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Accepting payments outside of Meowtel (e.g., cash, check, Venmo) for cat sitting services goes against our Terms of Service. Reservations made outside of the platform are not covered by Meowtel’s insurance.

One of the most common ways this happens is when a client wants to add extra visits to an existing reservation. In these cases, they will need to either modify the existing reservation or book a new one. You can find more details on modifying a reservation here.

Tips given outside the Meowtel platform are allowed. Only tips sent through Meowtel’s payment system will be reported in your annual earnings summary. More information on tipping can be found here.

If we identify that a sitter and client have arranged payment outside of Meowtel, their accounts may be suspended or removed from the platform. You will always receive an email notification regarding any changes to your account status.

If a client requests to pay outside of Meowtel, please let us know by emailing [email protected] or calling/texting 1-844-MEOWTEL.

As a Meowtel cat sitter, you always have full control over which clients you choose to accept. If, after the Meet & Greet, you feel the booking isn’t the right fit, you are always welcome to decline.

Some reasons you might decide not to move forward with a client include:

1. You disagree with their approach to cat care.
2. You believe the cats need more frequent visits than the client is requesting (e.g., they want visits every four days, but you believe the cats need visits every two days).
3. You feel uncomfortable in their home due to safety or cleanliness concerns (please refer to our Fit for Service Home Environments policy for details.)

If you choose not to proceed, we ask that you:

1. Kindly let the client know that it’s not the right fit. You can suggest they continue their search on Meowtel or reach out to the Bellhop Team for assistance with rebooking.
2. Ensure you do not take their key(s) home with you at the end of the Meet & Greet.

If your reason for canceling was due to a safety concern or if you’d like guidance on how to navigate the situation, please don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re happy to assist.

Looking to boost your cat sitting visibility? Here are some tried-and-true ways to enhance your search visibility for Meowtel clients:

1. Enhance your sitter listing: Your sitter bio is the most important factor clients consider. Aim for at least 300 words and highlight your experience, love for cats, and what makes you a great sitter. A detailed bio can also help your listing visibility in web search browsers as well!
2. Update your availability regularly: Keep your calendar accurate and open at least 2-3 months in advance with as many consecutive days as possible. Many cat parents book early, especially for holidays and longer travel.
3. Set and adjust competitive rates: Research what other sitters in your area charge and adjust/lower accordingly. Offering a fair rate can help attract a broader spectrum of clients, while still valuing your time and expertise.
4. Expand your service area: Consider covering a 10-15 mile radius (or more if you're willing to drive further). The more neighborhoods you serve, the more potential clients you can reach!
5. Respond quickly to inquiries: Fast replies show reliability and increase your chances of getting booked. Clients appreciate efficient communication when searching for the right sitter. Often, clients may reach out with questions prior to booking their reservation - a smooth client experience starts with helpful guidance and prompt communication!
6. Get great reviews: Positive reviews build trust and encourage new clients to book with you. Provide top-notch care, send timely, detailed updates, include lots of photos, and make sure clients have a great experience. When a reservation is complete, a friendly reminder for clients to leave a review for you can go a long way to set you up for future success.
7. Promote yourself: Spread the word on social media, Nextdoor, or local community boards. You can also order promotional items from our Sitter Store to market your services.
8. Offer clients a discount code: Set up a discount code to entice new or repeat clients to book a reservation with you!

By following these steps, you’ll increase your client visibility and make your profile stand out to potential new clients!

Are you looking for more help to customize your sitter listing? Reach out to the Sitter Success Team via email at [email protected] to request a personalized review of your sitter listing!

To maintain an active sitter listing in the Meowtel marketplace all sitters are required to uphold Minimum Standards for Client Satisfaction and Sitter Performance. Failure to maintain any of these standards will be considered a breach of the Meowtel Terms of Service and may result in account deactivation. 

All sitters agree to:

1. Maintain an accurate, up to date calendar of their availability. 
2. Accept or decline all reservation requests before they expire. Reservation requests expire 24 hours after being placed by a client.
3. Perform all services promised to Meowtel clients during every visit:
4. Litter box cleaning
5. Feeding
6. Water refresh
7. Sending the client an update with at least 1 written update and 1 photo/video
8. Socializing/Playtime
9. Cleaning and tidying any cat related messes, such as tracked litter, spilled food or water, hairballs, etc.
10. Stay for the full duration of each visit as reserved.
11. Keep all communication with Meowtel clients within the Meowtel chat.
12. Respond to communications from other users and Meowtel staff promptly via the same communication channel by which the message was received i.e. responding to client messages in the Meowtel chat, and Meowtel staff emails via email.
13. Maintain accurate descriptions of their skills and experience as well as services offered in their listing.
14. Represent Meowtel policies accurately and honestly to clients. When unsure of a policy, direct clients to contact Meowtel Bellhop for clarification.

Yes! You have two options depending on your needs:

Vacation Mode: If you'll be away on vacation (or otherwise unavailable) and do not want to receive new requests or messages from clients during that time, you can enable Vacation Mode:

1. Go to your Sitter Dashboard and click Edit Sitter Listing.
2. Scroll to the bottom of the page and turn on Vacation Mode.
3. Click Save Changes to confirm.

When Vacation Mode is active:

1. Your profile will not appear in search results.
2. Your availability calendar will be hidden, and clients will not be able to book you
3. Both new and existing clients will not be able to send you messages

Important: If you have active reservations, we recommend waiting until they are completed before enabling Vacation Mode, as clients will be unable to message you once it is activated.

Extended Time Away: If you plan to be away for more than six weeks, we recommend reaching out to us at [email protected] so we can temporarily deactivate your listing. This will ensure your profile remains in good standing while you take a break.

Please take the following steps:

1. Contact the client to check if there is a spare key, alternate entry method, or a property manager with a backup key.
2. Notify Meowtel by calling/texting 1-844-MEOWTEL or emailing [email protected].
3. If there are no spare keys or alternate entry options, work with the client to call the nearest locksmith to get a new key made or get the lock replaced.
4. If the issue is due to a faulty key or lock, the client is responsible for resolving it
5. Once the issue is resolved, inform the client and Meowtel.

Tips to Prevent Key Loss or Damage:

1. Keep the client’s key on your personal keyring.
2. Store keys securely at all times. Never leave them unattended in a car or public place.
3. Avoid using the key for anything other than unlocking the client’s door. Keys can bend or break more easily than expected.
4. If a key fob cannot be placed on a keyring, store it in a wallet or another secure place that stays with you.

Please Note:

Sitters are 100% responsible for calling and paying for the locksmith or a replacement key if the sitter loses, misplaces, or damages a client's key. This includes any situation related to theft or an unexplained loss of a client's key. If a client reports a lost, misplaced, or unreturned key, Meowtel may review the situation and determine whether any adjustments to earnings are necessary to reimburse the client.