Services
** I am conducting in-home consultations for Sydney and surrounds, Blue Mountains, Wollongong, Central Coast and Newcastle areas. Please see below
for details and contact me directly for availability. Thanks! **
I understand behavioural issues can be very stressful and frustrating as cats can sometimes push the boundaries of what we think of as acceptable behaviour. When cats are experiencing a behavioural issue, all individual factors that may affect your cat need to be considered. By doing this, I can give a holistic approach and after our consultation, I will send you comprehensive written personalised behaviour modification treatment plans to give you and your cat the best possible chance for long-term successful solutions. I work exclusively with cats who have some very complex issues, but it is not one size fits all with any cat and some of the information online may not be appropriate for your cat and situation and can sometimes even make the issue worse. Please be mindful of this when reading about solutions for cat behavioural issues online or engaging someone to help; please ensure they have the appropriate qualifications and experience to be able to advise on cat behaviour.
Some of the common behavioural issues that I can help with include, but are not limited to:
* Litter tray issues, house soiling, urine spraying or general toileting issues (my speciality!)
* All types of aggression (towards other cats, humans or other animals)
* Inter-cat relations / multi-cat household tensions
* Relationship issues between cats and other animals and also relationship issues between cats and people
* Anxious, fearful and timid cats
* Increased and/or excessive vocalisation
* Sleep routines - is your cat keeping you up all night or waking you up at the crack of dawn?
* Attention-seeking behaviours
* Destructive scratching of furniture and carpet etc
* Moving house or changes in your household
* Jumping on the kitchen bench and/or dining table
* Door-dashing
* Grief - loss of a feline, canine friend or another member of your household
* Issues around food (eating too quickly, food-obsessed, finicky eater etc)
* Behavioural and environmental techniques and strategies for people living with cats/kittens for the first time
* Senior cats and their changing needs as they get older
* Compulsive behaviours such as over-grooming, eating-inedible objects (Pica), wool sucking, and alike
* Introductions - preparing for and introducing your cat(s) to a new family member - baby, cat, dog, partner etc. Preparation prior to your new family member's arrival can really help. If possible, please contact me asap before your new family member comes to your home or before you start an introduction. First impressions can last!
In-home consultation $325
If possible, an in-home consultation is the best option for any behavioural issue so I can meet you and your cat(s) and also see their environment; it also helps me to understand the logistics involved first-hand while we work together. By meeting your cat(s) personally, I am also able to conduct a general behavioural assessment (appropriate for your cat and their temperament). If you would like an in-home consultation, please either complete a contact form or email me directly with preferred days/dates and your suburb so I can calculate the travel fee and check my availability.
I understand some cats aren't fans of having a visitor in their home and this will all be taken into consideration when I come over so as to not stress your cat. Covid safe visits will be conducted - see terms and conditions for more information.
Inclusions:
* Initial in-home consultation which goes for approx 2 - 2.5 hours
* 1 x 30-minute follow-up phone consultation (usually conducted within 2.5 months of initial consultation)
* Comprehensive consultation summary and behaviour modification/treatment plans via email after both consultations
* Six weeks of unlimited email support
Reasonable travel fees apply to service areas - areas include Sydney and surrounds, South Coast, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Newcastle. Weekend surcharge $15. Public holiday surcharge $20. Pension/student rates are available upon request with relevant cards.
Remote consultation $225
Alternatively, I can help you and your cat through a remote consultation which you can book directly on my website via the online booking system for an immediately confirmed booking. Or, please complete the contact form or contact me directly.
Inclusions:
* Initial remote consultation which goes for 1 hour and 30 minutes
* 1 x 30-minute follow-up phone consultation (usually conducted within 2.5 months of initial consultation)
* Comprehensive consultation summary and behaviour modification/treatment plans via email after both consultations
* Six weeks of unlimited email support
Weekend surcharge $15. Public holiday surcharge $20. Pension/student rates are available upon request with relevant cards.
In-home consultation package option $555
This in-home package is suited for complex and/or ongoing behavioural issues or if you feel the additional inclusions will benefit you and your cat(s).
Inclusions:
* Initial in-home consultation which goes for approx 2 - 2.5 hours
* 3 x 30-minute follow-up phone consultations (usually conducted within 4 months of initial consultation)
* Comprehensive consultation summary and behaviour modification/treatment plans via email after all consultations
* 12 weeks of unlimited email support
Reasonable travel fees apply to service areas - areas include Sydney and surrounds, South Coast, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Newcastle. Weekend surcharge $15. Public holiday surcharge $20. Pension/student rates are available upon request with relevant cards. Please either complete a contact form or email me directly with preferred days/dates and your suburb so I can calculate the travel fee.
