I'm Vanessa

Cat Foster Mom Since 2013

4.95
19 Reviews
< 1 hr Response Time
1 Repeat clients
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10+ Meowtel reservations completed
10+ Meowtel reservations completed
Sitter Offering a Discount to New Clients
Sitter Offering a Discount to New Clients
Active in the last week
Active in the last week
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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

Vanessa is experienced with 5 types of medications

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

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Cat Foster Mom Since 2013

I'm Vanessa

Cat Sitting in Gaithersburg, MD

I know it isn’t easy to be away from your kitty. I’m here to offer reassurance and attentive care so you can relax knowing they’re in good hands.

I’ve fostered cats and kittens since 2013 and have volunteered with two cat rescues and a large animal shelter. I have cared for hundreds of cats and kittens whether they were fosters, through cat-sitting, at the shelter, or vet clinic. I’m skilled at tending to cats of different ages and temperaments and administering meds, injections, and Sub-Q fluid...
I know it isn’t easy to be away from your kitty. I’m here to offer reassurance and attentive care so you can relax knowing they’re in good hands.

I’ve fostered cats and kittens since 2013 and have volunteered with two cat rescues and a large animal shelter. I have cared for hundreds of cats and kittens whether they were fosters, through cat-sitting, at the shelter, or vet clinic. I’m skilled at tending to cats of different ages and temperaments and administering meds, injections, and Sub-Q fluid. I genuinely love all cats and have no expectation that they love me back.

I have one resident cat, a 2 year old tuxie named Frank. I fostered Frank for over a year before adopting him. He and I have been through a lot together, as he had medical issues when he was rescued at two months old. Before Frank, I shared my life with my soulcat, Mango. He was my (reluctant) partner in fostering his entire life. He passed away in January 2025. They are the two cats in my photos.

I’m available for drop-in and overnight vists near Gaithersburg. Please message me to discuss overnight requests. Thanks!

Learn More About Vanessa

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

I’ve done drop-in sitting for cats of friends and colleagues sporadically for the last 20 years. I’ve fostered cats regularly since 2013, anywhere from days to over a year. I’ve probably had close to 100 fosters in my home over the years.

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

I just love cats. My family adopted a cat when I was 12 and he came with me when I moved out in my early 20s. After he passed away, I started volunteering with a cat rescue as a way to be around cats and honor his life. After that, I grew to love and respect all cats. Street cats, feral cats, cats I’ve never met IRL-I adore them all, even if they don’t adore me in return. They have such different personalities and I enjoy getting to know them.

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

I meet them where they’re at. I don’t force any interaction. If they are willing to sniff me, I gently offer a finger and speak softly to them. If they want to hide, I don’t bother them. If they don’t appear too stressed I will simply sit in the room they’re in and talk to them quietly. I think it’s most important to make them feel safe.


Medication Experience:

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

Skills:

Animal CPR Trained Foster Parent Shelter Volunteer

4.95
19 reviews
4.9
Attention to Detail
5.0
Communication
5.0
Tidiness
Allison

Allison

June 16, 2026

Vanessa was a wonderful person and our cat responded well to her. We hired her to administer subcutaneous fluids to our older cat in kidney failure. She has a lot of experience administering fluids and all went well. I would not hesitate to recommend her to anyone seeking compassionate, knowledgeable care.

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Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
Kyle

Kyle

June 18, 2026

Very caring about the cats, provided good updates, tried every different way to get my fussy standoffish little girl to like her. Followed all on instructions, administered meds, and very nice to talk to 👍🏻

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
Mark

Mark

January 23, 2026

our Tabby will be 18 in March. She takes varioys meds in her food, and she is a little senile. We needed Vanessa for 5 days and 4 overnights. Simply put Vanessa was phenomenal. She tended to Josie the same way an owner would treat and care for her own pet. When we arrived last night, we found Josie had eaten and was sleeping away on her favorite couch. when I woke her up, she gave me a look as if to ask where was that nice lady. Vanessa hit it out of the park.

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Meowtel-verified reservation with overnight visits
Emily

Emily

December 1, 2025

Vanessa was incredible! She was attentive to the recent neediness of my little guy while I was away for the holiday. She followed all the instructions for medication I provided ahead of time and made an effort to actively play with my cat to reduce his stress. I would certainly book Vanessa again!

