Cat Sitting & Boarding FAQ
Kitty in NY - Trusted Cat Care NYC
Send us your questions! We can help you find cat sitting and boarding services: [email protected]
What is the difference between cat sitting and cat boarding?
Cat Sitting – One of our dedicated caregivers visits your home to care for your cat(s): feeding, water, litter maintenance, and playtime. Learn more about when cat sitting is the best option.
In-Home Cat Boarding – You bring your cat(s) to a caregiver’s private, pet-free home. Your cat will be the only animal in the home. This service is best for longer stays (6 days minimum). Learn more about in-home cat boarding.
Which service is better for my cat?
Cat sitting is ideal for short to mid-term timeframes (1–5 days) or homes with multiple cats. Boarding is recommended for longer periods or very social cats that thrive with consistent human interaction.
I already know which service I need. What’s next?
Complete and submit our Contact Form. We’ll respond promptly to help you get started.
What does it cost?
Rates vary based on the length of stay and any specific care needs. After you submit your request, we’ll send you a personalized quote that includes both the caregiver and agency fees. All our standard rates are available online — we believe in transparency from the start.
How much is the agency fee? How much is the caregiver fee?
You’ll receive one total quote that includes both fees—no hidden costs.
How much does cat sitting cost in NYC?
Our standard rate is $35 per 30-minute visit, covering up to three cats. Each visit includes feeding, litter cleaning, water refresh, and attention. Additional fees may apply for holidays or special care needs. See our Rates page.
Are there holiday surcharges for cat sitting visits?
Yes. A $10 surcharge applies to cat sitting visits on the following holidays:
- Memorial Day
- Independence Day
- Labor Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Eve
- Christmas Day
- December 31st
- New Year’s Day
This helps compensate caregivers for holiday availability.
Are there holiday surcharges for cat boarding services?
Yes. Boarding services that include Thanksgiving, Christmas, or New Year’s dates are subject to a 20% surcharge applied to the total service fee. This ensures caregiver availability during peak periods. View full rates.
What is the booking procedure?
- Submit your dates, location, and cat details through the Contact Form.
- We’ll send you a caregiver bio to arrange a free meet-and-greet.
- After the meeting, you’ll provide care instructions, vet info, and emergency contact.
- You’ll receive a PayPal invoice for the agency fee.
- Once paid, we’ll send your detailed booking confirmation for eSignature or print.
What forms of payment do you accept?
Agency fee: PayPal, Venmo (@kittyinNY), Square, Zelle ([email protected]), or credit card.
Caregiver fee: Paid in cash when delivering your cat, or monthly for long-term services.
Are there any requirements for my cat?
For boarding, cats must be spayed/neutered and up-to-date on vaccinations.
Do I need to sign a contract?
Yes. All services require a signed agreement for everyone’s protection and clarity.
Will my cat receive individualized attention?
Yes. Your cat will be the only pet in the caregiver’s home and receive one-on-one attention.
Can I meet the caregiver before committing?
Absolutely. We encourage a free in-person meeting at the caregiver’s home before booking.
What if I don’t like the apartment or the caregiver?
If you decide not to proceed, you won’t be charged. If you’ve already paid and no suitable replacement is available, your agency fee will be refunded.
Is my cat safe with a sitter?
Yes—safety is our priority. All sitters are background-checked and experienced. You’ll have a meet-and-greet before service starts. Sitters follow detailed instructions and send updates. We're fully insured and bonded.
Read more about when cat sitting is the best option.
What areas do you serve?
Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Bronx, and parts of New Jersey within commuting distance of NYC.
What happens if the caregiver cancels after I’ve paid?
In rare cases, we’ll assign a new caregiver or refund the agency fee if no replacement is available.
How will I know how my cat is doing?
Caregivers send updates and photos via text or email, based on the frequency you choose. Many of our clients have even said they’ve never taken such beautiful photos of their cats!
Some of our caregivers are especially loved for their unique style:
- Oscar has a talent for capturing cats in serene, artistic portraits.
- Maureen is known for her warm, detailed updates and affectionate energy.
- Erin writes with humor and clarity—her updates make clients smile every time.
- Phil is beloved for his expressive, often hilarious written updates.
Either way, you’ll stay informed and connected throughout your cat’s stay.
What happens if my cat gets sick during the service?
Your caregiver will contact you immediately. If urgent and you're unavailable, they may take your cat to your designated vet. You are responsible for any medical costs. Read our Terms of Service.
What if I have an emergency and need to leave immediately?
We do our best with last-minute bookings. A rush fee may apply for less than 24 hours’ notice.
What’s your cancellation policy?
The agency fee is non-refundable, but 35% may be applied to a future service of 5+ days within 3 months. If you return early, you only pay the caregiver for the days used.
Can I change my dates after booking?
Yes—if the same caregiver is available. If not, we’ll help reassign one. A 50% agency fee applies to the change.
What if I need to extend the service?
If the caregiver is available, we’ll send you a simple booking extension at the same daily rate. If not, we’ll assign a new caregiver (transport not included).
May I tip my caregiver?
Yes! Tips are appreciated and go directly to the caregiver.
May I tip my booking agent?
Yes. Tips via PayPal, Venmo, or Square are donated to:
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking 2–3 days ahead. For holidays and summer, at least 4 weeks in advance is best.
Are your sitters insured?
Yes, all our sitters are fully insured.
Can I request specific times for sitting visits?
Visits happen between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Exact times aren’t guaranteed, but caregivers try to accommodate requests.
How we vet and evaluate caregivers
Kitty in NY has been serving New York City since 2012, providing boutique-level, personalized cat care. We work exclusively with hand-picked, pet-free caregivers and do not use third-party apps or automated matching systems.
All caregivers are personally interviewed, and for boarding services we inspect each apartment in person to ensure the home and building meet our safety and quality standards. Every caregiver has prior experience caring for cats.
To ensure consistency, we use an internal grading system (A, B, C, D) that helps guide placement decisions and identify areas for growth. Most caregivers initially receive a B or C grade, which is normal and expected. Grades take into account factors such as location, home setup, communication, and overall fit.
All onboarded caregivers (A, B, or C) meet our minimum safety and care requirements. Over time, many caregivers improve their grade as they gain experience and positive feedback.
We take our clients’ trust very seriously and continuously review and refine our processes to provide the highest possible standard of care for cats and their owners.
Still have questions?
We're here to help! Email us at [email protected], fill out our Contact Form, or chat with our KITTY in NY Assistant using the icon at the bottom right of the screen.
Since 2012, we’ve proudly provided personalized service, carefully selected caregivers, and a hands-on team that treats your cat like family.
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