Who I am
I'm Luciana.​ ​
​
Originally from Lima, Peru, I fell in love with Amsterdam one day and moved here in 2009. After settling in, I began looking for opportunities to work with animals — a lifelong dream — this time in the city I adore.​In 2011, I became a volunteer at De Poezenboot, the famous floating shelter in the Amsterdam canals. Nothing compared to the excitement and reward of working with cats for the first time! Since that experience, my passion for understanding these extraordinary creatures and improving their welfare has only grown. With that in mind, I returned to school and became a cat care professional. I earned my official qualification as a Dog and Cat Handler in 2017, and since then, I haven’t stopped learning — both in and out of the classroom — anything and everything to become a better carer.
Over the years, I’ve been involved in a number of professional and volunteer activities dedicated to the care and welfare of cats. In 2018, I completed training to become an Expert in Cat Care, followed by certification in Advanced Feline Behaviour for Cat Professionals (2020), Fear Free Pet Sitter certification (2022), and most recently, Professional Pet Sitter certification (2024). I also regularly attend courses, conferences, symposiums, and events to deepen my understanding and sharpen my skills. As a member of the Pet Sitters International and Cat Sitters of Amsterdam networks, I stay up to date with local and international standards and best practices.​
Cat-sitting isn’t just a job to me. I’m not simply someone who looks after your cat while you’re away. I’m an advocate for their well-being, and someone you can trust on the journey toward a more connected and harmonious life with your feline companion. I pay attention to the details: behaviour, health, comfort, stress levels. I also train and encourage other cat sitters to embrace this same philosophy, learning every day from each cat I meet and sharing what I know. And of course, everything I practice is tested (and approved) at home by my two feline beauties, Muis and Mauw.​
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You can read an article about what I do daily [here].
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What I've done
July 2024 - Now
Founder & Administrator
Cat Sitters of Amsterdam
Online platform and community for cat-sitting professionals.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
November 2022 - Now
Founder & Host
Cat Sitters' Café
Cat sitter quarterly networking event.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
August 2020 - August 2021
Host
Cuidado Felino En Casa (como lo quiere tu gato)
Cat advice YouTube series.
Online
July 2020 - Now
Cat Sitter and Owner
MultiCATsking Cat-sitting Amsterdam
In-home cat-sitting service.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
May 2019 - Now
Cat Sitter Trainer
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Feline studies institute.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
November 2018 - Now
Cat Sitter
KGA Kattenoppasservice
In-home cat-sitting service.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
July 2018 - September 2018
Kitten Foster Parent
-
-
Há»™i An, Vietnam
May 2018 - April 2020
Shelter Volunteer
Dierentehuis Amstelveen/Ouder Amstel (Dierenbescherming)
Animal shelter.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
May 2017 - April 2018
Animal Caretaker
Dierenhotel Pocahondas
Animal boarding facility.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
June 2014 - November 2016
Volunteer Translator
Stichting S.O.S. Strays
Dog rescue and rehoming organisation.
Online
May 2011 - September 2019
Shelter Volunteer
Stichting De Poezenboot
Cat shelter.
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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What I've learnt (so far)
In progress
Professional Cat Sitter
Kattenoppas aan Huis
Course
Xclusive Cat Care
Online
In progress
Trust Technique
-
Course
Trust Technique
Online
In progress
Volunteering and Professional Cat-sitting Training
Formación Voluntariado y Catsitter Profesional
Training Program
MOF Etología Felina
Online
In progress
Multi-cat households: From quarrel to friendship
Multicathuishoudens: Van ruzie naar vriendschap
Course
Felinova
Online
November 2025
Animal Welfare Conference 2025
Dierenwelzijncongres 2025
Congress
Edupet
Leystad, The Netherlands
November 2025
iCatConnect 2025
-
Conference
International Cat Care
Online
November 2025
Feline Focus
-
Conference
Chirrups and Chatter
Online
October 2025
Hill's Global Symposium - Strong Science, Long Lives
-
Symposium
Hill's Veterinary Academy
Online
March 2025
Cat Day FelCan
FelCan Kattendag
Symposium
Stichting FelCan
Utrecht, The Netherlands
February 2025 (previously, in June 2018)
Recognizing pain (revised)
Pijn herkennen
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Online
January 2025
Fear Free nail trims: Behavioural considerations to trim away the terror
-
Course
Fear Free
Online
January 2025
Fear Free for humans
-
Course
Fear Free
Online
November 2024
Smart cats! The intelligence of cats
Slimme katten! De intelligentie van katten
Course
Instituut voor Dieren in Filosofie en Wetenschap
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
October 2024
CPPS-Certified Professional Pet Sitter
-
Certification
Pet Sitters International
Online
July 2024
Senior 2: Supporting the golden years
Senior 2: Ondersteuning van de golden years
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Online
October 2023
2023 Pet Sitter World Educational Conference
-
Conference
Pet Sitters International
Winston-Salem, North Carolina, United States
March 2023
2023 One-Day Online Summit for Pet Sitters & Dog Walkers: Focus on pet health
-
Conference
Pet Sitters International
Online
February 2023
Senior 1: Welfare for the elderly cat
Senior 1: Goed welzijn voor de oudere kat
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Online
February 2023
Eating behaviour
Eetgedrag
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Online
January 2023
Feline destructive scratching solutions
-
Course
Fear Free
Online
January 2023
Understanding medical conditions and pain
-
Course
Fear Free
Online
November 2022
About Cats & Dogs
-
Expo & Workshops
Jaarbeurs
Utrecht, The Netherlands
June 2022
Fear Free Certified Professional Pet Sitter
-
Certification
Fear Free
Online
May 2022
Cat Campus 2022: Fact or fiction?
