I am 93 and Carissa helped me look for a new cat two years ago and promised to be there for my cat, should anything happen to me. Two years later, I was hospitalised for 15 weeks and I was so worried about my Misty who was home alone for five weeks. Carissa visited Misty regularly and visited me with updates. She spent five weeks looking for a Foster home for Misty, so we could be reunited when I got out of hospital. She made flyers and distributed them everywhere she could think of. As the weeks went by, I decided the best thing for Misty was to give her up for adoption. Within three days, Carissa found the perfect home, interviewed the lady thoroughly and took a photo of her for me. The new owner offered to bring Misty to see me when I got settled into a rest home and I have received updates. I miss my cat very much, but I couldn't be happier with the new home and love she has been given. Thank you for your help Carissa. PS: Eight months on, I am back home.
~B. Andrews, Onehunga, Auckland Nov 2012 |
It is an absolute pleasure to provide a Testimonial for Carissa, whom I stumbled upon by chance, after being let down by two others advertising themselves as cat sitters, who struggled to return phone calls, let alone look after our treasured moggy!
My wife and I went to India for 30 days. Our 12 year old cat Leo carries a flu virus which he can give to other cats, and therefore banned from the cattery, which I should add, we hated having him caged up for any period of time - having a reliable cat sitter seemed the logical choice. On making contact with Carissa, I could tell immediately that she was the answer to our prayers, so to speak. She came around immediately, several weeks prior to our departure, went through all the formalities in a very professional manner and after this initial meeting, we were in no doubt that we had a real gem in Carissa, and could leave our cat, and for that matter, our lovely home, in her most capable hands. In late January 2013, we left for India on our 30 day holiday. During the course of our holiday, we were kept fully informed by Carissa, receiving five detailed emails plus photos of our Leo - missing us of course. On returning home, we found a daily report sheet for the 30 days, amazing. This lady is one in a million and goes way beyond cat sitting, and over and above the call of duty! Did some house work, aired the home, watered plants, checked the mail, swept the yard, cleared and actioned phone messages; even offered to pick us up at midnight from the airport! In relation to the time and effort Carissa committed to both looking after our cat and our property, the cost of her service is very inexpensive. Carissa and her partner are lovely friendly people that you can have complete faith and trust in. Carissa has a real passion for cats and what she does; if only there were more Carissa’s in this world! My only initial concern was location; she lives in Papatoetoe and I was at Hillsborough – but this concern proved unfounded, she did exactly what she said she would do and more; she comes with our highest recommendation, and we will certainly be using Carissa’s services for the foreseeable future – you will too if you take my advice! (Note: Should you wish to discuss Carissa’s services with me, request my number from Carissa.) ~ J. & G. Oliver, Hillsborough, Auckland Jan/Feb 2013 |
My husband and I have recently moved to South Auckland and I was looking for someone to look after our two cats when we go away. I searched on the internet and came across Carissa's website and I'm extremely happy that I did! I first emailed Carissa to find out if she was available and ask about her rates. She promptly emailed me back and we organised for her to come over the next day to meet our kitty cats (which may I add she offers a meet and greet free of charge!) Our cats are extremely shy and are not very good with strangers, but I was quite impressed that Carissa managed to approach them both and pat them and they didn't even run from her. She stayed and chatted for about an hour and I was very happy, so I booked her in and gave her our house key then and there. While we were away, Carissa texted me daily with updates which was fantastic. I am the type of person to worry about the cats when we go away, so it was great to hear that they were doing just fine. Carissa even took photos and emailed them to me which was really lovely too. Upon our return, we found a gorgeous Welcome Home card along with a daily record sheet and also a typed Observations and Recommendations sheet which was handy. Overall, I found Carissa's service to be fantastic and her rates very reasonable. I will definitely be using Carissa's service in the future and would highly recommend her to others. Thanks Carissa! :)
~ M. & J. McLeish, Wattle Downs, Auckland May 2013 |
I was very pleased to discover such a service as what Carissa has set up. I only wanted the occasional ‘pop-in’ to keep my new little kitten company – and Carissa was happy to do this. The service I actually received far exceeded my expectations. Carissa not only provided the kitten with company and her lunchtime feed, but also helped me to understand more about cats and their health and well-being. Carissa is flexible if plans change and goes the extra mile to care for and make your pet, her very special client. All visits included a written report and I found myself looking forward to ‘what Carissa wrote today’. Just like the plunket nurse coming to see my baby – I am very happy to recommend Carissa to fellow cat lovers. She really cares.
