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ABOUT THIRD COAST CAT CO.

Because cats deserve specialists. Most pet-care businesses are designed around dogs, with cats added as a secondary service. Third Coast Cat Co. was built specifically for cats: their routines, behaviors, communication styles, and unique needs. We believe feline care is a specialty, not a sideline.

Yes. This is one of the most important things we do. The sitter you meet at your complimentary meet and greet is the sitter who comes every time — including every overnight stay, every holiday, every visit.

Cats thrive on familiarity, which is why we strive to provide the same trusted sitter for every reservation. Unlike app-based services built around a rotating cast of strangers, we believe consistency is part of exceptional care.

Very occasionally, circumstances beyond our control may require a substitute sitter. Should that happen, we’ll notify you as far in advance as possible and thoughtfully match you with a qualified member of our team who has been thoroughly screened and fully briefed on your cat’s care.

Because while life can be unpredictable, your cat’s experience shouldn’t be.

Yes and yes. At Third Coast Cat Co., trust isn’t an afterthought — it’s the foundation of everything we do. That’s why we carry general liability insurance for all pet care services and maintain professional credentials that reflect our commitment to exceptional feline care. Every member of our team is fidelity bonded and undergoes a comprehensive background screening before being entrusted with the care of our clients’ cats and homes. Because welcoming someone into your home — and into your cat’s carefully curated world — is a privilege we never take lightly. Copies of our insurance certificate are always available upon request.

We serve Evanston, Wilmette, Kenilworth, Winnetka, Glencoe, Highland Park, Highwood, and Lake Forest. If you live just outside this territory, please reach out — we may be able to accommodate you depending on location and availability. We do not serve Chicago city neighborhoods at this time.

Every whisker belongs to a real Third Coast Cat Co. client. With their families’ permission, we feature the cats we’ve had the pleasure of caring for because they’re the heart of everything we do. We think there’s no better introduction to our company than the remarkable cats who welcomed us into their homes.

BOOKING & AVAILABILITY

All bookings are through our Scritches portal, which you can access via the Book Now button at the top of this page or . New clients must complete a complimentary meet-and-greet before their first paid booking — this can be requested through the same portal, or by sending us a message directly. Scritches handles scheduling, confirmations, reminders, and payment in one clean interface — no apps or downloads required.

Yes — the meet and greet is required for all new clients, and it’s complimentary. It’s a 15-to-30-minute visit at your home where we meet your cat, walk through their routine, set up home access, review the client agreement, and answer every question you have. We do not accept bookings from clients we haven’t met in person. This isn’t bureaucratic; it genuinely makes every subsequent visit better, safer, and less stressful for your cat.

For regular visits, we request a minimum of 48 hours notice. For holiday windows — Thanksgiving week, winter break (December 23–January 2), and spring break — we recommend booking four to six weeks in advance. These windows fill quickly and are not guaranteed without a reservation. Priority Members receive guaranteed availability during all peak windows as part of their annual membership.

Same-day and short-notice bookings (under 48 hours) are subject to a $20 surcharge and depend entirely on availability. We will always do our best to accommodate urgent situations — please send us a message directly if you need something quickly and we’ll tell you honestly whether we can help.

SERVICES & VISITS

A Concierge Cat Essential Visit runs 30 minutes. We feed your cat according to the instructions you’ve provided, refresh their water, clean the litter box, text you a photo of your cat, leave a hand-written visit report, and lock and confirm all entry points before leaving. The Signature Visit lasts 45 minutes and offers all the care of an Essential Visit, plus dedicated playtime and enrichment, medication administration (oral and topical), toy rotation and enrichment variety, two photos texted to you, and home watch services (mail, packages, houseplants, lighting). An Extended Visit lasts 60 minutes, and offers all the care of a Signature Visit, plus extended playtime and enrichment, feeding schedule coordination for cats on timed or prescription diets, brushing and grooming (if welcomed), and advanced medication protocols (subcutaneous fluids, injectable insulin, or inhaler protocols).

We arrive at your home by 9 pm and leave by 9 am. Everything in an Extended Concierge Cat Visit is included, plus: full evening and morning feeding routines, complex medication administration, complete overnight litter maintenance, a morning report texted to you by 10 am, and a human presence in your home overnight. For cats who are anxious, senior, or on complex care routines, overnight stays are often significantly more effective than multiple drop-ins.

Yes — and honestly, this is exactly what we are best suited for. Shy and anxious cats do not warm up to a rotating cast of strangers. They warm up to one familiar, calm, patient person over time. Because we send the same sitter every visit, many cats who initially hide are comfortable and sociable within two or three visits. We do not chase or force interaction. We enter the space, do our work, and let the cat come to us on their own terms. This is a slower process, and it works.

Yes. Oral medications (pills, liquids, pill pockets) and topical medications (spot-on treatments, ear drops, creams) are included in our base rate. Complex medications — including subcutaneous fluids, injectable insulin, and inhaler or nebulizer administration — are available for an additional $10 per visit. All medications must be clearly labeled with the cat’s name, dosage, and schedule. Please ensure you have sufficient supply for the full duration of service.

Yes — a $15 per additional cat fee applies for each cat beyond the first. So a household with two cats would add $15 per visit; three cats would add $30. This reflects the additional time, attention, and labor involved in multi-cat households, and is consistent with industry standard pricing.

PRACTICAL & LOGISTICAL

We offer several secure options, including client-provided keys, lockboxes, smart locks, and building concierge access. During your meet-and-greet, we’ll determine the method that works best for your household. All keys, codes, and access information are handled with the utmost discretion and confidentiality.

Before every reservation, we’ll collect emergency contacts, veterinary information, and care authorizations. If an emergency arises, we’ll act according to the plan we’ve established together and keep you informed every step of the way. Your cat’s safety and well-being will always be our first priority.

All payments are processed through our Scritches portal, which accepts credit and debit cards via Stripe. We also accept Venmo and Zelle — all tracked through Scritches. First-time clients pay 50% at the time of booking confirmation, and the balance at service completion. Established clients pay at service completion. Receipts are available for all transactions.

Chicago’s shoreline along Lake Michigan is often called the “Third Coast” — a nickname that reflects the city’s distinct character, culture, and pride of place. We chose the name because we’re proudly rooted in the North Shore communities we serve. It’s a little nod to home, just as our care is designed to help your cat feel at home while you’re away.

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