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

I started working with Meowtel in 2022 and enjoyed all of my experiences. I stopped in early 2024 because I was expecting and wanted to focus on home life for a bit. Unfortunately, we had a loss so after some time away I'm back to Meowtel with hopes of making new memories and many kitty snuggles.

Can you tell us about your favorite cat sitting reservation?

My favorite cat-sitting reservation was with a large silky void named Panther. He was such a big boy I thought he was going to be reserved or avoid me altogether. Totally wrong! Panther wanted all the snuggles and cuddles and sat in my lap the entire time I was there and purred so loudly! He was such a sweetie and I'm glad I was able to provide him some comfort while his mommy was away.

Do you have kitties yourself? What are their names?

I have 2 kitties: Oliver and Arthur. Oliver is a tuxedo, he was rescued from Second Chance SPCA in Plano in 2022, and he is my scaredy-cat. Arthur is the typical trouble-making orange cat, he was rescued from the Rockwall Animal Shelter in 2023, and he will do anything for attention or treats.

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

I know leaving your kitties alone can be really hard. You wonder if they're okay, do they miss you, are they stressed, etc. My goal as a sitter is to make everyone feel comfortable with the situation. I want to provide you the peace of mind that everything will be A-okay while you're away and I want the kitties to know that they are not alone and their parents will return. .

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

My process typically involves going over the basic background of my experiences with pet sitting. I ask cat parents to show me where the food/water/treats are kept, how much to give/how often, etc. I like to know where the cat carriers are in case of emergencies or any medications that are needed. I will ask if there are any hiding spots I should be aware of in case I don't see the cat(s) as well as check if there are any escapers or runners I should be mentally prepared for upon entering/leaving. We'll also discuss the exchanging of keys and how you'd like to get them back at the end of the sitting reservation. I try to make sure every question is answered and any nerves are put to ease before the end of our first meeting.

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

My biggest fear is that my cat Arthur will dart out the door as I'm coming inside, especially if someone else is entering or leaving my home. Because of this fear, I try to open the door slightly to see if there is a cat waiting before I shuffle in, leaving very little room for escapers. Once inside, I lock the door for personal safety as well as reassurance that the door is completely closed. During the interview process, I like to ask pet parents where they keep carrier cases should an emergency arise and I need to leave the house for any reason with their kittie(s). I also keep a spare carrier in my car as a backup option.

Are you usually available during holidays?

I am usually available during the holidays. I try to keep my calendar as updated as possible, but feel free to ask and confirm the dates are accurate.