Summertime is holiday time – and Germany's favourite pets will have to get along without their families for a while. That's because cats aren't overly fond of travelling – they'd rather stay in their own territory, in familiar surroundings. But obviously they have to be fed and supervised during the holidays. Experts at the Fressnapf specialist retail chain can tell you that cat sitting is becoming increasingly popular as a form of holiday care.

It works just like baby sitting. At a prearrange time, an experienced "cat person" comes to your home and caters for all your pets needs. They will give it food, fresh water, clean the cat loo, dispose of the rubbish and make time for periods of petting and play. Personal contact twice a day is to be recommended for those left at home. If you're going to be away for longer and your moggie has no companion by its side, then a cattery is the better solution where possible.

What are the options?
You will find many offers and platforms for animal or cat sitting on the internet. Some brokering works on a bartering principle – you engage the cat sitter for your holiday and, in return, you look after someone else's cat at a different time. Animal welfare groups also provide databases for the holiday stand-in on a reciprocal basis. They coordinate sitters’ addresses for the German Animal Welfare promotion "You take my pet, I'll take yours" (Deutschen Tierschutzbundes e. V.).

Alongside that, there are cat sitting offers where you pay for the care. This can be advantageous if you're relying on, or place value on, an expert cat sitter. At http://www.fressnapf.de/tierratgeber/tiersitterexpress/ you will find information on the brokering agency "Tiersitterexpress" (animal sitter express). The pet sitters registered on that site have been checked out and some hold a certificate of competence which, on top of their experience with cats or other house pets, makes them particularly qualified. And if you'd really prefer to place your pet in the hands of a host family, you’ll find the necessary support through Tiersitterexpress.

What's the best way to proceed?
If you've found a cat sitter, you should acquaint them with your pet (and vice versa) in good time – at least a week before you start your holiday. If the situation lends itself, introduce your substitute to the neighbours or at least tell them someone will be coming to your house to look after the cat.

What does a cat sitter need from you?

• Your holiday contact details or a family member or friend who can be contacted in an emergency and the contact details of your vet.


• The tattoo or microchip number of your velvet-pawed friend. A photo of your cat as well as telephone numbers of nearby animal shelters and veterinary surgeries in case he or she doesn't return after a night on the prowl.


• And for free-roaming types, maybe a flexible collar with an address tag which should also have on it the contact details of the cat sitter.


• Information on your cat: Name, its special habits, any disorders being treated and the necessary medicines, favourite games, toys, treats and whether it's allowed outside or not, etc.


• General info on where everything is: Vaccination certificate, food, grooming implements, litter, cleaners and utensils, rubbish bags, dustbin, fusebox, some cash for emergencies.

Fondling included A good care option for your cat while you're on holiday – so-called cat sitting. A cat carer comes to your home, feeds the little armchair tiger and does all the necessary – even petting and play are in the schedule. Photo: Fressnapf /Ulrike Schanz (Photos may only be reproduced with permission and in connection with editorial text. High-resolution photos can be requested from the Fressnapf press office.)