The Cat Sitting by Susan Team

Locally owned and run in Falls Church, bonded and insured, members of Pet Sitters International, and the fastest growing cat sitting service in Northern Virginia! With over 100 five-star reviews on Yelp, Google, Nextdoor, Petsitter.com, and Care.com, you can be assured that your fur baby is in the best of hands!

Susan Tate is the owner and CCW (Chief Cat Whisperer)! She loves cats and has had many in her 60 years! She will take great care of your cat and is even able to provide insulin shots or other medication, if necessary, as she had a cat with diabetes for many years. You will receive photos, videos, and texts while you’re away so that you can rest easy knowing your furry family member is happy and being well taken care of. Susan is married to her husband Gregg, and they recently sold their Arlington house to downsize to a condo in Falls Church. They have 3 daughters, two granddaughters, and one grandson. They had a big, happy cat named Patrick (photo below) until very recently when he passed away after a bout with cancer. They just adopted Snickers (see below) who's their newest love! You can rest assured that Susan will love and treat your furry family member as her own!

The best cat sitting team in Northern VA (just read our reviews!), including our veteran sitter, Isabelle!

Isabelle was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, but has lived in Fairfax, Virginia most of her life. She grew up with six cats and now has one old black cat named Archie. In her free time, she likes to spend time with her family, make art, and explore the outdoors. She joined Cat Sitting by Susan because of her passion for nurturing cats and all living things. Isabelle says, "I am honored to be a part of this amazing team that cares so deeply for these special creatures."

- Isabelle is currently on extended leave continuing her education.

Adrienne!

Adrienne was born and raised in Northern Virginia. As a child, she used to spend all her time at the neighbor’s house playing with their kitties. Several years ago, she started regularly cat sitting and fell even more in love with cats. She is returning to school to get a nursing degree. She enjoys spending time outdoors, and curling up with a cat in her lap to read a good book. As Adrienne explained, "I decided to work for Cat Sitting by Susan because, first and foremost, I adore cats! I love how they always keep you guessing from one second to the next. I know that they are special family members, and I am honored to be able to be entrusted to care for people's fur babies!"

Chelsie!

Chelsie was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana and moved to Alexandria, Virginia this year. Ever since she was little, she has had a heart for animals and enjoys being around them. In 8th grade, for her birthday, she received her first cat and the family’s first pet and was ecstatic. She began cat sitting in Indiana as soon as she could drive and has loved it so much! She joined Cat Sitting by Susan because she has missed taking care of cats since moving to Virginia. Chelsie says, “I am so excited to be joining this amazing team and I cannot wait to start taking care of your cats!”

Braden!

Braden was born in South Carolina, and moved to the Washington, DC area soon after, however he and his family moved every 2 or 3 years, and he lived most of his childhood years in South America. He's had dogs, cats, and even a turtle growing up. One of his favorite things to do is watch bad movies and make fun of them with his friends! He is currently a Junior at George Mason University, working to earn a degree in Film and Video Studies. He decided to join Cat Sitting by Susan because he loves cats and understands how nerve-wracking it can be to leave your fur baby with a stranger while you're away. Braden says, "I want to be able to provide a sense of relief to cat owners so that they have one less thing to worry about."

Erin!

Erin was born in Virginia and grew up in Springfield. She has mostly had cats growing up, including two tortoiseshell kitty sisters. She still has one, who is now 14 years old and still going strong. She loves reading and learning. Erin says, "I love cats because although they seem mysterious and distant at first, once they familiarize themselves with you, they can be so loving and sweet." She is currently going to school at NOVA Community College, soon to be working on a degree in Accounting. She saw the job listed, and knew that as the cat lady in her family, the job seemed perfect as well as getting to spend time doing something she loves.

Sabrina!

Sabrina grew up in Northern Virginia and is currently a student. She had many pets growing up and currently has two cute cats named Leo and Tammy. When she is not playing with her two kitties, she is enjoying a good book, doing yoga, or catching up on the latest episodes of her favorite TV shows. Sabrina’s favorite thing about cats is how each cat has their own personality, and she enjoys discovering each cat’s personality. She decided to work for Cat Sitting by Susan because it will give her joy to meet cute furry friends, and be great to work on a supportive team!

Patrick!

