I'm Amanda

Amanda The Cat Lady

4.93
138 Reviews
< 30 mins Response Time
45 Repeat clients
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Top 5% 2023
Top 5% 2023
250+ Reservations Completed
250+ Reservations Completed
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Book With Confidence

Meowtel provides customer support 365 days a year to help cat parents feel informed and supported at every step - including before a reservation is made.

In-home cat sitting visits typically include:

Litter box cleaning
Feeding
Water refresh
A text update with at least 1 photo
Playtime and belly rubs

Amanda is experienced with 3 types of medications

Topical Ointments Eye/Ear Drops Oral Medication / Pills

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Amanda The Cat Lady

I'm Amanda

Cat Sitting in Oakland, CA

*NEW CLIENTS* Your first booking (of at least 3 visits) earns you a 10% discount, even during holiday periods. 🐱🏖️🧳

I don't know where I would be without cats. They have helped me manage my anxiety for the past 2 decades. We currently own 4! Scout is 15, Pickle & Pippa are 13, and young Succotash just turned 4. Pippa has medical needs so I have experience administering pills and liquid meds.

In the past we've fostered cats and kittens, both for rescues and neighborhood strays. It may also be how we went from 2 cats to 4 cats. 😊

A bit more about me is that I'm a voracious reader and have had past lives as a bookseller and Children's Books Specialist/Buyer...
*NEW CLIENTS* Your first booking (of at least 3 visits) earns you a 10% discount, even during holiday periods. 🐱🏖️🧳

I don't know where I would be without cats. They have helped me manage my anxiety for the past 2 decades. We currently own 4! Scout is 15, Pickle & Pippa are 13, and young Succotash just turned 4. Pippa has medical needs so I have experience administering pills and liquid meds.

In the past we've fostered cats and kittens, both for rescues and neighborhood strays. It may also be how we went from 2 cats to 4 cats. 😊

A bit more about me is that I'm a voracious reader and have had past lives as a bookseller and Children's Books Specialist/Buyer. I also love boardgames, TV, puzzles, gin cocktails, comic books, trying new restaurants, and traveling with my friends!

I'm currently available to cat-sit in the East Bay. I can take morning, afternoon or evening appointments any day of the week, as well as overnight visits.

In addition to experience I'm certified in Dog & Cat CPR/First Aid, and I've taken a class in feline behavior from the Humane Society.

What you can expect from me is someone who wants to put your mind at ease while you're away from home. I know all too well how stressful it can be to arrange animal care.

I believe in letting the cat set the pace. We don't have to be friends if they're not up for it, but their needs will always be met. Something I like to do for my shy kitties is read them a story or two.

I will send updates and pics from each visit!

Please don't hesitate to ask me to wear a mask when we meet! (I'm up to date on my Covid and flu vaccinations.)

I can't wait to meet you and your cats!

Learn More About Amanda

What is your experience with cat sitting, and how long have you been doing it?

I've been a catsitter for almost 3 years and a cat owner for over 20 years. It's been great for my mental health! I love meeting new animal friends.

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

Getting to know the personalities of all the kitties! I'm also partial to a True Snuggler of a cat.

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

It's always nice when a shy kitty warms up to you, it's so rewarding. A client who's responsive to your daily check-ins is always a plus!

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

I have 4! Scout, Pickle, Pippa, and Succotash. They range in age, from 4 to 15!

What advice would you give a customer looking to hire a cat sitter?

Trust your gut, especially when you meet them in person. You're entrusting your babies to us! 😊

What is your typical process for working with a new cat parent?

I get in touch with them as soon as I accept a reservation, making sure they know to fill out the Vet Release Form, and also to schedule a Meet & Greet. I always make sure to answer all of their questions and assure them that they'll hear from me (and receive pics) during each visit. I like to assure new clients that there's no such thing as too much information when it comes to helping me keep their cats fed, safe and cared for.

How do you ensure the safety & security of the cats and the home while cat sitting?

I always make sure to lock myself into a home when I'm visiting, and to keep an eye out while opening the door in case a kitty decides to make a bid for freedom. If a cat has been social previously I like to make sure I lay eyes on them at each visit. (Cats can lock themselves in rooms, etc.) The house is always locked and alarm is set when I leave.

