I'm Donna
Richmond Cat Care By Donna
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In-home cat sitting visits typically include:
Donna is experienced with 5 types of medications
Check if Donna services your area
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I'm Donna
Cat Sitting in Richmond, VA
I have always loved cats and asked incessantly for my mom to let us get a family cat for years. My dream came true and she took me to the shelter when I was 12 and we met a sweet little orange tabby (who became a very large orange tabby) and named him Milo. Milo passed at the age of 17, peacefully at home with Mom. Venturing into my own adult life, I took the plunge and adopted a little kitty named Nox about 7 years ago and she has changed my life for the better with her cute cat naps, her energetic dashes down the hallway, and her commitment to hunting any small pieces of paper she can find... Hi there! Here’s a little about me to find out if I could be a good fit to take care of your kitties while you’re away.
I have always loved cats and asked incessantly for my mom to let us get a family cat for years. My dream came true and she took me to the shelter when I was 12 and we met a sweet little orange tabby (who became a very large orange tabby) and named him Milo. Milo passed at the age of 17, peacefully at home with Mom. Venturing into my own adult life, I took the plunge and adopted a little kitty named Nox about 7 years ago and she has changed my life for the better with her cute cat naps, her energetic dashes down the hallway, and her commitment to hunting any small pieces of paper she can find. Recently Grigio and Pazzo joined the family, who I actually adopted after cat sitting for them here on Meowtel when their former owners needed to rehome them.
I have the lived experience of taking care of four healthy cats. I have experience with occasional medications (pills, liquid oral meds, topical flea treatment, ear drops) and have administered insulin shots for diabetic kitties. If your kitty is medication free or has some simple medication needs, I would love to meet them (and surely fall in love with them, as I do with all cats).
My primary job is as a stage manager in the theatre industry. My hours vary, but I tend to be busiest in the evenings.
I live downtown and have a car so am pretty flexible about neighborhoods.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out!
*Overnight Clients: please inquire about availability. Though I may not have open dates on the calendar, I am able to look at my schedule on a case by case basis to accept overnight clients depending on location*
Learn More About Donna
What is your experience with cat sitting, and how long have you been doing it?
I have been cat sitting since 2021 through Meowtel, starting in Chicago and continuing here in Richmond. I offer once a day, twice a day, and overnight visits.
What do you enjoy most about cat sitting?
Meeting and spending time with so many new kitties! All cats are different and I love getting to meet new ones and getting to know them.
What is your typical process for working with a new cat parent?
When working with a new cat parent, I schedule a meet and greet at their residence when possible so I can meet the cat(s) and go over all care instructions and where everything is. During the meet and greet I will take notes on my phone covering the care instructions for me to reference when I return to care for the kitties. After going over all care instructions, I review the reservation dates to confirm they are correct and confirm how I will access the home to care for the kitties.
Are you usually available during holidays?
Yes! I occasionally travel to see family for Christmas, but not every year, and rarely travel for other holidays. Feel free to reach out and ask about specific dates/holidays.
Medication Experience:
In-home cat sitting visits typically include:
Donna is experienced with 5 types of medications
Check if Donna services your area
Unfortunately, Donna does not cover your area right meow.
Benjamin
April 14, 2026
Donna was friendly and punctual for our meet and greet, happy to get training on how to enter the apt building and asked good questions. Her updates during my absence were punctual and thorough, and she was able to successfully medicate Theo each time. I would definitely book with Donna again!
Read more
Mitch
This month
Donna was absolutely amazing! She followed the normal routine perfectly and was on time everytime. She was also very professional and attentive to all of our cats needs. She made our vacation even better with peace of mind knowing our cats were being well taken care of. We HIGHLY recommend her!!
Read more
Hannah
This month
Donna was wonderful with our kitties! Kept them happy and well fed and sent us lots of updates. She also took great care of our plants and was good about communicating any questions!
Read more
Cathy
February 27, 2026
Donna did a great job of keeping me updated with things at home while we were away. I got pictures of my babies several times a day which was very reassuring! She kept me up to date with her schedule as well which was greatly appreciated. I would def use her again !
Read more
Benjamin
This week
Donna handled a longer stint this time with aplomb. She kept me appraised on Theo's state and mood and gently alerted me the one day he didn't quite seem himself. I was very happy with Donna's care!
