Some cats are perfectly comfortable spending a few days at home with daily visits from a caregiver. Others benefit from something different: more companionship, more supervision, and a person nearby throughout the day.

That is where in-home cat boarding can be an excellent option.

Instead of staying in a traditional boarding facility, your cat stays in a carefully selected caregiver's private home. At Kitty in NY, your cat—or cats from the same household—will be the only pets being boarded in that home.

For the right cat, it can feel less like boarding and more like having a temporary second home.

1. Longer Trips
The longer you are away, the more important regular human contact can become.
For a weekend or a short trip, daily cat sitting visits may be perfectly suitable. But if you are traveling for several weeks—or even several months—boarding can provide your cat with much more consistent companionship and supervision. This can be especially useful for extended vacations, temporary work assignments, family visits, relocations, renovations, or other situations where you may need reliable care for a longer period.

Your cat has someone nearby every day rather than spending most of the time alone between visits.

2. Social Cats Who Enjoy Human Company
Some cats may have a reputation for independence, but many are extremely social.
They follow their owners around the apartment, sleep beside them, wait by the door, or simply enjoy having another person nearby. For these cats, spending many hours alone every day may be harder than adjusting to a new environment. A good boarding home can provide the human interaction they are accustomed to: playtime, conversation, affection, and the simple comfort of having someone around.

3. Cats Who Should Not Be Left Alone for Long Periods
Boarding can also be helpful when an owner prefers more frequent observation.
A caregiver living in the same home is naturally able to notice changes in appetite, litter box habits, energy level, or behavior throughout the day. This does not replace veterinary care, but it can provide an additional level of supervision compared with a once-daily visit. For senior cats or cats with routine medications, the appropriate care arrangement should always be discussed in advance so that the caregiver understands the cat's needs and schedule.

4. Long-Term Boarding
One of the biggest advantages of in-home boarding is flexibility for extended stays.
Over the years, we have helped owners who needed care while traveling abroad, spending time with family, accepting temporary work assignments, moving between apartments, or dealing with other situations that made it temporarily impossible to keep their cat at home. For a long stay, consistency becomes particularly important. The cat gets to know the caregiver, the apartment, the feeding routine, the favorite sleeping spots—and eventually the temporary home itself becomes familiar.
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For the owner, it also means knowing that the cat is living with someone rather than simply receiving a short daily visit.

What Does In-Home Cat Boarding Include?
At Kitty in NY, boarding takes place in a caregiver's private home rather than in a kennel or commercial boarding facility.

Depending on your cat's routine and needs, care may include:

• Feeding according to your normal schedule
• Fresh water and litter box maintenance
• Daily playtime and interaction
• Grooming when appropriate
• Routine medication when agreed upon in advance
• Regular updates during the stay
• A calm, private environment without unfamiliar pets

Most importantly, your cat will be the only boarding client in the home, unless you are boarding multiple cats from your own household together. That allows the caregiver to focus entirely on your cat.

Meeting the Caregiver Before Boarding
We strongly recommend a meet and greet before confirming a boarding arrangement whenever possible. This gives you the opportunity to meet the caregiver, see the home where your cat would stay, discuss routines and expectations, and decide whether the environment feels right. It also allows the caregiver to learn about your cat's personality, feeding schedule, litter preferences, medications, favorite activities, and any particular habits or concerns.

Good boarding is not simply about finding an available apartment. It is about finding the right match between the cat, the owner, and the caregiver.

When Is Cat Sitting a Better Choice?
Boarding is not the best solution for every cat.

For short trips, cat sitting can be simpler and less disruptive. It may also be preferable for cats who are extremely shy, highly territorial, frightened by travel, or particularly sensitive to unfamiliar environments. Some cats are happiest remaining in their own territory, even if that means spending more time alone. Others adapt easily to a caregiver's home and benefit from the additional companionship.

The personality of the cat matters just as much as the length of the trip.

Cat Sitting or Boarding? Choose Based on Your Cat
A shy cat going through a stressful period may be much happier at home with daily visits. A friendly, confident cat whose owner will be away for a month may benefit enormously from living with a caregiver.

At Kitty in NY, we help owners choose the type of care that makes the most sense for the individual cat.

Our caregivers are screened and interviewed, and boarding arrangements are matched according to availability, location, experience, and the needs of each cat.

We provide in-home cat boarding throughout New York City and nearby areas.
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If you are planning a trip and are not sure whether boarding or cat sitting would be better, contact us and tell us about your cat, your dates, and the type of care you are looking for. We will be happy to help you find the right fit.