K. Riley, One Tree Hill, Auckland Apr-May 2013 |
I have no hesitation in recommending the Carissa Cat Caressa Professional In-Home Cat Minding Service to potential clients. Carissa is a person of integrity, honesty, reliability and warmth who really goes the extra mile. Carissa cared for our two cats over the course of a long weekend and even in that short time, provided many helpful and useful tips on our pets' care. The emails and photos she sent while we were away were both thoughtful and very reassuring. I would hire Carissa again without hesitation knowing the quality, high standard of care and delivery of service that she so willingly and cheerfully offers.
~ R. Ells, Manurewa, Auckland Aug 2013 |
Carissa took great care of our cats and wrote excellent reports so we knew exactly what had happened while we were away. She also took great care of the garden and ensured that the plants were all watered regularly. In addition to this, Carissa was brilliant when we were forced to change our plans and was extremely obliging in fitting in with us. I would have no hesitation in recommending Carissa and we will certainly be using her again.
~ G. & D. Newburn, Flat Bush, Auckland Dec 2013/Jan 2014 |
It is with some hesitation that I commit my appreciation to Carissa in writing, for my concern is that with others, of similar experience, will heap such satisfaction that at a future time her appointment book will be fully booked and I shall be forced to find a lesser angel. However praise be, where praise is due. For if as a nation we were, as focused upon our responsibilities, dedicated to our commitments, and fair in our dealings, then Swedes, Singaporeans and any other state worth it's salt, would consider us a truly blessed country. I consider myself well-served by Carissa, and the cats spoiled to the degree they are requesting I holiday more frequently. Have no hesitation in engaging Carissa to care for your cats, no matter how precious he/she/they may be. Thank you again Carissa.
~ G. Boyle, Ramarama, South Auckland Dec 2013/Jan 2014 |
I found Carissa to be very caring and attuned to the needs of my two cats. She took the time to meet with me and the cats prior to my departure, endeavouring to obtain as much information about them, their likes, dislikes, habits, etc. Both cats are so different in various ways, but nothing appeared to be too difficult or awkward for her to manage. I certainly appreciated her confidence and knowledge about cats and their particular mannerisms. Furthermore, she was more than willing to go the extra mile, i.e. washing the cat dishes, dirt box, spending quality time with both cats, texting and updating me, including opening and shutting my curtains.
Carissa has a very professional approach to her cat minding service; keeping a meticulous "job" record, daily record, further more, she puts her expertise and cat knowledge to work by providing Recommendations. I am at heart a simple person and am thankful for Carissa's respect for my privacy; my gratitude is immense. ~ F. Wanoa, Papatoetoe, Auckland May 2014 |
Carissa provides an exceptional in-home cat minding service. Her knowledge and genuine care of our cats was reflected in her ongoing feedback. We felt very comfortable with Carissa in our home and the rapport she gained with our cats. Carissa is a thorough professional who always goes the extra mile. She has a caring and warm manner which applies to both people and pets. The daily feedback and notes about our cats was greatly appreciated. Due to Carissa's wide knowledge of cats (and plants!), the written feedback provided us with future recommendations. We thoroughly recommend Carissa to future pet owners requiring cat minding. We are very lucky to find her.