Read more
Pamela
October 25, 2025
Donna made two anxious cat parents much calmer with daily updates and photos of our scared senior cat. She was personable, and prompt. We actually enjoyed ourselves instead of worrying. Will book Donna again for our next trip!
Read moreService Area & Availability
Drop in visits rates
Overnight stay rate
Donna'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
Donna'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.
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.
Richmond cat sitting rates will vary based on the sitter's experience and services, but the average price is $30.00. 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
Benjamin
April 14, 2026
Donna was friendly and punctual for our meet and greet, happy to get training on how to enter the apt building and asked good questions. Her updates during my absence were punctual and thorough, and she was able to successfully medicate Theo each time. I would definitely book with Donna again!
Mitch
This month
Donna was absolutely amazing! She followed the normal routine perfectly and was on time everytime. She was also very professional and attentive to all of our cats needs. She made our vacation even better with peace of mind knowing our cats were being well taken care of. We HIGHLY recommend her!!
Hannah
This month
Donna was wonderful with our kitties! Kept them happy and well fed and sent us lots of updates. She also took great care of our plants and was good about communicating any questions!
Cathy
February 27, 2026
Donna did a great job of keeping me updated with things at home while we were away. I got pictures of my babies several times a day which was very reassuring! She kept me up to date with her schedule as well which was greatly appreciated. I would def use her again !
Benjamin
This week
Donna handled a longer stint this time with aplomb. She kept me appraised on Theo's state and mood and gently alerted me the one day he didn't quite seem himself. I was very happy with Donna's care!
Pamela
October 25, 2025
Donna made two anxious cat parents much calmer with daily updates and photos of our scared senior cat. She was personable, and prompt. We actually enjoyed ourselves instead of worrying. Will book Donna again for our next trip!
Amber
April 11, 2026
Donna was reliable and attentive to our cat. not only did we get pictures for each visit but also an update on her behavior. We hope to have Donna watch our kitty in the future.
Patricia
September 27, 2024
If I could give Donna a 10 star review, I would! We had hired her before and she was fabulous! This time with some bumps in the road, she went way beyond expectations. When she saw ants in my cat’s food, she cleaned the bowl, relocated the food and offered to get any traps, purchased them and located them to the perfect spots. Later when our 10 year smoke alarm decided to go off, she located it and offered to meet someone there to have it fixed. She communicated with me by text and phone. All way beyond cat care time! She is the best!! 😻
Kristin
August 17, 2025
Donna is a caring, reliable cat care sitter. I have 2 older cats with health issues Donna cares for while I’m gone. She administers medications with no issue and is so kind. Donna is a great communicator and keeps me informed on how my cats are doing. I can leave with confidence knowing my pets are in great hands.
Nikki
August 6, 2024
Donna did such a great job with our 6 kitties and even went above and beyond to drop food for the community cats we look over. She was on time every day, sent lots of photos, and gave updates on everything. We were nervous to use a cat sitter for the first time but so happy we found Donna.
Cecilia
December 29, 2024
Donna is a great communicator and cat sitter! I’m an anxious cat mom but Donna sent me tons of adorable photos of my little buddies and sent detailed updates on how they were all doing. I’d book her again in a heartbeat. Thank you Donna!!
Ori
July 20, 2024
Donna is great with our cats and even gets our shyer cats to come around 🤗 She provides a lot of detail, photos and speedy responses! Highly recommend her to anyone looking for a detail oriented, cat whisperer of a cat sitter! She clearly loves working with the kitties 💗
Olivia
June 10, 2024
Donna was great with our two cats. she provided timely updates and cute photos.
Tim
July 9, 2024
Donna was the highlight of our vacation. Unfortunately due to a terrible experience with VRBO and the condo owner we cut our vacation to one night. Donna was very understanding and as always very helpful. Sorry Donna to come back so soon.
Cynde
September 30, 2025
Donna did a great job. Got updates on kitties every day and they seemed happy which made us happy! Lowered our stress about leaving them. ❤️
Kristin
September 23, 2025
Donna takes exceptional care of my cats. She makes sure they get their medication plus lots of love and attention. She is a great communicator and keeps me updated on every visit.
