Do you serve all of Somerset County, NJ?
Yes. We cover Somerset County top to bottom — Basking Ridge, Bernardsville, Bedminster, Warren, Watchung, Bridgewater, Branchburg, Somerville, Raritan, Hillsborough, Montgomery, Franklin, Far Hills, Peapack-Gladstone, Green Brook, North Plainfield, Bound Brook, South Bound Brook, Manville, Millstone and Rocky Hill. We also serve Gillette, which sits just over the line in Long Hill Township. Staying inside one county is what keeps drives short and visits unhurried.
How much does cat sitting cost in Somerset County, NJ?
A single 30-minute drop-in visit is $34. A 10-visit package brings that to $31 per visit ($310), and a 25-visit package to $28 per visit ($700). Package visits stay valid for 24 months from purchase. One or two cats are the same price; a third cat and beyond is $5 per visit each. New clients start with the “Try Me” Package: a free Meet & Greet plus your first 3 visits for $75, normally $102.
What is the “Try Me” Package?
It’s how every new client starts: a free in-home Meet & Greet plus your first three visits for $75 instead of $102 — about 26% off. You get the same 30-minute visits, the same photo and video updates and the same guarantee. It’s available once per household and there’s no obligation to continue afterward.
Do you only sit cats?
Yes — cats only. It’s the entire business. That focus is why we can spot a cat who’s eating less, hiding in a new spot, or heading toward a litter box problem before it becomes a vet visit. We don’t walk dogs between your visits.
Will the same person come every time?
Yes. Roselie is the primary sitter and she handles your visits start to finish — that’s the whole reason we limit how many clients we take. Your cat learns one set of footsteps instead of meeting a new stranger each day.
Do I get photos and videos?
After every single visit — at least one photo, a short video, and a plain-language note on how your cat did: what they ate, how the litter looked, whether they played or stayed tucked away.
Is the Meet & Greet really free?
Completely free, with no obligation to book afterward. It’s how you decide whether you’re comfortable having us in your home — and how we make sure we’re the right fit for your cat.
What if my cat needs medication?
Bring it up at the Meet & Greet. Pills, liquids and topicals are routine for us — we’ll walk through the exact method that works for your cat so nothing is improvised while you’re away. Roselie also has experience with special-needs and senior cats.
What is your cancellation policy?
Cancel 48 hours or more before the first scheduled visit and you get a full refund, no questions. Inside 48 hours we keep a flat $10 cancellation fee and refund everything else — one $10 fee per cancellation, not per visit. If you’re cancelling visits paid from a package, those visits go back into your balance instead of being refunded. Come home early? Same rule applies to the visits you no longer need. If we ever have to cancel, you’re refunded in full.
How often should a cat sitter visit while I’m away?
Once a day is the minimum for a healthy adult cat, and it’s what most clients book. Twice a day is better for cats on medication, kittens, seniors, cats with medical conditions, multi-cat homes, or any cat who gets anxious alone. We’ll give you an honest recommendation at the Meet & Greet rather than upselling you into visits your cat doesn’t need.
Is a cat sitter better than boarding my cat?
For most cats, yes. Cats bond to territory more than to the people travelling with them, so staying home means no carrier, no car ride, no unfamiliar smells and no other animals nearby. They keep their own litter box, their own food, their own hiding spots and their own schedule. Boarding can make sense for cats with medical needs requiring on-site supervision — we’ll tell you if we think that’s the better call.
What does a cat sitter actually do in 30 minutes?
Fresh food and water, litter scooped and refreshed, medication given per your written plan, then play or quiet companionship depending on what your cat wants that day. We also do a quick pass on the house — mail and packages in, lights rotated, plants watered on request — and finish by sending your photo, video and written update.
How far in advance should I book a cat sitter?
For ordinary trips, one to two weeks is comfortable. For Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year, spring break and summer weeks, book as early as you can — we cap how many clients we take, so holiday dates genuinely run out. If you’re travelling last minute, ask anyway; we’ll tell you honestly whether we can fit you in.
Do you offer holiday cat sitting?
Yes, and holidays are our busiest stretch. Because we keep the client list small, holiday dates are first-come. Any holiday surcharge is disclosed before you book — never added afterward.
Can you care for kittens or senior cats?
Yes to both. Kittens usually need twice-daily visits. Senior cats often need medication, closer monitoring of eating and litter habits, and more patience — all of which Roselie has handled extensively, including through shelter work at Best Friends Animal Society in Los Angeles.
What happens if my cat gets sick while I’m away?
We contact you and your emergency contact immediately. If we can’t reach you and the situation looks urgent, you’ve authorized us to get your cat to your listed veterinarian, or the nearest emergency clinic if yours is closed. You’re responsible for veterinary costs, and we keep you updated the whole way through with documentation.
Do you need a key to my house?
You’ll need to give us reliable access — a key, lockbox, code, fob or building arrangement. We recommend a lockbox: it removes the handoff hassle and means a spare is always available. Access details are kept confidential and restricted to your sitter.
Are you bonded and insured?
Insured, yes — BaskingPaws carries pet-sitting liability insurance. Not bonded: we have chosen not to carry a bond at this time, and we would rather say so plainly than let the phrase “bonded and insured” imply something we do not hold. Roselie also holds Rover Star Sitter status and has passed an enhanced background check. Ask us at your Meet & Greet and we will give you the coverage details in writing.
How do I pay for cat sitting?
You’re charged after visits are completed, not upfront. Clients can keep a card on file through our payment processor so future bookings take one tap — we never see or store your card number. Package visits are purchased upfront, drawn down as you use them, and stay valid for 24 months.
What makes you different from Rover or an app sitter?
With an app you often get whoever is available, which can mean a different stranger each trip. With us it’s the same professional sitter every visit, in a deliberately small service area, with a written care plan and a full refund if you’re unhappy. We also only hire experienced adult professionals — never high school or college students looking for casual work.
Do you do overnight stays or dog walking?
No. We do 30-minute in-home drop-in visits for cats, and nothing else. Staying narrow is what lets us do this one thing properly.
What does the guarantee actually cover?
The full booking. If you’re unhappy for any reason, tell us within 72 hours of the first visit and we refund everything you paid for that booking. No forms, no debate, no hard feelings.