I'm James
A Little Bit Of Love
Book With Confidence
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In-home cat sitting visits typically include:
James is experienced with 3 types of medications
Check if James services your area
Unfortunately, James does not cover your area right meow.
I'm James
Cat Sitting in Portland, OR
I currently have 2 cats, Jack and Puppy, and have had up to 4 at one time. Puppy Cat earned her name for her watchdog skills and a little bark-like squawk she uses when she talks to you. Jack is an immensely gregarious Tuxedo with a huge personality... I have a unique ability to connect with animals, especially cats! ❤️ I've had dogs and cats most of my life. I grew up with kitties as a child, but it was when I was in about the 7th grade that I realized I had a special relationship with Kitty, my Calico! I noticed how she responded to me when I talked to her. She would come to me when I called her just like a dog would. I was her person. She was an indoor/outdoor kitty and sometimes would loudly call for me from outside my bedroom window to show me her latest "present!" Throughout the years into adulthood, I became known in my circle as one who will house/pet sit and take great care of all the things! I was also the designated airport shuttle! I have always had a knack for connecting rather quickly with kitties who don't normally warm up to strangers.
I currently have 2 cats, Jack and Puppy, and have had up to 4 at one time. Puppy Cat earned her name for her watchdog skills and a little bark-like squawk she uses when she talks to you. Jack is an immensely gregarious Tuxedo with a huge personality. He is highly communicative and intensely passionate. He adopted me last year and now has convinced me to leash train him so he can go outside to explore. You may see him riding in a carrier on my e-bike sometime next spring cruising around Portland and meeting people and their pets! Or maybe on the trails hiking Portland's amazing trails! I believe he would love to be with me wherever I go.
I would love to meet you and your kitties and become your Reliable and Trusted Cat Sitter! When I come to visit if there is a cat in the room, I tend to address them right away so don't be surprised if I start talking to them while we are visiting. This allows me the opportunity to see how they respond to me. We will pick up the conversation where we left off. I always introduce myself with a hello and sweet words for them. I get down on the floor to talk to them. I don't try to get very close at all. I will let them come to me, whether it takes minutes, hours, or sometimes days or weeks, and months. In other words, I let the kitties dictate the nature of the relationship on their terms. I respect their boundaries and am always prepared to be watching for what they are communicating. You can count on coming back to well-cared-for kitties and a home that is in at least as good of a condition as you left it, but likely better. I intend on creating an experience that relieves as much anxiety for you and your kitties as possible while you are away.
I love cats and they love me! I talk to them like I would a person. When they answer, I continue the conversation with them with words, not meows. Well, sometimes meows or both. Cats love to be sweet-talked. I have rehabbed behaviors multiple times to where cats who were terrified of people have come to me on their own seeking pets and cuddles. I understand how cats communicate, can identify their wants and needs, and respond to meet them accordingly. I talk to cats out on the street, and sometimes they will come to me, and we will chat for a few minutes. I take pictures of random cats I encounter while they sit in windows or wander around.
I am self-employed in business helping others with their House/Pet Sitting with doggies, and now kitties with Meowtel! I enjoy learning and experiencing new things, drawing sketch art, riding my bike, hiking, traveling, fishing, and the mountains. I have worked for over a decade each in Residential Treatment for kids, and then in Emergency Communications dispatching for police, fire, and EMS, and taking 911 calls. I was a trainer and a supervisor in both careers and am very proud of my service to families and the public. I was awarded Trainer of the Year in 2016 in addition to being awarded for saving a life over 911.
Medication Experience:
Skills:
In-home cat sitting visits typically include:
James is experienced with 3 types of medications
Check if James services your area
Unfortunately, James does not cover your area right meow.
Dylan
July 14, 2025
James did a fantastic job with our kitties. He communicated well and even made friends with our shy kitty. He went above and beyond, and I noticed he swept up the loose litter without being asked.
Read moreResponse from James
Thank you so much for the review and feedback! it’s very much appreciated! I enjoyed my time with them both!
Read more
Kelly
December 27, 2023
We had to find a cat sitter last minute for the holidays and we are glad we were able to book James. To start off, he was on time and thorough during his meet and greet. James was really good with our kitties while we were gone. He sent a ton of pictures/videos and his updates were extremely detailed. He not only sent updates on our cats and what he was able to accomplish during his visit, but also what his goal/focus was for each visit. He followed our instructions and once something came up, he figured it out and didn’t need any help from us. It was relieving to know that our kitties were in good hands. He is so much of a cat whisperer that he even got our scaredy-cat to eat while we were gone, which is unheard of. Will definitely book James again when we need a cat sitter!
