I'm Vanya
Cat Whisperer Working From Home
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:
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I'm Vanya
Cat Sitting in Grand Rapids, MI
My pronouns are they/them.
Learn More About Vanya
What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?
I simply enjoy being around cats! Also, the sheer variety of different personalities among cats always makes it interesting to meet new ones and get to know their quirks.
Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?
I have a 6-year-old gray tabby cat named Crunch, who I adopted over a year ago. He's super cuddly and playful.
What is your typical process for working with a new cat parent?
I ask lots of questions about the cat to find out as much as I can about them. Then I try to spend a little time at the house to make sure they'll get comfortable with my presence and see if any issues might arise.
In-home cat sitting visits typically include:
Check if Vanya services your area
Unfortunately, Vanya does not cover your area right meow.
Rachel
January 12, 2026
Vanya went above and beyond! My kittens ripped a hole in the bag and they cleaned it up and put the loose kibble into tubbaware for me. I would hire them again for sure.
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Madeleine
October 12, 2025
Vanya was very attentive, kind, and caring to our cats. He gave us updates and pictures every single day, and was always open to new directive to try and make our cats comfortable.
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Laura
February 22, 2026
Vanya did a great job with our two cats, one of whom is very shy. They were very thorough and the cats are very happy. I would absolutely recommend them and use them again.
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Teresa
December 20, 2025
Vanya was fantastic with my cats; one of them has some peculiarities, but Vanya took it all in stride! I asked for a couple extra tasks to be taken care of and those were addressed as well. I really appreciated all the pictures, videos. and feedback. I was worried about being gone for so long, but Vanya really helped ease my concerns.
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Danielle
June 27, 2026
Vanya did a great job with our cat, Chester! We loved the daily updates (with all the adorable photos), and felt very comfortable and confident with their service. It was nice to relax on our vacation knowing our kitty was in good hands! We would definitely recommend Vanya as a sitter. :)
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Samuel
July 29, 2025
I reached out to Vanya when my original sitter had a last minute complication, and they got back to me within an hour of the reservation. Their quick response and clear communication gave me immediate peace of mind. I would absolutely hire them again, it was worth it just knowing my cats were in the hands of someone so experience and trustworthy.
Read moreService Area & Availability
Drop in visits rates
Vanya's is 20%
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
Vanya's holiday surcharge is 20%.
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.
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.
Labor Day is coming up soon (September 7th, 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.
Grand Rapids cat sitting rates will vary based on the sitter's experience and services, but the average price is $25.00. 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!
Rating breakdown
Rachel
January 12, 2026
Vanya went above and beyond! My kittens ripped a hole in the bag and they cleaned it up and put the loose kibble into tubbaware for me. I would hire them again for sure.
Madeleine
October 12, 2025
Vanya was very attentive, kind, and caring to our cats. He gave us updates and pictures every single day, and was always open to new directive to try and make our cats comfortable.
Laura
February 22, 2026
Vanya did a great job with our two cats, one of whom is very shy. They were very thorough and the cats are very happy. I would absolutely recommend them and use them again.
Teresa
December 20, 2025
Vanya was fantastic with my cats; one of them has some peculiarities, but Vanya took it all in stride! I asked for a couple extra tasks to be taken care of and those were addressed as well. I really appreciated all the pictures, videos. and feedback. I was worried about being gone for so long, but Vanya really helped ease my concerns.
Danielle
June 27, 2026
Vanya did a great job with our cat, Chester! We loved the daily updates (with all the adorable photos), and felt very comfortable and confident with their service. It was nice to relax on our vacation knowing our kitty was in good hands! We would definitely recommend Vanya as a sitter. :)
Samuel
July 29, 2025
I reached out to Vanya when my original sitter had a last minute complication, and they got back to me within an hour of the reservation. Their quick response and clear communication gave me immediate peace of mind. I would absolutely hire them again, it was worth it just knowing my cats were in the hands of someone so experience and trustworthy.
Allie
December 28, 2025
Vanya made our first meowtel experience incredibly easy. He was very flexible with our schedule and went above and beyond to accommodate an unexpected extra day to our reservation. We wouldn’t hesitate to book with him again!
Jennifer And Benjamin
This month
Vanya was really great! They were super to work with and put our minds at ease, especially since it was our first time using Meowtel. They sent great updates and photos/videos of our fur baby each day, and it was wonderful knowing she was in such good care with Vanya.
Steve
This month
Vanya was wonderful with my cats while I was away. He took the time to get to know them and personalize each cat’s experience. I will book Vanya for all of my future travel!
Caitlin
May 27, 2026
Vanya is a gem and I highly recommend them! They took great care of my babies over the holiday weekend and sent me pics and updates so I could enjoy my time away worry-free.
Teresa
April 22, 2026
We are a repeat customer of Vanya, and it’s always a positive experience for the cats and me!
Steve
This month
Ryleigh
This month
Vanya was absolutely wonderful and went above and beyond with our kitty! I highly recommend Vanya as a sitter.
Rachel
This month
Vanya was very communicative and kept me updated well. Would book again !
Teresa
May 23, 2026
Rachel
April 29, 2026
Teresa
January 16, 2026
Amanda
June 3, 2025
I’ve known Vanya for 30 years, and I can say without hesitation that he is one of the most caring, responsible, and attentive people I know—especially when it comes to animals. He has extensive experience with cats and genuinely loves being around them. He’s cared for my own cats multiple times and has always been incredibly thoughtful and reliable. Vanya is calm, observant, and intuitive. He notices the little things—whether it's a change in behavior or a potential health concern—and handles every situation with care. He’s comfortable administering medication and managing various aspects of cat care, always with patience and compassion. What really sets Vanya apart is his empathy and sensitivity. He treats animals with the same kindness and respect he offers to people. I always feel at ease knowing my pets are in his care. Anyone looking for a trustworthy, loving cat sitter would be lucky to have Vanya.
Lourdes
June 3, 2025
Vanya has been catsitting for our little Pride since 2023, and we would not have it any other way. They are a clear and consistent communicator, they are very respectful of our home, and truly get to know each cat and treat them accordingly. We can always tell when Vanya has been the one to catsit because the cats are calm and happy when we return. We highly recommend Vanya for any pet-sitting adventures.
Meowtel
June 3, 2025
Vanya is a background-checked cat sitter in the Grand Rapids area. Their profile has been verified and their references have been checked by Meowtel.
Free Cancellation (48+ hrs)