Are you usually available during holidays?

Yes! I know it's important to my clients to be available over holiday periods.

What is your favorite cat toy?

Definitely the cat dancer. It's harder to destroy than other wand toys and I've never met a playful cat who didn't love it. I carry them with me and leave them behind if the kitty becomes attached.

How do you handle cats that are particularly timid or anxious?

Taking it at their pace is very important. I'm never going to force a cat to come out of hiding or make them interact with me. If it's early days I'll use treats and toys to entice (this usually works with young kitties). Giving them slow blinks lets them know I'm not a threat. With my super shy kitties I'll talk to them while I'm tending to their needs, but I have a few that I never see and that's ok! As long as I see a used litterbox I know they're ok. 😊


Medication Experience:

Topical Ointments Eye/Ear Drops Oral Medication / Pills

Skills:

Animal CPR Trained Foster Parent Shelter Volunteer

4.93
138 reviews
4.9
Attention to Detail
5.0
Communication
4.9
Tidiness
Stephanie

Stephanie

December 28, 2025

this is our 4th time having Amanda watch the boys. Amanda is always attentive with their behavior and makes sure to let us know if anything is off. She is very communicative about feeding, litter box and provides detailed updates during each visit. We have an extremely sensitive & shy cat and she’s always been very gentle towards him. We had recently lost our dog and both cats have had major personality & behavioral changes since then. Amanda was great in giving us feeding tips and helping us reduce some of that angsty cat behavior. I can’t say enough great things!

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Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
Kelsey

Kelsey

June 8, 2026

Amanda did an amazing job as per usual!! Beyond loving on and caring for my cat, so grateful for her extra effort to make sure the food dishes were tidy and keeping an eye on our packages while we were gone. I’m always at ease leaving our girl because we know we are in good hands!! 🙌

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Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
Maeleeke

Maeleeke

December 29, 2025

Amanda was great. She was very communicative and kind. On of our boys tried to 'shake' her by making her try harder for affection and she took it in stride! Amanda won out in the end and had our stubborn little guy rubbing on her legs by the time she left. She was also very flexible with a slight schedule change in the end. We appreciate Amanda a lot!

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Meowtel-verified reservation with overnight visits
Camille

Camille

January 11, 2026

Always reliable, we tend to leave for really long trips (like 1 month long) and Amanda takes good care of our cat with all of her visits. Finding someone we can trust like this is tough. I appreciate how she also brings extra toys and snacks for our cat!

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Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
Collin Shea

Collin Shea

January 7, 2026

Amanda is awesome! Our cat can be somewhat temperamental and she handled him beautifully. Highly recommend!

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Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
Concetta

Concetta

October 29, 2023

I have two cats, one outgoing and confident, but on oral medication for a tooth issue, and one very shy kitty on oral medication for severe anxiety. I cannot recommend Amanda and Meowtel enough. Meowtel understands the needs of anxious cat parents and special needs kitties, and Amanda is the purrfect sitter for an anxious and shy cat. I have not traveled in four years, primarily because every time I leave overnight, my shy cat gets cystitis, a painful and potentially life-threatening bladder condition induced by stress. The first time it happened, I had been gone for a week with a neighbor coming in twice a day to feed, scoop, and play, but I still ended up with a $1000 emergency vet visit the day that I got home because there was bloody pee everywhere (including my bed) that my neighbor didn’t notice. Every time I traveled after that, I had to cover all my furniture with pee pads, and my trips got shorter and shorter until COVID hit and I basically stopped traveling. I am determined to travel again and had a work trip coming up, so decided to use that as a trial of Meowtel. I initially booked a different sitter for three nights more than a month in advance, but two weeks before my trip, that sitter messed up her calendar and missed our Meet & Greet. I was on the verge of a panic attack when I called Meowtel. Stephanie (from Meowtel) was totally professional and sympathetic and immediately found that Amanda was available for my dates and could also do a Meet & Greet within two days. I noticed Amanda had a one-star review, but decided that it was an outlier and I booked her. I was right. Even though Amanda took notes during the Meet & Greet, as a neurotic cat parent who hasn’t traveled in four years, I felt compelled to leave her several notes with detailed instructions. I apologized to Amanda for the notes but she assured me that she actually appreciated them! She said that the more information she got, the better. That was reassuring. I was extremely happy and relaxed throughout my trip because: -I got several notes with pictures several times a day, every single day that I was gone. - I could tell from the photos that my anxious cat was not only not hiding from her, but was exposing his belly to Amanda, which meant that he was comfortable and would eventually allow her to touch his belly. A first! I came home to two relaxed and calm kitties who didn’t even seem to notice my absence. This is the first time that has ever happened. In the past, even when I’ve been gone for one night, I could tell when I got home that both cats were on edge. They would both follow me around the house until I sat down, and then just climb all over me. This time, one cat greeted me at the door and then slowly walked away, and the other was still waking up from a nap, and only got up to sniff my luggage. Success! I CAN travel again! I hope that I can continue to book Amanda. She seems to understand what cats need to feel safe and happy. And she understands what people like me need to enjoy being away from home.

