The Meet and Greet - Make it Meow-velous

A big part of the experience on Meowtel is a meet and greet. This is a time for sitters on Meowtel to meet the cat parents, both human and feline, and for both parties to help support the upcoming visit. Below is information on the meet and greet for both cat parents and sitters.

Cat Parents

Once you have booked your reservation, reach out to your sitter and you may offer a few days and times for them to come over and meet your furry friend. The meeting often takes about 15 to 30 minutes. Many sitters offer this complimentary meeting to help support a good fit. Hopefully, kitty is in a friendly mood, but if not, show your sitter the most common hiding spots and how to coax them out. It is also helpful to show them where the food and litter boxes are located, their favorite toys and treats, and even the cleaning supplies, just in case.

This is also the time to give your sitter a copy of the house key or door code. Does the lock stick? Do you live in a gated community? Have an alarm? It is important to help your sitter leave without any doubt on how to get in when they come back for the appointment. Go over key return instructions as well.

If the visit is overnight, consider discussing sleeping arrangements and other household logistics like how to set the thermostat.

Also, double check you've filled out your vet release form! If not, discuss that information with the sitter during the meeting, and definitely fill it out before the reservation starts.

It's important to review feeding and playtime instructions carefully but don't forget to speak human! This is a good time for cat parents and sitters to get to know each other and build trust.

Cat Sitters

Please note that a reservation is necessary prior to a meet and greet. This helps support you have access to the cat parent's profile where you can see reviews, information on each kitty, and vet release forms. If the form isn't filled out yet, remind the cat parent to do so, and get the information on the spot. Or, check to help ensure it's filled out before the reservation begins.

Once you and the cat parent have agreed on a time for a meet and greet, familiarize yourself with the notes section on the app. This is a great place to jot down all the questions you have about your kitty clients, like any behavioral quirks or pre-existing medical conditions. Check out the list of recommended questions.

It is a good idea to test the house key! Consider putting the key on your personal key ring, or if it's a FOB or door code slip, place it in your wallet or other secure location. It is suggested to never store cat parent keys in your car. Also, discuss how the cat parent would like you to return the key.

When you leave, hopefully, you feel confident about how to care for the kitty! But, if any questions arise after a meet and greet, reach out to the cat parent before the start of the reservation.

These tips are from experienced sitters - how you run your business is up to you. Remember that as sitters on Meowtel, you are independent contractors.

What if it's not a fit? Or you just can't agree on a time?

You may offer a meet and greet virtually if that better suits everyone's schedule. Or, if there are special circumstances, for example a health concern. When conducting meetings virtually, be extra thorough!

If you are not 100 percent satisfied, don't worry. Meowtel has a Rebooking Policy.

Hopefully with these tips, each meet and greet goes well and leads to a fruitful and long lasting relationship!

Photo by Canva

Ready to find the purrfect sitter for your feline friend? Find a cat sitter on Meowtel today!