Arrange a First Visit That Asks Nothing of Her
Invite the sitter round while you are home, and brief them before they come in: no reaching for the cat, no following her from room to room, and no disappointment if she does not appear. Let the sitter sit in the room your cat uses most, talk quietly, and let curiosity do the work. A confident cat may investigate within minutes; a shy one may only watch from the doorway, and that still counts as a successful first meeting because the sitter's voice, smell, and shape are now on record as harmless.
Let Food and Play Make the Introduction
Have the sitter offer something your cat values: her regular meal served by the sitter's hand placing the bowl, a favourite treat tossed gently nearby rather than handed over, or a wand toy trailed across the floor for a cat who prefers play to people. These small exchanges teach your cat that the stranger predicts good things. Keep the visit short and end it while things are calm. If she is very nervous, arrange a second short visit a few days later rather than making the first one longer.
Show the Sitter Her Map of the House
Walk the sitter through your cat's territory as she sees it: where she sleeps, where she hides when the doorbell rings, which windowsill is hers, where the litter tray sits, and which doors must stay shut. Point out her signals too, such as the tail flick that means leave me alone, the slow blink that means she is relaxed, or the habit of waiting by the kitchen at a set time. Explain what is normal for her in the first day or two of a change, including eating less or staying under the bed, and what would count as unusual enough to call you.
Leave Your Scent and Her Routine Untouched
In the days before you go, sleep with or wear the blanket that will stay on her bed, and leave it unwashed. Keep feeding times, play sessions, and the evening routine exactly as usual, because a cat already adjusting to your absence should not also adjust to a new schedule. Set out her food, litter supplies, and cleaning things where the sitter can find them without opening every cupboard, and leave a short written note of the routine in the order it happens. Photograph her usual resting spots for the sitter as well, so a quick visual check can confirm she is in a normal place rather than missing altogether.
Plan the Sitter's First Solo Visit Carefully
Ask the sitter to arrive calmly, use the same greeting routine from the practice visit, put food down promptly, and then sit quietly rather than searching the house for her. Photos and updates can wait until she chooses to appear. A sitter she has met twice, who feeds her on time and respects the hiding places, usually stops being a stranger within a day or two. By handing over through KinsLe Care Pass, that new sitter gets temporary access to her routine, her signals, and her safe places written down, so the gentle approach you practised together is the one she follows.