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Services – 19 questions answered
Sitters on Meowtel may offer two types of in-home services:
- Drop-in Visits: The sitter will visit your home once, twice, or up to three times per day. These visits can be booked in 20-minute, 45-minute, or 60-minute increments.
- Overnight Stays: The sitter will stay overnight in your home for at least 12 hours. The total duration may vary depending on the sitter's schedule and what you both agree upon. Overnight stays may include dinner and breakfast feedings, and you're welcome to discuss any additional preferences or expectations directly with your sitter. *Please note that necessities for your sitter's comfort and privacy are appreciated, such as a bed, clean linens, heat/AC, an internet connection, and a usable bathroom.
The following services are not found on Meowtel:
- Cat boarding or kenneling, where the cats stay in the sitter's home
- Cat grooming
- House sitting (long-term or 24/7)
- Dog walking
If these types of arrangements are made through the platform, we won't be able to provide customer support and your cat parent account may be suspended.
Prices start at $20 for 20 minutes of in-home cat sitting.
Rates may vary from sitter to sitter, as cat sitters on Meowtel are independent and set their own rates. Due to the cost of living in select cities, some areas will have different average rates than others.
Holiday surcharge rates also vary by sitter. You will always have the opportunity to review pricing before requesting your reservation.
Start your search here to find a sitter that fits your budget and needs.
Yes! Every reservation comes with a free Meet & Greet.
After you put in a reservation request, you may start setting up your free Meet & Greet by clicking the Chat with Sitter button on your request confirmation screen. You can also initiate a message to your sitter via the Meowtel Inbox, or by clicking the Chat button in your Reservations screen.
We recommend proposing two to three Meet & Greet times that will work best for you, so your sitter can quickly cross-check their schedule.
The Meet & Greet is a 15-30 minute meeting with your sitter to help you, your cats, and your sitter get acquainted with each other. It is the best way to make sure your sitter will be the purrfect fit and establish trust between both parties before the reservation takes place.
At the Meet & Greet, please provide your sitter with a copy of your key(s) so they do not have to make another trip to your home to pick it up.
Yes! All sitters go through a third-party background check process.
- Kittens: Drop-in twice per day or overnight stays
- Seniors: Drop-in twice per day or overnight stays
- Healthy, self-sufficient: Drop-in once per day or every other day
- Healthy, likes attention: Drop-in twice per day or overnight stays
- Special/Wet food diets: Drop-in twice per day
- Medication requirements: Can vary by type of medication and administration schedule
- Diabetic: Drop-in twice per day or overnight stays
- Special needs: Drop-in twice per day or overnight stays
Still not sure which service type your cat will need? Email [email protected] or call/text us at 1-844-MEOWTEL.
Yes. After each visit, cat sitters typically send you a message update, along with at least one photo or video. Many sitters will provide multiple photos or videos! If you'd like specific updates, such as before-and-after photos of food bowls, water dispensers, or litter box(es), feel free to request this from your sitter at your Meet & Greet!
Meowtel is a cat-centric platform, and the Meowtel Promise is designed for that purpose.
If you have other pets in addition to cats, sitter availability depends on their comfort level. Before booking, discuss your other pet care needs with the sitter to ensure they're comfortable.
Please note that only the cats listed on your reservation are eligible for the Meowtel Promise and not any other pets.
As you prepare to have your cat sitter care for your kitties while you are away, here are a few important things to review during a Meet & Greet and to keep in mind:
- Ensure you have completed the Vet Release Form for emergencies, and share your emergency contact(s) with your sitter.
- Ensure you have stocked up on enough supplies for the duration of your reservation: food, treats, litter, litter disposal bags, cat toys, and medication if required.
- Complete your cat(s) profile(s) to include all care instructions.
- If your kitty requires medication(s), please share with your sitter specific instructions, tips, and best practices for administering their meds.
- Provide your sitter with whatever they need to safely and smoothly access your home, such as a key that has been tested recently, accurate key pad or lockbox codes, etc. If possible, it's also a good idea to have a spare key available or leave a backup key with a trusted neighbor or property manager.
- Provide your sitter with any additional important information, such as additional emergency contacts, where additional supplies are stored, if there's any particular places your cat(s) like to hide, or if there's a sticky lock or any other household quirks they should be aware of.
- If you've booked a sitter for Overnight Stays, please ensure they have access to basic accommodations, such as a bed, clean linens, heat/AC, an internet connection, and a usable bathroom with privacy.
Please also review and ensure your home meets our Fit for Service Home Environments policy prior to your sitter's arrival.
Your sitter will contact you right away and ask if there is a spare key, alternate access point, or a property manager with a backup key. Sitters are also asked to immediately notify Meowtel in these situations.
If there are no spare keys or alternate entry options, your sitter will contact a locksmith to get a new key made and/or have the lock replaced.
