Newham runs from Stratford and the Olympic Park in the west through Forest Gate, Plaistow, Upton Park and East Ham to Canning Town and the Royal Docks by the river, and it has changed fast in the last twenty years. Its cats live in long streets of Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Forest Gate, Manor Park and East Ham, many with a small garden at the back; in large estates in Canning Town and Custom House; and in the new towers around Stratford and the Royal Docks. Cats in the terraces often go out through a cat flap into gardens that back onto each other, where foxes are a regular sight, while those in the new blocks are usually kept indoors, some with a balcony. Many visits in older streets start at a front door or a keysafe, and in newer buildings at a concierge desk or a fob. Describe the way in on your Care Card and send any codes to your sitter in the booking chat once they've accepted. With the Elizabeth, Jubilee and District lines, the DLR and Wanstead Flats close by, a local sitter can get between visits easily.
Neighbourhoods
Stratford, Forest Gate, Manor Park, Plaistow, West Ham, Upton Park, East Ham, Beckton, Canning Town, Custom House, Royal Docks
Homes and access
Victorian and Edwardian terraces with small gardens across much of the borough; estates in the south; new towers at Stratford and the Royal Docks. Front doors and keysafes in older streets; concierge or fob entry in new blocks.
Nearby vets
Goddard Veterinary Group Plaistow, 740 Barking Road, E13 9LB
Goddard Veterinary Group West Ham, 1 Church Street, E15 3HU
Local cat welfare
Celia Hammond Animal Trust, Canning Town (low-cost vet clinic and cat rescue)
Vet details are provided as local information and may change. Please confirm with the practice before an emergency.
How a visit will work
Food, medication, litter, hiding places. It becomes the Care Card your sitter works from.
Chat with a sitter near you before you book, so you both know what the visits involve.
Sitters are expected to send a message and photo after each visit.
Each sitter sets their own rate. You pay it plus a 10% booking fee, and you see the full amount before you book.
How are CatSitz sitters checked?
Every CatSitz sitter will have their identity verified, and a person will review every profile before it goes live. It is not a background or criminal record check.