for a few weeks or months our in-home boarding service is a better option. Kirsten can provide both, contact us and send more details about your cat/s.

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REVIEWS

Zara - by email 8/24/2026
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Thank you for arranging Kirsten at short notice to look after Zeemo. She was really great, Zeemo was at ease quickly and would highly recommend her!
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Winston - by survey 4/14/2024
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Kirsten was very friendly and sent us lots of pictures and updates.

Katrin - by survey 5/24/2023
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I felt immediately comfortable leaving Zulu on Kirsten’s care. Her love for cats is obvious and Zulu warmed quickly up to her. She is very attentive to the cats needs, and kept me abreast at all times, letting me know how Zulu is doing.

At KITTY in NY, we’re proud to introduce some of the exceptional caregivers who help make our boarding services trusted and beloved by cat parents across the city. Each caregiver has been carefully selected not only for their reliability and home environment, but for their deep affection and understanding of feline companions. Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of working with outstanding individuals who all share one thing in common: a genuine love for cats.

Allegra offers boarding services from her cozy alcove studio apartment on East 73rd Street, in a quiet, elevator building on the Upper East Side. Her home is warm, cat-friendly, and perfect for one or two feline guests at a time. The apartment features two large windows with screens—ideal for sunbathing and bird-watching—as well as soft lounging spots and enough floor space for a curious cat to explore comfortably. Allegra does not have any pets of her own, so your cat will be the center of attention throughout their stay.

​“Hi! I’m Allegra, a lifelong cat lover and dedicated pet caretaker based on the Upper East Side in New York. My family has 3 cats living in Maryland that I have helped care for and raise over the past 10+ years. I understand how important it is to have someone you trust looking after your feline family members while you're away. I treat every cat I look after with the same love, patience, and attention I give my own. Whether your cat is playful, shy, or somewhere in between, I’m here to keep them happy, safe, and well cared for while you’re away!”
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Allegra is also comfortable administering all types of medication, and she offers a peaceful, loving environment ideal for cats who need consistency and gentle care. Allegra is available for short- or long-term boarding throughout the year.
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If you're looking for a kind and attentive host in the Upper East Side for your cat, Allegra is a wonderful choice. Contact us with your dates and a few details about your cat—we’d be happy to help you get started!

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REVIEWS

Susan​ - by Google review 8/25/2026
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Our experience with Allegra was very positive. I could tell when we met that she was a caring person who loves cats and that put me at ease since Piper has a heart condition and needs to be given medication mornings and evenings with meals. Allegra made contact numerous times while we were away and sent photos which were great to receive and confirmed that we found a lovely person to take care of Piper.

Ozlem​ - by survey 10/4/2025
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Allegra was very friendly, responsible and she was great with our cats!

Grady is a lifelong animal lover based on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, where he shares a spacious one-bedroom apartment with his fiancée. Having grown up surrounded by both cats and dogs, caring for animals has always been a natural part of his life.

Over the years, Grady has gained plenty of hands-on experience with cats through boarding, fostering, and pet sitting. He has cared for cats with different personalities, routines, feeding schedules, and medical needs — including several stays looking after his aunt’s nine cats at once. He understands that every cat is different: some settle into a new environment immediately, while others need a little more patience and time before feeling comfortable.
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Grady works remotely from home and has a flexible schedule, giving him plenty of opportunity to provide companionship, attention, and supervision throughout the day. He is also comfortable administering medication when needed. His Upper West Side apartment is spacious and well prepared for feline guests, with screened windows throughout.

Kitty in NY offers in-home cat boarding, where your cat stays in the home of one of our carefully selected caregivers, as well as cat sitting visits in your own home throughout Manhattan and other areas of New York City. If you are looking for reliable, personalized care for your cat, contact us and we’ll help you find the best option for your needs.

Sophie is a lifelong animal lover with a special affection for cats. Growing up in a home with cats gave her an early understanding of their different personalities, routines, and needs.

After moving to New York, Sophie spent a year fostering rescue cats and kittens, gaining valuable experience caring for cats with different temperaments and helping them feel comfortable in a new environment. She is patient, attentive, and enjoys getting to know each cat individually.
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Sophie is currently a student at Hunter College and also works part-time as an activities coordinator at an assisted living facility. Responsible and communicative, she brings the same caring and thoughtful approach to the cats entrusted to her.

Based on the Upper East Side, Sophie offers both cat boarding in her home and cat sitting visits at the client’s home in the Upper East Side and surrounding areas. If you are looking for reliable and caring cat care in Manhattan, Contact us to check Sophie’s availability for your dates.

Interactive play is one of the best ways to build a strong bond with your cat. Besides being fun, regular play helps develop trust, provides exercise, releases excess energy, and prevents boredom and stress. A cat who enjoys a daily dose of playtime is usually a happier, healthier cat.

Activity is especially important for indoor cats. Without enough stimulation, some cats may become bored, anxious, overweight, or develop unwanted behaviors. A few minutes of interactive play every day can make a big difference.

The Most Important Part of Playtime Is You
You may have plenty of cat toys around your apartment, but most of them become much more interesting when you get involved.

Interactive toys such as fishing-pole or wand toys allow your cat to behave like the natural hunter she was born to be. By moving the toy like prey—sliding, darting, hiding, and slowly creeping across the floor—you awaken your cat’s instinct to stalk, chase, and capture.

How you move the toy matters
Avoid waving it constantly in front of your cat’s face or moving it so quickly that she has no chance to follow it. Cats in the wild usually stalk their prey before attacking. Move the toy across your cat’s field of vision, occasionally allowing it to disappear behind furniture or around a corner.

Cats are built for short bursts of activity rather than long periods of running
Encourage your cat to chase the toy, but give her opportunities to pause and catch her breath. Most importantly, let her win. Your cat should be able to catch her “prey” several times during the game. Playtime should be satisfying, not frustrating.