Read moreResponse from James
Thank you so much for the awesome review. I'm glad I was able to help you enjoy your time away and not worry so much about the kitties. 😻
Read more
Holly
November 14, 2024
I never needed a pet sitter before and I was very nervous to leave my 14 year old widowed kitty alone during my trip. Ellie lost her lifelong kitty partner a couple of months ago and I had no idea how she would be without me. It took over a week of persistence for her to even slightly warm up to James, but by the time I returned, he had gotten her to trust him enough to approach him. As far as I am concerned, he was successful and I came home to a healthy little lady who was shy around me for a bit as well. James was great and I couldn’t be happier with his kitty care.
Read more
Amber
January 3, 2023
James comes highly recommended by me and the kitties! He was flexible when weather botched and rearranged our travel plans and he rolled with it and was able to accommodate new dates. We had James come 2x a day to care for our 4 kitties and he always gave detailed notes of in/out times and the food/litter and cat status. He made friends with one of the shy kitties and would send much appreciated photos and videos of the cats at every visit. We felt the babies were in excellent hands and will definitely be using James again next time we travel! :)
Read more
Todd
December 9, 2022
James is a cat whisperer. At the meet and great he saw my scaredy girl cat but did not approach her. instead he sat on the floor 10 feet away facing slightly away from her and spoke to her in a low voice for awhile, then sat quietly breathing deeply with long blinks. Jackie forgot all about running away and wanted to know more. She's never responded to anyone but me like that before.
Read more
Jennifer
April 1, 2024
James was so kind and gentle with my elderly kitty. She is shy and a bit reserved but after the first day, it was clear she had a bond with and trusted James. He administered her meds without issue and was really great at communicating with us. We will book him again for all our future travel. Highly recommended!!
Read moreService Area & Availability
Drop in visits rates
Overnight stay rate
James's is 30%
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
James's holiday surcharge is 30%.
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.
300,000+
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.
Memorial Day is coming up soon (May 25th, 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.
Portland 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 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
Dylan
July 14, 2025
James did a fantastic job with our kitties. He communicated well and even made friends with our shy kitty. He went above and beyond, and I noticed he swept up the loose litter without being asked.
Response from James
Thank you so much for the review and feedback! it’s very much appreciated! I enjoyed my time with them both!
Kelly
December 27, 2023
We had to find a cat sitter last minute for the holidays and we are glad we were able to book James. To start off, he was on time and thorough during his meet and greet. James was really good with our kitties while we were gone. He sent a ton of pictures/videos and his updates were extremely detailed. He not only sent updates on our cats and what he was able to accomplish during his visit, but also what his goal/focus was for each visit. He followed our instructions and once something came up, he figured it out and didn’t need any help from us. It was relieving to know that our kitties were in good hands. He is so much of a cat whisperer that he even got our scaredy-cat to eat while we were gone, which is unheard of. Will definitely book James again when we need a cat sitter!
Response from James
Thank you so much for the awesome review. I'm glad I was able to help you enjoy your time away and not worry so much about the kitties. 😻
Holly
November 14, 2024
I never needed a pet sitter before and I was very nervous to leave my 14 year old widowed kitty alone during my trip. Ellie lost her lifelong kitty partner a couple of months ago and I had no idea how she would be without me. It took over a week of persistence for her to even slightly warm up to James, but by the time I returned, he had gotten her to trust him enough to approach him. As far as I am concerned, he was successful and I came home to a healthy little lady who was shy around me for a bit as well. James was great and I couldn’t be happier with his kitty care.
Response from James
I greatly appreciate the amazing review! Thank you very much!
Amber
January 3, 2023
James comes highly recommended by me and the kitties! He was flexible when weather botched and rearranged our travel plans and he rolled with it and was able to accommodate new dates. We had James come 2x a day to care for our 4 kitties and he always gave detailed notes of in/out times and the food/litter and cat status. He made friends with one of the shy kitties and would send much appreciated photos and videos of the cats at every visit. We felt the babies were in excellent hands and will definitely be using James again next time we travel! :)
Todd
December 9, 2022
James is a cat whisperer. At the meet and great he saw my scaredy girl cat but did not approach her. instead he sat on the floor 10 feet away facing slightly away from her and spoke to her in a low voice for awhile, then sat quietly breathing deeply with long blinks. Jackie forgot all about running away and wanted to know more. She's never responded to anyone but me like that before.
