Today we’d like to introduce you to Catalina Hurtado.
Hi Catalina, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Cat’s Meowtastic Cat Care officially began in April 2018, but the seeds were planted a little earlier. I adopted my very first cat, Benny, in December 2016, and Daisy joined our family a few months later in April 2017. It didn’t take long for me to fall completely in love with being a cat mom.
While planning a trip to London and Paris for our 10th wedding anniversary in November of 2017, my husband and I faced the dilemma so many cat parents know well: who can we really trust to care for our fur babies while we’re away? After doing research we couldn’t find any cat only sitters in the Southeast Los Angeles area. Thankfully my parents were up for the job and we were able to enjoy our vacation knowing our fur babies were well taken care of. But that experience made me wonder how other cat parents managed when they traveled, especially if they don’t have anyone they trust. And that’s how Cat’s Meowtastic Cat Care came to be.
I launched Cat’s Meowtastic Cat Care with the goal of giving cat parents the very thing I was searching for: peace of mind, trust, and the comfort of knowing their fur babies are receiving the kind of love and attention they’d get as if mom and dad never left. The early days weren’t easy; in fact, I didn’t book my very first client until September of 2018, a sweet all-black kitty named Vernon in Long Beach. I still remember how nervous and excited I was meeting him and his mom for the first time. But thankfully Vernon and I become the best of friends. I went on to care for little Vernon for several years until he and his mom moved back East in 2021.
Although I wanted to make my business my full-time career, the first few months were very financially tough. And by April of 2019 I decided to return to full-time work. But I continued to build my cat sitting business in the evenings after work, on weekends, and the occasional early mornings before work. And that’s how it was for a few years.
But everything shifted in January 2022, while I was pursuing my MBA. By this time I had a steady flow of bookings and a dedicated client list. And so I began thinking about going all in to the business again. Of course the risk of giving up a steady paycheck and health benefits made me a bit hesitant. But when I really thought about it: the joy and fulfillment I experienced through cat sitting gave me the courage to take the leap. So by February 2023, I had officially left my job and made Cat’s Meowtastic Cat Care my full-time career.
Looking back, what began as a part-time passion has grown into my true calling. And looking forward, I’m excited to keep growing, serving more cat parents, and continuing to provide the kind of loving, reliable care that gives both cats and their humans peace of mind.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road hasn’t always been easy. I struggled finding clients, securing bookings, and streamlining my business operations. Not to mentioning balancing cat sitting with a full-time job meant long days and little personal time.
Through it all, the joy of caring for cats and seeing the peace of mind it brings their parents has made every challenge worth it. Each struggle has taught me resilience, creativity, and why doing work I truly love makes all the sacrifices worthwhile. And, most importantly, I have made some amazing friendships (both feline and human) along the way.
We’ve been impressed with Cat’s Meowtastic Cat Care, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At Cat’s Meowtastic Cat Care, I’m more than a just a cat sitter – I’m a Tia (Auntie) for your cats, giving them love, attention, and care like they’re part of my own family. Every cat deserves a little extra purr-sonalized TLC, and that’s exactly what I provide. Whether cat parents are away for a day or a week. Each visit is tailored to your cat’s purr-sonality, keeping them happy, comfortable, and loved right at home.
Cat parents can book me for 30-, 45-, or 60-minute visits once or twice a day for however long they need. Every visit ensures that fur babies under my care have access to fresh food, water, clean litter boxes, playtime, and cuddles. And, more importantly, cat parents are sent end-of-visit reports detailing how their fur baby is doing, and plenty of photos and videos from my visit.
What sets me apart? I treat every cat like family, with purr-sonalized attention, plenty of play, and lots of cuddles. I’m also a member of Pet Sitters International and the National Association of Professional Pet Sitters, which gives me access to educational resources, industry best practices, and ongoing professional development. On top of that, I stay up-to-date by reading cat-centered books and magazines so I can learn more about cat behaviors and best practices for care.
While I serve the greater Los Angeles area, my focus is on Southeast Los Angeles, including Downey, Long Beach, Cerritos, and Whittier. My mission is simple: to be your cat’s favorite Tia and give you, the cat parents, the peace of mind that comes from knowing your babies are happy, safe, and loved while you’re away.
IG: @catsmeowtasticcatcare
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.catsmeowtasticcatcare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catsmeowtasticcatcare
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/catsmeowtasticcatcare/