For many cats, the easiest place to stay while you are away is the place they already know: home.

Cats tend to be strongly attached to their territory, routines, hiding places, favorite windows, litter boxes, and feeding schedules. For some, remaining at home with regular visits from a trusted caregiver can be considerably less disruptive than moving to a new environment.

Cat sitting is not necessarily the best option for every cat or every trip. But in the following situations, it is often an excellent choice.

1. Short Trips and Weekends Away
​For a weekend or a few days away, moving a cat out of the home can create more disruption than the trip itself. With cat sitting, your cat can keep the same feeding schedule, sleep in the same places, use the same litter box, and maintain a familiar daily routine. A caregiver visits the home to provide food, fresh water, litter box maintenance, playtime, attention, and any agreed-upon care.

For independent cats who are comfortable spending part of the day alone, this can be a particularly easy arrangement.

2. Shy, Timid, or Easily Stressed Cats
Some cats adapt quickly to new people and places. Others disappear under the bed when the doorbell rings. For shy or anxious cats, remaining in familiar surroundings can make a significant difference. They do not have to adjust simultaneously to a new home, new smells, unfamiliar sounds, and a new caregiver.

A good cat sitter will also understand that interaction should happen on the cat's terms. Sometimes the best care means playing and cuddling. Sometimes it means quietly refreshing food and litter while allowing a nervous cat to observe from a safe distance.

3. Territorial or Defensive Cats
A cat who becomes defensive around unfamiliar animals or environments may be much more comfortable at home. Behaviors such as hissing, swatting, hiding, or guarding territory are often intensified by stress. Keeping the cat in familiar surroundings removes one major source of that stress and allows an experienced caregiver to work within the cat's normal environment.

This can be especially helpful for cats who strongly dislike carriers, transportation, or unfamiliar spaces.

4. Cats with Litter Box Sensitivities
Cats can be remarkably particular about their litter boxes: the type of litter, box location, cleanliness, depth of litter, and even the style of the box itself. For a cat with a history of litter box problems or strong preferences, keeping the existing setup unchanged can be helpful. A sitter can maintain the normal cleaning routine and notice changes in litter box habits while you are away.

Sudden changes in urination or bowel habits can also indicate a medical problem, so unusual behavior should never automatically be assumed to be behavioral.

5. Homes with Multiple Cats
Moving one cat can be complicated. Moving three or four can become a small logistical operation. For multi-cat households, cat sitting allows everyone to remain together in their established environment, with their usual feeding stations, litter boxes, sleeping areas, and social dynamics intact.It also avoids transporting several cats and introducing them to an unfamiliar space at the same time.

6. Senior Cats and Cats Who Need Medication
Older cats often benefit from predictability. The same can be true for cats receiving regular medication or managing an ongoing condition. Depending on the cat's needs and the caregiver's experience, a sitter may be able to administer oral medications, pills, transdermal medications, inhalers, or other routine treatments while keeping the cat's schedule as consistent as possible.

For cats with significant medical needs, the care plan should always be discussed in advance so that everyone is clear about medications, instructions, emergency contacts, and what to do if something appears unusual.

What Are the Main Benefits of Cat Sitting?

For the right cat, in-home visits offer several advantages:

• Familiar surroundings: Your cat remains in the environment they already know.
• Routine: Feeding, litter care, playtime, and medication can follow their normal schedule.
• Individual attention: Care can be adapted to your cat's personality rather than forcing the cat to adapt to a new environment.
• Daily observation: A caregiver can notice changes in appetite, litter box use, energy level, or behavior and keep you updated.
• No transportation: Particularly useful for cats who find carriers, cars, or travel stressful.
• Convenience for multi-cat homes: Everyone stays together without the logistics of relocating several cats.

When Might Cat Boarding Be a Better Choice?
Cat sitting is not automatically the best option simply because it happens at home.
Some cats are extremely social and become unhappy when left alone for long periods. For longer trips, owners may also prefer knowing that someone is physically present with their cat for much of the day and overnight.

In those situations, in-home cat boarding can be an excellent alternative. Your cat stays in a caregiver's private home rather than in a traditional boarding facility, receiving more continuous human company and supervision.

At Kitty in NY, boarding is designed for one client's cat or cats at a time, so they are not placed in a home full of unfamiliar animals.

Cat Sitting or Boarding?
It Depends on the Cat

There is no single answer that works for every cat. A confident, social cat going on a three-week "vacation" may enjoy boarding and regular human companionship. A shy cat whose favorite activity is sleeping behind the sofa may be far happier staying exactly where she is. The best choice depends on your cat's personality, routine, medical needs, length of your trip, and comfort with unfamiliar environments.

