Last night, Tashe arrived for boarding. Since he’s stayed with me many times before he felt comfortable to walk right out of his cat carrier, instead of having me dump him out ever so gently of course, into his condo. “Well,” his parents said out loud, ” He’s very comfortable.” and it was true, just the way he walked around the room and settled down on the rug in confidence, I knew he was fine. Later that night I found him sitting in my computer chair. I thought, “Awe, that’s so cute. He was able to jump up there on his own.” I left him there while I watched TV and he eventually went into his condo on his own before bed.

There are varying stages of comfort I see in my guests when they board.

• Usually, when they first arrive, they don’t know where they are or how nice it will be to visit. They’re scared, tense, and need to be in their condo for a day or so, in order to feel  cozy and safe.
• Then, after a few days, they begin to ease up enough to venture out of their condo and explore the room. Immediately they are engaged in opportunities to distract them from their anxiety.

1. First stop is usually the window hammock or the back of the couch. There they can take in the sunshine, watch the birds and squirrels, and in the summer, get some fresh air.
2. Second, they usually find cat toys or the scratch pad to play with, in addition to the treats they receive. Also, if I ignore them a little, they will feel safe enough to come up on the couch and visit with me for a snuggle-here’s where they learn, this is not so bad.

Tashe has learned all that. This morning, after he had breakfast,  and right before I was about to sit down at the computer and eat mine, I found him in the chair. Since we both can’t sit in the same spot, and I don’t have a “back up” chair,  I prepared another location, with his own blanket, and began to move him out of my chair. He knew exactly what I was doing and just as soon as I began, he growled, and tried to nibble on my arm. Just a warning.

He was determined to stay put. I told him he had to get off. But he stayed. So I gently dumped the chair to the floor and he jumped off. No sooner though, did I right the chair, did he jump back on the chair! “Wow!” I thought “What a very comfortable and determined little kitty this time around.”

I started plan B.  I went and got a counter stool, with his blanket, and placed it right near me and the computer chair. Then I gently dumped the chair over and he finally jumped off. Once he was on  the floor I was able to pick him up correctly and place him on his new location, and just as quickly I sat down. I’ve been sitting here ever since. I’m afraid if I get up and get some coffee, I will loose my spot.

It makes me  happy when a cat that boards with me, begins to have the comfort level of exploration, and rest on the couch, window hammock, or my lap. But when they take my computer chair!!!! Then I know they are totally adjusted!

Whitman, MA-Feline Aficionada Tonia Evans of The Kitty’s Corner has been accepted for membership in Pet Sitters International (PSI), an organization of more than 8,000 independent professional pet sitting services throughout the United States, Canada and abroad. Founded in 1994, PSI is the world’s largest educational association for professional pet sitters.

For cat owners, in-home cat sitting provides a unique alternative to boarding facilities—or relying on family or neighbors to check on pets.  Cat sitters come to the home daily and felines are able to keep their regular routines for meals, walks, medication and one-on-one care and attention.  Owners report that their cats experience less stress and adjust better to their owners’ absence when the cats remain in their normal environment.

PSI offers members access to bonding and liability insurance and educational resources such as PSI’s Accreditation Program and annual Quest convention.   According to PSI President Patti Moran, pet owners consider their ’fur children‘ part of the family and the demand for quality care continues to increase, “Our membership consists of trusted pet care professionals serving an average of 191 clients each and performing an estimated 17.4 million pet sitting engagements each year,” Moran said.

With membership in PSI, The Kitty’s Corner has reinforced its dedication to offering professional, quality services and increasing their knowledge of the pet care industry. Feline Aficonada Tonia Evans and The Kitty’s Corner are available for cat sitting for healthy, senior and special needs cats in the South Shore area of Massachusetts. Call 781-447-5489 for an appointment. For additional information about Pet Sitters International, visit www.petsit.com.