The Cat Connection

 

Welcome to The Cat Connection — a place for pet parents and friends of the feline persuasion. The Cat Connection was formed by a group of cat owners and cat lovers wanting to assist each other to care for the cats when the owner is away from the area on vacation or for other reasons. For many years it was not connected to the our Club, but in 2011, we decided to make the Pet Lovers Club more inclusive for all pet owners.

 

A resident of OHCC does not have to be a Pet Lovers Club member to be part of The Cat Connection. They only need to be willing, if needed, to help care for cats of fellow residents who are in need of an occasional cat sitter.

 

 

How the Group Works:

• The list manager of the Cat Connection will maintain a list of members. If you want to be in the Cat Connection group, please contact the list manager. There is a short form to fill out with the information for others to get to know you and your cat(s) and contact you. CLICK HERE FOR THE FORM. If you prefer to e-mail the information click HERE.

• Each member will be emailed a list of current members. This list will contain the members name, address, email address, phone number, pets’ name/information and preferred veterinary. If you do not have email, contact the list manager for a printed copy. Printed copies will be limited in number. We DO NOT publish the list on the website for privacy reasons.

• A week or more prior to your trip, contact another Cat Connection member to arrange to watch your cat. Contact the list manager for sitter suggestions.

• If you are going to be gone for more than a few days, ask several people to take turns watching your cat. This relieves some the burden for just one person to do the job.

• In the event of sudden illness or hospitalization, please make sure that Community Patrol is made aware of your emergency contact. That person should make arrangements to take care of your cats until you return home or provide assistance for your pets (this could be a neighbor).

 

 

Things to have available for the cat sitter:

• It is a good idea to have the sitter over to your house prior to leaving. This will allow the sitter to meet your cat, learn the feeding schedule, location of litter box and litter and favorite toys.

• Make sure the sitter has a key to the house and knows how to enter.

• Please leave the sitter a sheet of paper with all the dietary information, feeding amounts, schedule, meds and vet info on the kitchen counter where it can easily be referenced. 

• The information sheet should also have all emergency contact information on how to get ahold of you in case questions or problems arise, cell phone or the phone of where you will be staying at a minimum.

 

 

Sitter Responsibilities:

• The sitter will come twice a day, morning and evening to feed, clean litter box and give kitty some play time and love. 

• Normally the sitter will spend at least 30 minutes or more at each session.

• Some sitters may even be able to bring in the mail, water plants, etc. You will need to work this out with them beforehand.

• Make sure you return the key to the owner soon after the last visit. It is not recommended to lock the key in the house, just in case the trip gets extended and an extra day or two of feeding is needed.

• It is highly recommended to leave the key in the door while cat sitting. This way the key will not get locked in the house and cause problems for upcoming feedings.

 

Remember this is a wonderful service provided by your generous cat-loving neighbors. So try to be available if someone needs your help too!

 

To add your contact information to the list, or for more information, please contact Vic White at 858-349-2326 or email at vicwhite9778@gmail.com.