At Kitty in NY, we help owners choose between Cat Sitting and Cat Boarding based on the individual cat rather than simply recommending the same service for everyone.
If you are not sure which option would work best, contact us and tell us a little about your cat, your travel dates, and what kind of care you are looking for.

We help you connect with the best caregivers. Boarding is recommended for your longer term needs, your cat lives at the caregiver's apartment where she/he will be the only pet. Cat sitting visits are perfect for holidays and short trips, the caregiver will come and visit your cat/s until you return. Contact us and send more details about the service you need.

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REVIEWS

​Franchesca - by Google review 9/27/2026
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My experience with kitty in ny exceeded my expectations! I wasn’t sure what to expect as I hadn’t heard of the company but the boarding coordinator was communicative and friendly, and my sitter Amber was incredibly kind and took great care of my girls :”) 💕

​Christina - by survey 10/17/2024
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Amber was great! Communication beforehand and during Willow's stay with her was super easy, and she was extremely flexible in accommodating our schedule (early drop off/late pickup). We received pictures of him every 3rd day and he clearly enjoyed his stay at her place. Thank you!

Berlyn - by survey 9/20/2024
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Amber is friendly, super sweet, and great with communication. She was very attentive in the talking process of understanding Toby's needs and typical care schedule, and I appreciated how much space he had to explore once he settled into her apartment. I could tell from the pictures she sent me that he felt super comfortable with her, and knowing that she's familiar with cats/had cats in the past only made me feel more secure with leaving Toby in her care. Gold stars, would recommend!

Sara - by survey 9/6/2024
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Amber was absolutely fantastic, I loved working with her, and would love to have her watch over mango again. I cannot sing her praises enough. She was very communicative and understanding, and it was clear that mango immediately felt comfortable with her.

Melinda - by survey 8/4/2024
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Amber did an amazing job caring for our cats. From our initial call I could tell she’s had a lot of experience with cats. While we were away she was very communicative in sending us photos and videos of the cats daily as well telling us how the cats were doing. It gave us a peace of mind to know the cats were comfortable in their new temporary home. We would definitely leave the cats in her care again.

Margaret - by survey 6/6/2024
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Amber was very communicative throughout the process. She did everything to make my kitties feel comfortable, even when one had unexpected anxiety (and showed it by wailing). I was able to visit them and give them anti-anxiety medicine during their stay. By the end, I could tell my cats were comfortable with Amber and she took very good care of them.

Avril - by survey 11/26/2023
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I picked up Baraka today and brought her home. Just writing to tell you Amber did an excellent job! Baraka got comfortable with her very fast. Amber catered to all my cat’s needs, responded to my texts, and shared lots of photos which showed me that my cat was playing, resting, felt comfortable with Amber and enjoyed her stay. Thank you so much. Happy Holidays!

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.

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REVIEWS

Bum Soo - by survey 9/26/2026
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Derrick was great. He communicated very clearly and always considered the cats needs based on their personalities. He was also very understanding about my scheduling needs in terms of when I would pick up my cats.

We’re delighted to introduce Monique, a warm and experienced cat lover offering in-home boarding from her peaceful one-bedroom apartment in Turtle Bay, Midtown Manhattan.

Monique lives in a quiet, cozy apartment that is well suited for cats. Her windows are secure, the space is clean and calm, and because she recently retired from a 20-year career in healthcare, she spends much of her time at home. This makes her a great match for cats who enjoy plenty of human company and a relaxed environment.

Animals have always been part of Monique’s life. Her first salaried job after college was at the Bronx Zoo, where she taught Habitat Ecology to visiting school groups and regularly worked with animals as part of educational demonstrations. Over the years, cats in particular have found their way into her life. Her most recent cat, Zeke, lived to the impressive age of 22.

Monique understands that every cat has a different personality. Some want affection and companionship, while others prefer to observe from a distance until they feel comfortable. She is happy to let each guest settle in at their own pace and interact on their own terms.

Her apartment also offers a little entertainment for curious cats: a glass-paned door overlooking a private ground-floor patio, where visiting birds sometimes provide excellent “cat television.” Mourning doves and cardinals are regular visitors, and Monique has even spotted a kestrel there.
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In her free time, Monique enjoys online courses, audiobooks, music—especially jazz and yacht rock—Chi Gong, and walking workouts. Her calm personality and easygoing nature make her home an especially welcoming place for feline guests.
Monique looks forward to meeting your cat and providing a safe, peaceful home away from home while you’re away.

