Happy Cat Halifax

Tee hee, this is actually the number one question we get. So, the way cat sitting works is the kitties all stay in their own homes. Happy Cat comes to each cat's home to visit and care for them. It's a lot of running around for us, but a cat is much happier in its own familiar space than in a boarding kennel.

First, we make sure your kitty is alive and well! Next, we put out fresh food and water in clean bowls. Then we clean up the litter and any other little accidents or hairballs lying around. (We have some really great organic spray that neutralizes odors in places where they shouldn’t be. It’s amazing!) If kitty lets us, we’ll do an ears-to-tail health check. We'll take notes on how your pet is doing, and send you an update and photo or video if you like. The rest of the time is devoted to making your kitty as happy as possible. Unless we are on an overnight visit, the entire time is focused on your cat and home. Not texting friends, phone chats, watching videos or napping.

Well, most cats warm up to us sooner or later, even the temperamental ones. We let them take their own time to decide we are safe to hang out with. Most kitties like to know that they have a human nearby to boss around, even if they aren't in the mood for bonding. If they really don't want to be BFFs, we will ensure that they are safe and sound, and leave it at that.

We want you to be able to relax while you are away, knowing that kitty is getting their meds. We have plenty of experience giving cats pills, liquid medications, saline drips and subcutaneous injections (such as insulin). As you probably know, giving cats medication can be tricky. Some cats are very chill about the whole thing, and others need coaxing, treats or firm (but gentle) handling. We will do our very best to get the medications into the cat. (For pills, we like to try Pill Pockets as a first attempt, if that’s okay with you.)

No one wants to have this situation arise, but everyone wants to be prepared in case it does. Most of all us! As part of the client agreement, you will complete a veterinary consent form outlining how you want us to deal with medical issues while you are away. You’ll also fill out a pet profile that includes information on existing medical conditions. We strongly recommend allowing us to take your kitty to the vet if a serious medical situation arises. We have pet first aid training, but that does not take the place of professional veterinary care.

Absolutely not. We are not opposed to the outdoorsy cat lifestyle, but this is not a responsibility we want to take on. Sorry, kitty will have to wait till you're home to get back outside. (Unless you have a catio. If you do, well that’s awesome!)

Veterinarians have advised that, because we are not bringing the cats to a common area, there is little risk of spreading disease from one client's cat to another. So, vaccinations are not required. The one exception is if your kitty has an upper respiratory infection (a cold), these germs can attach to our hands and clothes and transmit to the next client's kitty. If your cat has a cold, please let us know so that we can change to a fresh set of clothes and use hand sanitizer in between visits.

Okay, we’ll go to the store for you. And add the cost to your bill. We only buy the good stuff, though, not kitty junk food. Next time please try to remember.

We're really not comfortable letting a pet go without care for more than 48 hours. Anything can happen during an extended absence. They can run out of food or water, there could be a problem at the home, and the kitty would not be getting the quality loving care that we want to ensure. Our service is about more than just keeping your furbaby alive. With the very best of intentions for your pet, we recommend at least a daily visit.

We can decide together what you'd like to include in an extended visit. Usually there is a period of "quiet time." The intention is to replicate, as much as possible, normal life. So there are activities that focus on the kitty, and times when they are not the center of attention. Typically we see cats that have become anxious or needy while on their own gradually start to relax when they feel more certain that someone is there for them. When they fall into a relaxed sleep, we know we've done our job. We would appreciate having the use of your wi-fi during these visits, if that's okay, and maybe the option to make ourselves a cup of coffee or tea. Most kitties don't need extended visits, but you might want to consider adding them in (in a mix with other visits) if you are going to be away for multiple weeks, or if your cat is extra clingy.

We like dogs a lot, but cats are our superpower. We aren’t prepared for dog walking, and we’re uncomfortable with the responsibility of letting a dog out to do its business. So many things can go wrong with that. We’re not insured for dog-walking or dog-letting-out. Also, the number of visits a day you would need just for the letting-in-and-out would be a bit excessive. Essentially, we’re not the right people to take care of your pup. Lots of other people would be delighted to do this for you. Note – We don’t have experience with birds, lizards, hamsters, fish, snakes, spiders, beetles, ferrets, horses, miniature pigs, goats, hedgehogs, or monkeys. Really, we’re here for the cats.

At the moment (fall 2019 to present) it’s easy. It’s just me, Susan, the owner of Happy Cat. We’re a new business and for now it’ll be me taking care of your little sweetie. I have backup if needed, but it would take a pretty severe reason for me to not do the visits myself. If that happens, you will be notified of the change. If Happy Cat expands to the point where I have staff, this section will be updated with the new procedures.

