I'm Elaine

Cat Whisperer Sitting Service

5.00
47 Reviews
< 15 mins Response Time
8 Repeat clients
Background-checked
Background-checked
50+ Meowtel reservations completed
50+ Meowtel reservations completed
Neighborhood Explorer
Neighborhood Explorer
Speedy Sitter/Quick Response Time
Speedy Sitter/Quick Response Time
Active in the last week
Active in the last week
Background Checked

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

Elaine is experienced with 6 types of medications

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

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Cat Whisperer Sitting Service

I'm Elaine

Cat Sitting in Columbus, OH

**Before booking 2x a day visits please message me** I want to be sure there are no conflicts before booking especially if you need specific times.

I grew up with pets - cats specifically - my entire life. I currently have just 2 cats, but both have special needs/health issues. Over the years I have particularly sought out abandoned cats in need. Cats with disabilities. Cats who are shy or need special care. I have a love of all felines and am patient with them knowing that each has their own unique personality. With time and love you get to see the real inner personality of each cat.

I have had several special needs cats in particular the last 20 years. Ones that have required medications or special care...
**Before booking 2x a day visits please message me** I want to be sure there are no conflicts before booking especially if you need specific times.

I grew up with pets - cats specifically - my entire life. I currently have just 2 cats, but both have special needs/health issues. Over the years I have particularly sought out abandoned cats in need. Cats with disabilities. Cats who are shy or need special care. I have a love of all felines and am patient with them knowing that each has their own unique personality. With time and love you get to see the real inner personality of each cat.

I have had several special needs cats in particular the last 20 years. Ones that have required medications or special care. I am comfortable giving all types of medication (pills, liquids, eye drops, ear drops & cleaning, as well as injections) as my special needs cats get these on a regular basis.

I am also just happy laying on the ground near a cat who is scared talking quietly as well as playing and loving. My vet calls me a cat whisperer, I just know that each cat has their own ways and will work to find the right way to let them know they are cared for and loved.

I work from home part-time as a web developer and have a very flexible schedule. I currently am on the NW side but can travel as needed. during the winter months I do limit the number of visits that are two times a day. If it shows I'm unavailable, please reach out and see if I really am or not thank you

For new clients I require a meet and greet unless there is an emergency that does not allow for one.

Learn More About Elaine

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

Cat sitting is highly enjoyable. I love meeting new furry friends and nothing brings me more joy than when a more reserved cat begins to come out of their shell. I also have a blast with the outgoing cats and everything in between. I have been doing this since 2000 in varying degrees of frequency. It started off as favors for family or friends and has grown.

What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?

Meeting all the great different personalities out there. Learning how to meet each cat where the are comfortable being. Bringing comfort and safety to scared cats.

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

I think my favorite was when I had a cat that I was told really didn't like anyone and to be careful in case they didn't want to interact with me in a positive manner. I walked in calmly but not pushy with either of the two cats, and the one I was warned about came up and greeted me like I was an old friend. I have worked with a lot of shy cats and I do love it when I can get them to come out of their shell or trust me somewhat, but this was different in that the cat really doesn't take well to many people and yet could sense that I was a safe person.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

I have two cats currently. The older is Ginger who has allergies and IBS so she is kept me on my toes and comfortable doing medications of all sorts as well as injections. The other is my boy Indy. He is just a little younger than his sister and has cerebellar hypoplasia. He may wobble and fall at times but he has a heart full of gold.

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

Take the time to get to know the cat sitter to see if they will be able to meet the needs you have. If. You have a shy cat, find someone who really will be patient and not push the cat into uncomfortable situations that won't help build trust. If you have a special needs cat, find someone who knows how to care for a cat of similar needs. Schedule that meet and greet to make sure you have found someone who will work well with your cats.

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

Honestly new cat parents I usually just let them ask as many questions as they need. Being a pet owner as long as I have, while I may not be dealing with a certain experience at this exact moment, I have likely dealt with it at some point in my time with having cats.

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

If I am told that a cat may try and come in or out of the house upon entering, I am usually one who will crouch down and make sure that as I slowly open the door that there is no cat there waiting to bolt. Every time I go to leave I visually make sure cats are far away from the door and are not a risk for getting out. If they do try and leave, I make sure that the door is opened as little as possible so I can squeeze out. I also make sure that the cats have food, water, and easy access to a litter box. If I see any toys that might be a risk, I will put them away until I return the next time.

Are you usually available during holidays?

Yes! I rarely travel over most holidays. I do take some vacations throughout the year, but I mark those well in advance. If I have family in town, I do limit the number of clients I take in during a holiday, but especially if you are close to where I live I am almost always available for quick 20 minute visits twice a day or one longer visit a day. If you are outside of my area, I do limit twice a day visits more but if you need it to reach out and ask to see if there is any way I can fit you in. I try to be flexible.

What is your favorite cat toy?

Feather on a stick is my absolute favorite toy. It is extremely versatile in that if you have a little kitten who wants to run the floor you can just walk through the house with it and have the kitten follow you and attack it. Or if you have an older cat who just wants to bat at it a little, you can just put it on the floor or wiggle it in the air and they enjoy playing with it as well. My second favorite are the toy springs. I've yet to meet a cat that doesn't seem to like them

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

I have a natural advantage in that I am smaller than average making my walking and movements quieter and less intimidating. I'm also patient and willing to just lay near without trying to touch them to let them know I am not a threat. I also can bring back scratchers so that cats can get physical touches without me physically invading their space with my arm or hand. I am not above trying to win cats over with treats either. But if a cat would rather keep their distance from me, I will respect it. If expecting physical distance is what they need, then that's what I will do.