Kattenkampus 2022: Feit of fictie?
Symposium
Kattenadvies & Verzorging
Doorn, The Netherlands
May 2022
Nutrition and digestion
Voeding en spijsvertering
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
April 2022
Coat and behaviour
Vacht en gedrag
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Online
March 2021
Feline emotions
Emoties van katten
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
February 2021
Fear Free Pet Behavior Symposium
-
Symposium
San Francisco SPCA
Online
January 2021
Foster family special
Gastgezin special
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
December 2020
Feline behaviour problem prevention and solution 1, 2, 3 & 4
Kattengedragsproblemen voorkomen en verhelpen 1, 2, 3 & 4
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
September 2020 - March 2022
Advanced feline behaviour for cat professionals - with Distinction
-
Certification
International Cat Care
Online
August 2020
ISFM International Feline Congress
-
Congress
International Society of Feline Medicine
Online
June 2020
Basic natural feline behaviour
Natuurlijke Basis Kattengedrag
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
March 2020
Relationship between illness and behaviour
Relatie tussen ziekte en gedrag
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
December 2020
Feline behaviour problem prevention and solution 1, 2, 3 & 4
Kattengedragsproblemen voorkomen en verhelpen 1, 2, 3 & 4
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
February 2020
How do we determine the behaviour of animals with our behaviour?
Hoe bepalen we met ons gedrag, het gedrag van dieren?
Workshop
DierenLot Academie
Arkel, The Netherlands
January 2020
Cat campus 2020: The relationship between food and behaviour
Kattencampus 2020: De relatie tussen voer en gedrag
Symposium
Kattenadvies & Verzorging
Houten, The Netherlands
November 2019
Aggression, fear and stress in cats
Agressie, angst en stress bij katten
Course
Dierenbescherming
Almere, The Netherlands
November 2019
FWF Cat day: Feline happiness
FWF Kattendag: Kattengeluk
Symposium
Feline Welfare Foundation
's-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands
November 2019
National Animal Rescue Conference
Landelijk Congres Dierhulpverlening
Congress
DierenLot Academie
Gorinchem, The Netherlands
October 2019
Cat-friendly care and medication
Katvriendelijke verzorging en medicatie toedienen
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
September 2019
Cat Weekend 2019
-
Conference
International Society of Feline Medicine & International Cat Care
Stratford-upon-Avon, UK
March 2019
Feline communication
KATSE communicatie
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
October 2018
Expert cat care
-
Certification
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
October 2018
Expert cat care - Caring for cats in practice
Expert cat care - Katten verzorgen in de praktijk
Training program
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
September 2018
Cat-friendly handling
Katvriendelijk hanteren
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
May 2018
Relationships between cats
Relaties tussen katten
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
April 2018
Shelter special 1 & 2
Asiel special 1 & 2
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
March 2018
Relationship between cat and owners
Relatie kat-eigenaren
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
February 2018
Cat-friendly cat hotel/boarding facility
Katvriendelijk Kattenhotel/Pension
Course
Kattengedragsadviesbureau
Amsterdam, The Netherlands
January 2018
Dog and Cat Handler
Houder van Honden en Katten
Certification
Rijksdienst voor Ondernemend Nederland
The Netherlands
February 2017 - January 2018
Entrepreneur shelter, boarding home and kennel
Ondernemer asiel, pension en kennel
Training program
Aeres Training Centre International
Barneveld, The Netherlands
February 2017
Basic workshop Tellington TTouch for cats
Basisworkshop Tellington TTouch voor katten
Workshop
TTouch4animals
Utrecht, The Netherlands
What I organise
Cat Sitters' Café
Amsterdam
A free, informal, ongoing meet-up for anyone who professionally cares for cats in Amsterdam and beyond.
The goal? Building community and supporting each other. Cat-sitting is a solo job, and it can get lonely—so this is your chance to see some friendly faces, chat, share experiences and ideas, learn from one another, and simply enjoy a drink and a laugh. Everyone there is just as passionate about caring for cats as you are.​​​
​
Cat Sitters
of Amsterdam
Cat Sitters of Amsterdam is a platform that connects cat owners with professional, independent cat sitters across the city. Each sitter works individually, but we support one another to ensure the best possible care for your cat.
We also host an open Facebook community where cat-sitting professionals can connect, share tips, and grow their businesses together.​​​​
Cuidado Felino En Casa
(como lo quiere tu gato)
Cuidado Felino En Casa (“Cat Care at Home”) is a free video series in Spanish where I answer common questions about cat behaviour, welfare, and home care.
All guidance is cat-centred, focusing on their nature, needs, emotions, and preferences. The goal is to help solve issues at home while strengthening our relationship with cats through better understanding and respect.
Episodes are available on my YouTube channel.