250+ Meowtel reservations completed 250+ Meowtel reservations completed
Verified Sitter (Background check & vetting completed) Verified Sitter (Background check & vetting completed)
Rare Find (usually a fully booked sitter) Rare Find (usually a fully booked sitter)
Sitter who Can Give Injections/Needle-based medications Sitter who Can Give Injections/Needle-based medications
Active in the last week Active in the last week
Cat Love Delivery Service
Meowtel Insured
Background Checked
Repeat clients: 37
Response time: 131 min
Hello,

I'm Ariel

A cat sitter in Chicago, IL

4.99/5.00
Exceptional
74 REVIEWS

You aren't charged until Ariel confirms your request. Cancel anytime up to 48 hours before the reservation begins for a 100% refund.

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Over 80,000+ happy kitties serviced on Meowtel

I'm Ariel | Cat Sitting in Chicago, IL

Learn More About Ariel

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

I've taken care of different friends' cats in my home while they traveled (several times for more than a year) and I've been a Meowtel sitter for 6 years.

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

Sigmund Freud himself said, "Time spent with a cat is never wasted". It's true that spending time with a cat is good for mental health and blood pressure. (Studies have shown! 🐱 : -) And they are so beautiful, mysterious and comforting. Or goofy, tricky and clever. Or aloof and superior. Or shy and sweet. Or cranky and scared. They are cats!

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

Once after a long lap session, as I got up and got ready to go, the cat flung himself across the front door threshold like a protestor and grabbed my foot to prevent me from leaving.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

My boss is a 15 year old black and white named Domino. He's very long. He likes to get on my lap and stretch out on his back from my collarbone to my knees with his big feet in the air. When he wants love or food he lays a paw gently on my arm then unsheathes his claws. He sleeps on my head now. Whenever I want a snack, so does he, and let's face it, that's very, very often.

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

First, you should just feel comfortable with the sitter and secure that they will take good care. Don't hesitate to look for someone else if you don't feel right. Not every sitter is perfect for every cat! Also, no amount of information is too much (for me). Show and explain everything, even if you think it should go without saying. If your kitty has any special instructions or needs, make sure your candidate is confident they can take care of them. Choose someone you like! Writing down any procedures that seem quite habitual and easy to you but may challenge the first time for a sitter is appreciated beyond words.

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

Obviously, I want to know where everything is, exactly what to do and how to do it. I want to meet the kitty(ies)unless they're hiding under the bed and know as much as possible about their personality and needs. I want the cat parent to feel comfortable and know that everything is going to be alright and that I will be communicating and sending photos every visit. I ask if I will be able to text or call if I have a question. I want them to know I will never approach or try to engage a hiding, shy cat. I will let them come to me if they're ready.

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

I make sure the doors are locked and the windows have been set in a way that the parent feels will be sufficiently safe. I set any necessary alarms when I leave and make sure the cabinets are closed and any inside doors that the parent wants kept closed, toilet seats down, etc.

Are you usually available during holidays?

I'm usually available during holidays unless already booked up. For the winter holidays To be honest, my longtime people usually get me, so it may seem counterintuitive, but ask me closer to that time rather than earlier.

What is your favorite cat toy?

Stick toys always seem to be the most fun, but often shoelaces are well-loved and any suggestions of other particular favorites are very welcomed.

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

Patience is key. I talk softly as I go about taking care of things so a cat who is hiding can get used to my voice. I sit on the floor in a spot that doesn't block any way the cat may want to go and talk a little bit, but mostly just be quiet, patient and hope that after a little while the cat may venture out to see that I am not aggressive and won't encroach on their space. I let them come to me if they want. If they come out for a look, I do some slow blinking which is a friendly thing that shows I trust they won't attack when my eyes are closed. If they blink back that's a good start.

Ariel's Reviews

Attention to Detail
5.0
Communication
5.0
Tidiness
5.0
Hubie

Ariel is always awesome. She sends excellent updates and tons of pictures. she is always my first choice of sitter.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
May 16, 2025
Naomi

My cats always love visits from Ariel when I’m out of town! She’s very responsive, kind, and sends lots of photos. thanks again for taking care of the girls!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
November 3, 2024
Naomi

Ariel was lovely! She sent lots of timely updates on my cats, and they clearly really enjoyed her visit. Will definitely book again

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
August 25, 2024
Emily

My kitties love Ariel! She takes great care of my babies so I know they will be safe and happy while I'm gone :)

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
August 6, 2024
Emily

Ariel is my kind of cat person I'm so happy when I know she is spending time with my babies ☺️☺️

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
July 6, 2024
Hubie

Ariel is amazing! Her pictures and captions are always great and our cats adore her.

