Home Access Procedures

One of the most important parts of successful cat sitting is ensuring your sitter can reliably access your home.

Even the best care plan cannot be implemented if your caregiver cannot enter the property safely and efficiently.

Taking a few minutes to establish clear home access procedures before your trip helps prevent delays, reduces stress, and ensures uninterrupted care for your cat.

Why Home Access Matters

Professional cat sitting depends on consistency.

Reliable access allows your sitter to:

• Arrive on schedule
• Maintain feeding routines
• Administer medications
• Monitor health and wellbeing
• Provide emergency support if needed

Clear access procedures help ensure your cat's care remains uninterrupted throughout your trip.

Choose a Reliable Access Method

There are several ways to provide home access.

Common options include:

• Physical keys
• Lockboxes
• Keypads
• Smart locks
• Building concierge access
• Garage access systems

The best option is the one that is secure, reliable, and easy to use.

Physical Keys

If providing physical keys:

• Verify the key works before departure
• Label keys appropriately
• Identify any special locks
• Provide instructions for unusual entry procedures

Avoid assuming all locks operate the same way.

Lockboxes

Many clients prefer lockboxes because they provide:

• Secure key storage
• Easy access during scheduled visits
• Backup access if plans change

If using a lockbox, provide:

• Location
• Access code
• Instructions for opening and securing the box afterward

Keypads and Smart Locks

Electronic access systems can be extremely convenient.

Please provide:

• Access codes
• Entry instructions
• Backup access methods
• Information regarding automatic lockouts

If codes will change during your trip, be sure to notify your sitter in advance.

Apartment and Condominium Access

For apartment, condominium, and secured-entry buildings, please provide:

• Building access instructions
• Gate codes
• Concierge information
• Parking instructions
• Elevator procedures
• Unit numbers

Some buildings have unique entry requirements that can create delays if not explained beforehand.

Alarm Systems

If your home has an alarm system, provide:

• Alarm codes
• Arming and disarming procedures
• Special instructions
• Contact information if the alarm is triggered

Testing procedures before your trip can help prevent accidental activations.

Parking Information

Helpful parking details may include:

• Assigned parking spaces
• Visitor parking rules
• Permit requirements
• Street parking limitations
• Gate access information

This helps ensure timely arrival and avoids unnecessary complications.

Emergency Access Plans

Unexpected situations can occur.

We recommend identifying a backup access method whenever possible.

Examples include:

• A secondary key location
• A trusted local contact
• Building management information
• Additional access codes

Backup plans help ensure continuity of care if primary access methods fail.

Inform Household Members

If other people have access to the home, let them know professional care visits are scheduled.

This may include:

• Family members
• Roommates
• Housekeepers
• Contractors
• Property managers

Clear communication helps avoid confusion and unexpected interruptions.

Test Everything Before You Leave

Before departure, verify:

• Keys work properly
• Codes are accurate
• Lockboxes function correctly
• Alarm instructions are current
• Building access information is accurate

A quick test can prevent significant problems later.

Keep Instructions Simple

Whenever possible, provide written instructions.

Include:

• Step-by-step entry procedures
• Access codes
• Contact information
• Backup plans

The simpler and clearer the instructions, the smoother the visit experience will be.

Our Philosophy

At Cats in the City, we believe preparation is an important part of professional cat care.

Reliable home access allows us to focus on what matters most: your cat.

Clear procedures help ensure visits remain consistent, stress-free, and uninterrupted while you are away.

Because successful cat sitting starts before the first visit—and reliable access is one of the foundations of great care.

Related Articles

• Preparing Your Home for Cat Sitting
• What Information Should I Leave for My Sitter?
• Emergency Contact Information for Cat Sitting
• Veterinary Contact Information for Cat Sitting
• What Happens During a Cat Sitting Visit?
• Benefits of In-Home Cat Care
• Emergency Preparedness for Cat Guardians