Behind The Brand · Founder's Notes · MEOW! Franchise Insights · Operations and Support · Pet Industry Trends · Uncategorized
Michele owns and operates MEOW! at the Lake, an affiliate location rather than a franchised one. She is also founder Deanna Jones’s sister — a connection we mention up front because you should know it when reading anything she says about us. Her experience as an affiliate may differ from a franchisee’s in ways described in our Franchise Disclosure Document.
When I opened MEOW! at the Lake, I wasn’t just starting a pet sitting business. I was becoming part of something bigger — a brand built exclusively around one simple belief.
Cats deserve specialized care.
After years in retail management, and living in the Lake Monticello community since 1990, I knew I wanted to build something of my own. Something meaningful. When the opportunity came to open a MEOW! cats-only location, it felt like the right fit.
I’ve always loved animals, especially cats. My husband and I share our home with six of our own: Mr. Tiggs, Flash, Thor, Chuckles, Louie, and Maestro. Cats have always been part of my life.
But what made the real difference was the business model. Instead of starting from scratch, I launched with:
I wasn’t alone. I was supported from day one.
There are plenty of pet sitting businesses out there. MEOW! is intentionally different. We don’t do dogs. We don’t split focus. We specialize.
That specialization gives us a deep understanding of feline behavior, services designed around cats’ routines and sensitivities, and a brand identity that communicates expertise without a lot of explaining. As a business owner, that clarity is powerful. Clients know exactly what we do — and what we don’t.
Owning MEOW! at the Lake lets me serve the community I’ve called home for more than three decades. Lake Monticello families love their cats, and many prefer in-home care over boarding. Being able to offer a trusted, professional, cats-only service gives those pet parents real peace of mind.
And the rewards aren’t only practical ones. It’s watching a shy cat finally come out from under the bed. Sending the daily photo update that lets a family actually relax on their vacation. Building relationships with clients and with their cats over years, not visits. Because I’m working inside a system, I get to spend my attention on the care itself instead of constantly reinventing business processes.
One of the most reassuring parts of this has been belonging to something larger. My sister Deanna owns and operates the flagship MEOW! location in Pinellas County, Florida, and watching her dedication to cats over the years gave me confidence that the model works.
As an affiliate location, I benefit from shared experience and collaboration, brand credibility, marketing structure, and ongoing development.
It’s entrepreneurship — but with a foundation.
Absolutely.
It’s rewarding because I’m building a business around something I genuinely love, providing a specialized service my community needs, with the backing of an established system. Owning a MEOW! cats-only location isn’t just about pet sitting. It’s about niche expertise, community impact, professional independence, and a brand that stands for something specific.
For me, it was the right next chapter. I’m proud to represent MEOW! here at Lake Monticello.
Ownership opportunities in select markets
Interested in building something that’s all your own?
If a home-based business caring for cats sounds like your next chapter, tell us the city and state you have in mind. Reach out today, or read the steps to ownership first.
This post is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, a franchise. An offer may be made only through delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document in compliance with applicable law. The experience described above is that of one affiliate owner and is not a representation of the results any MEOW! franchisee will achieve. Information regarding financial performance is available only in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
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