Bournemouth Catsitting Service
  • ABOUT BCS
  • SERVICES
  • CHARGES & AVAILABILITY
  • AREAS COVERED
  • TESTIMONIALS
  • FAQ & MEETING PROCESS
Find BCS on Facebook, Or email Vicky here...
Picture
Tarquin and I, taken in 2009.

ABOUT ME


Established in 2013, Bournemouth's bespoke cat sitting service; professional, reliable, dedicated and friendly - tailored to you and your cat's requirements.          
​

Sorry but I'm currently only taking on local client's within 2.8 Miles from my home and I’m fully booked with Diabetic cats so can’t take any more on Sorry.
I am also fully booked for all of DECEMBER ‘24.

 
Hello, my name is Vicky, the sole owner of 
Bournemouth Catsitting Service. 
I'm a proud, fully registered member of NarpsUK* since 2013, have a full clean UK driving licence and a completely clean DBS (previously called a CRB police check), and of course, I'm fully insured for pet sitting/minding and associated services.
- All these documents are happily presented to you at the initial free consultation along with a copy of my contract, insurance, my ID, and other authority forms, (Previous client testimonials can be requested as well)

*NarpsUK - National Associates of Registered Pet Sitters

I myself have had several cats ​and other animals including hamsters, fish, rabbits, and guinea pigs, during my life and I used to have two furry feline brothers, Malcolm and Tarquin (see pictures above). Sadly Malcolm was PTS in May ‘23 at 15 years old with sudden heart failure. Tarquin is still going strong thankfully.
With over 22 years of personal experience as an adult; first with three cats when I still lived in Surrey, (Tuppence, Henry and Daisy lived until they were 19, 17 & 16 years old respectively) and now with the just Tarquin (who is currently 15 years old), plus others along the way has given me a lifetime of personal experience with cats.
​And I’ve been a professional cat sitter for over ten years as well.


I also have a deep understanding, an empathy towards cats, as well as a special way with them; and I believe this comes across in my testimonials.
My professional experience includes previously working within a veterinary practice in Surrey, and I have recently completed my professional pet sitting diploma, and also a feline behaviour & psychology diploma. (Passing both with a distinction)
Plus as I'm looking to extend my range of services to clients in the near future I have also recently passed a certified cat grooming course.

Bournemouth has been my home since around 2004 and during nearly all of this time I was employed by two large insurance companies, and then in early 2013 I decided I truly wanted to be a professional, dedicated cat sitter and give my furry feline friends, both large and small, chunky and skinny, an alternative to catteries...
Thus, Bournemouth Catsitting Service (aka BCS) was born.

Prior to relocating here to sunny Bournemouth I lived and worked in Surrey where I was born, and my previous jobs have included working within a hospital, working for two Insurance Brokers, and previous to that I managed a licensed retail outlet for several years. 

"I am pleased to offer a professional, dedicated, reliable and friendly, bespoke cat sitting service to Bournemouth and the surrounding BH postcode areas."
 
Every cat and their owners (staff) have different requirements, my three tier pricing system combined with the flexibility of being able to mix and match them, means that whatever your requirements are for your cats whilst you're away, BCS, as a professional cat sitter can cater for them.
Other than of course feeding your cats, and other pets, I can water your plants*, (both indoor and outdoor), vacuum up the cat hair*, and bring in post as well as at night time leaving lit a hall or landing light on at night, and of course opening and closing curtains or blinds - if requested. As well as moving the bins if it's the correct day for them to go out or back in.
(*Gold service required)

I am sorry but my services do not extend to dogs. This is for other cat's - and my own -maximum comfort, relaxation, and enjoyment. (Please see this answer in my FAQ)
  
My normal working hours are 9.30am to 7.30pm, 7 Days a week, 
although I can be contacted by email or text out of these hours at any time within reason.
My cat feeding times vary between 9.30-11.30am and 4.30-7.30pm every day of the week, with cats who do not have a litter tray or cat flap, or those requiring medications/injections at a set time taking priority.

My mantra is 'Your home, Your cat, Your rules'.

Please note: I do not subcontract my bookings at all and it is only I who will enter your property. 
I can testify that no partners, friends, family, or children (I don't have any) will ever accompany me on any of my visits.

For bookings, consultations, or if you have any queries or questions at all, please contact me either by phone, email, text, or personally.
 

I look forward to hearing from you, and then later on meeting you and your cats.                    

Thank you, and don't forget all my consultations and key collection/returns are FREE!

01202 516 641  or
07794 594 162  mobile or text
or you can email me... 
Vicky@bhcatsitting.co.uk




My testimonials alone speak for themselves and answer the below question but....

WHY A CAT SITTER?

Why should you use a professional cat sitter and not a cattery?