Patrick was born in Washington DC, but grew up in Falls Church, VA where he currently resides with his wife. Growing up, he had a cat named Smoky and since then has had five cats. He has a particular fondness for cats because of their unique personalities. Their cat, Chester, is almost fourteen years old. In his downtime, he enjoys camping, hiking and being outdoors in nature, and is passionate about soccer. He even played professional indoor soccer for two seasons with the Washington Warthogs. His first contact with Cat Sitting by Susan was when they watched Chester while out of town. Patrick said, "My first thought was how compassionate they were of cats and how they took such good care of him that I knew I wanted to work for Cat Sitting by Susan!"

Danny!

Danny was born in San Benito, Texas, and as a child, he had dogs, cats, and a guinea pig. He recently moved into the Northern Virginia area to complete his Master's Degree in Music Education at George Mason University. Aside from being enlisted in the U.S. Army National Guard, he enjoys teaching music theory, composing classical music, outdoor activities, going to the gym, and spending time with friends and family. Danny decided to join the Cat Sitting by Susan team because, "cats are my favorite animals, and I would love to have a fun work place that fits into my schedule."

Kit!

Kit was born and raised in North Georgia. She grew up with both cats and dogs. She is currently a student at George Mason University studying forensic psychology with a goal of getting her doctorate. She loves gardening, drawing, cooking, playing video games, and recently discovered the joy of canning and fermentation, so has been making pickles and jams, and has even experimented with kombucha and kefir! She joined Cat Sitting by Susan because it's a job she can truly love, and she wants to give peace of mind to those who have to be away from their fur babies. She said, "Adopting a cat in high school changed my life for the better, because I was given this best friend who, for better or worse, loved me like a person would, but loved me unconditionally."

Scott!

Scott was born in Tennessee, grew up in Georgia, and moved to the DC area to attend college. He has lived in the DC area for over 40 years. He enjoys computers and cooking! He's always had animals in his life, including cats while growing up and as an adult. He enjoys having pets to love and to make happy and content. Cats have always been very special to him, as they have an independent, but loving spirit. He said, "I love the free spirit of cats, but also how they can be so loving. And I love talking to cats, especially when they give me a response back!" He is very happy to join the Cat Sitting by Susan team, as it seems there is a real camaraderie among the group.

And our newest sitter, Dan!

Dan was born in Crystal Lake, Illinois and moved to Arlington, Virginia when he was 14. Growing up, he had dogs, an iguana, and a cat name Pandora. He recently moved to Falls Church after living in Chicago for the last 5 years. He particularly loves playing with, and caring for, his two daughters, Harper and Sparrow. He also enjoys cooking and is a huge Chicage sports teams fan. He has worked as an animal care specialist and an adoption counselor at the Anti-Cruelty Society in Chicago. He has joined the Cat Sitting by Susan team because, as he says, "While working at the shelter, I really fell in love with cats, and I miss being around them and taking care of them."

Meet the newest love of our life, and Cat Sitting by Susan's official mascot/spokeskitty, Snickers!

We adopted Snickers from the Animal Welfare League of Arlington, VA, and immediately fell in love with him! He is an 11-year old diabetic kitty, and what a cutie he is! Very affectionate, and he has quickly become a part of our family! We will be documenting Snickers' journey to us on the Cat Talk! blog. He's also now the face in the Cat Sitting by Susan logo!

Background checks for all sitters are available for viewing. Links are at the bottom of the page.

We'll Take Great Care of Your Fur Babies!

We know that your babies need attention and playtime, not just feeding. Petting, cuddling, and talking to your furry friend are just as important as food and water! We'll take the best care of your furry little ones at a very reasonable price: starting at just $20* per visit for one or two cats (please see additions/surcharges below), including feeding, litter box cleaning, and the loving and cuddling your fur baby needs! $5 extra for each additional cat, $5 for injections and/or oral medication administration, and we offer discounts for multiple kitties and/or multiple visits. We'll keep rates reasonable! We accept cash, check, PayPal, and all major credit cards (using the Payment dropdown menu below). Overnight visits now available starting at $75 for one cat for 12 hours (additional fees as listed above and below).

* Due to the high demand for cat sitting services during holiday seasons and school breaks, and that kitties need to be visited even on the holidays, jobs that include any of the following dates in 2019 and 2020 will be priced at the holiday starting base rate of $25 per visit: October 11-14, November 8-11, November 23-December 1, and December 20-January 2, 2020, January 17-20, February 14-17, April 3-13, May 8-11, May 22.-25, June 19-22, July 3-6, September 4-7, October 9-12, November 10-12, November 21-29, and December 18-January 3, 2021. As well, there is a travel surcharge for customers over five miles away starting at $5, and a $5 surcharge on visits that are only every other day.

