Trying to turn my weekend into something that pays. I’ve cat-sat for a couple friends in Jackson Heights and Elmhurst, and now I’m thinking about offering it in my building.

What’s the going rate for one cat overnight in NYC these days? Do you do a meet and greet first, or is that only for strangers? I’m not trying to be a full Rover person with a hundred reviews, just maybe pick up two or three regulars.

Also for keys—are people really giving out their keys to a neighbor? One lady asked me to hold a key for a month, which felt like a lot. I don't want to be responsible if something happens.

I’ve been doing this on the side in Astoria for about four years, mostly word of mouth in a couple of co-ops and a parent group. The short answer is yes, people absolutely hand over keys, but you need a system. I never put a client’s key on my own keyring with my name or address attached. I use a small key wallet or a labeled envelope that stays inside my apartment. If they’re comfortable, a lockbox on the apartment door or mailroom is even better.

Meet and greets are non-negotiable for me, even for a neighbor. You want to see where the food actually is, what kind of cat you’re dealing with, and whether the place is clean enough to sleep in. It also protects you from the 'the plant was already dead' claims later. Take a quick video or a few photos of any existing damage, and confirm in text what days you’ll be there and which keys you have.

For one cat, I’d avoid quoting an exact number without knowing the neighborhood and whether you’re expected to stay overnight or just drop in. Some people charge more for medication, multiple visits, or carrying mail and rotating lights. If you’re just starting, undercutting the big apps is fine but don’t do it for free. Friends can turn into clients if you set the rate before the trip, not after.

Cosign the lockbox. I got a cheap one after a tenant left theirs behind and now I just tell people to put the key in it and text me the code. I won’t do a job where I have to pick up a key from a doorman unless it’s sealed and logged, too many ways to get blamed for something.

Also meet the cat first. I took a last-minute for a coworker once and the cat hid the whole time. I sat there like an idiot for three days not knowing if it was alive. Never again.

Wait, so people actually pay you to stay in their apartment? I thought this was just a favor unless you went through one of those apps. How do you even find clients outside your own building? I’m new and I’d do it for the experience, but I don’t want to seem weird putting a flyer in the mailroom. Also, do you have to bring your own sheets or food? I hadn’t thought about that part.

I only do cats now, dogs just add a whole layer of walking and accident cleanup I don’t need. If you’re doing it in your own building, the mailroom flyer is less weird than you think—just put 'cat sitting' and a Google Voice number, not your buzzer or apartment number. I keep a separate set of house clothes and small slippers in my bag because some places have no heat or weird rugs.

For keys, I photograph the key shape but never post it. Text the owner 'picked up two keys at 6 p.m.' so there’s a paper trail. And yes, bring your own food unless they explicitly say help yourself. Some fridge situations in this city do not need witnesses.

Good call on the lockbox. I think my hesitance is charging people I actually know. Like my neighbor is nice, but if she asks me to feed her cat for a week, do I really invoice her? Maybe I’ll start with coworkers and see how that feels. The photo of the key shape thing is wild, but I get it.

I just did my first sit for a coworker in Kips Bay and it was a mess. Her buzzer didn’t work, so I had to call her from the lobby every single time and she’d buzz me in from wherever she was. Is that normal? Also I didn’t bring a scooper and she only had one of those tiny thin ones, so I just used a plastic bag. Do people usually leave a cleaning kit out or am I supposed to travel with one? I thought I’d like it but the buzzer thing killed me.

Buzzer access should be sorted out before the owner leaves. I won’t rely on the owner being reachable every time, especially if they’re on a different time zone. Ask for a building buzzer code, a spare key to the lobby, or have the doorman added to the list. If none of that exists, a timed lockbox at the entrance is the fallback, but I’d pass rather than call someone daily.

For the scoop, I don’t travel with one. I bring a roll of small waste bags and disposable gloves, and I ask at the meet and greet where they keep the scooper and empty bags. If their litter setup is bad, that’s part of the job to tell them after. @big_city_beth if the buzzer is broken, that’s a building repair issue, not a you problem—but don’t let it become a you problem by accepting the next sit until it’s fixed.