Home visits for cats and dogs.

How it started

Weekend Pet Visits was born from a lifelong love of cats — and from one very special cat named Smokey.

Our founder, Lina, has loved cats for as long as she can remember. Growing up with them, she always knew they would be an important part of her life.

When Lina and her family moved to Great Billington, she discovered a small colony of feral cats living nearby. She couldn’t bear the thought of them going hungry, so she began feeding them.

Before long she was caring for as many as nine cats. With help from Cats Protection, she worked to have them safely caught, neutered and returned. Her involvement didn’t end there: she kept feeding them, arranged flea and worm treatment, and sought veterinary care whenever they needed it.

Although the family have since moved away from Great Billington, her commitment hasn’t stopped. A small colony still lives there, and Lina continues to return to feed and look after them. When one recently needed veterinary attention, she made sure that cat received the care it needed.

For Lina, caring for an animal isn’t something you simply walk away from.

Smokey, Winnie and Gino

Many of the feral cats were frightened of people and would run as soon as Lina approached. She never forced them. Through calmness, patience and consistency, she gradually earned their trust — a process that took around two years.

One of those cats was Smokey. She had spent the first four years of her life outdoors and was incredibly cautious. The first time she took food from Lina’s hand was a breakthrough. Little by little, Smokey came closer, began spending time inside the family home, and eventually became a much-loved member of the family. Lina and Smokey formed an incredibly special bond.

Then came Winnie — a tiny black kitten found sitting outside the family’s gate. Lina’s husband, Paulo, managed to pick her up and bring her inside. They took her to the vet and tried to find her owners, but nobody came forward. Winnie stayed and became part of the family.

And then there’s Gino — the ginger cat Lina had always dreamed of having.

Somehow, cats have always had a way of finding Lina.

Why Weekend Pet Visits

The idea for Weekend Pet Visits came from a heartbreaking experience.

Shortly after the family moved home, they went away on holiday and arranged for their cats to be cared for. During that time, Smokey escaped. Lina did everything she could to find her while still abroad and, as soon as she returned, the search continued. She refused to give up.

Four weeks later, Lina found Smokey and brought her home. Sadly, Smokey was extremely thin, frail and unwell. Despite veterinary help, she passed away from an infection that her little body was no longer strong enough to fight.

Losing Smokey made Lina realise how important it is to go away knowing that someone you genuinely trust is caring for your cats.

That’s why Weekend Pet Visits is about so much more than putting down a bowl of food and leaving. Whether you’re away for a weekend, a longer holiday, or simply need a hand, we’ll give your cats the care, time and attention we’d want for our own — feed and fresh water, company, and the quiet reassurance of someone who notices how they are.

Cats set the rules

We also understand that cats set the rules.

Some will be waiting at the door ready for attention. Others may disappear the moment somebody unfamiliar arrives. We won’t force interaction. If that means quietly sitting on the floor and allowing a nervous cat to approach when they’re ready, that’s exactly what we’ll do. Trust takes time, and every cat deserves to have their personality and boundaries respected.

Someone you can trust

Choosing a pet sitter isn’t only about trusting someone with your beloved animal. You’re also trusting that person with your home.

Lina works in a school with children and holds a DBS certificate registered with the DBS Update Service. Weekend Pet Visits is fully insured, so you have that extra reassurance when entrusting us with your pets and your home. We’re happy to share DBS and insurance details when we meet.

For us, this isn’t simply a business. It’s grown from years of caring for cats, earning the trust of animals who were frightened of people, and understanding how precious they become to the families who love them.