Any Advice a Sitter?

[mrsapalm]

I have to take the plunge and hire a babysitter for my sweet, sweet baby... Maleficent. She's two years, 3 months.
We've always been able to rely on friends to come by and feed her, give her water, and play with her. But... since we're going during the week... we can't find anyone we know to take care of her.
What advice can you give me about hiring a sitter - and does anyone in the Houston area have personal experience, references, info... whatever? She hasn't gotten a new doctor since we've been back (April of this year, I know, Bad Mommy), so I don't have that reference to lean on.
Any help would be very much appreciated!

BTW - in case you didn't catch on, my baby is a kitty.
TIA!
-MrsAPalm

 

[JAP]

I would check with your vet. They may have a list of people or a service they can refer you to.

Good luck and have fun on your trip.

 

[Kallison]

OK I was getting really worried that you named your child Maleficent!

Check with any of the veterinarian's office, see if they can refer you to someone. Also if there are small family run pet stores, they usually know people who pet sit.

I would still ask a friend to come in and double check on the sitter a few times. My friend went away for 10 days last summer and she lined up about 6 of her friends to come in and feed the kitty, guinea pig and hamster. I thought that worked well, I had a shift of two days. Then I would call the next person on the list and remind them it was their turn. She said it worked out great. She kept the key in a hidden spot on her patio.

 

[Rajah]

Another vote to check with a vet. They usually have good references.

Or, if you want to put her in a kennel type place, I know there's one not far from you (well, maybe 20 minutes? Around the area of the theater but a little farther inbound). It's called Fat Cat Flats. I haven't ever boarded there, but I did get some food and litter there a couple of times and the family that owns the place (and I believe lives there) was really nice. I'm sure they'd take good care of your baby if you couldn't find a sitter to come to your house.

http://fatcatflats.com/

 

[TerryKitten]

Originally posted by Kallison
OK I was getting really worried that you named your child Maleficent!

Heh, I was trying to figure out "Water her" for a real baby.

 

[mrsapalm]

Thanks for all the info. I bit the bullet and emailed a bunch of professional sitting services. We'll see what happens.
I don't think I could board the baby... let's just say her report card would read, "Does Not Play Well With Others." Plus, no matter how much it's guaranteed, you're almost assured of bringing home fleas from boarders... and my baby hasn't had fleas since her first day home with us (and not a day since).
And she doesn't have a regular vet yet, her old vet is in Spring, and Rajah knows that's waaaayyyyy too far out of the way. Mal doesn't... ahem... travel well.
But I appreciate your advice. I'm crossing fingers, eyes, toes, and legs that this works out!
-MrsAPalm

 

[Robinrs]

Originally posted by mrsapalm
I have to take the plunge and hire a babysitter for my sweet, sweet baby... Maleficent.
BTW - in case you didn't catch on, my baby is a kitty.
TIA!
-MrsAPalm

I was REALLY worried about the name, too!!!

Now I think it's awesome!!