Kitty in NY provides personalized cat care throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Bronx and Queens, including in-home boarding, where your cat stays in the caregiver’s home, and cat sitting, with visits to your cat in their own home. Whether you’re planning a short trip or a longer stay away, we’ll help you find the right care for your cat. Contact us to learn more or arrange your cat’s stay.

We’re pleased to introduce Gwen, a highly experienced cat sitter offering in-home visits on the Upper East Side of Manhattan.

Originally from Ireland, Gwen has lived in the UES since the early 1990s. Before transitioning into pet care, she worked in corporate aviation as a flight attendant and crew supervisor—roles that required calm judgment, strong communication, and exceptional attention to safety and comfort. She brings those same qualities to every cat she cares for.

Experienced, reliable, and medically confident

Gwen has cared for cats her entire life and has extensive experience with:

• Senior cats
• Cats requiring daily medications
• Cats with complex or chronic medical needs

Her approach is patient, proactive, and highly attentive, offering the kind of careful monitoring that gives cat owners true peace of mind.

A calm and caring presence in your home

​Since her own building is not pet-friendly, Gwen considers cat sitting the “next best thing” to having a cat of her own. She takes pride in making each kitty feel safe, loved, and understood, and she treats every home with the same respect she brought to her aviation career.

She is available for daily cat sitting visits throughout the Upper East Side.
If you’re traveling and need someone dependable to care for your feline family member, Gwen may be the perfect match.

Contact us and send more details about your cat/s and the service you're looking for. We'll be glad to help you!

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REVIEWS

Kara  - Google review 9/25/2026
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A wonderful experience with the company overall, and I felt safe leaving my fur baby with GWEN. Who went above and beyond to take care of him and make sure I felt at ease too. Was impressed with them and will use again and recommend.

Suzy  - review 7/22/2026
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Gwen sent photos and daily reports of activity. She also respected our how very shy our cat is.

In-home boarding is perfect for your longer trips. You can enjoy your vacation or holiday knowing your cat will be in good hands. Laura will be glad to help you! Contact us and send more details about your cat/s and the service you're looking for, we'll get back to you as soon as possible.

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REVIEWS

Jake - by Google Review 9/23/2026
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Laura was a great boarder! She was very accommodating of my cat's needs and was prompt in replying to questions and with updates. Will use the service again!

Annie - by survey 9/7/2025
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Laura was incredibly caring. I felt completely at peace leaving my cat with her, knowing she treated them like her own. Couldn’t have asked for a better sitter!

Dana - by survey 4/6/2025
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Laura gave my senior cat so much love and attention and kept me in the loop while I was away with photos and messages. My cat needs MANY medications, so it is asking a lot of any caregiver, but she handled it all without stress. My kitty came home so relaxed and we had no issues :)

Gregory - by survey 4/22/2024
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Laura sent pictures of Sunny throughout the stay and provided status updates on his wellbeing. Very satisfied with the service she provided.

Finding the right place for your cat while you travel can make all the difference. Some cats simply feel more comfortable staying in a quiet home rather than in a traditional boarding facility, especially when they can enjoy plenty of individual attention and a calm environment.

Eric provides cat boarding from his spacious one-bedroom apartment in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. A lifelong cat lover, he grew up with two cats, Bobo, a tortoiseshell, and Oliver, a tabby, and has continued caring for cats throughout his adult life.

He regularly boards cats for friends and understands that every cat has a different personality. Some cats settle in immediately, while others need a little more time, patience, and space before they feel at home. Eric is comfortable following each cat’s established routine, including feeding schedules, grooming needs, and medication instructions.

Another advantage is Eric’s flexible work schedule, which allows him to spend plenty of time at home with the cats in his care. For owners who worry about their cat being left alone for long periods while they are away, this can provide valuable peace of mind.

Greenpoint is also conveniently located for cat owners throughout North Brooklyn, including Williamsburg, Bushwick, Long Island City, and surrounding neighborhoods.

At Kitty in NY, we carefully select caregivers who understand how important it is to provide cats with a safe, comfortable, and affectionate environment while their owners are traveling.

We offer both BOARDING, where your cat stays in the home of one of our carefully selected caregivers, and SITTING, where a caregiver visits your cat in your own home.

Planning a trip or looking for reliable cat care in New York City? Contact us today and we’ll help you find the best option for your cat.

