Experienced Sitter And 9-Year Tortie Dad
Meowtel Insured
Background Checked
Response time: 42 min
Hello,

I'm James

A cat sitter in Chicago, IL

5.00/5.00
Exceptional
3 REVIEWS

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

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Over 70,000 happy kitties serviced on Meowtel

I'm James | Cat Sitting in Chicago, IL

Hi there! My name is James and I would love to share my experience as a cat caregiver with you and your cat(s). I’m a cat and dog dad in Chicago who loves animals and currently has a 2-year-old dog, Salome, and a 9-year-old cat, Vera. I’ve been the owner of or taken care of pets for over 19 years. I’m comfortable handling feedings, administering medication, initiating play as well as fostering a relationship with any cat personality (Vera’s “Tortitude” can be very real sometimes). We enjoy treats, playing with our feather on a stick, brushing fur and giving lots of scratches. When I’m sitting for a cat, I lik...

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Learn More About James

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

Because cats are so self-sufficient, compared to other pets, it feels extra nice when they show affection to you. You always know that they are genuinely fond of you when they sidle up next to you on the couch asking for a pet.

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

When it comes to safety, I follow the same processes I have with my own pets. Having fresh water available, sticking to their feeding schedule, and providing a clean litter box are essential first steps. I also like to visually confirm a cat is in the house, apartment or area they are supposed to be in when I enter or before I exit. Putting away any potentially dangerous materials somewhere the cat cannot access it. Also, being sure to close/lock crates and doors so that a cat doesn’t get somewhere they’re not supposed to.

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

I think the best thing you can do is give the cat enough space to get used to you. I like to do something relatively quiet, and sedentary when first meeting a shy cat so that they have an opportunity to check me out before giving them direct attention. This builds some trust between me and the cat since they know I will respect their boundaries and won’t be violating their space. If that goes well, I’ll then move on to speaking in their direction and maybe offering a hand for them to sniff. I think it’s important to watch their body language too for signs of how confortable they are interacting with you. The slow build of interaction should ultimately communicate to the cat that I’m a safe person to be around.

James's Reviews

Meowtel

James is a background-checked cat sitter in the Chicago area. Their profile has been verified and their references have been checked by Meowtel.

September 6, 2024
Rachel

James is reliable, adaptable, and great under pressure. He’s a great communicator and problem-solver when issues arise, which is helpful and makes me feel confident leaving my pets in his care!

September 6, 2024
Chloe

James is a kind, gentle, friendly, and cheerful guy who has years of experience with cats (and pets of all kinds) as well as in-home care like house and pet sitting. He is communicative, eloquent, and helpful. I feel safe leaving my home and beloved kitten under his care, knowing that not only will he take care of my most precious things while I’m gone but also that he will let me know promptly if something comes up that needs my attention. I would recommend him to anyone who is looking for help!

September 6, 2024
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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.

James's Qualifications & Experience

Transportation

  • Walk
  • Car
  • Ground

Medication Experience

  • Topical Ointments
  • Eye/Ear Drops
  • Oral Medication / Pills

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

will vary based on the pet sitter's experience and expertise, but the average price for a cat sitter is $35.00. 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.

Experienced Sitter And 9-Year Tortie Dad
5.00 • 3 reviews • From $28.95