I'm Lauren

Artist Cat Lover The Purrfect Sitter

5.00
51 Reviews
< 4 hrs Response Time
14 Repeat clients
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Background-checked
50+ Meowtel reservations completed
50+ Meowtel reservations completed
Catographer
Catographer
Neighborhood Explorer
Neighborhood Explorer
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

Lauren is experienced with 3 types of medications

Topical Ointments Eye/Ear Drops Oral Medication / Pills

Check if Lauren services your area

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Artist Cat Lover The Purrfect Sitter

I'm Lauren

Cat Sitting in Austin, TX

Hello Pet Parents,

My name is Lauren Tarbel. I am a fine artist and photographer living in North Central Austin. I have loved and cared for cats all my life, and I would love the opportunity to care for your kitties while you are away.

Working with animals is truly my favorite job ever! I speak fluent cat and love doting on your kitties. I have been working as a Meowtel sitter for over 2 years. I take a lot of photos and videos during my visits
to keep you updated while you are away. While you are traveling I treat your cats as if they were my own...
Hello Pet Parents,

My name is Lauren Tarbel. I am a fine artist and photographer living in North Central Austin. I have loved and cared for cats all my life, and I would love the opportunity to care for your kitties while you are away.

Working with animals is truly my favorite job ever! I speak fluent cat and love doting on your kitties. I have been working as a Meowtel sitter for over 2 years. I take a lot of photos and videos during my visits
to keep you updated while you are away. While you are traveling I treat your cats as if they were my own.

In my family, we have two kids Ellie (9) & Henry (8), two tabby kitties, (Ziggy and Star), and a Husky (Bowie). I often volunteer at local shelters photographing animals up for adoption.

Whether your baby loves affection and attention or is introverted and shy, I have your cat care covered.

On one occasion I tended a cat crew of 8 kitties! This required the maintenance of 5 litter boxes. Each cat needed special care and several took medication twice daily.

No matter the circumstances, I will go above and beyond to provide the care your fur babies deserve.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Learn More About Lauren

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

I have been pet-sitting for over 20 years and have been with Meowtel for 2, going on 3 years 😸 I have pretty extensive experience as a cat lover and sitter. I would call myself an animal whisperer ❤️

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

I have two 4-year-old kitties who are brothers. We adopted them as rescues in 2021 from Austin Pets Alive. Their names are Ziggy & Star. When we first adopted them they were very frightened of people. Today they are so outgoing, affectionate, and the heart of our home alongside our Husky named Bowie.

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

When working with a client for the first time, it helps to answer any questions and make my clients feel comfortable. After I confirm your reservation, we coordinate a good time to set up a meet-and-greet.

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

I am always looking out for the best interests of the kitties I care for, I tailor my approach to your kitties' individual needs and your instructions. I am very careful whenever I open exterior doors, and before I leave each I ensure the house is safe for your cats.

Are you usually available during holidays?

Yes, I am available on most holidays. If you find that I am unavailable feel free to direct message me and I will double-check my calendar or refer you to some great Meowtel sitters I know.

What is your favorite cat toy?

I love a good cat wand but nothing beats a good box. On the job I've seen some pretty cool toys 😺I find most cats really like a good cat kicker or catnip-laced toy. One of the coolest toys I've seen is a little battery-powered mouse that moves across the floor when you turn it on.

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

I respect whatever level of attention or affection your kitty requires. I often talk to them in a soothing voice while I go about taking care of their needs. I usually check them in their safe spots and praise them from a respectful distance. On multiple occasions I've had very shy kitties open up to me in beautiful ways.


Medication Experience:

Topical Ointments Eye/Ear Drops Oral Medication / Pills

Skills:

Animal CPR Trained Shelter Volunteer

5.00
51 reviews
5.0
Attention to Detail
5.0
Communication
5.0
Tidiness
Regina

Regina

December 29, 2025

Lauren did a fantastic job watching my cat for a week while I was out of town. My cat is extremely shy and easily scared, but Lauren made him feel comfortable and even got him to come out for treats. She sent wonderful updates of every visit, including pictures and videos, which gave me so much peace of mind. She made sure he always had enough food, fresh water, and a clean litter box. I would definitely have Lauren watch my kitty again and highly recommend her to anyone looking for a caring and reliable sitter.

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

Jessica

May 16, 2025

The reservation was really easy to complete after confirming the dates with Lauren. She was amazing with my cats! During the mat and greet I really loved her energy and could tell that the cats were really enjoying her vibe as well. I left for my trip feeling like my 4 cats would be safe and well taken care of. Lauren sent thorough updates and lots of great photos and videos of the cats. My little void with the separation anxiety issues became buddies with Lauren and even felt comfortable enough to climb up on her shoulders and give affection. He never does that with anyone else but me. I felt at ease and had peace of mind while traveling, knowing that my kitties would be well fed and get their meds on time. I will definitely be booking with Lauren again!

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
David

David

August 12, 2025

Lauren went above and beyond all expectations for cat care. Because of schedule conflicts, I needed to split my car care for my last trip and Lauren stepped in to a very "spooked" cat (I don't blame the previous sitter; cats will be cats and things happen). Lauren worked extra hard to make sure that the cat who was spooked was made comfortable and eventually back to her normal cat-self.

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation with twice per day visits
Coleen

Coleen

September 17, 2025

This is the second time Lauren has cared for my Sam cat. I never thought he would so readily accept a stranger as a caregiver. It is obvious from the photos and videos that Lauren sends every day that that he is very happy.

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation 1+ week long
Coleen

Coleen

August 22, 2025

I was very pleased with Lauren's interaction with my Sam cat. She evidently established excellent rapport with him as evidenced through the multiple photos and videos she sent while I was away. I will definitely use her again.

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

Jessica

June 23, 2025

Lauren is absolutely fantastic with my cats! I can leave town without a worry and know they will be happy and fully taken care of when I'm gone. Not only os she a fantastic cat sitter that provides lots of detailed messages and photos/videos, she also goes above and beyond when providing meds and food for my picky eaters, she keeps the house super clean and she even took care of watering my plants while I was away. I have requested Lauren twice now for my travels and will be sure to connect with her again for future cat ssittingneeds. ❤️

Read more
Meowtel-verified reservation with overnight visits

Service Area & Availability

Drop in visits rates

$39.00 / 45min
$50.00 / 60min

Overnight stay rate

$85.00 / Overnight

Lauren's is 20%

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

Drop in visits rates

$38.00 / 45min
$50.00 / 60min

Overnight stay rate

$80.00 / Overnight

Lauren's is 25%

S
M
T
W
T
F
S
Overnight Availability
Lauren'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

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.

Curious cat peeking over the banner

Memorial Day is coming up soon (May 25th, 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!

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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.

Austin 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
51 reviews
5.00
From $38.00

Free Cancellation (48+ hrs)