Ori
July 23, 2023
Donna was AMAZING. She sent multiple photos every day, and successfully medicated our cats (both being a bit challenging...like holding pills in the mouth for extended periods THEN spitting it out or hiding under a bed). One of our kitties has had many medical issues so we were nervous leaving him for 2 weeks, but he was in such good hands with Donna. We came back to a perky, healthy, happy little fella. 🥰 Looking forward to hopefully having Donna's help on our next trip!
Kaitlin
November 5, 2021
Donna was a fantastic cat sitter. She was attentive and took plenty of pictures for us each day. I appreciated her updates. She was also able to administer insulin injections for our diabetic kitty. Overall, we had a great experience with her and we’ve already booked her again!
Kerstin
June 17, 2023
it was easy to book and communicate with our sitter. She did a great job, she was even able to pry our cat out from under the sofa and give her medicine. It made my trip better knowing there was a caring person looking out for my "baby".
Jessica
August 5, 2024
Donna was very easy to communicate with, and she took great care of Clio. This was our first time using a pet sitter, and it was nice to come home to a cat that wasn't stand-offish.
Patricia
April 29, 2023
Donna was so easy to work with. She was flexible when we needed to change dates. She gave our rescue cat time to adjust to her and was always prompt and sent wonderful updates and pictures. Everything was perfect!
Elise
August 15, 2022
Donna was so great with our cat and my fish. She was reliable with her reported arrival time. She showed love to our animals and sent pictures with each visit. I was also very happy with the care she took with our home making sure it was secure upon leaving.
Stephanie
August 4, 2022
Donna gave me so many good pictures and kept me updated about my baby - I felt very comfortable having her watch my cat!
Alison
April 8, 2022
Donna was perfect. Punctual, communicative, caring, and extremely reassuring to an anxious kitty momma! Donna sent me pictures and kitty selfies to alleviate any worries. Also stayed in our home and took great care of everything. I was able to relax on my trip knowing all well with my furry baby. Thank you Donna!
Kaitlin
November 30, 2021
This was our second time using Donna to cat sit, and she was wonderful! Each time she visited our home, she sent multiple photos of our sweet kitties and sent me a text update of how they were doing. I so appreciated it, and I'm glad our kitties got some extra love and pets from her while we were away.
Rachel
September 14, 2021
Donna was great. Very communicative and sent photos every time she came over. Spot was very well cared for while we were away.
Dawn
June 3, 2022
Donna was the best! Everything was clean and organized when I got home. This has NOT been my experience in the past. She sent me pictures every day. She was awesome!
Holly
October 18, 2021
After a long 18+ months of establishing codependency, it was not easy to leave our fluff for an extended trip. Donna was communicative, extra attentive, and showed up early. She is a superb kitty surrogate, and helped ease our guilt/travel anxiety. Hairriet is a fan too.
Abby
September 6, 2021
Donna was absolutely incredible! She made sure to do all the things needed as well as sending pictures of the refilled bowls. She was extremely understanding when I needed to reschedule the visit. My mind was put completely at ease when I received her message and pictures from her stop by to check in on my cat and I will absolutely look into booking with Donna next time I am out of town!
Abby
November 29, 2021
Donna communicated with me very well on both when she would go and how her visit went. I know I can trust her with my cat and will be booking again next time I am out of town!
Jennifer
October 14, 2021
Donna was great, took excellent care of Maus, sent a daily photo, and was patient and flexible when our flight was cancelled and we had to rearrange our plans. I highly recommend this kind & caring sitter.
Laura
August 23, 2021
This was the second time Donna cat-sitted for us and it was great! She sent us daily reports and pictures. The house was in perfect conditions and very tidy when we came back, and, what is more important, our cats were very happy and calm. They really like being with Donna, and when we travel we are very happy to leave our cats with her. Thank you so much Donna! Stella and Merlin are missing you already.
Laura
August 12, 2021
We were very pleased with Donna. She texted us every day and sent us pictures of our cats. When we came back everything was perfect and the cats were in an excellent mood. We have already booked her for other cat sitting in the future. Thank you Donna for being so great with Stella and Merlin!
Max
July 22, 2021
Donna did a great job baby sitting my cats. She filled in for another sitter who cancelled at the last minute and saved my weekend trip. She is a great communicator always sharing when she was feeding my guys and she was always on time for feedings. She is lovely, flexible and trustworthy. I highly recommend Donna and hope she will babysit for me again.