NOTE: Base rate for one cat increased from $15 to $20 as of September 3, 2019 (base rate for two cats remained $20, and each additional cat is $5 extra). Multi-visit and multi-cat discounts are still available.

Check out Cat Sitting by Susan on social media below! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Contact Us

Better yet, see us in person!

We love to meet our prospective furry customers, so please call and set up a meet and greet, and we'll come see you! Meet and greets are complimentary if you need us for four or more consecutive visits.

Please see customer testimonials below, and our 5-star reviews on Yelp, Google, Nextdoor, and Care.com! Background checks for all sitters are available for viewing. Links are at the bottom of the page.

Cat Sitting by Susan

Mailing Address: 117 Rowell Court, Suite 300, Falls Church, VA 22046, USA

(703) 867-7140

Click here to ask any questions! Or just email info@catsittingbysusan.com!

Reviews on Yelp, Google, Nextdoor, and Others!

Ellen L. (5 star review on Yelp)

November 4, 2019

I was very impressed by how much care the whole Cat Sitting By Susan crew showed. They take the time to introduce you to who will be sitting for you and visit you and your cats. They also try as best that they can to keep the sitter consistent during subsequent trips if possible. Expect lots of cute photos and videos each day they watch your cats. My sitter also went above and beyond and brought up my packages from downstairs and cleaned up around the litter boxes, which I very much appreciated! To boot, I came home to a cute note and cake pop in the fridge. Very much looking forward to having them watch my two cats in the future.

Drew V. (5 star review on Google)

October 14, 2019

We love Cat Sitting by Susan! Heidi takes amazing care of our cat, and we love having a consistent sitter across visits. We so appreciate the video and photos updates that we receive after every visit. Heidi has taken the time to get to know our cat's personality and lets us know if anything seems out of character (so helpful for our elderly cat, who we worry a lot about when we travel). Our house is left in excellent condition after each visit. The communication around reservations is very easy and clear. We'll rely on Cat Sitting by Susan every time we travel!

Michelle G. (5 star review on Yelp)

October 3, 2019

Cat Sitting by Susan is fantastic. I found them through yelp when I moved to town and I called Susan to book a long weekend away. She and the wonderful Erin (the cat sitter I get to work with) came over along with Susan's husband, Scott, to make sure they knew my home, how to care for Carmi the Wonder-Kitty, and to start building a relationship with both cat and cat-parent. As cat people know, three strangers could send even the most gregarious feline under a bed - not so with these three. Carmi happily greeted them. They know cats and cat personalities. They were very thorough in both asking for information from me as well as getting to know my cat's preferred ways to play, cuddle, and chill.

Susan makes sure that the right sitter is matched to the right cat(s) and cat-parents to build a relationship that lasts from first visit through later visits. This was a relief as a family emergency took me away with just a few hours notice this past weekend. I called the office and within an hour, Erin was confirmed for the time I'd be away. Susan has a number of people with whom she works (all background checked), so I knew there would be someone I could trust, but it was great to know Carmi's friend would be taking care of her.

It's a relief to have a "company" (that's in quotes because it feels more like friends and family) that you can trust in your home with your pets. I'm really grateful that my mind is at ease when I'm traveling. They're truly fantastic.

Amanda M. (5 star review on Yelp)

August 22, 2019

Susan and Courtney took excellent care of our cats and sent us numerous photos and videos for each visit. They fed, played and brushed our cats each day. We are recommending them already to our friends with cats. It's very clear that they love caring for these special creatures!

Betsy T. (5 star review on Yelp)

August 19, 2019

Absolutely recommend cat sitting by Susan! Being a first time cat mom to a rescued year and a half old kitty I was extremely nervous leaving him in a pet hotel. So I gave Susan a call and got a very prompt response and even though it was a last minute request she managed to squeeze me in which I am so grateful for. They came and met my kitty and asked questions. They are so detail oriented .I left and they updated me with pictures and videos and helped me feel at ease knowing he was ok. I recommend them 100 percent. I came back home to a beautiful thank you note and treats. It's rare when I am impressed and they exceeded my expectations. Thank you to them and I will be using them in the future for sure. Thank you Erin you are wonderful!

Eric S.

July 21, 2019

We were very pleased and grateful with the care that Susan and her team provided for our cat, Eli. Braden was very conscientious with caring for Eli and sent us videos that we looked forward to seeing after each visit. Susan even went above and beyond our expectations when Eli got sick over a holiday and he needed some extra care. They truly care about cats and treat your cat like they would their own. Trustworthiness with peace of mind. Strong recommendation for anyone in need of cat sitting.

