Cat Sitting by Susan LLC, 117 Rowell Court, Falls Church, VA 22046

(703) 867-7140 | info@catsittingbysusan.com

(703) 867-7140 | info@catsittingbysusan.com

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  • CAT BOARDING
  • FAQ
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  • More
    • Home
    • Sitter Team Pics and Bios
    • Your Account
    • Join Our Team!
    • CAT BOARDING
    • FAQ
    • Pics of Kitty Customers!
    • Cat Talk! Blog
  • Home
  • Sitter Team Pics and Bios
  • Your Account
  • Join Our Team!
  • CAT BOARDING
  • FAQ
  • Pics of Kitty Customers!
  • Cat Talk! Blog

Frequently Asked Questions

No, we do not board cats. We believe cats are happiest and least stressed in their own familiar environment. All our services are in-home visits where our professional sitters come to your home to care for your cat(s) in their own space, surrounded by their favorite toys, beds, and routines.


We serve Falls Church, Arlington, and most of Northern Virginia. At this time, we do not service Washington DC or Maryland.


If you're unsure whether we cover your area, please call or text us at (703) 867-7140 or email info@catsittingbysusan.com with your zip code, and we'll let you know right away.


There is a $6 distance surcharge per visit for locations over 5 miles from our Falls Church office (117 Rowell Court), applied for each additional 5-mile increment.


Yes, absolutely! Many of our sitters are experienced in administering various types of medication, including:


  • Oral medications (pills, liquids)
  • Insulin injections (for diabetic cats)
  • Topical treatments
  • Eye drops or ear drops


We charge $6 per medication, per cat, per visit. During your virtual meet and greet, we'll discuss your cat's specific needs and ensure the assigned sitter is comfortable and experienced with the required medication type.


 Getting started is easy! Here's the process:


1. Contact Us
Call or text us at (703) 867-7140 or email info@catsittingbysusan.com to let us know your travel dates and your cat's needs.


2. Schedule a Virtual Meet & Greet (Free!)
We'll set up a complimentary virtual meeting via FaceTime or Zoom where we'll:


  • Get to know you and your cat(s)
  • Discuss your cat's routine, personality, and any special needs
  • Answer any questions you have
  • Go over visit logistics (keys, parking, emergency contacts, etc.)


(Meet & greets are complimentary when you book 4 or more consecutive visits.)


3. Book Your Visits
Once you're ready, we'll schedule your visits and assign a sitter. You'll receive confirmation with all the details.


4. Relax While You're Away
During each visit, your sitter will send you photos, videos, and text updates so you can see how your fur baby is doing! 


Every visit includes:


  • Feeding & Fresh Water - Following your cat's exact meal schedule and dietary needs
  •  Litter Box Cleaning - Scooping and tidying the litter area
  •  Playtime & Attention - Interactive play with toys, brushing (if your cat enjoys it), petting, cuddling, and lots of love
  •  Photos, Videos & Updates - You'll receive text updates with photos and/or videos after each visit so you always know how your cat is doing
  •  Home Security Check - We'll bring in mail, rotate lights/blinds, and water plants if needed


We believe cats need more than just food and water - they need companionship, playtime, and affection. Our sitters are trained to give your cat the same love and attention they'd give their own.


Our minimum visit frequency is once per day. We do not accommodate every-other-day requests, as we believe cats need to be checked on at least once daily for their health, safety, and emotional well-being.


For cats with special needs, senior cats, or cats who need extra attention, we're happy to schedule twice-daily visits or overnight visits (approximately 10 hours, starting at $100/night).


 Base Rate:

  • $29 per visit (for 1 or 2 cats)


Additional Cats:

  • $6 per visit for a 3rd or 4th cat
  • $6 per visit for each additional cat beyond 4


Additional Services & Surcharges:

  • Medication administration: +$6 per medication, per cat, per visit
  • Distance surcharge: +$6 per visit for every 5 miles beyond our office location
  • Congested area surcharge: +$5 per visit for high-rise buildings in Ballston, Rosslyn, Crystal City, Pentagon City
  • Paid street parking: +$1.50 per visit (if required)
  • Gas surcharge: +$1 per visit (100% goes to sitters)
  • Last-minute weekend surcharge: +$10 per visit (for bookings requested after 5pm Friday)
  • Holiday surcharge: +$5 per visit during peak holiday periods (see full list on our website)
  • Emergency vet visit: +$50/hour (includes transportation)
  • Overnight visits: Starting at $100/night (approximately 10 hours)


We accept cash, check, PayPal, Venmo, and all major credit cards. 