Emma
August 8, 2021
Let me make this easy for you: YES you do want Donna to watch your cats. She is amazing. She took amazing care of our apartment panther & was in great communication before, during, and immediately after she helped us out. This is a top-notch, very professional individual, and also we just like her!!
Victoria
November 27, 2023
Donna was responsive, respectful and took great care of my cats. The full process from booking through to service was straightforward and my cats were relaxed when I returned from the holidays, thank you!
Dani
June 22, 2021
Donna was great with my kitties, I call her the cat whisperer because my one kitty who is very anxious and shy loved her! Highly recommend!
Mitch
This week
Reservation went perfectly. Donna was punctual, professional, and great with the kitties. She updated us af6er every visit with pics. We'd HIGHLY recommend her as she is awesome!
Syd
November 27, 2022
Oh Donna !!! This lady right here is a special type of person. I recently just lost one of my cats & I still have her brother at home & I was leaving for a week for vacation, I was so anxious till I found Donna. She took good care of my baby & my home. I WILL BE BOOKING WITH DONNA AGAIN🖤🫶🏼
Emily
June 22, 2021
Donna was so amazing! She is excellent at communicating! She is so sweet and my cat was in the best hands! Will definitely book her next time I go out of town!
Syd
April 5, 2023
I love love love Donna!!’ I have such a hard time trusting people with my home and she is always amazing to my home and kitties !!!! so reliable and always on time!!! communication is amazing with her always!!!
Dawn
September 22, 2022
Donna is wonderful! She takes really great care of everything. I’ve used her twice now and whenever I come home the cats are happy, clean and well cared for!
Jessica
May 9, 2023
Great communication and very prompt! I felt very confident leaving Gordy in Donna’s care.
Tess
May 6, 2023
Donna was great. Communicative and sent pictures.
Nick
August 31, 2021
Donna was great! Very accommodating, friendly, and great with my cats! Highly recommend her for cat sitting!
Alexander
September 1, 2021
Donna was a wonderful sitter for my 2 boys! She was communicative and I felt very comfortable leaving them with her :) Highly recommend!
Patricia
April 19, 2024
Donna is the best! She is flexible and so reliable! She sends great updates with cute pictures. Wish I could give her 10 stars!!!
Makai
This week
Donna, was very helpful and comforted us greatly knowing our cats were in good hands!
Cynde
April 15, 2026
..
Celeste
March 14, 2026
Donna did great!
Kristal
March 9, 2026
Erin
December 28, 2025
Kristin
December 15, 2025
Albert
December 11, 2025
Casey
October 7, 2025
Sarita
September 8, 2025
Alexandra
July 27, 2025
Cole
July 23, 2025
Great cat sitting , Updates with photos every visit
Heath
July 13, 2025
Donna
June 24, 2025
Erin
May 28, 2025
Alexandra
May 13, 2025
Casey
May 6, 2025
Albano
April 28, 2025
Joan
March 26, 2025
Alexandra
March 11, 2025
Alexandra
February 25, 2025
Albano
January 14, 2025
Alexandra
December 12, 2024
Monica
October 14, 2024
Donna
October 12, 2024
Jenna
October 8, 2024
Ashley
August 26, 2024
Heath
July 14, 2024
Sierra
July 12, 2024
Sierra
May 8, 2024
Sierra
March 19, 2024
Sierra
February 20, 2024
Allison
January 20, 2024
Emily
November 25, 2023
Dawn
October 10, 2023
Donna is fantastic!! I will use her anytime!
Sierra
September 10, 2023
Stacy
April 3, 2023
Donna is wonderful, as always! So grateful to have peace of mind when away knowing she’s popping in on my fluffy boy
Jill
June 12, 2022
Great
Adrienne
October 8, 2021
Donna is the best! Before our first reservation, I was able to meet with Donna and explain all of my older cat's needs. She was amazing! Sent pics and feedback every day. Very trustworthy. I'm so happy I found her! A+++
Sharon
September 17, 2021
Donna was great taking care of our fickle senior cat.
Meowtel
June 9, 2021
Donna is a cat sitter in the Chicago area. Her profile has been verified and her references have been checked by Meowtel.
Free Cancellation (48+ hrs)