If you know a friend (or a few friends) who you think would make purrfect Meowtel sitters, you can invite them by sharing this link: apply to become a Meowtel sitter!

You'll earn a $50 bonus which will be deposited into your Meowtel Payouts & Earnings whenever one of your referred friends successfully completes their first Meowtel reservation as a sitter with a client who is not the original referrer.

Simply advise your referred friend to share your name in their interview and your referral will be activated!

It is important to note that Meowtel Insurance will be completely void on a reservation that includes any indoor/outdoor cat, outdoor cats, or feral cats. We do not guarantee the safety or well-being of any cat that is allowed outside the home, nor should any indoor cat be allowed outside under the care of a Meowtel sitter. Our recommendation is to politely let your client know that unfortunately, we cannot allow their kitty outside during the reservation as it is a safety concern.

If the client has any concerns about this policy, they are welcome to contact us at [email protected].

We have a 4-tiered approach to sitter commissions. Sitters who consistently provide excellent service and win over more repeat clients will benefit most.

For sitters in California, please see this article.

Our commission structure is based on your total reservation earnings with each client:

Tier 1: 30% commission for any client from whom you have earned $0-$299.
Tier 2: 25% commission for any client from whom you have earned between $300-$999.
Tier 3: 20% commission for any client from whom you have earned between $1,000-$2,999.
Tier 4: 15% commission for any client from whom you have earned over $3,000.

These commission tiers apply to a sitter's base rate and holiday surcharge. For example, if your 20-minute rate is $30 and your holiday surcharge is set at 30%, a 20-minute visit on December 25th with a brand new client will result in you taking home $27.30:

Base rate: $30.00
Holiday surcharge: 30% x $30 = $9.00
Total price: $39.00

Meowtel's commission @ Tier 1: 30%

Your Earnings: $39.00 - ($39.00 x 30%) = $39.00 - $11.70 = $27.30.

Tiers and commissions are calculated using earning data from all past/completed reservations. The moment a sitter accepts a reservation request, including any reservation modification requests, is when the tiers and earnings calculations take place for the new reservation. Any other reservation taking place with the same client before, during, or after this reservation does not impact the original calculation.

Here’s an example of what this could look like:

- On Dec 1st, client places Reservation #1 starting on Feb 1st, with planned earnings of $100 in Tier 1

- On Dec 20th, client places Reservation #2, starting on Jan 1st for 10 days, with planned earnings of $300 in Tier 1

- Reservation #2 is ending before Reservation #1 started and the sitter is now in Tier 2

- Reservation #1 will still be in Tier 1, as it was accepted on Dec 1st, when the sitter was in Tier 1

Tips are not counted towards client earning calculations since they are already commission-free. You can always check up on your commission tier progress with each client by taking the following steps:

1. Visit your Clients screen on Meowtel.com or in the mobile app

2. In the upper right corner, sort by Earnings or double click on the Earnings column to re-sort the table

3. Your clients will be sorted from highest to lowest earnings

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:

You disagree with their approach to cat care.
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).
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:

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.
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:

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!
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.
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.
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!
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!
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.
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.
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!