Cat safety depends on more than food, water, and a locked front door.
Temperature, power, plumbing, air quality, windows, packages, alarms, construction, doors, plants, appliances, and household damage can alter the cat’s environment while the guardian is away.
Entry and locks
Keys, lockbox, alarm, garage, building desk, call box, elevator, sticky doors, deadbolts, and a backup route.
Temperature and power
Thermostat, heat, air conditioning, portable units, outages, breakers, sunlight, and who responds to unsafe conditions.
Water and plumbing
Fountains, bowls, leaks, shutoff, toilets, sinks, laundry, sump pumps, and access to repair contacts.
Air quality
Smoke, wildfire, dust, painting, flooring, cleaners, scent devices, ventilation, filters, and outdoor-air restrictions.
Escape prevention
Windows, screens, patios, balconies, dog doors, interior doors, garages, contractors, and cats who rush entry points.
Household management
Packages, mail, plants, lights, trash, pet messes, appliances, cameras, alarms, and obvious damage.
Do not leave the sitter to discover a fragile household system alone.
Provide property management, landlord, neighbor, repair, and emergency contacts with clear authority.
The care plan needs an alternate destination.
Power loss, extreme temperature, smoke, water damage, fire, structural danger, loss of access, or construction can make continued in-home care inappropriate.
Contact chain
Guardian, local representative, property contact, utility or repair service, Cats in the City, and veterinarian.
Relocation authority
Who can approve transport to boarding, veterinary care, another household, or a temporary safe location.
Supplies and records
Carrier, food, medication, litter, records, contacts, and instructions must be accessible for a sudden move.
Does the sitter water plants and bring in packages?
Agreed home-integrity tasks may include indoor plants, mail, packages, lights, and trash. Document the scope, locations, and any item that requires special handling.
What if the power goes out?
The emergency plan should define temperature thresholds, utility contacts, property access, backup equipment, and authority to move the cat when the home is unsafe.
Can contractors enter during cat sitting?
Disclose every planned person and access time. Contractors change escape risk, noise, dust, doors, alarms, and the sitter’s ability to secure the home.
What if a package blocks the building entry or access fails?
Provide building management, local contact, alternate entry, and a plan for urgent essential care when the primary route cannot be used.
Include an authorized backup location and transport route.
Home familiarity is valuable only while the home remains safe and accessible.