Yes, with limits. We can do a quick check around for any major problems (flood, break-in, fire, etc.) Your insurance company will be very happy about this. We can also bring in your mail and newspapers, or packages left outside the door. We do not shovel snow, take out garbage, water lawns, or care for your indoor plant jungle. We also do not schedule our visits in order to be there when a package is supposed to be delivered. If you're expecting a parcel, best to ask your neighbour to receive it for you. In winter please make arrangements to have your snow removed so that we can get to the house. If we can't get in we won't be able to do our job. Please go to the Become a Client page to see our terms and conditions.

We keep all client keys locked in a key safe. They are labelled with a number and your pet's name, but not your name or address. Each day we take out only the keys we need, and we attach them to our supply bag. Even with these precautions, it's a good idea for you to leave an extra key with a neighbour or friend, just in case. If somehow your key is lost we will get the spare from your contact person so kitty's services won't be interrupted. In that situation our pet-sitting insurance covers the cost of re-keying your locks if you would like to have that done.

We really do not want that to happen. But if it does, our insurance covers damage or breakage that is our fault (not if the heirloom vase is pushed off the table by your sweet furbaby). Our insurance does not cover any loss or damage due to a burglary or other crime committed while we are providing services. Please go to the Become a Client page to see our terms and conditions.

Our priority is to make sure your cat is safe. That may mean we have to transport your cat to a safe location elsewhere, if your home is really unsafe. Please be aware that our service is for the care of your pet, and that we cannot take responsibility for emergency care of your home. If something dreadful like this happens, we will do what we would for a neighbour, and hope that it is helpful. Like call the fire department or the police. If we are able to get in contact with you, you can ask for temporary arrangements to tide things over, and we’ll do our best to make them happen. For example, we might call a plumber to stop the gushing water so we can mop up. Or get someone to put plastic over a broken window or hole in the roof. It’s not possible to say exactly what we can or can’t do, because each situation is different. We will keep receipts for costs and add them to your bill. It helps if you leave us contact information for someone who can make decisions in case we can’t reach you, or maybe even your insurance company. Please go to the Become a Client page to see our terms and conditions.

No, sorry. Each visit costs what it costs. The cost includes our time and travel expenses to get to and from your home, and it’s already a really good deal.

In a Basic (20-minute) visit, we can usually manage to care for up to three cats. Of course, each cat will get less attention when we’re trying to squeeze them into a short time frame. In a Comfort (1-hour) visit, our limit is five-ish. Although that’s a lot of cats! Really, we want to provide good quality care for the kitties, giving each cat the attention it needs for health and happiness. If you are a multi-cat owner let’s talk about their needs and figure it out.

These are so variable that we need to discuss before we set a price. But in general, as a rule of thumb, think in terms of $60 for three hours.

Sometimes. Bridge tolls: Halifax / Dartmouth service can involve having to cross the bridge. For the sake of simplicity and our billing sanity, one bridge crossing per day is included in your costs. If we are visiting more than once in a day and we have to cross the bridge a second time, we will bill you for the second crossing ($2.50 per day). Travel distance: We’d love to visit all the cats everywhere, but we have to be practical. Outside core Dartmouth and Halifax Peninsula we have to charge an additional $5 per visit for mileage. We’re willing to travel further for your cats but we will have to discuss the travel costs. You’d likely be able to find someone nearer who won’t have to charge you for travel. Parking: If it’s necessary to pay for parking in your neighbourhood, we will charge you the parking cost. Medications: Cats are notoriously difficult to medicate. Even giving a pill to a cat can be a risky activity. Generally, we charge $2 per pill or liquid, and $5 per saline drip. But if your kitty is super easy to medicate let us know and we may be able to waive the charge. Key management: Ideally we would pick up your keys when you become a new client, and keep them in our locked key safe for the next time you need us. If you would rather we bring them back, of course we will. But if we need to make extra trips to your house to pick up and return keys every time you go away, that is a lot of extra running around and scheduling. So we charge a $5 key pick up / drop off fee for each time (after the first) that we do this. It is really not recommended to leave a key hidden for us to find, and we are very uncomfortable about leaving your key unsecured on your property for you to retrieve. So please don’t ask us to do that. Other: As noted above, if we have to top up your cat food supplies, call a plumber or take a sick kitty to the vet, you will be charged at cost with receipts provided.

Because it’s the law, and because we are a registered business. Being a registered business allows us to be insured for all kinds of unexpected problems, which is good for you and good for us. Doin’ it by the book.

We accept e-transfer or cash. We can also send you a PayPal invoice if you have a PayPal account.

Payment for the visits is due in advance. Any additional expenses incurred will be billed to you following your return, with receipts attached. Payment is due within 5 days. If your account is not paid up we will not be able to accommodate new requests for visits.