Sitters are 100% responsible for contacting and paying for a locksmith or a replacement key if they lose, misplace, damage a client's key, or accidentally lock themselves out (e.g., leaving the key inside the home). This includes any situation related to theft or an unexplained loss of a client's key.
If the entry issue is due to a faulty key or faulty lock, or if you do not provide a correct entry code to your building or home, nor provide a key for your sitter, you will be responsible for resolving the issue, as well as any applicable costs.
We highly recommend completing the Vet Release Form before the start of your reservation.
If your kitty becomes sick or injured during your reservation, and the symptoms appear to be life-threatening, your sitter may immediately take your cat to the vet listed on your Vet Release Form.
If the Vet Release Form has not been completed, the sitter and/or Meowtel will call the cat parent immediately for guidance on where to take the cat.
Note: Many vet clinics will not begin treatment without the cat parent's written consent.
Cats love having small spaces to hide, as it helps them to feel calm and secure. Please share your cats' possible hiding spots (closets, under beds, in basements, laundry rooms, etc), and your sitter will do their best to locate your kitty.
We suggest sharing these possible hiding spots during the Meet & Greet so your sitter can take note of them before the reservation starts.
If you feel uncomfortable with your sitter at any point, or if you don't think they're a purrfect fit for your cat(s), please call 844-MEOWTEL (1-844-636-9835) as soon as possible so we can help you cancel the reservation, rebook with another sitter, and provide support.
Yes! If your cat sitter on Meowtel services your friend's area, we're sure they would appreciate the referral. (And if they don't service your friend's area, we might have other options for them!)
As a reminder, please be sure to keep all referrals on the Meowtel platform, and never share your sitter's personal contact information directly with anyone. Meowtel customer support is only valid for reservations placed on the platform.
Since cat sitters on the Meowtel platform specialize in cats and cats only, you can rest assured that your kitty will be in the care of someone who understands and appreciates cats. Additionally, cat sitters on the Meowtel platform have undergone a criminal background check and onboarding process with our team of specialists. If you aren't 100% satisfied with the sitter you've selected after your free Meet & Greet, our support staff will assist you.
Cats are creatures of habit, and are happiest when in their home environment. Booking a cat sitter through Meowtel helps ensure that your cats remain in their familiar surroundings, which can minimize stress and disruption. Your cat sitter will provide updates with each visit, letting you know how your cat is doing. Plus, you'll likely come home to extremely happy kitties!
During each visit, your cat sitter will typically serve your cat fresh food and water (per your directions during the Meet & Greet), clean the litter box, give your cat playtime (and cuddles, if allowed!), administer any requested medications, and send you a message update, along with at least one photo or video.
For the safety of your cat(s) and sitters on Meowtel, Meowtel does not allow any cat to go outside during a reservation. This includes, but is not limited to:
- Patios
- Hallways
- Balconies
- Backyards or gardens
- Garages
- Rooftop decks
All cats booked through Meowtel must remain fully indoors for the duration of the reservation, even if they normally go outside when you are home. This policy helps prevent accidents, escapes, and other safety concerns that can arise when cats have outdoor access.
Exception: Fully enclosed catios that are securely attached to the home and allow your cat to access the space without ever being exposed to the outdoors are allowed. The catio must be completely secure, escape-proof, and structurally enclosed so your sitter never has to open an exterior door or let your cat into an unprotected outdoor area.
It is okay for sitters to provide care to outdoor cats or feral cats that you normally care for, however, please note that the Meowtel Promise does not apply to outdoor cats or feral cats.
Yes - your sitter can provide care for indoor/outdoor cats, outdoor-only cats, or feral cats that you regularly care for. However, it's important to understand how this affects your reservation.
Cats who spend time outdoors face a significantly higher risk of injury, illness, escape, or unexpected emergencies. Because of these inherent risks, the Meowtel Promise does not apply to any reservation that includes indoor/outdoor cats, outdoor cats, or feral cats.
If your household includes a mix of indoor cats and outdoor/feral cats, your sitter can still care for all of them; just keep in mind that the reservation will not be eligible for the Meowtel Promise.
Every sitter on Meowtel operates as an independent contractor and runs their own cat-sitting business. While each sitter manages their own workflow, Meowtel's best practice is to provide clear, consistent updates with photos or videos. Your sitter should send a visit update for each completed visit that includes a message about how your cat(s) are doing along with photos or videos and any important notes from the visit.
If you prefer to receive updates at specific times, such as when your sitter arrives and when they leave, you are welcome to request this in the chat or during your free Meet & Greet. Sitters are expected to be consistent with their updates and responsive through the Meowtel chat throughout the reservation.
Some clients choose to use home security cameras such as Ring or similar devices that show entry and exit activity. This is completely optional and not required.
If you ever have concerns about visit timing or sitter communication, our support team is here to help.