I'm Samantha
Crystal Lake Is For Cat Lovers
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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:
Samantha is experienced with 5 types of medications
Check if Samantha services your area
Unfortunately, Samantha does not cover your area right meow.
I'm Samantha
Cat Sitting in Crystal Lake, IL
I have worked in education for the last 19 years, both as a middle school teacher and literacy specialist. I first began teaching in Arizona, as there were few openings in my home area of Crystal Lake for a new teacher with a double degree in teaching and English. I moved to Arizona with one cat, Alley, and returned with 4! There is a large stray population there, and I went from feeding them on my patio to letting a few in the apartment to claiming them as my own quickly.
My goal is to ease your mind that a cat person is taking care of your babies while you're away from home... I have been a cat mom for most of my life! There is nothing I love more than my fur babies :) At the most, I had 5 - currently have 1: Benny Moo.
I have worked in education for the last 19 years, both as a middle school teacher and literacy specialist. I first began teaching in Arizona, as there were few openings in my home area of Crystal Lake for a new teacher with a double degree in teaching and English. I moved to Arizona with one cat, Alley, and returned with 4! There is a large stray population there, and I went from feeding them on my patio to letting a few in the apartment to claiming them as my own quickly.
My goal is to ease your mind that a cat person is taking care of your babies while you're away from home. There's nothing worse than having to teach your animal sitter the ground rules for cats! A visit with me always includes checking food levels and refreshing the water bowl(s) or fountain(s), scooping the litter box(es), and tons of attention, play, and snuggles!
Having had older cats (Gracie was 19), I am well-versed in administering medication, including insulin shots and subcutaneous fluids, as well as basic grooming, such as nail trimming and ear cleaning. I am also certified by the American Red Cross in First Aid and CPR for adults, children, infants, and pets. Please be assured that I sanitize my hands both before and after my visit, and will happily wear a mask if requested.
l live in Crystal Lake and will travel around the area (Lake in the Hills, Algonquin, Huntley, Cary, Fox River Grove, Barrington, and Lake Zurich) to care for your kitties!
Learn More About Samantha
Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?
Benny Moo just turned 3. I’ve also loved Gracie, Bandit, Bailey, Alley, Lucy, Mittens, and Cubby during their lifetimes.
Are you usually available during holidays?
Yes. My family is small and in the area, so we don’t often travel. I am available during the holidays :)
Medication Experience:
Skills:
In-home cat sitting visits typically include:
Samantha is experienced with 5 types of medications
Check if Samantha services your area
Unfortunately, Samantha does not cover your area right meow.
Colleen
August 18, 2026
We have 2 little kitten brothers and we hoped to find a kitty sitter for a weekend away. Meowtel was the answer. User friendly platform and helped us find Samantha! Samantha was great! We felt this immediately. She is a cat lover to her core. She visited, sent pictures and videos and took such good care of our little guys! Couldn’t be happier with her care and service. We have a couple more out of town weekends on the books… get ready Samantha! We are so happy we found Meowtel and Samantha!!
Read more
Daniel
This month
This was about my 4th time using Samantha to take care of my two cats (now one). She did everything necessary and then some to make sure my cat Mika was well taken care of especially spending play time with her which I'm sure Mika enjoyed. Updates on Mika with photos were very much appreciated too and consequently I highly recommend her as a cat sitter.
Read more
Emily
June 6, 2026
Samantha was fantastic! I went on a 9 day vacation and was feeling nervous about leaving my cat for such a long time (we’re attached at the hip day-to-day). Samantha sent videos every visit and I could tell my cat enjoyed her company. She is very knowledgeable and professional. Thank you, Samantha!
Read more
Jordan
January 19, 2026
Everything went great! Samantha is wonderful and takes such good care of my cat. She's very prompt with sending photos and videos and makes sure all his necessities are taken care of. Would highly recommend.
Read more
Gwendolyn
August 6, 2026
Samantha was a wonderful caretaker for my sweet Aspen while I was on vacation for a week. She sent me an update with every visit and I was able to enjoy my time away without any anxiety over my cat’s well-being. She understands a cat’s needs very well and I will absolutely hire her again the next time I’m on a prolonged trip. Thank you again Sam! 🤍🤍
Read more
Colleen
Today
Samantha is kind, great communicator and attentive to our kitties. She sends pictures and updates with each visit. Sparky and Pip think she’s the best!!
Read moreService Area & Availability
Drop in visits rates
Overnight stay rate
Samantha's is 35%
Holiday Surcharge
Due to high demand during holidays, sitters on Meowtel have the option to set their own holiday price increase, which can be found in the rates section of their profiles. If your reservation falls within three (3) days before and/or after a federal holiday, or on the holiday itself, a holiday surcharge, determined by your sitter, will be added to your reservation.
