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Check five essentials: Pet Business insurance, DBS police check, relevant qualifications like Pet First Aid, genuine reviews from verified platforms, and willingness to do a free meeting at your home. Any professional cat sitter will happily show proof of all these.
Last updated: 2026-04-29
Key facts
- PHG Southampton is fully insured and DBS police checked, with proof available at the free initial meeting
- Ritchie and Amber hold a Pet First Aid Certificate, and Diplomas in Pet Sitting, Pet Psychology and Pet Nutrition
- Multiple Bark.com awards for customer service, based on verified client reviews
- Keys are coded with no identifying information to protect your security
- Member of Pet Industry Federation (PIF) and featured on UK Health Radio
What should I look for when choosing a cat sitter?
Five non-negotiables: pet business insurance with public liability cover, a DBS or equivalent police check, relevant training like Pet First Aid and animal handling qualifications, genuine reviews from real clients you can verify, and the willingness to carry out a free initial meeting at your home before any booking. A professional cat sitter will be happy to show you all of these documents and credentials. If any are missing or the person makes excuses, look elsewhere. These basics separate professionals from casual helpers.
How can I check a cat sitter’s reviews are genuine?
Look for platforms that verify actual bookings like Bark.com, or Google Reviews with real profiles. Check reviews are spread across months and years, not all clustered in one week. Genuine reviews mention specific details like a particular cat’s name or a specific situation, rather than vague praise. PHG Southampton has multiple Bark.com awards, which are only given based on verified client reviews from actual bookings, not fake testimonials.
Why does insurance and DBS matter for cat sitters?
Insurance protects you if something goes wrong: property gets damaged, or there’s an accident. A DBS check matters because cat sitters have keys to your home while you’re away. Without pet business insurance and police checking, you’re relying entirely on trust with no safety net. The professionalism of any provider shows in whether they happily display proof of both without being asked.
Why is the free initial meeting so important?
Because you need to see the person in your home with your cat before you commit to anything. Good cat sitters insist on this meeting. You can observe how they interact with your cat, ask about their experience with similar cats, inspect their insurance and DBS documents, and get a feel for whether your cat feels comfortable with them. Any sitter who tries to skip or rush this meeting is a red flag.
What questions should I ask a potential cat sitter?
Ask directly: How long have you been doing this professionally? Can I see your insurance certificate and DBS check? What training have you completed? What do you do if there’s an emergency with my cat? Can I see reviews from other cat owners? How many visits do you recommend for my cat’s routine? What exactly is included in each visit? A confident professional will answer all these clearly and show documentation without hesitation.
Is the cheapest cat sitter always the best value?
Many Southampton cat owners assume the cheapest quote means better value. This misses the bigger picture. Professional cat sitters with proper insurance, DBS checks, and qualifications will price in the level of care they give, because they provide genuine protection and expertise. An uninsured sitter might save you some money, but if your cat escapes or your home is damaged, you’re suddenly confronted with all sorts of issues. PHG positions as premium at fair value, because we take real pride in the quality of our care and treat every cat as if they’re our own.
Signs PHG Southampton fits your cat sitting needs
You want to see credentials upfront rather than taking someone’s word for it. You prefer a cat sitter who understands that cats are territorial and do better in their own home rather than being moved elsewhere. You want daily updates with photos while you’re away, not silence until you return. You appreciate that a professional takes time for a free meeting to get to know your cat rather than rushing into a booking. If these match your expectations, PHG’s approach aligns with your standards.
Have a question about your pet?
Ritchie replies personally, usually within the hour. Every new client starts with a free meet and greet at no commitment, so you can decide with confidence.
Or call 07902 127835