~ K. & A. Stanisich, Dannemora, Auckland Dec 2014/Jan 2015 |
I met Carissa by chance at Countdown while trying to pick a can of cat food from the bottom shelf. She could see I was struggling to bend down and immediately offered to help. I was a couple of weeks away from going to hospital for a hip replacement and when I mentioned this, she volunteered that she had a cat minding service and perhaps she could help me to look after the cats while I was in hospital. We chatted for nearly five minutes and by the time I had got out to the carpark, I made the decision that I would definitely use her service and have no regrets that I made that decision. She did a great job, even though both my cats are not socialised and she only ever saw them from a distance so it would've been somewhat challenging. On the day I was discharged from hospital, she picked up milk and a few other things for me, as well as picking me up and taking me home from hospital, so I could not have found anyone better. Thank you so much Carissa, I will definitely use your service again when I want to go on holiday.
~ M. Evershed, Papatoetoe, Auckland March 2015 |
We highly recommend the services of Carissa Cat Caressa. Carissa recently stepped in, at very short notice, to look after our two kittens and two adult cats when we went overseas on holiday. Our kittens were so well looked after, and even provided with toys that she makes, as ours were in short supply! Carissa spent a lot of time playing with them and gave an excellent update via email every second day. Ditto for the cats, though they are past the toy stage! Carissa also watered the plants and was more than happy to do other household tasks, even offering to purchase fresh milk for our return! Our property had a burst water main in our absence and she took care of that by getting Watercare Services out. I have no hesitation in recommending Carissa, she is an absolute Godsend!
~ S. Harris, Wattle Downs, Auckland April 2015 |
Carissa made it easy for us to go on holiday. With regular updates, we don't need to worry about how our cats are doing. When we returned, they were both happy and settled. Carissa provides a great service, I definitely recommend it.
~ S. Dillon, Wattle Downs, Auckland September 2015 |
Carissa's care and attention to detail are exemplary, I wouldn't hesitate to contact her again should the need arise. She is clearly a devoted cat lover and also very trustworthy. An added bonus is that we found it was like having our very own Personal Assistant whilst we were overseas. I imagine there is very little Carissa couldn't cope with!
~ S. Curtis, Howick, Auckland Dec 2015/Jan 2016 |
Carissa's service was remarkable - coming home after six days to find our three cats at ease and happy is a good testament. Carissa went beyond what was expected, watering the plants, bringing packages that were left for us and keeping an eye on the property. I wouldn't go past her if my cats ever needed in-house care. Exceptional.
~ J. van Reijn, Papatoetoe, Auckland Dec 2016/Jan 2017 |
Carissa is one of the most professional, caring individuals I have had the pleasure to meet. From the first time I met her, I felt in capable, trusted hands. She delivered a service above and beyond what was expected and my cats really thrived under her care. I would not hesitate to recommend her as a house/pet sitter and would be happy to provide a verbal reference if required. Highly recommended for anyone stressed about putting their precious pets in a cattery or leaving them to neighbours to feed. Carissa makes you realise what a critical service this really is.
~ M. Buxton, Papakura, Auckland December 2016 |
- Outstanding, excellent, professional in-home cat sitter
- Excellent knowledge re cats' health - Friendly, professional manner - Detailed up to date cats daily activity and care I highly recommend Carissa to everyone who needs a cat sitter. ~ Y. Bien, Papatoetoe, Auckland May/June 2017 |
Carissa provides a very caring and professional cat minding service. She has an eye for detail and this is reflected in all aspects of the process. Above all, it is clear that Carissa loves cats and loves what she does. I have no hesitation in recommending her to take care of your cat and will definitely be using her again to take care of our cat in the future.
~ V. Sesto, Papatoetoe, Auckland July/August 2017 |
Carissa just goes beyond what we expected. She spent an hour or more each day with our "Sweetie", fed him, made a featherstick and played with him, watered our garden each day, and even mopped our kitchen floors. Our Sweetie loves her. We never worried about him with her calling each day. Would recommend Carissa to anyone who required a minder. A caring, thoughtful and just lovely lady to deal with. Wonderful.
~ P. Clayton, Conifer Grove, Auckland Dec 2017/Jan 2018 |
We were nervous about leaving our two young kittens for the six weeks we planned on being away. That was before we met Carissa and decided to use her cat minding services. She is extremely dedicated in going over and above what one expects for her services. Texting, emailing and sending photo updates several times a week while we were in Europe for those six weeks. Also collecting mail, watering plants, vacuuming and even getting milk in for our cup of tea on returning home. Our two babies quickly came to adjust to our being away and took to Carissa immediately, always greeting her on her two visits a day. Can't speak highly enough of Carissa, as a person and also as a professional in her business practices.
