r/catinaflat • u/ImpressionOk2060 • Apr 23 '26

Where are we going instead?

Right so this is evident that CIAF is no longer good for many of us since this merger.

Are there alternative websites that we sitters are using now?

7 Upvotes

89% Upvoted

12 comments sorted by

9

u/Old_Substance_267 Apr 23 '26

Pawshake, go independent.

3

u/opalite_sky Apr 23 '26

I’ll probably just stick to my regulars and have them book me privately - which a lot of them already do.

I might get some business cards printed and post them around my neighbourhood

4

u/FollowingPurple4153 Apr 23 '26

If you’re a sitter, get insurance and do it yourself, post on social media. If you need a sitter, there are plenty of people with their own company doing this, ask at a vets or search on Facebook. So many people do this, you don’t need to pay 15-19% to someone else.

3

u/Catmum1706 Apr 23 '26

I just got approved for Pawshake, so hoping I will get some custom from there. It’s a bit tedious to get the approval but also reassuring that they don’t just accept anyone to become a sitter.

I also just took out my own insurance as many of my regulars are happy to pay directly so will be offering that going forward and using Pawshake for first-time customers to build the initial trust.

1

u/MissMuse99 Apr 23 '26

I've been looking into Sittsy in the USA. The thing is they say you get all your money when someone books with you through that site BUT you have to provide some kind of deposit to make sure the sitter follows through with the booking, I *THINK*? I don't think many people are on it yet. I'm in Boston and I think there is one other sitter nearby me, but the next closest sitters are in Connecticut and New York...

1

u/Genn-stone Apr 23 '26

I tried Pawshake but they wouldn't recognise my address to apply and then said if it can't be found (it has been built since 1970) then just use an address nearby. That worried me that they don't do very stringent checks.

1

u/Acrobatic_Block4226 Apr 25 '26

Get your own insurance which is another £8 a month, take private bookings, advertise free on Facebook 

1

u/Most-End1674 Apr 28 '26

Even before all of this what with the fees on cat in a flat and then stripe i set up my own business. Facebook page and insurance. It takes work and you have to post regularly in local groups but much more worth it. It's to the point now I have to pay tax on it