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation with overnight visits

Service Area & Availability

Drop in visits rates

$47.40 / 20min
$62.30 / 45min
$77.45 / 60min

Overnight stay rate

$143.00 / Overnight
Calendar updated 10 days ago

Amanda's is 25%

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Overnight Availability
Amanda's Holiday Surcharge Applies
Service Area Map

Communicate & Pay Through Meowtel

Using Meowtel's messaging and payment tools helps keep booking details in one place and gives you access to platform support if you need help.

4.8
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4.9
Reviews.io

325,000+
Reservations Completed

Trust & Safety

Every reservation is backed by the Meowtel Promise, giving you and your cat world-class customer support every step of the way.

If it doesn't feel like the right fit at the Meet & Greet, or if you have any concerns during the reservation, please call 1-844-MEOWTEL (1-844-636-9835) so we can help you re-book with another sitter.

Curious cat peeking over the banner

Veterans Day is coming up soon (November 11th, 2026)

Cat sitters on Meowtel are usually pretty busy, don't forget to book your sitter!

Book ahead, cat sitters on Meowtel fill up fast for the holidays!

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  • Oakland-based Karly brings over 10 years of cat sitting experience, with comfort caring for shy seniors, energetic kittens, and cats needing oral meds or seizure support. They’re usually available on weekends and holidays, accept new clients, and send fast updates with plenty of playtime pics 😺

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Frequently Asked Questions

Reservations officially begin at 12:00 AM in the sitter's time zone on the start date. Cat Parents may cancel within 24 hours of booking and receive a full refund, as long as the reservation has not yet started. After the first 24 hours, the following cancellation rules apply:


  • More than 48 hours before the reservation start date: Full refund. The sitter will not receive any earnings.
  • 24–48 hours before the reservation start date: 50% refund. The sitter will earn 50% of their planned earnings.
  • Within 24 hours of the reservation start date (or after it has begun): No refund. The sitter will earn 100% of their planned earnings.

All refunds are initially applied to the Cat Parent's Meowtel Account Balance for use toward a future reservation or tip. Funds may be returned to the original payment method at any time.

Meowtel is a marketplace that connects cat parents with independent sitters. For eligible reservations booked and paid for through Meowtel, the Meowtel Promise explains how we support cat parents if something unexpected comes up.

If it doesn't feel like a purrfect fit after a Meet & Greet or during a reservation, our support team is here to help at 1-844-Meowtel (1-844-636-9835). We'll take time to understand what happened and help you consider next steps, which could include help with a new reservation.

Oakland cat sitting rates will vary based on the sitter's experience and services, but the average price is $40.00. Prices depend on visit duration (20, 45, or 60 minutes) and whether you need drop-in visits or overnight stays.

Every cat sitter on Meowtel completes a background check. Ask your sitter about a Meet & Greet so you (and your kitties!) can feel comfortable with your sitter before you leave.

Cats are territorial animals and don't do well in new environments. The presence of other cats, dogs, and even birds in kennels or animal hotels cause an immense amount of stress. This is why Meowtel was created, so tailored in-home care is brought to you.

We recommend booking daily visits to keep your cats in their routine and help minimize feline anxiety while you're away.

Each visit typically includes: feeding, refreshing water bowls, litter box scooping, tidying up, medications, updates with photos, lots of playtime, and any special requests. Ask your sitter about a Meet & Greet!

4.93
138 reviews
4.93 From $47.40