The residents

Lenin & Noelle

You are sharing the house with two very social cats — and, happily, two very low-maintenance ones. They feed themselves, clean up after themselves, and mostly want your company. Here is everything you need to know, which is not very much.

Lenin and Noelle, the two cats, sitting together on the couch
Noelle and Lenin, holding court

Meet the cats

Two personalities, one couch

The elder · brown & grey
Noelle

Calm and affectionate. She is independent and likes her own schedule, but she loves attention when she asks for it — and she will ask.

GentleLap cat, on her termsQuietSunbeam connoisseur
The kitten · grey & white
Lenin

Playful, curious, and everywhere at once. He adores interactive play — a wand toy or a crumpled receipt will make you his favorite person.

EnergeticCuriousLoves to playDoor inspector

Both are social and warm up to new people quickly. They also fight sometimes — it is nearly always play. If it gets too crazy, a firm “Hey, stop!” usually does it; if not, gently separate them for a moment.

Their routine

Automated — you don't need to do anything

6AM
BreakfastThe automatic feeder dispenses a measured meal
6PM
DinnerSame again — they know the sound and will appear
24/7
WaterA filtered fountain on the kitchen counter runs continuously
Auto
LitterThe Litter-Robot cleans itself after every visit
Please don'tMove, unplug or adjust the feeder or the water fountain. They are calibrated and the cats depend on them. If either looks wrong, text us.

They may look at you hopefully around meal-times. They are not starving — they are cats. If you want to indulge them, the treats are in the laundry room.

The Litter-Robot

In the hallway closet — door stays open

The automatic litter box lives in the hallway closet. It cycles by itself a few minutes after each use, sifting waste into a drawer below. The only rule: keep the closet door open so the cats can always get to it.

For stays of a week or less there is nothing else to do. For longer stays, see below.

Do & don't

The short list

Please do

  • Be gentle and let the cats approach you. They will — usually within the hour.
  • Check for cats before opening any door or window to the outside. Lenin in particular is a door inspector.
  • Close all windows and exterior doors before you leave the house.
  • Play with Lenin — anything on a string will do. Give Noelle a slow scratch behind the ears.
  • Spoil them a little. There are cat treats in the laundry room, just off the kitchen. A few a day makes you a friend for life.

Please don't

  • Leave food unattended on counters or tables. They will eat it, and then be unwell on the rug.
  • Touch the feeder, the fountain, or the Litter-Robot's settings.
  • Let them out. They are indoor cats.

Staying longer than a week?

Two small chores, each shown on video

The Litter-Robot's waste drawer fills after roughly a week with two cats. If you are with us longer, please do these two things once — they take five minutes together.

  1. Empty the waste drawer Pull the drawer at the bottom out, tie off the bag, and drop it in the grey Trash bin in the garage. Fit a new waste-drawer liner.
  2. Top up the litter Pour fresh litter into the hopper at the back of the Litter-Robot until it reaches the fill line.

If a cat gets out

Don't panic — and don't chase

  1. Don't chase. A chased cat runs further. Stay calm and keep your voice low.
  2. Use the sound of treats. Grab the treats from the laundry room and shake the bag — the sound is irresistible and usually brings them trotting back within minutes.
  3. Leave the door ajar and step back so they can return on their own terms.
  4. Text us straight awayHarry or Yang. No judgement; we just want to help.

Veterinarians

Only if something seems wrong

If a cat seems unwell, stops eating, or is injured, text us first — we know their history and can call ahead. In a true emergency go straight to the 24-hour hospital.

Primary vet · daytime SF SPCA Veterinary Hospital 201 Alabama St, San Francisco
24/7 emergency OakVet Animal Specialty Hospital 1133 7th St, Oakland, CA 94607

Hours are roughly Mon–Sat, 8 am–6 pm — outside those, use OakVet.