There is only one good job out there

August 13, 2018 2:39 PM

Advert for cat caring job on Greek isle brings deluge of candidates. “From experience, the job is most suitable for someone 45+ years of age, who’s responsible, reliable, honest, practically inclined – and really with a heart of gold! You will at times be expected to trap or handle a feral or non-sociable cat … so cat whispering skills should come natural to you.”
posted by Emmy Rae (25 comments total)

Sigh, another job I'm overqualified for.
posted by AFABulous at 2:40 PM on August 13, 2018 [14 favorites]

Just take note of the sign that says

DAYS WITHOUT CARETAKER BEING EATEN BY CATS: 62 0
posted by lefty lucky cat at 2:51 PM on August 13, 2018 [11 favorites]

KITTIES!!!!

Dammit, I knew I should have gotten on that quicker.
posted by Artw at 2:52 PM on August 13, 2018 [1 favorite]

I have several friends who would be shoe-ins for this, including a no-shit cat whisperer.
posted by GenjiandProust at 2:56 PM on August 13, 2018

I sponsor this dog for the position.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 3:02 PM on August 13, 2018 [30 favorites]

OMG?!?! That dog pulling the cat back. Abehammerb Lincoln. You just saved my day from being a little bit shit. I'm smiling now because of you. :D
posted by Fizz at 3:34 PM on August 13, 2018 [8 favorites]

Friends of mine did this on a private island once with 17 cats and 8 million fleas for a former girlfriend of Paul Newman and Cliff Richard. (Yes, she was very old.)

I've sat regularly in California and Spain. Weirdest was a turtle for a gangster in Spain. Had a pool on one of his terraces just for the turtle who was about the size of your hand.

Fave client is in Beverly Glen with 2 dogs, 2 cats, and 5 chickens.
posted by dobbs at 4:02 PM on August 13, 2018 [10 favorites]

Please, god. Please. I hate my current clients. Grant me this boon and let me have this job instead.
posted by Hermione Granger at 4:35 PM on August 13, 2018 [4 favorites]

Now I am fantasizing about this at work :( I would squeeze all the kitties (probably to their detriment).
posted by typify at 4:36 PM on August 13, 2018 [2 favorites]

“only write if making life better for Greek rescue cats is your burning desire!”

IT IS

It really, really, really is 😭
posted by Hermione Granger at 4:40 PM on August 13, 2018 [17 favorites]

Just wait until all 55 of them start waking you up every morning at 3:00 a.m. by sticking their butts in your face.
posted by briank at 4:40 PM on August 13, 2018 [14 favorites]

Also, here is the most DELIGHTFUL video of a cat owner (of 7!) creating obstacle courses for her cats, and her cats playing along. Imagine n=55.
posted by typify at 4:43 PM on August 13, 2018 [5 favorites]

“How many cats do you have?”

“...All of them.”
posted by armeowda at 4:52 PM on August 13, 2018 [11 favorites]

Once you've got two, fifty-five isn't really that different.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 5:13 PM on August 13, 2018 [17 favorites]

“This! Is! Meowta!”

/knocks glass off counter
posted by Celsius1414 at 6:11 PM on August 13, 2018 [10 favorites]

Once you've got two, fifty-five isn't really that different.

For me, the third cat was the chaos multiplier. I got my first as a kitten, then I was adopted by my second cat while volunteering at a shelter. After a brief settling-in period, they got a routine going and decided they could tolerate each other as long as certain boundaries were observed.

Then, about six weeks ago, I brought cat #3 into the fold. Now it's like Reservoir Cats up in here. I love all of 'em, but I kinda miss the quieter days of just two.
posted by jzb at 6:15 PM on August 13, 2018 [12 favorites]

Yeah, the third cat really is where their pack behavior kicks in.
posted by The Underpants Monster at 7:36 PM on August 13, 2018 [6 favorites]

I've been a catsitter for 20 years. The owners come home and say to me "OMG, [Cat] is so relaxed now! She does so well when you're here! You're such a cat whisperer! Thank you!" When in fact, I kind of ignore them half the time. Maybe that's the secret.
posted by Melismata at 8:12 PM on August 13, 2018 [7 favorites]

I'm over 45, responsible, reliable, honest, super practical but my heart is at most electrum. Can I still apply?
posted by mark k at 10:12 PM on August 13, 2018 [3 favorites]

I'm doing this in Greece right now! Well, not on an island. And not quite 55. More like my vacationing upstairs neighbors' cat, and some randoms along for the ride. I also still have to pay my own rent. So, except for the island, the free rent, and the 55 cats, pretty much the same!
posted by taz at 11:17 PM on August 13, 2018 [8 favorites]

Can I bring my own cats though?
posted by stillnocturnal at 3:22 AM on August 14, 2018 [1 favorite]

If I can bring Nosy (and my human) I can be there this afternoon.
posted by Space Kitty at 4:06 AM on August 14, 2018

Finally: my time to shine! (And touch some lil beans)
posted by Kitteh at 4:15 AM on August 14, 2018 [4 favorites]

If I weren't about to have my left knee replaced, making the manual transmission a no-go for some time, I otherwise tick all the boxes. I can even do some minor cat medical treatment! Even on feral cats, with some help. I hope they're not any of them feral. Cause you gotta spay or 55 cats will be 550 cats in a few years.

Oh, except my own cat hates other cats, so I suppose it's a nonstarter anyway. BOO!
posted by Stewriffic at 4:47 AM on August 14, 2018

And this is the working environment you would have to put up with.
posted by Stoneshop at 1:52 AM on August 18, 2018