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Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
Megan

Megan

January 9, 2026

Vanessa was a fantastic sitter! She is very personable and kind, and took great care of our kitties while we were away. She kept us updated with texts and videos and even brought over toys to play with them. One of our cats gets anxious when we’re away, and she handled everything very well. We will definitely be using her again!

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
Katie

Katie

This month

Vanessa watched our cat for the first time last week and the experience was hands down excellent. Vanessa is incredibly communicative and detail oriented. Our cat was a little hesitant to have a new person in the house and with patience and kindness, Vanessa won her over. It is a great feeling to know that your pet is being well taken care of while traveling!

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long

Service Area & Availability

Drop in visits rates

$22.00 / 20min
$34.00 / 45min
$44.00 / 60min
Calendar updated today

Vanessa's is 10%

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M
T
W
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Overnight Availability
Vanessa's Holiday Surcharge Applies
Service Area Map

Drop in visits rates

$35.00 / 45min
$45.00 / 60min
Calendar updated today

Vanessa's is 10%

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
Overnight Availability
Vanessa'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
Rating on
Google
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

Labor Day is coming up soon (September 7th, 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!

Featured Cat Sitters Near Gaithersburg, MD

  • Yuandi is an ABCCT-certified cat trainer with five years of cat sitting experience in MD, plus a fast response time and overnight care. She welcomes new clients, is usually available on weekends and holidays, and loves helping shy cats like Fiona warm up 🐱

    Shy Cats, Warm Hearts 🐱
    VIEW PROFILE
  • Nicole, a cat mom to 5-year-old Milly, brings 3+ years of care for kittens through senior kittizens. They welcome new clients, offer overnight stays, handle oral medication, and are usually open on holidays. Their flexible meet and greets make starting easy 🐱

    Gentle Care for Cat Lovers 🐾
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  • Lynnette has professionally pet sat since December 2018 and cares for hundreds of cats with a soft spot for shy personalities 😺. She’s skilled with pills, injections, inhalers, and eye or ear drops, plus she offers very fast replies and accepts new clients in Germantown and nearby areas. Her thorough updates and photos help pet parents stay connected.

    Shy Cats Welcome 😺
    VIEW PROFILE
  • Sonika is a patient, gentle sitter who lets cats warm up at their own pace, follows routines closely, and can give eye or ear drops plus oral meds. As a cat parent to Shadow and Cleo, they’re usually available on weekends and holidays, with fast replies 🐾

    Gentle care, fast replies 🐾
    VIEW PROFILE
  • Shasta brings seven years of professional cat sitting and 25+ years of cat care, plus skilled help with pills, inhalers, eye and ear drops, and topicals. She welcomes new clients, responds fast, and is usually available on weekends and holidays. 🐾

    Trusted Cat Care, Fast Replies 🐾
    VIEW PROFILE
  • Navoda brings quick responses and a thoughtful touch to Rockville cat care, with availability on weekends, most holidays, and weekday early or late visits. They welcome new clients, handle oral meds, injections, and eye or ear drops, and know life with Donut, Fifi, and Noodle 🐾

    Fast, thoughtful cat care 🐾
    VIEW PROFILE
  • Casie, a College Park sitter with 250+ Meowtel reservations and 64 repeat clients, brings 20+ years caring for cats plus topical ointment skills. She shares fast updates, accepts new clients, and is a Rare Find for cat lovers in Maryland 🐾

    Trusted Cat Whisperer 🐾
    VIEW PROFILE
  • Samantha is a very fast responder in Gaithersburg who welcomes new clients and brings patient, detail-oriented care to timid cats. She knows topical ointments, eye and ear drops, and inhalers, and she shares plenty of photos and videos of Nadia 😺

    Gentle Care, Quick Replies 😺
    VIEW PROFILE

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.

Gaithersburg cat sitting rates will vary based on the sitter's experience and services, but the average price is $26.00. 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 free 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 free Meet & Greet!

4.95
19 reviews

😻 New Client Offer: Enjoy 10% off your first reservation with Vanessa!

4.95
From $22.00

Free Cancellation (48+ hrs)