Hello! My name is Xialen (pronounced sha-len) and I love cats. So much so that besides having a family cat and hanging out at cat cafes, I volunteer every week at a no-kill, non-profit cat shelter just to spend time with more cats. One of the advantages of volunteering at a cat shelter is that I’m always exposed to all kinds of cat personalities and have learned how to read their body language. I’ve met such a wide array of cats and no matter how friendly or sassy or how old they are, I always willingly stay behind after my shift to play and give them the love and attention they so deserve. It also helps with establishing that sense of trust which is something I prioritize with every cat I encounter so he/she can feel comfortable in my company. That same amount of love and care will be given to your cat when I visit him/her.
I am a freelance baker/cake decorator and I work from home which means my schedule is very flexible. As a fellow cat owner, I know how much you will be missing your beloved feline friend so you can count on me with regular updates. I love taking pictures of cats just as much as I love playing with them. My entire camera roll is proof of that.
I look forward to keeping your cat company while you’re away.
REVIEWS
Katrina - survey
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Xialen was so perfect for Ziggy and Juju! I felt very lucky to find her through Kitty in the City. I had a good feeling about her from the moment she arrived at my apartment. She was kind as well as confident about giving Ziggy his insulin injections. She texted updates and photos of the cats each time she visited. I had peace of mind while I was away. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone looking for a cat sitter they can trust.
Danielle - survey
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Everything was great! Lucky is very skittish around other people, but when Xialen came to pick up the keys, he didn’t immediately bolt and it seemed like he recognized her!
I forgot to leave a list of instructions as I normally do and reached out to Xialen on the first day - but it was completely unnecessary. She did everything we discussed and dropped by before I realized I didn’t leave a note.
Xialen is intuitive, took great care to follow Lucky’s routine, and was even able to pick up and hold him on the last day while he purred, which doesn’t happen very often with guests! It’s obvious she works well with all types of cats and her pictures are truly amazing and look professional.
I will absolutely reach out again should Lucky need a cat sitter and will continue to recommend your company! You’re the best.
Nneke - survey
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Xialen is amazing! Nurturing, kind and responsible. She provided detailed daily inforl on our two kitties along with adorable pictures. Will definitely be requesting her in the future.
Shannon - survey
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Xialen was great. She sent update emails every evening with several photos of my cat. She spent time petting her and (trying to) play with her. Xialen followed all of my extra instructions, and it was a great help. This is the second time she has watched Kee Kee, and Kee Kee didn't even seem to miss me once I returned! Probably because Xialen did such a good job keeping her company every day.
Jack - survey
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Xialen was incredibly responsible and thoughtful. Her updates were timely, and her photos were very well done. We travelled without a worry knowing she was helping us.
Sarah - survey
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Xialen is such a wonderful caregiver. She always is in touch promptly and sends great updates and fun pictures of each day she's with my cat, Ziggy. Ziggy loves her, and I feel so thankful to have found her and your service so I can rest easy when I have to travel!
Takeshi - survey
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It was a first time for me to ask cat sitting twice a day (normally once a day). It was very satisfied at Xialens punctual and continuous report. After my coming back, my cat seems to be satisfied as well.
Jonathan - survey
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Xialen, once again, was outstanding with our boys. (She takes suuuuch good pictures that we are officially jealous of her photography skills).
Jonathan - survey
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Xialen, as always, was totally excellent with Bosie and Oscar. I don't know how we went away from the city without her help.
Kevin - survey
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My cat Cooper seems totally happy and normal - clearly he received a lot of attention from Xialen throughout my absence. Xialen sent daily emails and photo reports on Cooper, communicated well, and followed all my instructions carefully.
Sarah - survey
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Xialen is such a consistently great caregiver. Not only is she clearly a caring cat-lover, she is easy to coordinate with, clear on instructions, and always sends detailed reports each day with great photos. I so enjoy leaving my cat, Ziggy, in her care!
Jonathan - survey
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Xialen was amazing with both of our cats. She went above and beyond. Her daily pictures and text really set our mind at ease and allowed us to relax and enjoy our holiday. We will definitely be using your services again.