Jennifer
April 1, 2024
James was so kind and gentle with my elderly kitty. She is shy and a bit reserved but after the first day, it was clear she had a bond with and trusted James. He administered her meds without issue and was really great at communicating with us. We will book him again for all our future travel. Highly recommended!!
Noreen
April 8, 2023
James is great! always checks in before the trip, confirms any details, and asks for clarity when needed. Lets me know when he’s on his way, when he gets there, and when he leaves. Sends photos and videos, summarizes how the visit went, etc. Great communication! Definitely recommend.
Sarah
June 27, 2023
James was flexible with my last minute scheduling and was able to come by and meet my cats ahead of my trip. I was able to get some energy out of my cat and ensure things were still safe at home as I finished up my weekend trip.
Makenzie
March 15, 2023
James is phenomenal! my cat is very shy to new people and James put the work and time in and my car Vader felt comfortable and trusted him. Now my shy sweet boy has a new bestie and I’m so thankful! He is the best!
Noreen
December 29, 2022
James was wonderful! One of my cats requires daily medicine and he was great with the difficulties that come with that. We loved all the photo and video updates! Will definitely hire again!
Kyle
January 1, 2023
James was fantastic. He bonded with our kitty, Joey, and took great care of him while we were out of town. He was great about letting us know each time he visited and sent pictures showing our kitty so we wouldn't worry.
Meghann
April 14, 2023
James was attentive and kind to my sometimes feisty feline 😼. It felt great knowing my kitty was being cared for so well while I was away!
Luis
January 6, 2023
James was a great sitter, very friendly and reliable. We are new to the site and needed a cat sitter over the holidays, James was available and upon meeting him felt it would work out perfectly. He was very accommodating to our last minute travel updates and provided great communication and updates during each house visit. Thank you James!
Elizabeth
February 8, 2024
James did an excellent job playing with my hyper cat and being a steady comfort for my sheer cat. He did a really great job.
Rachel
October 3, 2025
D Liz
September 3, 2025
Great pet sitter. Kind to my kitty!
Erin
August 24, 2025
D Liz
July 6, 2025
Rachel
June 25, 2025
We have used James to watch our kitty multiple times and he has been great every time! Will definitely continue to use him in the future!
Response from James
Thank you so much! I love spending time with Luna! She brightens my day every time I see her.
Mike
January 11, 2025
We always reserve James when we need a pet sitter. We can rely on him to take excellent care of our pets. Updates with pictures are always appreciated.
Catherine
December 28, 2024
Veronica
October 11, 2024
Adam
August 22, 2024
Mike
August 17, 2024
Excellent communication throughout. Impeccable and dedicated care for our cats. James is reliable, trustworthy, and knows cats.
Response from James
Thank you so much, Mike! I enjoyed visiting all of them and I'm glad I was able to help you and your family enjoy some time away from home!
Jasmine
June 17, 2024
Rachel
May 15, 2024
Second time having James watch our cat for us. He does a great job and makes us feel better about leaving our kitty.
Kelly
January 29, 2024
Christine
January 12, 2024
James was awesome and did very well bringing my shy kitty out of his shell. He is a great communicator and sends lots of pictures :)
Erik
January 2, 2024
Rachel
December 11, 2023
Julie
November 16, 2023
Debbie
October 14, 2023
Julie
October 9, 2023
Kimberly
December 27, 2022
Janlmes was great with our kitties! We really appreciate him. He is very attentive and communicative. We also loved the cute videos and pictures he sent!
Ross
December 17, 2022
Thanksgiving sit! A miracle! Professional and easy to work with!
Ross
December 17, 2022
Awesome sitter! Easy to work with and professional!
Colin
December 7, 2022
James was amazing! He made it so easy to arrange care for my little demon while I was away. Meeting him was a breeze and I really appreciated his detailed updates. Would book again.
Ross
November 28, 2022
Took my reservation during Thanksgiving! Great experience, professional help!
Meowtel
September 14, 2022
James is a cat sitter in the Portland area. His profile has been verified and his references have been checked by Meowtel.
Free Cancellation (48+ hrs)