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
June 11, 2024
Alex

Ariel took the best care of our cat for more than a week while we were on vacation. She’s incredibly kind and a great communicator- going above and beyond to send lots of photos and updates. I highly recommend her!!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
May 31, 2024
Hubie

Ariel is, as always, the best. Seriuosly, it has gotten to the point where we are considering planning travel around her availability.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
October 10, 2023
Hubie

Ariel is incredible!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
September 27, 2023
Hubie

Ariel is, without a doubt, the best sitter we have ever had!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
May 25, 2023
Gina

Thank you, Ariel, for taking care of my boys! It was a relief to know they were well taken care of in our absence.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
November 3, 2022
Ben

Ariel was great! Very conscientious about taking good care of our two cats while we were away.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
June 15, 2022
Yelena

Ariel is a wonderful sitter! My cat was very happy when I got back from my trip.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
May 31, 2022
Barbara

Ariel is an outstanding cat sitter. She keeps you informed with very detailed accounts of what is happening with photos. I would definitely work with her again.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
May 4, 2022
Anom

Ariel did an excellent job taking care of our 2 cats while we were out of town. We highly recommend her to anyone looking for a reliable and caring cat sitter.

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
February 11, 2022
Anom

Ariel was terrific. We Highly recommend her!

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
February 11, 2022
Hubie

Ariel is the best...seriously, the absolute best.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
April 29, 2021
Rachel

Ariel is great! Good communication, prompt, sent cute pictures, and I appreciated that I got to meet her before my trip. I know my kitty loved the company and good care.

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
December 15, 2020
Holli

Ariel is AMAZING! Communicative, friendly, caring and kitty approved (which is most important). I can't say enough about how happy I am with my experience. Thank you, Ariel!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
November 15, 2020
Dennis

Luna and Loki Say: We LOVE Ariel!! Dennis and Melanie Say: While we were gone, Ariel had to contend with workers showing up to fix some major water damage to our condo...which resulted in a fire alarm and CFD response. Having Ariel there to calm the cats dialed our stress down to zero! We *highly* recommend Ariel for ALL your pet sitting needs...with or without firefighters.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
August 16, 2020
Dennis

Ten Stars...each of our cats clicked FIVE STARS!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
July 24, 2020
Dennis

This was the fourth time Ariel sat for our cats...I'll let Luna tell you what she thinks: "I have a quirky habit where I drag my favorite toy to a small, select set of humans I love and drop it at their feet. I branded Ariel as my new favorite human last week!"

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
March 11, 2020
Hubie

I could write a long review but it is easier to simply say that Ariel is the best pet sitter ever.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
March 5, 2020
Anniina

Ariel took wonderful care of my furbabies and kept me posted on how they were doing throughout my trip, so I didn’t have to stress or worry at all! Thank you!!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
February 12, 2020
Jessica

Ariel always goes above and beyond!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
February 3, 2020
Hubie

Ariel is amazing. She takes great care of the cats and sends terrific pictures.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
October 21, 2019
Melissa

Ariel is always so lovely and responsive. She is a true cat whisperer & lover and my cat feels really calm and enjoys it when Ariel comes around-and she doesn’t like a lot of people!! I could not recommend anyone better.

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
September 29, 2019
David

As always, she was dependable and communicative.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
August 7, 2019
Sara

Ariel is an outstanding cat sitter. She truly understands cat behavior which I have found is pretty uncommon even amongst people who like cats. She knew not to force the interaction when meeting Pepper, letting Pepper come to her. This is so important with cats who have a lot of catitude and are terrritorial about their space. Pepper was so relaxed when we came home, it was obvious Ariel spent real time with her. Ariel also was very conscious of how much Pepper was eating, which I appreciated. I have already booked more cat sitting visits for Pep with Ariel. Ariel is the cat sitter you’ve been searching for! Book with her!

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
July 18, 2019
Adam

Ariel was great. Very responsive. You can tell she really cares and is very conscientious. Will definitely be requesting Ariel again in the future!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
July 11, 2019
Holly

Ariel is clearly a cat lover and I could have it no other way for my first sitter experience. She met us before we left town, kept our long-haired kitty cool in the heat, and was communicative throughout. It was important that we hire someone who would actually spend time with Hairriet, as it was 7/4 and she was on edge from the fireworks. I’d highly recommend! We’ll be asking Ariel to visit again I’m sure, it’s great to have a reliable professional checking in.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
July 10, 2019
James

Ariel is fantastic once again. She has taken care of our kiddos several times now and they enjoy her company. She takes several photos and many updates give you great confidence in their care. Thanks again Ariel!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
July 9, 2019
Melissa

Ariel is just the best!! She is so caring and nurturing of my cat and is very happy to help wherever possible. I can't recommend her enough!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
June 27, 2019
David

Ariel is as conscientious as they come. An issue came up while I was away for 10 days and she solved it cleanly and efficiently. Very professional.