Ginny L. (5 star review from Yelp)

July 20, 2019

Susan, Gregg and their team of cat sitters are absolutely wonderful. My husband and I have a 10 year old cat (Bullwinkle) and travel for extended periods a few times a year.

Susan is so down to earth and caring, and she is involved in how her team is taking care of every pet. Our travel often falls during high demand times (holidays, long weekends) and sometimes on short notice - she has graciously accommodated us every time and made sure in advance that we (and Bullwinkle!) are comfortable with any new sitter.

They remember the little things like his favorite toys and send photos and videos that make it clear that not only is he well taken care of, but that they have truly developed a relationship with him. It's obvious from the photos and videos that he genuinely enjoys their visits and sometimes I wonder with all that attention if he's happy to have us back! :)

They also make the reservation/payment process really easy and prices are competitive for the area. It's more than worth the peace of mind and the caring experience Susan and her team provide - we would recommend them to anyone (and have!).

Hang N.

June 6, 2019

I used Susan's service again this week. She accommodated my requests at short notice, and take superb care of my cat and my plants. I came back to find my kitty well fed and happy. Adrienne even went beyond my requests to keep the kitty bowls clean. Can't ask for more from Susan's catsitting service!

Chris G.

May 27, 2019

WOW! What a great service with great people who truly care for cats. We were so fortunate to have Chelsie watch our two cats while we were overseas for 3 1/2 weeks. We came home to healthy and happy cats and a wonderfully clean cat litter and feeding area. We are so impressed with the level of care and concern for our fur babies. Chelsie sent us photos and an update every single day!!! We enjoyed our vacation knowing that the pets we love so much were so well taken care of by this wonderful service. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Maria N. (5 star review on Google)

May 21, 2019

We have a senior kitty who has been diagnosed with diabetes and requires insulin injections twice daily. We are so happy to have found Susan, Gregg and team! Chelsie has been taking excellent care of our cat, sending updates, photos, and videos. He is always content and calm when we return. Cat Sitting by Susan is professional, reliable, and knowledgeable. Thank you for the peace of mind (and the cake pops too!)

Kelsey H. (5 star review on Google)

May 1, 2019

Loved having Susan and Tina look after my cat Louie for a week! They gave very detailed updates during their visits on how Louie was doing, as well as pictures and videos. It put me at ease to know he was in good hands and had some friends to hangout with for the time we were gone!

Emily B. (5 star review on Yelp)

April 6, 2019

Susan, Gregg and Chelsie have given us much needed peace of mind while traveling. They send daily updates with photos and videos and clearly love and care about cats. They also do such a good job of cleaning up cat food/litter/hair that our apartment looks spotless when we come back.

The biggest benefit however, is to our cat. She craves human interaction and before we always kenneled her so that she'd be around people all day. But I found that when I picked her up she'd have lost weight and would be extra anxious for days after we'd come home. We decided to try Cat Sitting by Susan because they can come twice a day and she can rest in a familiar environment when alone.

This definitely was the right call! She did not lose any weight and got more quality human interaction with those two visits a day than she would get all day locked in a kennel. When we came home after a week she seemed pleased to see us but she was very relaxed and not as anxious as she used to be.

This is a wonderful service carried out by wonderful people and my cat and my family cannot recommend it enough!

Melissa L. (5 star review on Yelp)

February 17, 2019

First experience with pet sitting, would highly recommend Susan and her team. I'm in the middle of transitioning my cat Lucy to a raw diet, so her twice daily feedings involve thawing and mixing raw with canned in specific proportions. I also have particular systems in place to keep my roommate's cat from getting to her litter box. Susan, Gregg, and Liz took notes on their initial visit and made sure to understand all my instructions. I wasn't worried at all while I was gone, because I trusted them to do a good job. And they did! They texted me detailed updates during every visit--pictures, videos, description of playtime, and letting me know that Lucy was eating well and finishing her food. Very friendly and professional. And Liz emptied my litter genie on the last day, which was really nice! Will definitely look to Susan the next time I go out of town.

Meredith P. (5 star review on Yelp)

February 10, 2019

Just got home from the third trip we've taken with Susan and team watching our two rambunctious kitties. They are absolutely the best sitters we could ask for. Photos and videos texted to us every day, food, water, litter scooping, and playtime--and they even bring the newspaper in :) Our cats are noticeably relaxed and happy both in videos and when we come home. Her rates are really reasonable and totally worth the investment in your cats' well-being! And, they leave you cake pops! What more could we ask for? Thanks so much to Susan and Liz.