~ E. Belton, Pakuranga, Auckland Jul-Sep 2018 |
Carissa recently cared for our two cats while we were away for a few days. I had not used a cat minding service before, so understandably, I was a little anxious. My cats are both quite shy and previous experiences in catteries were not good, due to my two not eating well and fretting. From our first meeting, I could see that Carissa was genuinely caring about the cats and her responsibility in taking good care in feeding them. She spent time with them each feeding and the cats accepted her well. She also collected our mail, checked security in our home and watered the gardens. The cats seemed happy and very well cared for. Carissa is genuine and caring and I would not hesitate to recommend her services - and have also booked her for another time.
~ C. Norrie, Botany Downs, Auckland March 2019 |
We have five cats, two are spoilt rotten pets I've had since they were tiny kittens. They usually go to a cattery when we travel. The other three are a family of ex strays who live an excellent outdoor life in our garden. I was looking for an alternative to the cattery as these stays are becoming more stressful for all of us. Our neighbours usually feed the outdoor family, but they were going to be away at the same time. I was fast running out of options, but through a Google search, I found Carissa. Although it was short notice, I would be a new client, and there were multiple cats with different needs, Carissa happily took on this assignment.
Naturally, I was hesitant about letting someone come into our home, but after meeting with Carissa, all my concerns were allayed. Carissa is kind, gentle, trustworthy and has an amazing affinity with cats. We met for about an hour and chatted about the cats and their various needs. Our cats range in age from 4 to 16 years old and in temperaments from nervous to friendly. They are on a range of different foods, but nothing was too much trouble for Carissa. Not only is Carissa very caring with the cats, she also has great knowledge about health care and had several recommendations for my aging boy. Carissa left a detailed diary of what each cat did on her twice daily visits and by day two, she had made friends with my shy girl and even managed to pat one of the outdoor cats. This is a huge amount of progress in such a short time. It only goes to show that the cats really trusted her. As well as spending half an hour each visit talking, feeding and playing with the cats, she also drew our curtains, collected the mail and put out the rubbish bins, making the house looked lived in. I was worried about what would happen if emergency care was needed, but Carissa will arrange a vet visit if the worst happens. She is also happy to provide daily emails, text and pictures of what the cats have been up to on her visits. We came home to five very happy relaxed cats who had been given new toys. I think they might have enjoyed their time with Carissa more than they do with me! I can't imagine that I will ever use the cattery again. It's rare to find someone so caring and dedicated and I can't recommend Carissa enough to anyone considering leaving their precious pusses alone, be it for a few days or few weeks. Please feel free to contact me if you require any further details. ~ D. Hartley, Mangere Bridge, Auckland April 2019 |
I engaged Carissa to look after my cats in my home as I didn't want to put them in a cattery. I also wanted somebody to look after my house. Carissa and I met and I felt very at ease with her. It was very clear she is an animal lover. She dropped into my house everyday for 10 days to feed my cats. She completed a report everyday as to where the cats were and what they were doing. She also did other really cool things as well, like a Welcome Home card with the cats faces on and left some toys for the cats too. Fabulous service - first time I've tried a pet sitter. She is awesome and goes above and beyond my expectations. I wish you well in this business.
~S. Trafford, Manurewa, Auckland October 2020 |
Carissa of Carissa Cat Caressa is a wonderful lady. We are so pleased we have found her. Carissa is great with the cats, so obliging and willing to go the extra mile. She is happy to put the bins out, collect the mail and Herald. Our two cats love her and she even gave our feisty Molly cat a lovely comb this time, which we find very difficult. Carissa's housekeeping is very clean and tidy. Wish we had found her a long time ago. Though it still breaks our hearts to leave the pusses for a few days, we know they are in good hands and certainly it is stress free while away, knowing they are getting good attention.
~P. McCarten, Botany, Auckland Feb/April 2021 |