Your Furry Friend's Home Away from Home

Hi! I'm Sharyn Wolfenbarger, just your friendly, neighborhood, plant-and-animal-loving, silly person. I grew up in the Puget Sound area enjoying places like Freighthouse Square, the B & I, Pt. Defiance, Wright Park, Titlow Beach, and Ruston Way. I remember volunteering with my mom at the food bank, humane society, Sound to Narrows Race, and rose gardens. This town with many names, “Seattle's forgotten stepsister,” “Tacompton,” “Grit City,” "The City of Destiny," was home to my childhood built on taking care of all things living. 

When it was time to spread my wings I headed east, explored the vast expanses of this beautiful country, and when my wandering legs were satiated, I came home. After 20 years Tacoma has changed in a lot of ways, but what remains the same is our sense of community. We take care of each other here, and through the occasional chaos we find pockets of helpers and lovers. So with that sentiment, and my undying love of animals and all things living, I started Grit City Kitty January 1, 2022. 

With fifteen years of experience fostering cats and kittens for local shelters, and seven years working in veterinary medicine, I've found a great marriage of helping others and working in a field I am passionate about. It has been, and continues to be, my greatest pleasure caring for your kitties and giving back to my community.

My home is open to cats who need a safe and comforting place to stay. 

I offer three options for long- or short-term boarding: kitty condos, kitty flats, and bedroom suites. 

The multi-level condos are larger than traditional kennel cages and provide your kitty soft hiding places, toys galore, several perches and climbing opportunities, clean litter boxes with Arm & Hammer Hardball kitty litter, and filtered water fountains. 

The kitty flats are eight-foot long, single level condos perfect for kitties with mobility issues or those less active.

The suites are whole bedrooms in my home and perfect for kitties who prefer a quieter atmosphere or for multi-cat families who prefer to vacation together. They both offer soft hiding places, windows to watch the birds, TV's to watch their favorite shows, and tall perches to climb and conquer. 

All boarding options are warm, clean, and safe, and I have all the love in the world to give to your kitties in your absence.  

If your kitty is independent and would prefer to be at home, I also offer pet sitting. I can love, play with, feed, and clean up after your pets, as well as alternate lights, collect mail, water plants, and perform light housework. I can also care for dogs and pocket pets in addition to your kitties.

I offer a complimentary Meet 'n' Greet in your home to give you an opportunity to meet me, show me the ropes, and introduce me to your feline family members. 

I am licensed to operate in Tacoma, Fircrest, Ruston, and University Place. If you are located outside city limits, please consider my boarding options.

I still volunteer with local animal rescues and shelters offering a foster home for homeless cats and kittens. I teach them the ropes, how to be loved, and make sure they are healthy. You can follow and support Kittenbarger Foster on Instagram or Facebook to watch each batch of fosters grow and thrive. If you'd like to help kittens or donate to the scholarship fund, check out my Link Tree here: https://linktr.ee/gritcitykitty 

 Grit City Kitty specializes in boarding cats with specific requirements like specialized diets, insulin injections, subcutaneous fluid administration, medication administration, wound and surgical site cleaning and dressing, and many other services. Everyone needs a little extra help sometimes and Grit City Kitty is here to help you help your kitty friends. Is your cat a little extra? Don't worry, I have you covered!

I only require five things to care for your kitties.

1. Make and confirm an appointment. Unscheduled arrivals to my home may be grounds for dismissal as a client, and potential for escalation.

2. Please keep your kitty up to date on their rabies vaccine. The protocol for an unvaccinated kitty in the event of a biting incident is awful but required by the State of Washington. Let's be proactive and avoid a catastrophe. If you need suggestions on low-cost vaccine clinics, please reach out to me.

3. Please treat your kitty with flea preventative before your boarding reservation. If they arrive with fleas they will be treated for an additional $50. It is less expensive to do that yourself ahead of your reservation.

4. Please spay and neuter your kitties. Unfortunately, I am unable to board unneutered male cats over 6 months old.

5. Finally, please be open and honest with me, and I will do the same for you. If you are feeling financial pressure, if your kitty has a medical condition, or if you have any concerns, let's talk about it. I'm here for you as much as I am for your feline family members. 

What do I need to bring?

Just your kitty's regular food and treats, and any medication they need. I supply clean litter boxes and litter, fresh bedding, sterilized dishes, toys and enrichment activities, and a filtered water fountain. You may also bring comforts of home like a blanket or preferred bed.

Do you need my cat's vaccine records?

No. But if your kitty is not up-to-date on rabies and something happens, I cannot be held liable. Vaccines help prevent deadly diseases, and the rabies vaccine is required by Washington State law.

What time can I check in and out?

Check in and out times are flexible but by appointment only between the hours of 9am and 6pm most days. So let's chat about what time works best for you and I'll do my best to offer an appointment that works for everyone. If you are running late or early, please text me at (206) 941-0038 to let me know. I plan my entire day around each appointment, so just keep me in the loop if there are any changes.

Can I tour your "facility?"

I do not have a "facility" per se. All accommodations are in my own home and tours present undue stress for my current boarders as well as security and privacy concerns for myself. I am no longer able to offer tours due to some unfavorable incidents over the last couple of years. But I am happy to send photos or video of available accommodations.

How do you collect payment?

I collect payment at the end of each job, so either when you have arrived home safely, or when your kitty checks out from boarding. I accept all cards, payment apps, and cash.