These are the date ranges in 2026 to which the holiday surcharge applies:
- January 1-4: New Year's 2026
- January 16-22: MLK Day
- February 13-19: Presidents Day
- May 22-28: Memorial Day
- June 16-22: Juneteenth
- July 1-7: July 4th
- September 4-10: Labor Day
- October 9-15: Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
- November 8-14: Veterans Day
- November 23-29: Thanksgiving
- December 22-28: Christmas
- December 29-31: New Year's 2027
These are the date ranges in 2027 to which the holiday surcharge applies:
- January 1-4: New Year's 2027
- January 15-21: MLK Day
- February 12-18: Presidents Day
- May 28-June 3: Memorial Day
- June 16-22: Juneteenth
- July 1-7: July 4th
- September 3-9: Labor Day
- October 8-14: Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
- November 8-14: Veterans Day
- November 22-28: Thanksgiving
- December 22-28: Christmas
- December 29-31: New Year's 2028
Samantha's holiday surcharge is 35%.
Drop in visits rates
Samantha's is 35%
Holiday Surcharge
Due to high demand during holidays, sitters on Meowtel have the option to set their own holiday price increase, which can be found in the rates section of their profiles. If your reservation falls within three (3) days before and/or after a federal holiday, or on the holiday itself, a holiday surcharge, determined by your sitter, will be added to your reservation.
These are the date ranges in 2026 to which the holiday surcharge applies:
- January 1-4: New Year's 2026
- January 16-22: MLK Day
- February 13-19: Presidents Day
- May 22-28: Memorial Day
- June 16-22: Juneteenth
- July 1-7: July 4th
- September 4-10: Labor Day
- October 9-15: Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
- November 8-14: Veterans Day
- November 23-29: Thanksgiving
- December 22-28: Christmas
- December 29-31: New Year's 2027
These are the date ranges in 2027 to which the holiday surcharge applies:
- January 1-4: New Year's 2027
- January 15-21: MLK Day
- February 12-18: Presidents Day
- May 28-June 3: Memorial Day
- June 16-22: Juneteenth
- July 1-7: July 4th
- September 3-9: Labor Day
- October 8-14: Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day
- November 8-14: Veterans Day
- November 22-28: Thanksgiving
- December 22-28: Christmas
- December 29-31: New Year's 2028
Samantha's holiday surcharge is 35%.
Schedule Constraints
I am available most mornings before school and late afternoons through the evening. I also stay in the area over the holidays, so you can count on me if you travel ;)
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.
375,000+
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.
Veterans Day is coming up soon (November 11th, 2026)
Cat sitters on Meowtel are usually pretty busy, don't forget to book your sitter!
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.
Crystal Lake cat sitting rates will vary based on the sitter's experience and services, but the average price is $29.00. 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!
Rating breakdown
Colleen
August 18, 2026
We have 2 little kitten brothers and we hoped to find a kitty sitter for a weekend away. Meowtel was the answer. User friendly platform and helped us find Samantha! Samantha was great! We felt this immediately. She is a cat lover to her core. She visited, sent pictures and videos and took such good care of our little guys! Couldn’t be happier with her care and service. We have a couple more out of town weekends on the books… get ready Samantha! We are so happy we found Meowtel and Samantha!!
Response from Samantha
Thank you so much! I can’t wait to spend more time with them :)
Daniel
This month
This was about my 4th time using Samantha to take care of my two cats (now one). She did everything necessary and then some to make sure my cat Mika was well taken care of especially spending play time with her which I'm sure Mika enjoyed. Updates on Mika with photos were very much appreciated too and consequently I highly recommend her as a cat sitter.
Emily
June 6, 2026
Samantha was fantastic! I went on a 9 day vacation and was feeling nervous about leaving my cat for such a long time (we’re attached at the hip day-to-day). Samantha sent videos every visit and I could tell my cat enjoyed her company. She is very knowledgeable and professional. Thank you, Samantha!
Jordan
January 19, 2026
Everything went great! Samantha is wonderful and takes such good care of my cat. She's very prompt with sending photos and videos and makes sure all his necessities are taken care of. Would highly recommend.
Gwendolyn
August 6, 2026
Samantha was a wonderful caretaker for my sweet Aspen while I was on vacation for a week. She sent me an update with every visit and I was able to enjoy my time away without any anxiety over my cat’s well-being. She understands a cat’s needs very well and I will absolutely hire her again the next time I’m on a prolonged trip. Thank you again Sam! 🤍🤍
Colleen
Today
Samantha is kind, great communicator and attentive to our kitties. She sends pictures and updates with each visit. Sparky and Pip think she’s the best!!