Ongoing discounted rates for What's Up PussyCat cat clients (What's Up PussyCat Alumni!)
I am always happy to answer any basic queries free of charge if we have already had a consultation regarding your cat(s). However, if you would ever like to have another phone consultation at a later date for your cat(s) whom I have already met through an in-home or remote consultation, it is a discounted rate of $60 for 30 minutes or $120 for one hour on a weekday (e.g., you are moving, having a baby, introducing a new cat to your family or another issue). This rate includes a comprehensive consultation summary and treatment plans; plus two weeks of unlimited email support for a 30-minute consultation or four weeks of unlimited email support for a one-hour consultation. Alternatively, if you would like an in-home consultation, please contact me.
A weekend surcharge of $15 may apply if on a weekend or $20 for a public holiday for any consultation. Fees are subject to change.
** Gift vouchers available **
Please contact me for details
Cat / kitten training & creating a cat wonderland $195
Kittens are usually able to be adopted around 12 weeks of age. This is an ideal time for them to be shown how to use kitty litter (if not already using litter), start a grooming and body check routine, learn their name, discourage furniture scratching, have fun playing and learning games, as well as general socialisation with humans. So, if you have adopted a cat or kitten in the last few weeks and would like some help with your new furry bundle of joy to help avoid any behavioural issues from beginning, I am more than happy to assist you. This cat/kitten training consultation is general and is only recommended if you do not have any specific behavioural issues and/or you would like advice on how to give your kitten a mentally and physically stimulating environment.
Contrary to popular belief that only dogs can be trained, I firmly believe that cats can also be trained. We just need to adapt the training and make sure that it is done in a way that appeals to your cat. By using classical and operant conditioning, cats can be taught to come when called, sit, stay and ride happily in the cat carrier. The more adventurous and confident cats can be shown the wonders of going for a walk on a harness. Some cats even enjoy the challenge of being taught tricks as it mentally and physically stimulates them. Clicker training is a great tool to help with behavioural issues as well as also offering mental stimulation - e.g. learning to sit, high-five, etc.
Cats who are bored will often start to display inappropriate behaviours, so it is important to keep your cats' environment enriched and stimulating (especially for indoor cats). Often, this can be done by the use of furniture and toys - I would love to help you make your home more cat-friendly and ensure it is as mentally and physically stimulating as possible as well as show you some games and play techniques so you have a happy kitty!
* Initial 1.25 hour consultation (remote)
* Comprehensive consultation summary/treatment plans via email after your consultation
* Four weeks of unlimited emails to monitor progress
If needed, follow-up remote telephone consultations are $90 for one hour or $45 for 30 minutes. Both options include a comprehensive consultation summary, behaviour modification and treatment plan via email and two weeks of unlimited email support for an hour consultation or one week of unlimited email support for a 30-minute consultation.
Reasonable travel fees may apply if you would like me to visit for an in-home consultation. Please contact me if you would like a quote. Weekend surcharge is $15. Public holiday surcharge is $20.
Cat feeding / playtime / cuddles while you are away
What do you do when you want to take that well-deserved break but can't take your cat or animals with you? Contact me! I will come over and feed your animals and spend some time with them so they can stay in the comfort of their own home and you can have peace of mind that they are safe, happy and well!
* Once a day visit to feed/change water, do kitty litter trays and bring in mail/bins $30 per day (approx 15 mins)
* Once a day visit to feed/change water, do kitty litter trays and bring in mail/bins, water garden, with added time for playtime and cuddles $40 per day (approx 30 mins)
* Twice a day visit to feed/change water, do kitty litter trays and bring in mail/bins, water garden, with added time for playtime and cuddles $70 per day (approx 30 mins each visit)
* Administer basic medications additional $5 per day
What's Up PussyCat? is based in Peakhurst Heights, Sydney. Cat feeding is only offered within a 10-minute drive of Peakhurst Heights. Rates are based on a maximum of two animals, with you providing food and equipment. Additional animals are $5 per day per animal. Additional tasks available (e.g., clean enclosure/backyard, etc for dogs) - rates available on request. Discounts may be given for regular bookings or bookings for a long period. Public holidays incur a surcharge of $20 per day. The fee for induction and key collection before the first visit is $20 (15-minute induction). Key collection thereafter is $10 per collection.