Yana will be glad to help you with your cat/s! She will welcome them and make sure they follow their feeding regime and provide all the attention they might need. Boarding is the perfect solution for your long term needs, you bring your cat/s to the caregiver's apartment where they will be the only pets. You will receive periodic updates during the service. Contact us and send more details about your cat/s and the service you're looking for.

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REVIEWS

Jennifer - by survey 9/8/2026
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Yana did a great job caring for my fur baby while we were away, she provided video/photo updates, and many pictures show him very happy and at ease, which gave me peace of mind.

Roya - by survey 1/17/2026
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This was my first time leaving Coco for boarding. He had just turned two and was recently neutered, and as an extremely cautious cat parent, I was very hesitant. Coco is also a rare British Shorthair whom I invested a lot in, so it was important for both of us to feel completely safe. I specifically did not want a traditional boarding facility where he would be caged around other cats and dogs, and instead wanted a sitter where he would be the only cat. I was fortunate to find KittyinNY, who was able to accommodate this request and match me with Yana.

My work schedule was very unpredictable, and I had to change my requested dates a few times (which I wouldn’t recommend), but KittyinNY was still able to work with me. Yana lives about 40 minutes away, so I would likely only use her again if absolutely necessary due to the distance. That said, she was wonderful with Coco. She sent daily videos, and he looked happy and comfortable. I was away for two weeks over the holidays and felt at ease knowing Coco was in her care.

Sophie - by survey 7/28/2025
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Linyana is experienced with cats and was good to my foster boy. She sent daily photo updates and he seemed to get on well with her. She was also very understanding and helpful. Your agency was responsive and found a placement with fairly short notice. I will definitely recommend Kitty in NY to other cat owners and use your service the next time I need it!

Ashley - by survey 6/13/2025
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Yana was very kind and communicative. She took great care of my cat. I would suggest she gets a travel litter box for her apartment. If i didn't know she didn’t have one I would have brought one w me.

Laurie - by survey 12/04/2024
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Yana was lovely. She sent us pics of our furry baby and kept us well informed. Gideon was very shy at first but she made him feel safe. After a day or two he came out to explore his environment.

Soon, spotting cats becomes part of exploring. And perhaps that is why cities with strong street-cat cultures feel so memorable to cat lovers. The animals make the streets feel more alive, more intimate and somehow more domestic. Even thousands of miles from home, there is something comforting about seeing a cat stretch, yawn and settle into a sunny corner as if the entire city were simply a very large apartment.

Your own cat may have a slightly different kingdom — perhaps a favorite chair, a sunny windowsill and an apartment somewhere in New York City.

And when you travel, Kitty in NY can help make sure they are well cared for while you are away.

We offer In-Home Cat Boarding, where your cat stays in the private home of one of our carefully selected caregivers, and Cat Sitting, with a caregiver visiting your cat in the comfort of their own home.

Whether you are planning a weekend away or traveling halfway around the world, we can help you find a caring and reliable option for your cat. Contact us at Kitty in NY and tell us about your cat and your travel dates. We’ll be happy to help arrange the care they need while you are away.

For cat parents looking for a calm, comfortable home-away-from-home in Manhattan, Alex offers a welcoming space in the heart of the Lower East Side.

A lifelong cat lover, Alex has shared his life with cats since childhood and has plenty of hands-on experience caring for them. He has also looked after foster cats from his building for extended periods, giving him experience adapting to different personalities, routines, and needs.
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Alex lives alone in a spacious, tidy one-bedroom apartment just off Delancey Street. His home is quiet and cat-friendly, with screened windows, toys, a water fountain, and plenty of comfortable places for visiting cats to relax and explore. The bedroom windows face a courtyard with trees and birds — often one of the most entertaining spots in the apartment for feline guests.

Because Alex currently works mostly from home, cats staying with him can enjoy plenty of company and attention throughout the day. He understands that every cat is different: some want affection and interaction right away, while others need a little more time and space to feel comfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.

​Kitty in NY has been helping New York cat parents find reliable, loving care for more than a decade. Our services include:

In-Home Cat Boarding — Your cat stays in the private home of one of our carefully selected caregivers, with no cages and no other clients’ pets unless specifically arranged.

Cat Sitting — A Kitty in NY caregiver visits your cat in your own home to provide food, fresh water, litter care, playtime, affection, and any agreed-upon care.
We provide cat care throughout Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and selected areas of New Jersey.

Planning a trip or looking for the right care for your cat? Contact us at Kitty in NY and tell us a little about your cat, your dates, and the type of care you need. We’ll help you find the best available option for your feline family member.