A long time ago in 2014-15, in a galaxy (not so) far away, (in Uxbridge, so really not that far...) I was asked by a mum from playgroup to feed her cat; Renard, a few times. It was to be another three years before I set up Misty's Meadows- a general dog walking and pet sitting venture. I looked to lots of other local pet biz's and copied what they were doing, meaning the dogs got to have all the fun and the cats were getting a bog standard, boring service.
One day I had a call from Binks and Banoffee's owner needing a cat sitter; I went to meet them and found a very confident, independent and aloof cat Binks, and her polar opposite sister Noffee, a quiet, cuddly girl who suffered wildly from separation anxiety and depression whenever her fur-mum went away. So much so that she'd go off her food and need medication! I started spending more and more time during my visits just laying on the kitchen floor, with Noffee laying on my chest purring her dribbly little head off (all over my face and neck, it was delightful...!). By the time I decided to spend a good hour at each visit, twice a day, Noffee had learnt that she was not being abandoned, she still received all the cuddles she desired and she didn't lose her appetite anymore.
Along with a few other similar kitties that hired me (by power of the Cat Distribution System maybe?) with a mixture of shy, lonely and even stand-offish felines, it was then that I realised cats need just as much love, affection and attention as dogs! This was a monumental epiphany for me in my pet sitting business, moggies and their pawrents don't want a "pop in" pet sitter, they need longer visits to spend time playing, cuddling and building a nurturing relationship to ease the loneliness. I implemented this across all bookings and noticed exponentially how much happier my kitty clients became and how much my relationships with them grew. My Clients also noticed the change in their furbabies behaviour when they returned from their holidays- less sulky, much more content, cool cats.
I began to enjoy the sessions with cats so much more, finding my work more rewarding and it was quickly becoming a much more popular service. Throw in also becoming a kitty pawrent myself, I then wanted to offer my kitty clients and their pawrents the even more special, magical and luxurious experience that they deserve and that I would want for my own moggies, and that's how The Purry Godmother was born!
I'd love to hear how your magnificent moggie made their arrival in your life!