Yes! Cat Sitting by Susan is bonded and insured, and we are proud members of Pet Sitters International.


All of our sitters undergo background checks, which are available for viewing upon request. Our sitters are also serious cat lovers who have cats of their own, so they understand cat behavior, body language, and needs intuitively.


Cancellations Before the Job Begins:

If you cancel with less than 72 hours' notice, there will be a cancellation charge equal to the greater of 25% of the total booking amount or the cost of one visit.


Early Return:

If you return home early and shorten the total number of visits, no refund or credit will be given for the unused visits.


We understand plans change, so we always encourage clients to keep us updated as early as possible!


No! We conduct virtual meet and greets via FaceTime or Zoom, and we've found this works beautifully for both new and returning clients.


We started offering virtual meet and greets during COVID in 2020 and have done hundreds since then with excellent results, even for cats requiring medication. Our sitters are experienced cat people who know how to approach cats slowly and read their body language, so your cat will feel comfortable from the first visit.


Virtual meet and greets are complimentary when you book 4 or more consecutive visits.


We specialize in cats - and many cats are naturally cautious around new people! Our sitters are trained to:


  • Approach slowly and calmly
  • Let the cat come to them on their own terms
  • Use treats, toys, and gentle voices to build trust
  • Read cat body language to ensure the cat feels safe


During your virtual meet and greet, we'll discuss your cat's personality and preferences so the sitter knows exactly how to make your cat comfortable. Many of our clients tell us that even their shyest cats warm up to our sitters within a visit or two!


Yes! We do our best to match you with a sitter and keep that sitter consistent for all your future visits. Cats thrive on routine and familiarity, so we know how important it is for them to see the same friendly face each time.


If your regular sitter is unavailable, we'll let you know in advance and introduce you to another trusted member of our team.


Your cat's safety is our top priority. During your virtual meet and greet, we'll collect:


  • Your emergency contact information
  • Your preferred vet's contact information
  • Authorization for emergency vet care if we cannot reach you


If your cat shows signs of illness or injury, we will:


  1. Attempt to contact you immediately
  2. Contact your designated emergency contact
  3. Take your cat to your preferred vet (or the nearest emergency vet if needed)


Emergency vet visits, including transportation, are billed at $50/hour.


We'll discuss key arrangements during your virtual meet and greet. Common options include:


  • Hiding a key in a lockbox or secure location on your property
  • Leaving a key with a trusted neighbor
  • Providing a door code (if you have a keyless entry system)
  • Meeting the sitter in person before you leave to hand over keys


We treat your home security with the utmost care and professionalism.


We do our best to accommodate last-minute requests, but availability depends on our sitters' schedules.


Please note: Bookings requested after 5pm on Friday that start anytime Saturday through Monday morning will have a $10 last-minute weekend surcharge per visit.


For the best availability, we recommend booking as early as possible - especially during holidays, school breaks, and peak travel seasons.


During high-demand holiday periods, we add a $5 holiday surcharge per visit, bringing the base rate to $30 per visit. Additionally, new customers must book a minimum of 4 visits during holiday periods.


Holiday surcharge dates for 2026:


  • March 28–April 6 (Spring Break)
  • May 8–10 (Mother's Day)
  • May 22–25 (Memorial Day)
  • June 18–22 (Juneteenth, Father's Day)
  • July 3–5 (Independence Day)
  • September 4–7 (Labor Day)
  • October 9–12 (Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day)
  • November 7–11 (Veterans Day)
  • November 21–29 (Thanksgiving)
  • December 14–January 4, 2027 (Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year's)


Have more questions? Call or text us at (703) 867-7140 or email info@catsittingbysusan.com, we're here to help!


Cat Sitting by Susan

502 West Broad Street, #406, Falls Church, VA 22046

(703) 867-7140 | info@catsittingbysusan.com


Copyright © 2018 Cat Sitting by Susan LLC- All Rights Reserved.

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