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
June 13, 2019
Kara

Ariel and Slate had a great time together! She took care of everything and left the sweetest note. You can tell she truly has a heart for animals, and I couldn't ask for more!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
June 12, 2019
Hubie

Ariel is great! She is always our first choice when we are in need of a pet sitter.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
May 27, 2019
Stacey

Ariel was great! The cats were happy and well taken care of. All instructions were followed. Ariel also went above and beyond to make shy little Rhoda more comfortable. Pictures and updates provided with every visit. Thanks, Ariel!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
May 25, 2019
Rebecca

Arial is excellent! Always attentive, sends many pictures. My cats are very happy and everything is in fantastic shape upon my return, I couldn't ask for more! Thank you, Ariel!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
May 15, 2019
Sarah

Ariel was a fantastic sitter. This was our first time using a cat sitter and it was such a great experience! Ariel promptly answered our reservation request, scheduled time to meet with us and our cat beforehand, and kept us updated with multiple pictures and text updates. Our cat is VERY energetic and needs to play, and Ariel did a great job playing with him and keeping him company. We will definitely be requesting Ariel again in the future!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
May 2, 2019
Julie

Ariel was extremely responsive and sent me pictures/videos while I was away. I know she took great care of my cats and I will gladly work with her again

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
April 26, 2019
Mitch

Always a pleasure having Ariel watch our cats! She goes ‘above and beyond the call of duty’ to make them feel comfortable while we are away. :)

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
April 20, 2019
Amber

Ariel is a superstar! She is wonderful with both our cats - going above and beyond. I know that I can trust her to spend time with them and care for them as if they were her own. I highly recommend Ariel to anyone who needs an outstanding cat-sitter.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
April 19, 2019
Safa

What can I say about about my experience well to put it frankly I simply could not be happier! Neither can my 3 babies. A mommy knows and my cats are certainly happy with Ariel. She brushes, fed and kept their litter super clean. Also sent me pic and videos to keep my heart and mind at ease this lady is a Jem

Meowtel-verified reservation 2+ weeks long
April 18, 2019
James

Ariel was fantastic! Our kitties enjoyed her companionship and she was quite attentive with them. She provided daily updates and photos which was great. We will absolutely use her again.

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
April 17, 2019
Chris

Very nice and sent detailed info about our cat.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
March 19, 2019
David

Excellent communication and care.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
March 18, 2019
Christopher

Ariel was a fantastic sitter and was able to get our shy kitty to come out an play! She sends photos and videos daily so you know that your little one is taken care of.

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
March 18, 2019
Dennis

Today our cats asked us when we would be leaving again so they could have more "Ariel Time".

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
March 11, 2019
Hubie

Ariel was terrific. She stayed in contact and seemed to connect well with our cats. I highly recommend her and plan to use Ariel as a pet sitter the next time I travel.

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
February 17, 2019
Andrew

Ariel was awesome. She was great with the cats and sent daily pictures/videos of them. She also went above and beyond for us in dealing with some home security issues that arose while we were away. I would highly recommend her!

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
February 14, 2019
Mitch

Ariel was awesome and went above and beyond to help make our cats, and my wife and I, extra comfortable while we were away. I particularly liked how frequently she communicated with us, and how patient she was with our shy kitty who wouldn't play -- she even stayed extra time to get her to warm up and come out. We really appreciate the attention to detail, and will definitely be booking with Ariel again!

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
December 31, 2018
Amber

Ariel was amazing with our two kitties. She took excellent care of them and sent great photos and notes about each visit. I highly recommend her to anyone needing a cat sitter!

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
December 27, 2018
Ceridwynne

Ariel is kind and reliable. I felt completely comfortable leaving Kitty in her hands.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
December 21, 2018
Jessica

Ariel is the best! She takes amazing care of Riley when we're away. She always goes above and beyond. Would definitely recommend her!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
November 30, 2018
Jessica

Fantastic per usual- Ariel is the best!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
November 29, 2018
Kyla

I had a very positive experience with Ariel and knew my old kittie was in good hands. She even brought my cat some extra food when she was eating what I had left her :) So wonderful and I would recommend her to all my friends with cats.

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
November 18, 2018
Dennis

This was our first time using a sitter service for our cats...Ariel was *wonderful*. So wonderful, we think our cats were disappointed to see us return :) We will definitely use Meowtel and Ariel in the future!