You know your cat would be happier at home, without the stresses of a cattery.
Cats are highly territorial and they dislike the smells, lights, and strange noises, plus lots of other cat's crying, and an overall unfamiliar environment as found in catteries, not to mention the car journey there and back!


For many cats (especially rescue cats), being put back in 'the box', travelling in the terrifying, loud, bumpy car for them, and feeling abandoned after being put back in a strange smelling cage or 'chalet'... alone, without you... is unpleasant and upsetting, and brings back upsetting memories for the cat... And yes, they do have a very good memory!
I've heard the pitiful cries when I've been in catteries. Thankfully I've never had that feeling of leaving one of my furry boys in one, but I'd imagine it's quite heart wrenching...  Well, needless to say there's none of that! Just go on holiday or away as normal, and I'll be the 'Meat & Treat' lady coming in daily (or as agreed) keeping them fed and contented.
You will decide which areas of your home your cats are allowed to go. This means your cats can snooze in their favourite areas, stretch, relax and doze.  Eat in the same areas as normal, out of their usual bowls, and just enjoy the peace and quiet of an empty home. 
After all, if it's a holiday you've booked you want to be able to enjoy it and relax, not be worrying about your furry companion back at home.
You can relax and enjoy your time away knowing your cat will be calm and relaxed in their own home, and even get the pictures that prove it! There's still no guarantee they won't be in a bit of a huff with you when you get back, although it's been reported to me by clients that their cats are contented and often quite clingy and affectionate to their owners for a short time (a couple of hours to a couple of days!) upon their return, and not in a huff at all!

The answer is simple... Your cat, or cats would be much happier staying at home.

      01202  516 641 
  or by phone or text on
      07794  594 162 
  or by email 
       Vicky@bhcatsitting.co.uk

Please note: I will only arrive to service your cat's or pet's requirements, as and when you require me and confirmed in the signed BCS service contract.


​"I DON'T NEED A CAT SITTER, I'VE FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT CAN HELP thanks!"

If that would be your response, then I could reply "That's great and you're lucky to have such help, but... Do they have a professional, understanding, and friendly approach to your cat's care whilst you are away? Or will they just put the food down and go? 
Will they be able to spend quality time with your cat while you are away?
And have they the relevant feline certificates and cat sitting/minding qualifications and insurance, as well as feline 1st Aid?"

​Neighbours, friends, and family all have busy lives these days, and don't like to refuse such favours if they're asked of them... But would you really be getting the professional, reliable, caring level of service which your cat (or fur baby) surely needs, requires and deserves while you are away from home?
After all, it's not quite as simple as handing over your keys to your neighbour, friend, or relative and asking them to feed your beloved pet for the week or so while you're away. And after a long and busy day at work, and maybe a family dinner and children to sort out, can your neighbour or friend really provide you and your furry friends with what I can offer? Maybe they can, that's great. But if not, or if you want to split it so they do the mornings for example, then that's fine.
It can take the burden off them knowing they can just pop in as and when it suits them, rather than them having to come in twice daily.

As a professional, specialised, dedicated, and caring cat sitter I understand that your cat will be confused as to where you are, and if you will indeed return. He or she will seek comfort and reassurance (more so with a 'homely' cat), as well as needing food and water as normal. I can happily provide this along with head kisses, cuddles, strokes, brushes, playtime, care, and love as if they were my own... and some treats too - if they are allowed!  
I welcome and try to interact with your cats during the meetings, letting them smell and get to know me, and I then talk to them in English, French, or Spanish - whatever they are used to.
They often work out who I am and what I'm there for, and with regular clients I'm sure the cats know what seeing me means; some client's have even said that these days their cats seem less anxious and even quite relaxed now when the overnight bag comes out.
"No post-cattery sulks" either, as one client kindly put in her testimonial to me.
 

One thing's for sure, 95% (or more) of cats on my final visit to return keys and take payment come trotting over to me, tail up, greet me and are extremely friendly - Sometimes even the shy ones, much to the surprise of their owners!
​I think they associate me with being fed - even if it’s not their usual feeding time.


"She [Squash] also greeted Vicky very enthusiastically when Vicky returned to give us our keys back - a good sign."
J. Scarfe.   

"When I returned home it was obvious the cats had been cared for, & they came straight out to say hello when Vicky popped over for a follow up visit, very unusual for them!"   
C. Rickman.  


"On our return the cats were happy and content, and couldn't wait to see her when she returned the key."
S. Wood.  

"Layla and Nala adore her and come rushing to greet her when she drops off the key."
Katy.  


Now whether it's just because I'm the 'meat and treat' lady, or whether they actually like me... 
Well, cats?... it's anyone's guess! But I know what I'd like it to be...
Picture
Picture

'Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life'.
Confucius


'Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work'.
Aristotle

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

no cats were harmed in the making of this website 
(although one or two may have been heavily snuzzled!)

Click to Go to Top of Page