Hi, I'm doing cats only now ;)

My journey with pets started young — I grew up alongside my grandmother's Yorkshire Terrier, who I lived with for six years before moving. My first proper cat experience came in Dundee, where I co-cared for a friend's one-year-old Ragdoll named McFlurry for over half a year, and that's when I really fell for cats. After moving to London, my first cat-sitting job was an 11-year-old Persian in Watford, which gave me my first real experience with older pets.

Since then I've cared for over thirty cats across boarding and house-sitting/drop-in visits — Ragdolls, British Shorthairs, Abyssinians, Cornish Rex, moggies, and everything in between, from young kittens (one to four months) right through to seniors. Many of my clients book repeatedly, which I take as the truest sign that their cats are happy with us.

I've also worked with cats who needed more than standard care: FIV and FeLV positive cats (and the hygiene routines that go with them), cats in rescue or foster transition who needed gentle decompression, and cats with behavioural challenges including inappropriate urination, aggression, and separation anxiety.

On the medical side, I've built real hands-on experience with cats living with chronic kidney disease, epilepsy (including timing and observing seizures, administering rectal diazepam when prescribed, and judging when something warrants a vet call), diabetes, hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism (including methimazole on strict 12-hour intervals), asthma (including inhaler administration with an AeroKat spacer), heart conditions, and arthritis/mobility issues.

For medication, I'm comfortable with pills, eye and ear drops, topical treatments (including ear canal ointments), medicated baths, rectal suppositories, and minor wound care. I also have experience with two things that often need a bit more skill: oral liquid medication by syringe, and transdermal gels applied to the inner ear (including compounded thyroid medications from specialist pharmacies). I don't have a formal veterinary qualification, but I'm careful, I follow owners' instructions precisely, and I'm honest about what I don't know.

I'm also experienced with prescription diets and structured feeding — measured portions, scheduled feeds, and keeping cats in multi-cat households on different food separated at meal times. And I've developed a sense for when something needs a message to you or a call to the vet — a cat refusing food, a seizure that runs long, signs of obstruction, or anything that just doesn't look right. I'd rather flag something early than wait.

Meet & greet

I always do a meet & greet before any booking — it's a fixed part of how I work, not an optional extra. It gives you a chance to see our home and meet us in person, and it gives me a chance to learn your cat's routine, quirks, and what makes them feel safe. For boarding stays this matters even more, because your cat will have already met us once before moving in.

Updates and communication

I send daily updates with photos and short videos — what your cat ate, how they're sleeping, where they've claimed as their spot, any small thing I notice. If you'd prefer more or less frequent, just say. I'm responsive throughout the day and reachable for any question. I work in English and Mandarin, and can manage basic conversation in Cantonese, so feel free to use whichever is easiest for you.

Bookings and flexibility

I take stays of any length, from a single overnight to a month or longer. Plans change — I've handled flight cancellations and last-minute extensions, and I'd rather you let me know early if you might need extra days than have to stress about it later. I'll always try to accommodate.

Outdoor walks (if your cat enjoys them)

For cats who are already harness-trained and whose owners specifically approve and provide the harness, I'm experienced with on-leash outdoor time. I prefer dog-style harnesses (more escape-resistant than vest-style cat harnesses) paired with a lead, and stick to quiet routes — the park and riverside next to our building, or other calm green spaces nearby. I always follow the cat's lead on pace and won't push a cat who's signalling they'd rather go back inside. This is offered case by case and only when the owner has confirmed their cat is used to it.

A bit about me

I'm a graduate student and freelancer with a background in film studies, working from home most of the time. My partner Cici lives with me and is also a sitter on Pawshake — depending on dates and the cat's needs, we either share care or one of us takes the lead, and we always discuss with the owner which arrangement suits the booking. Two people at home means longer continuous company for your cat and almost no time alone.

I'm quiet by nature, my routines are regular, and I genuinely enjoy the slow rhythm of being around cats. Shy or anxious cats tend to settle with us because nothing in the flat is loud or sudden.

Our home

A cat-friendly apartment in East London (Canning Town area), fully cat-proofed — every window and door is secured, no escape risk. There's a balcony for supervised fresh air, the building itself is quiet, and we're right next to a park and the river if you'd like outdoor backdrops for daily update photos.

I can host up to two cats at a time. Guest cats sleep wherever they want, including on the bed, if that's what makes them comfortable.