About Me
Hi, there lovely cat parents!
I am Maria Eirini and would happily offer cat-licious care for your beloved felines.
I am from Greece originally and have lived many years now in Amsterdam. I also speak Dutch if that helps. In the past I've also worked as a Kitchen Supervisor and Manager in hospitality so I know all about professionalism and good service!
Back home I was always in love with all the stray cats. Imagine when I was a little kid once I was attacked and badly scratched by a mama cat that thought I was about to hurt her babies. Everyone thought I would become a cat-phobic but no! All I was dreaming of to becoming a cat girl. I have looked after many generations of them. Cats are my life!
Nowadays, I also volunteer at the animal shelter Amsterdam (doa) at the cat's department and have worked at the special Poesenboot (catboat)! I have completed many studies on animal well-being and on feline behavior, health, and first aid.
I am a certified professional cat sitter and a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI).
I enjoy rock climbing, playing guitar, cooking, hiking, and learning foreign languages in my free time.
About Mind the cat
I founded Mind the Cat in July 2023 with a mission to provide attentive cat sitting services with professionalism and care in Amsterdam Center, the Pijp, Old West and nearby neighbourhoods. (check map) The name was born while brainstorming on the bicycle one day, I suddenly fell onto a tree root gap on the road and you know what I thought! :) I pride myself on offering mindful cat care, ensuring that your feline companions receive the love, attention, and support they deserve while you're away.
Education & Certificates
I combine my years of hands-on experience with ongoing, specialized training in feline care and behavior.​
Through Mind the Cat, my mission is to provide cats with the highest level of care, meeting their welfare needs in every environment while offering their owners complete peace of mind.
To ensure I provide the best possible care, I’ve earned a wide range of certifications, including:
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Expert Cat Care Certificate (KGA Amsterdam, 2024)
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Cat Behaviour Course Certificate (Anneleen Bru, Cat Behaviour Consultant, 2024)
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Professional Pet Sitting Diploma (Duty of Care Pet Services, UK, 2023)
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Practical Ways to Meet the Welfare Needs of Cats (The Vet/Cat Welfare Webinar, 2022)
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Pooping Outside the Box: Managing Feline Osteoarthritis (Nathalie Dowgray, The Vet Webinar, 2022)
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Advanced Pet First Aid (Emma Warren-Brown, Animal Academy, 2021)
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Cat Behaviour Modification & Cat Health Care (Emma Warren-Brown, Animal Academy, 2020)
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PSI Focus One-Day Summit (2023)
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The Truth About Cats and Dogs (University of Edinburgh, 2019)
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Fear Free Professional certification (2025)
I am committed to ongoing professional development and am currently enrolled in the Fear Free Pet Sitter Certification (Fear Free Pets) and soon the Cat Behavioural Health Programme (iCatCare/ISFM).
What does it mean to be a PSI Member?
Being a member of Pet Sitters International (PSI) means the business has access to top-tier educational resources, to stay current on industry best practices. PSI members uphold ethical standards and adhere to a Code of Conduct and Recommended Quality Standards for Excellence in Pet Sitting. By being a PSI member, a business demonstrates professionalism, dedication to continuing education, and a commitment to providing the highest level of care for clients' beloved pets.
Volunteer Work
I volunteered at Stichting de Poezenboot as a cat caretaker from April 2019 to August 2020, and currently at DOA - Dierenopvang Amsterdam since March 2019. In the cats' department, I maintain clean kennels, care for the cats, and aid in their socialization. This, along with my cat behavior studies, teaches me about each cat's unique needs. Volunteering also lets me connect with others passionate about animal welfare. Additionally, I help maintain scratch posts and cat trees.
I am also actively trying to help efforts for care and TNR on tthe greek island Thassos. The local volunteers need allthesuport they can get!