Keshav R. (5 star review on Google)

February 4, 2019

Absolutely fabulous service! Susan is extraordinarily helpful and accommodating. They were sure to send pictures and videos of my cat to me every day. Very friendly, affordable, and considerate. Will certainly be using their service again.

Chris G. (5 star review on Google)

February 1, 2019

Can’t say enough positives about Susan’s service!! Our 3 cats and our daughter’s two cats were expertly taken care of so we could go overseas. We didn’t have a single worry. Liz came to our homes twice a day and sent us awesome photos and videos. Thank you so much!!
Chris in Falls Church.

Matt B. (5 star review on Google)

January 20, 2019

Susan and her team run an excellent service. We had to book a cat sitter with little notice after our previous sitter had a family emergency. She called me back immediately, and managed to get everything squared away. Her team gave prompt updates every visit and even left us a nice note (and some treats!). The pricing is very affordable too. Definitely recommend to anyone in the area -- could not be happier with the service.

Adam R. (5 star review on Yelp)

January 17, 2019

Susan and her cat sitting team were great, and I'm very glad we found them. Our request was for over 3 weeks of service and somewhat last minute, but they were able to make everything work for us. After each day that they stopped by to take care of our cat, they sent us pictures, videos, and a short update about how he was doing. This was very much appreciated as it was our first time using a pet sitter. Overall the price was very fair and I will certainly use them again!

Tina M. (5 star review on Yelp and Google)

January 12, 2019

I have a cat who is very finicky and shy that we usually leave with a family member when we go on long vacations. I was so worried when we didn't have anyone available to care for our little guy for a whole week. I found Cat Sitting by Susan and booked them based on some of the other reviews that I read on their site. It's like I struck gold! Susan and her team of professional cat sitters saw to our cat's every need. They were able to accommodate his annoyingly complex feeding needs, and made sure to give him lots of attention and playtime during their daily visits. They even cleaned the litterbox and took out the waste each day, so when we returned from our week out of town, our house wasn't stinky! Best of all, they sent us daily updates about how our kitty was doing, complete with pictures and videos of their visits together. Getting updates really allowed us to relax while on vacation, because we KNEW our cat was being taken care of so well. I will definitely be recommending Cat Sitting by Susan to all of my friends!

Kate G. (5 star review on Google)

January 3, 2019

Susan and her crew are so great with my big guy - I totally trust them with him while I'm gone! The pictures and videos sent to me at each visit bring me peace of mind while I'm away and feeling guilty that I'm not home!

Owen (5 star review on Google)

December 8, 2018

Cat Sitting by Susan, - Great service, highly recommend for anyone looking for cat sitting services.

Owen G. (5 star review on Yelp)

December 8, 2018

Great service
Susan's team sent videos and photos everyday along with detailed text messages about my cat. Wonderful services, the team really cares for your animal.

Kimberly N. (5 star review on Yelp)

November 26, 2018

As new kitty parents, we were a bit nervous leaving our newly adopted 4 year old cat home alone over the holidays. As soon as I met Susan and Co. at the house visit, my mind was set at ease. They were great - friendly, knowledgable, and made me feel really comfortable. Our cat, Libby said hello from her bed, but didn't get up. Adrienne was our cat sitter and she was fabulous! She played and loved on Libby twice a day. She sent me videos and updates at every visit - which was exactly what I needed to see. Libby was actually waiting at the door for Adrienne and quickly got the hang of the new routine. I've never seen Libby play so much. She definitely ate up all the attention. I would definitely recommend Susan and Co. for all your cat-sitting needs. They are the best!

Geoff H. (5 star review on Google)

November 7, 2018

Susan’s Cat Sitting Services are superb. Her team is professional and always on time while visiting my two cats. I would highly recommend to anyone looking for a cat sitter!

Desiree B. (5 star review on Google)

November 1, 2018

Susan and Isabella are two amazing people who took care of my two cats not only during my eleven day vacation in September of this year but also during two emergency hospital stays. Isabella sent pictures and videos. She played with them and spoke to them so they could get to know her. Nitnoy, my youngest who is 5yrs, came out and let her pet him and then play with him and he had a ball. Mica, who is 7yrs is a little skittish and did not. Not unexpected she only comes to me. Both are rescues. I am so grateful for the peace of mind and genuine compassion for my cats provided by Cat Sitting by Susan. Highly Recommended.

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