Rise in home working is great news for cats – until holidays beckon…
The number of people working for themselves has increased from 3.3 million people (12% of the labour force) in 2001, to 4.8 million (15.1% of the labour force)[i] in 2017.
Many self-employed people work from home, and together with the rising numbers of companies that allow employees to work from home regularly, it’s estimated[ii] by 2020 more than half of the UK workforce will be working remotely.
This is great news for Britain’s cats. They no longer have to face the day alone when their owners head off to work all day. Instead, they can snuggle down in the home office and enjoy the companionship of having their owners around most of the time.
But what happens when you want to go on holiday? How will your cat cope if you put them in a cattery or ferry them off to a family friend? It’s likely not very well. Cats can get anxious when out of their home environment.
Another option is to ask a friend to pop in to feed them twice a day but cats tend to become distressed if left home alone, especially if they’re used to having people at home most of the time and you are likely to come back to a very unhappy pet. One solution is to employ a homesitter.
These professional people will come and stay in your home, look after any pets and make sure your home is safe and secure. More people are turning to this type of service when they go away for business or pleasure as they want their cats to be looked after in their home environment.
Being at home and having someone stick to the cats usual routines and provide company can minimise the stress of their owners going away.
For people who work from home this service is invaluable, especially since homesitters are not allowed to leave the home for more than three hours in daylight hours and for more than an hour at night.
For one Oxfordshire based couple employing a homesitter has been a real lifeline. Gwen Lawler and her husband work in the entertainment industry and run a production company from their home.
Their work involves frequent business trips, which are often arranged at very short notice. They have been using our homesitters since 2008 to look after their pet dog and cat, Bilbo and Baggins, when they go away.
Gwen commented, “As my husband and I work from home our pets are used to us being there all day, so companionship is very important for them when we’re away. I wouldn’t put them in a kennel and cattery as it would be too much of a disruption.
“I believe that using Homesitters is money well spent to give our pets stability, and it’s also reassuring to know that the house is occupied too as there have been several burglaries in the local area recently.”
Don’t let your cats be home alone when you next go away. Visit www.homesitters.co.uk or give us a call on 01296 630 730 to discuss your cat sitting needs.
More tips and advice from Homesitters:
How Cats Can Improve Your Mental Wellbeing: Research and Benefits of Pet Ownership and Therapy Animals
Advice on Caring for an Older Cat
Cool Cats – Preventing Cats Overheating in a Heatwave
Why we use a Homesitter to Look After our Cats
Cattery or Cat Sitter – What is Best for Your Cat?
Different Cat Breeds and Their Traits
Why we Love to Look After Cats
Signs Your Cat Could be Unwell
Why Your Cat Might Prefer a Home and Pet Sitter This Summer
Tips for Keeping Your cat in Peak Condition
[i] https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/trendsinselfemploymentintheuk/2018-02-07
[ii] http://smallbusiness.co.uk/half-uk-workforce-remotely-2020-2540827/
Can you collaborate with texts in Spanish?
We can probably get a translation done. 🙂
I believe homesitters are the way to go. I did it before for a friend, and I have a friend now who sits with dogs and cats. She posts pictures of her “buddies”, and they all look so content.
It’s definitely the best for the pets and makes us feel at ease
Very nice article and great pictures! I will share the post.
Thanks so much Paul 🙂
Many if not most cat people have like-minded friends. I know that if I am away from the divas that they are in loving hands and my friends know the same with their seven. When they are away I always take a book with me so that there is plenty of cuddle time after the necessities are taken care of.
How would you get anything done? Cheers,H
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