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
October 14, 2018
Melissa

Ariel was absolutely amazing! I can not recommend Ariel enough. She really did take excellent care of my cat who was so relaxed when I returned from being away for a lengthy period of time. I have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone and will definitely be asking her to cat-sit in the future for sure!

Meowtel-verified reservation 2+ weeks long
September 14, 2018
Jessica

Ariel went above and beyond to comfort my cats and even sent me videos of them playing, which is always a point of relief for me. She definitely knows what she’s doing. Thank you Ariel!!!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
September 4, 2018
Dmitri

Ariel did a fantastic job with our elderly cat, Miss Bean! Very attentive to the details and our cat's needs. Ariel treated our cat as her own. We highly recommend Ariel and will be a repeat client!

Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
August 22, 2018
Hubie

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
May 11, 2025
Mark

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
February 24, 2025
Emily

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
January 23, 2025
Rachel

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
November 13, 2024
Yelena

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
October 23, 2024
Emily

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
October 18, 2024
Yelena

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
August 21, 2024
Rachel

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
August 16, 2024
Josh

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
July 7, 2024
Josh

Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
May 22, 2024
Emily

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
May 1, 2024
Emily

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
April 25, 2024
Yelena

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
January 14, 2024
Yelena

Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
November 22, 2023

Ariel's Service Area & Rates

  • Free Meet & Greets
  • Drop-in visits to your home
  • $32.00 / 20min $52.00 / 45min $73.50 / 60min
  • Ariel's Holiday Surcharge is 25%
Service Area

Availability

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
Unavailable Available
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Always Communicate & Pay Through Meowtel

Always Communicate & Pay Through Meowtel

Doing so will ensure you fully qualify for all of the benefits of the Meowtel Promise, including speedy support from a real human and insurance coverage.

Ariel's Qualifications & Experience

Qualifications

  • Shelter Volunteer

Transportation

  • Walk
  • Ground

Medication Experience

  • Topical Ointments
  • Eye/Ear Drops
  • Oral Medication / Pills
  • Injections / Diabetic Management
  • Subcutaneous Fluids
  • Inhalers

Each Visit Includes

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

Cancellation Policy

Customers may cancel within 24 hours of making their reservation and receive a 100% refund, and the sitter will not receive any earnings. After the first 24 hours, the following cancellation rules apply:

Customers will receive a 100% refund to their Account Balance if they cancel anytime up to 48 hours before the start date of the reservation, and the sitter will not receive any earnings.

Customers will receive a 50% refund, and the sitter will earn 50% of their planned earnings if the customer cancels between 24-48 hours of the start of the reservation.

No refund will be issued within 24 hours of the reservation, and the sitter will keep 100% of their planned earnings.

The Meowtel Promise & Satisfaction Guarantee

We are proud to provide each of our independently-contracted Meowtel cat sitters with the full benefits of our Meowtel Promise on eligible reservations. For reservations where each visit is at or above $20 and paid for through Meowtel, your cat(s) will automatically be covered under our insurance policy in the event that things don't go as planned.

If you are not fully satisfied with your sitter after the Meet & Greet or during the reservation, please call 1-844-636-9835 so we can help you re-book with a new sitter to ensure we can deliver on our purrfect hospitality promise.

Independence Day is coming up soon (July 4th). Meowtel cat sitters are usually pretty busy, don't forget to book your sitter!

Featured Cat Sitters Near Chicago, IL

Frequently Asked Questions

Chicago cat sitting rates will vary based on the pet sitter's experience and expertise, but the average price for a cat sitter is $31.00. Prices will also depend on how long your cat needs company for, whether that be a drop-in visit or overnight stay in your home. Meowtel sitters offer 20, 45, and 60-minute drop-in visits that allow for fully tailored care for your kitties. Your caregiver may also need to charge a little more if they have to travel far, so we'll match you with the best options which are close by.

Every Meowtel cat sitter has been thoroughly vetted, background-checked, and is insured through Meowtel on eligible reservations via our Meowtel Promise. To ensure total peace of mind while you're away, every Meowtel reservation comes with a free Meet & Greet so you (and your kitties!) can have full confidence in 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 for your kitties. This is why Meowtel was created, so tailored in-home care is brought to you.

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

Each Meowtel cat sitting visit will include the whole 9 yards: feeding, refreshing the water bowls, litter box scooping, tidying up, medications, updates with photos, lots of playtime, as well as any special requests you may have. We know every kitty is different and that's why we offer tailored, in-home services since cats don't do well outside their own homes. Plus, every reservation comes with a free Meet & Greet so you can meet your sitter before you leave to ensure it will be a purrfect fit.

Cat Love Delivery Service
4.99 • 74 reviews • From $32.00