As you finish the session, gradually slow down the movement of the toy and let your cat catch it one final time. Allow her to enjoy her captured “prey” for a minute before putting the toy away.

Try to schedule interactive play every day. It doesn’t need to take much time: one or two sessions of around 10–15 minutes can provide plenty of stimulation for many cats.

The benefits are much greater than the time involved. Regular play can help your cat stay physically active, build confidence, strengthen her trust in you, reduce stress, and provide an important outlet for natural hunting behaviors.

Every cat is different, of course. Younger and more energetic cats may want longer or more frequent sessions, while older cats may prefer shorter and gentler games.

Put Interactive Toys Away After Playtime
Interactive toys should normally be stored between play sessions rather than left on the floor all day. Keeping them out of sight helps make playtime feel special and exciting. More importantly, strings, feathers, elastic pieces, and worn parts can become dangerous if your cat chews or swallows them while you are not around.

Your cat can still have access to safe “solo” toys when you are away, including toy mice, balls, puzzle feeders, and other toys designed for unsupervised use.

Cats are often described as low-maintenance pets, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need attention and stimulation. Neglecting exercise and play can contribute to boredom, weight gain, stress, and behavioral problems.

Keeping Your Cat Active While You’re Away
When you travel, maintaining your cat’s normal routine—including attention and playtime—is important.

Kitty in NY provides experienced, loving cat caregivers who will make sure your cat receives the companionship and activity she needs while you’re away.

Our cat sitting visits are a great option for short trips and for shy or territorial cats who are happiest staying in their own home. For longer trips, our in-home cat boarding service offers your cat the comfort of staying in a carefully selected caregiver’s home, with personal attention and plenty of opportunities for play.

Contact Kitty in NY to find the best cat care option for your next trip.

We would like to introduce you to some of our caregivers. KITTY in NY has selected over the years some outstanding people who have one thing in common: they LOVE cats!

I have taken care of many pets for my friends and family over the years and have decided to do it with Kitty In NY professionally. I have always loved animals! 

When I am not spending time with animals, I am a makeup artist for commercial and editorial projects. I get to be creative and meet people, which is a dream. 

I promise to be respectful of your homes and treat your pets like my own. 

Lindsay will be glad to help you with your cat/s. If you are located in Ridgewood or Bushwick, please contact us and send more details about the service you need.

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REVIEWS

Sophia​ - by survey 8/9/2026
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Lindsay was wonderful! Stefani was very well taken care of and I was given detailed updates with pictures and videos every visit. When I returned home everything was clean and placed exactly where needed. I had a great experience and would love to have Lindsay watch Stefani in the future.

Gabriel​ - by survey 12/9/2025
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Lindsay was on time, communicative, and friendly.

Mia​ - by survey 10/31/2025
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Lindsay was wonderful! Seems like my cats really enjoyed her! She sent the best videos and pictures and was very communicative even when I was not so great at responding. I was extremely confident my cats were well taken care of. I look forward to working with her again!

Kate​ - by survey 07/23/2022
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Lindsay was wonderful! She quickly established trust with both our kitties and went above and beyond to make sure they had everything they needed. She's a true cat person and clearly very passionate about her work with Kitty in NY.

Lorenzo​ - by survey 07/04/2022
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Lindsay was very easy to communicate with - she kept us up to date of everything that was happening with our cats. She was very sweet with them and did a wonderful job in giving medicine to George. She allowed us to relax while on vacation and away from the cats!Lindsay was on time, communicative, and friendly.

Finding someone you can trust with your cat and your home is essential when you travel. Mark brings a calm, responsible approach to cat care, along with firsthand experience as a cat owner himself.

A New Yorker for almost a decade, Mark has cared for cats and dogs over the years and understands how important it is for pet parents to know their animals are safe, comfortable, and receiving plenty of attention while they are away.

As a cat owner, Mark is familiar with the little routines that make cats feel secure in their own environment. He has experience administering medication and is comfortable following detailed care instructions, feeding schedules, and household routines. He is also a thoughtful and reliable communicator, keeping clients updated throughout their cat sitting service.

Outside of caring for animals, Mark enjoys spending time in the ceramics studio and drawing at home. Friends and family know him as kind, respectful, and trustworthy—qualities he brings to every home and every cat in his care.
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Mark provides cat sitting throughout Manhattan’s West Side, including the Upper West Side and Lower West Side.

At Kitty in NY, we understand that every cat has a different personality and every family has different needs. That’s why we offer two convenient alternatives to traditional kennels:

• Cat Sitting: One of our carefully selected caregivers visits your home to feed your cat, refresh water and litter, provide attention and playtime, administer medication when required, and make sure everything is going well while you’re away.
• In-Home Boarding: Your cat stays in the home of one of our caregivers, with no other client cats present during the service. It’s a comfortable, home-based alternative for cats whose families prefer boarding while traveling.

Whether you need a sitter for a weekend away, an extended trip, or a comfortable boarding option for your cat, Kitty in NY can help you find the right caregiver.

If you live in south Brooklyn and need to leave the city for a few days, AJ would be glad to help you with your cat/s. You will receive periodic updates during the service. Contact us and send more details about your cat/s, we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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REVIEWS

Ivan  - survey 8/6/2026
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AJ was great and really built a bond with Lily! So sweet to receive updates too.

Alice lives with her husband in a spacious, modern one-bedroom apartment in Sutton Place, Midtown Manhattan. Her home is quiet, exceptionally clean, and cat-ready, with large windows where cats can relax and watch the world outside. All windows are securely screened or do not open.

Originally from London, Alice grew up with cats and works remotely from home, allowing her to provide consistent supervision, companionship, playtime, and affection throughout the day.