Ann Mehrten provided excellent cat care during my time away and made the process of leaving my cat for the first time more than bearable!
Communication - Ann provided a contract up front which we both signed that allowed her to collect pertinent information about vet contact information, neighbor contact information, any special needs, and also outlined an agreed to price ($20 per 30 minute visit) which included a free initial consult at my home. Ann was easy to communicate with via text or email. She updated me daily regarding my cat's behavior and demeanor. Ann does not have a smart phone, which at first I thought was a detriment, but in reality most people are totally distracted by their phone, so in the end I considered this a plus.
Professionalism - I asked Ann to spend the majority of the time entertaining my cat rather than cleaning, so I expected to come home and have to clean up a bit. However, up on my return my home was cleaner than when I left. The carpet was clean, the dishes were clean, the floor was clean, the litter box was clean, and my cat looked well groomed. Ann also has a policy of taking dirty cat litter with her on her way out to dispose of it at her own home, which certainly makes a difference with keeping a home smelling fresh. During Ann's last day of cat care at my home, I told her she could just leave the key to make it easier on her rather than have to return it later. She insisted on keeping the key "just in case" and returned it to me the next day. Speaking of keys, Ann has a baggie full of her clients' keys, which proves she is obviously a sought after caregiver.
Attention - Ann provided more than ample attention to my cat. She took her time with him and didn't force a connection. She spent extra time with him each day at no additional charge. Upon my return, I received a detailed outline of the time spent with my cat each day which ranged between 30 minutes - 60 minutes even though I only paid for a 30-minute visit. When I inquired about this, Ann mentioned that if she has extra time and the cat is enjoying the attention, she will stay longer "just because", and said she does not charge by the minute. I really appreciate that she considered my cat's individual needs and went above and beyond to make him happy.
Flexibility - Ann was willing to come to my home as late as 11:00 pm. No other pet sitter was willing to venture out that late. Most people wanted me to work within their schedule, but Ann was willing to work with my cat's schedule.
Knowledgeable/Experienced - My cat coughed up a hairball on the first night I was away. It was nice that Ann knew what to do. She cleaned the dirty area with Nature's Miracle (which I didn't think to leave out), but she obviously was able to find it. She replaced the blanket and put the dirty one in the washing machine. Also upon her initial visit, prior to my departure, she came prepared with many pertinent questions and took copious notes.
When I returned home, my cat seemed happy, secure, and well-cared for. I don't think he missed me at all because he received such loving care and all of his needs were fulfilled. I am so grateful to Ann because I feel like I can have a life again and leave town every once and a while without my cat feeling abandoned, which was a huge concern of mine. In fact, he's probably counting down the days until I leave again:)
I highly recommend Ann's services to anyone who requires the best for their cat! read more