Response from Samantha
Thank you so much! Love those stinkers!
Suzi
June 22, 2026
Samantha was so great to our little girls!! She sent us pictures and messages to let us know how they were doing, which eased my concerns. she had great communication the entire booking. I’d definitely hire her again!!
Jordan
October 14, 2025
Samantha was wonderful! She was so nice and loving with my Louie. I got photo updates and messages and she did a great job with keeping his pan clean and food and water topped off. highly recommend!! Thanks again!
Donnie
September 27, 2026
Samantha did a wonderful job looking after my cats and provided daily pics/updates after each visit!
Joell
March 27, 2025
If I could give more than 5 stars I would! This was my first time leaving my 2 senior fur babies in the care of a sitter and I was nervous. Not anymore! I would definitely recommend Samantha. She is easy to work with and you can tell she is so great with cats. She was fantastic with providing updates and pictures
Catie
December 31, 2025
Samantha shared pictures every day she was cat sitting, our 2 cats loved her!
Gail
September 24, 2023
We appreciate Samantha so much. She was wonderful with Niles while we were gone, spending time with him and sending us photos and updates.
Gail
December 2, 2024
Samantha is wonderful with my cat. She provides photos and updates after each visit, which I really appreciate.
Donald
April 4, 2026
I just needed someone to come in and sit with Newt for comfort. I came home and found him well cared for.
Colleen
This month
Once again, Samatha was amazing! Very engaged with our kitties and send the sweetest pictures!
Brittney
May 18, 2026
Sam treated amethyst like her own cat. She was kind, informative and took care of everything for our trip. I highly recommend
David
August 5, 2026
Samantha did great! She took good care of our two kitties while we were away. This was my first time using a service like this and I didn't quite know how it would work, so I appreciate how smoothly Samantha handled everything. 🐱
Christopher
March 5, 2023
I'm so glad to have found Samantha on Meowtel! I travel a lot & have two highly social cats who need human interaction & meals specific to each. Samantha takes care of everything - no problems! I get a daily update & return home to happy cats & a clean litter box. Reliable -- and also a cool person. 100% recommended.
Daniel
January 5, 2024
Samantha did everything I requested regarding taking care of my two cats while I was gone for period of time. Her text messages along with some accompanying photos gave me the confidence that all was in good hands. Highly recommended cat-sitter!
Donald
August 24, 2026
Samantha is great and remembered to send me a photo. Thx again.
Colleen
This month
Alan
This month
Samantha provided excellent care for our two cats. we highly recommend her.
Christopher
September 11, 2026
Cory
September 8, 2026
Sam was dependable and lovely to work with.
Anna
July 27, 2026
10/10!! I’m very happy I found Samantha as my new cat sitter. She’s perfect.
Brittney
July 21, 2026
Catie
July 18, 2026
Lisa
July 17, 2026
Christopher
June 30, 2026
Dave
May 23, 2026
Christopher
May 7, 2026
Christopher
April 29, 2026
Christopher
April 6, 2026
Catie
March 21, 2026
Christopher
March 6, 2026
Catie
February 17, 2026
Christopher
January 6, 2026
Christopher
December 12, 2025
Christopher
November 28, 2025
Gail
October 19, 2025
Christopher
October 3, 2025
Christopher
September 12, 2025
Christopher
September 6, 2025
Christopher
August 22, 2025
Christopher
August 12, 2025
Christopher
October 31, 2024
Mary
October 29, 2024
Mary
October 15, 2024
Christopher
June 27, 2024
Christopher
May 21, 2024
Christopher
May 7, 2024
Christopher
March 29, 2024
Christopher
February 21, 2024
Christopher
February 19, 2024
Christopher
January 7, 2024
Christopher
December 6, 2023
Daniel
November 28, 2023
Samantha did a terrific job taking care of my two cats on two separate occasions. She did exactly what I had asked her to do regarding the cats and always provided a text message report following each visit. I would highly recommend her Meowtel service to anyone looking for a really good and responsible cat sitter.
Gail
November 26, 2023
Samantha is wonderful with our cat. I feel so much better when I travel knowing that she is stopping by every day.
Christopher
November 25, 2023
Christopher
November 15, 2023
Daniel
November 13, 2023
Christopher
October 1, 2023
Christopher
September 16, 2023
Meowtel
November 10, 2022
Samantha is a cat sitter in the Crystal Lake area. Her profile has been verified and her references have been checked by Meowtel.