An interview with Jeanne Adlon, whose Cat Calls: Wonderful Stories and Practical Advice from a Veteran Cat Sitter is out this week from Square One Publishers.
How did you get started cat sitting?
I’ve always loved animals, particularly cats. In the early ’70s I opened Cat Cottage, Manhattan’s first store for cats and cat lovers. John Lennon was a customer, and I remember one day he bought a huge cat tree covered with cat hair (cats had free rein in my store). He wouldn’t let me order a new one for him—that’s the one he wanted for his kitties— and off he went with it over his shoulder. People used to board their cats at the store, and one day someone asked if I’d care for her cat in her home while she was away on business. Once I saw how comfortable and relaxed her kitty was with this arrangement, I decided to start a full-time business as an in-home cat sitter. That was over 35 years ago and I’ve cared for hundreds of wonderful cats since.
What was your inspiration for writing Cat Calls?
I believe every cat is exceptional in its own way and each has a story to tell. Over the years I’ve acquired quite a collection of funny and unique cat stories, and I decided it was time to start putting them down on paper. I get very close to my clients and their lovely kitties and feel that sharing these stories is a tribute to them and the special bond they share with our feline friends. My terrific co-author, Susan Logan, editor of Cat Fancy magazine, was a big help in bringing these stories to life on the page. Between us we’ve got a lot of hands-on kitty experience we wanted to share, so we’ve also included what we call “commonsense” advice for cat owners—chapters on adoption, food, litter, health care, playtime, and what to do when kitty “misbehaves.”
What are some of your more interesting cat stories?
Cat sitting in Manhattan is never dull; I often say I’ve seen at all. One cat I cared for had his own Louis XIV chair as a personal scratching post. It was part of a very pricey dining room set and his loving owners believed that if they allowed him one chair, he wouldn’t scratch his way through the entire set and they were right! Another owner asked me to make sure her cats kept kosher for the Jewish holidays and left instructions for me to have matzo with their food. Now I always try to meet my client’s wishes, but those kitties wouldn’t touch the matzo. We settled for some nice sliced turkey from the local kosher deli. Another kitty I cared for co-habitated with a huge tarantula. Worse, they lived in a dark and creepy SRO—just like out of a Hitchcock movie. This was not my favorite house call. One of the more unusual requests I have had was to fill up a kitty’s litter box with soft facial tissues—not litter. A truly pampered kitty.
What do you hope readers learn from Cat Calls?
In addition to enjoying my cat stories and using the book’s advice, I hope readers can celebrate the joy of living with animals and the love they can share. Cats ask very little and give back so much. They’re affectionate and certainly enjoy our company. My kitties teach me something new every day—and they make me laugh. They love and accept us as we are; there aren’t many relationships this easy. Also, I’d like to include a pitch for adopting from your local shelter—so many kitties need good homes, especially nowadays—and please don’t forget to spay and neuter.
Any advice for people looking for a professional cat sitter?
I write a weekly advice column for catchannel.com and get asked this question often, and I’m always happy to answer it. My business has been through referral and I suggest you ask a friend or your vet first. Remember this is the person you’ll be giving your keys to and trusting your kitties with so ask for references and check them. I always go to the house to meet new clients so I suggest that any potential cat sitter do the same; you can tell a lot from an in-person meeting. Do they seem responsible? How are they with your cats? Once you settle on a cat sitter, write down all cat care instructions very clearly, make sure they have your vet’s number in case of emergency and the phone number of someone who has your keys. I can’t tell you how often I’ve been given the wrong keys and have had to resort to creative ways to care for the kitties. And remember to give your own cats plenty of TLC and cat food treats when you get home!