Sarah - survey
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Xialen is such an excellent caregiver. My cat, Ziggy, loves her, and she always is super communicative and sends a ton of photos with detailed updates each day. She really cares, and it shows! Not only have I recommended Kitty in NY on multiple occasions to friends, I always add that Xialen is a great caregiver if they're able to book her specifically, too!
Kirsten - survey
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Xialen shows up reliably at the times she is supposed to and gives our cats consistent, personalized attention. One of our cats is very shy, but he has really come out of his shell for Xialen; he loves getting pets from her and purring for her! Our other cat is more playful, and Xialen always gives her the chance to "hunt" her favorite mouse toy.
Sarah - survey
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Xialen is such a lovely caregiver. She is very communicative and always sends detailed updates with great photos. And she listens very well to instructions and always follows through. She is my favorite caretaker, and my cat is in love with her, too! Kitty In NY makes everything so easy, and I'm so happy to have found your amazing service!
Angela - survey
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Always professional, reliable, and my cat adores her!
David - survey
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Xialen is always very reliable and really does a wonderful job of playing with Raja and sending us pictures and updates
Sarah - survey
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Xialen was SO wonderful. Easily my favorite Kitty in NY caregiver, which is saying something! She was extremely communicative, very caring and loving toward my cat, and sent great photo and video updates. She made the entire process stress-free and easy. She also is obviously such a cat person, and further proof is how easily my shy and anxious cat warmed up to her, both when we met together in my apartment and during her visits while I was away. I look forward to working with Kitty in NY and Xialen again!
Danielle M.
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Xialen was really great. She sent detailed updates everyday and took really great photos. (I’m even going to frame one.) She was flexible with returning the keys as well. Everything went great. Highly recommended!!
Toby - survey
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Xialen was completely reliable and we were very comfortable knowing that our cat was being well cared for in our absence. Her email updates and photos were also really appreciated.
Jack - survey
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Xialen is a wonderful caregiver. She keeps us updated on the cats, sending pictures and they really feel comfortable with her. We are very happy with her!
Josh - survey
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Xialen was great about sending us updates with wonderful photos and videos of our Tommy. He has had behavioral problems in the past, but she seems to be really great with him. We have recommended the service on Yelp and to friends, and we hope Xialen is available the next time we go away.
Efrat - survey
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Xialen was amazing! Our cats tend to be blue when we leave, but this time it was as if we've never been gone. They were happy and friendly when we got home and were clearly well taken care of! Xialen sent us very detailed accounts on how the cats are doing and many photos and videos. We couldn't be more pleased and will definitely seek her services again.
Dmitri - survey
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Xialen is great with Penelope and she was extremely well organized with her updates! She also happens to be a great pet photographer!
Faith - survey
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Xialen was great! Sent me great photos and text message updates every day. Really helped to put my mind at ease over leaving my cat for so many days.
Katie - survey
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My caregiver was Xialen & she was really great! Meeting with her before I left for my vacation was helpful & I could immediately tell she was really knowledgeable and truly loved cats. She sent me daily text updated with a ton of pictures which was great and I was confident my cats were happy and in good hands. I would definitely hire her again & recommend her to friends.
Chelsea - survey
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Xialen was great! She sent daily updates with pictures and was great with our cat (who is usually pretty shy but took to Xialen right away).
Josh - survey
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Xialen is very reliable and gets along great with our cat. We look forward to her updates and the awesome photos and videos she sends us.
Sara - survey
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Great updates! Very patient with my picky 7 year old and 5 month kitty. :)
Brenna - survey
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Xialen seems to know a lot about cat behavior and Penelope warmed up to her very quickly. We would love to work with her again!
Josh - survey
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Xialen was very nice and communicative. We really enjoyed the photos she sent of Tommy while we were away.
Yemisi - survey
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Xialen is very professional. She loved on my cats, played with them and sent pictures and updates on them. They looked well fed. I would recommend her to anyone.
Joshua R. - review
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This service was invaluable to us and is highly recommended. We needed someone gentle and caring to watch our sweet little hypersensitive headcase of a cat, Tommy. Jose was patient and responsive, and the cat sitter they sent us was wonderful--very responsible and helpful. The updates and adorable photos she sent us of Tommy made it bearable to be away from the little jerk for a few days.