Medication Experience:

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

Skills:

Animal CPR Trained Foster Parent

5.00
47 reviews
5.0
Attention to Detail
5.0
Communication
5.0
Tidiness
Richard

Richard

September 29, 2025

Elaine did a great job taking care of my sick cat while I was away. She administered meds daily as well as cleaned up some messes caused by my cat's health issues. Can't thank her enough for the good care she provided.

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
Taylor

Taylor

July 17, 2025

Elaine was prompt to our meet and greet & was already loving on my boys, so I knew immediately, it would be a good fit. Elaine went above and beyond as my neighborhood experienced a power outage due to a storm, and brought her own lantern from home, so she could clean the litterbox. she also checked my electrical box for me when the power had come partially back on, to put my mind at ease (turned out to be an AEP issue, but I appreciated it nonetheless!). she also sent LOTS of pictures of my buddies & gave me detailed updates on how they were doing 🤗 10/10 would recommend! thank you!

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Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
Jared

Jared

September 14, 2025

Elaine was very friendly and courteous and took the time to visit and meet with my cats prior to taking care of them. She was very consistent with the pictures that she sent to me while I was out of town, so I could tell that the cats were being well taken care of. My cats warmed up to her within a day or two, which demonstrates that she has a way with helping felines feel less reserved around a new person. Overall, she is an excellent care provider and does a spectacular job!

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Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
Ian

Ian

December 29, 2025

Can’t rave enough about Elaine! She met with our cat Juniper beforehand and they immediately bonded. It was stressful for us to leave our cat at home for the holiday, but Elaine sent us so many updates while we were away! She played with her a ton and sent lots of pictures, it helped us know that Juniper was in good hands. Would recommend Elaine to anyone!!

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Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
Stephen

Stephen

December 27, 2025

Elaine is clearly a cat lover, and she quickly bonded with both our cats, Maxi & Aly. This was impressive because Aly only allows a select few to get close to her. Elaine not only takes great care of cats but also great care of cat owners by providing lots of photos, videos and written updates.

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Meowtel-verified reservation with drop-in visits
Hannah

Hannah

December 28, 2025

Elaine does a great job of caring for my two cats while I’m away. The daily pictures and updates are especially appreciated! I have one very skittish cat, but she warmed up to Elaine almost immediately, which speaks volumes about Elaine’s approach and manner. Thank you, Elaine. Knowing they are in good hands while I’m away is everything!

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long

Service Area & Availability

Drop in visits rates

$26.00 / 20min
$39.00 / 45min
$51.00 / 60min

Overnight stay rate

$75.00 / Overnight

Elaine's is 15%

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Overnight Availability
Elaine's Holiday Surcharge Applies
Service Area Map

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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 Columbus, OH

  • Toni is a very fast-responding sitter in Plain City who accepts new clients, offers overnight stays, and is usually available on weekends and holidays. With 10 cats at home, they bring hands-on experience with kittens, seniors, and medication care 💕🐱

    Fast, flexible cat care 🐱
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  • Emma has cat sat in Columbus for 5+ years and brings a thoughtful touch to each visit. She cares for single-cat homes to 4+, knows cats of all personalities, sends lots of picture updates, and is a very fast responder who welcomes new clients 😊

    Fast, thoughtful cat care
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  • Rachel is a background-checked sitter in Columbus who brings 2 years of full-time pet care, quick replies, and a cat-savvy touch from life with 5 kitties 🐱. She accepts new clients, is usually available on weekends and holidays, and handles oral meds to injections with care.

    Cat Care You Can Trust 🐾
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  • Angela, in Westerville, OH, brings over six years of cat sitting for friends and family, plus medication care with topical ointments and eye or ear drops. She shares Sephy and Jude, and her Reiki background adds a soothing touch for cats who like a peaceful visit. 🐾

    Soothing care for shy kitties 🐾
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  • Nicole is a background-checked teacher and lifelong cat lover in Columbus who brings 10 years of on-and-off pet care experience. She follows each cat’s feeding, medication, and litter routine, sends photo updates, accepts new clients, and often sits over holiday breaks. 🐾

    Teacher Touch, Cat Care 🐱
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  • Emma, a Columbus sitter and mom to Sammy and Dixie, brings over six years of cat sitting experience plus eye/ear drops and oral medication skills. She offers drop-ins, overnight visits, accepts new clients, and is usually free on most major holidays 🐾. Reviewers praise her flexibility and extra cuddle time with cats.

    Medication-Savvy Cat Cuddler 🐾
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  • Laura in Columbus offers attentive in-home cat care for shy, playful, or senior kitties, with experience managing Ace’s CKD and heart disease. They handle oral meds, eye/ear drops, and topical ointments, bringing strong senior cat care skills to new clients, holidays, and overnights 🐾

    Trusted Cat Care, Day and Night
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  • Janelle is a popular Columbus sitter who welcomes new clients, responds very fast, and usually takes holidays and weekends. She cares for special-needs cats Cleo and Zorro, handles injections, inhalers, pills, and eye or ear drops, and earns trust with shy kitties 🐾.

    Special-needs cat care 🐾
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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.

Columbus 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!

5.00
47 reviews
5.00
From $26.00

Free Cancellation (48+ hrs)