The Pet Maven: house call pet grooming and cat sitting

About

The Pet Maven's vision is to provide animal caregivers the ultimate in peace of mind for cat care and grooming through a house call solution. Passionate animal lover and professional Helen Adler established The Pet Maven in 2002. Helen is a graduate of the New York School of Dog Grooming and certified in Pet First Aid through the American Red Cross. She is a member of the National Dog Groomers Association, National Cat Groomers Institute and National Association of Professional Pet Sitters.

Services

• The Full Dog Maven Includes bath with all natural shampoo and moisturizing conditioner, massage, brush-out/loose hair removal, hand blow dry, ear cleaning/plucking, pad trimming and cleaning, nail clipping, sanitary trim, stylish haircut
• The Mini Dog Maven Bath with all natural shampoo and moisturizing conditioner, massage, brush-out/loose hair removal, hand blow dry, ear cleaning/plucking, pad trimming and cleaning, nail clipping, sanitary trim (without haircut)
• Teeth Brushing Add-on service for dogs
• De-Matting Coat Add-on service beyond 15 minutes for dogs
• The Kitty Maven Bath with all natural shampoo, massage, hand blow dry, brush-out/comb out, nail clipping, ear cleaning, sanitary trim, face trim, optional toe tuft trim, stylish haircut/trim, lion cuts and fancy funky cuts
• Soft Paw Nail Caps Add-on service for cats
• Daily 30 Minute Visit Feeding and fresh water, litter box cleaning, playtime with favorite toys, medication administration provided
• Overnight Cat Sitting 10 hours or 12 hours overnight care with medication administration available

Published prices

Prices published on their website, as of 2026-07-19 — confirm when booking.

Certifications

• ✓ CPR & first aid

As stated on their website.

Service area

• Manhattan
• Astoria
• Forest Hills
• Long Island City
• Sunnyside
• Woodside
• Brooklyn Heights
• Carroll Gardens
• Cobble Hill
• Dumbo
• Fort Greene
• Greenpoint
• Prospect Heights
• Prospect Park
• Park Slope
• Williamsburg
• Downtown Brooklyn

Frequently asked questions

• What is included in a cat sitter visit?

  Each visit is one half hour. The cat sitter will feed the cat per your instructions, clean and refresh the water dish, and scoop and refresh the kitty litter. The remaining time is spent playing with or snuggling with the kitties, depending on their personalities.

• Do you offer anything other than half-hour cat sitter visits?

  We do not offer anything shorter than one half hour, but we do offer longer visits. We also offer overnight visits in 10 and 12 hour increments. In the near future, we will offer private boarding in hosted family homes.

• How early should I book cat sitter?

  In most cases, about a week is fine. We can also often find last-minute sitters if you are suddenly called out of town. Holidays fill up fast, so book early to reserve a spot!

• Who does the cat sitting for The Pet Maven?

  The Pet Maven has a network of over 35 sitters in locations throughout New York City, including Manhattan, and parts of Queens and Brooklyn.

• Will I get to meet the cat sitter ahead of time?

  Yes! You will certainly be able to meet and interview the cat sitter ahead of time, to make sure it's a good fit!

• Do your sitters have references that I can call?

  All Pet Maven sitters go through several levels of screening, including an in-person interview. We also check both business and cat-sitting-related references before inviting sitters to join our team!

• Can I choose when the cat sitter will visit?

  Unless there is medication involved, The Pet Maven cannot guarantee an exact visit time. Our sitters have busy schedules, and many rely on public transportation. We offer visit time windows: Morning 8am-11am, Afternoon 11am-4pm, Evening 4pm-8pm.

• Can your sitters administer medication?

  Most of our sitters can administer medications to cats. Our areas of experience range from liquid oral medication and pills, to topical medicines, to insulin and subcutaneous fluids.

• Do you charge for medication administration?

  Most medications are $5 per visit; subcutaneous fluids are $8. A more involved medication regimen may involve additional fees.

• What areas do you service?

  We service Manhattan, and nearby neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens.

• What are the advantages to having my pet groomed at home?

  In home grooming is less stressful for the pet and more convenient for you. There is no travel to a grooming salon, no waiting in cages, no exposure to other animals, no loud noises, and your pet will be in the comfort and safety of your own home.

• What do you need to groom in my home?

  We need a place to bathe the dog or cat and some towels. We need a kitchen sink with a sprayer. If you don't have a sprayer we can bring a portable sprayer. We'll need a flat surface for grooming. All grooming supplies are brought to your home.

• What types of pets do you groom?

  The Pet Maven grooms small dogs (under 25 lbs) and cats in the owner's home. We specialize in new puppies or kittens, special needs animals and elderly animals.

• How long does the grooming appointment take?

  A typical grooming appointment can take anywhere from 1 - 2 hours depending on whether it is a dog or cat, the breed, the condition of the coat and whether the pet has special needs.

• At what age is it best to have my new puppy groomed for the first time?

  We usually recommend a first full grooming appointment no later than 4 months. It is important the first grooming be a positive experience for the puppy, so we are especially gentle and take our time.

• How often should my dog be groomed?

  Most dogs could benefit from a good overall grooming every 4-6 weeks particularly the drop coated breeds, terriers, sporting breeds. Even if the dog doesn't need a haircut, they do need a proper bath, ear cleaning, nail trim and sanitary.

• How often should my cat be groomed?

  We recommend long haired cats be groomed every 4 - 6 weeks to keep their coats mat free. If you suffer allergies, then a bath for either a long haired or short haired cat can be helpful on a regular basis.

• What kind of training do you have?

  Helen Adler is certified in Pet Grooming through the New York School of Dog Grooming where she also learned cat grooming. She is certified in Pet First Aid through the American Red Cross and has conducted grooming workshops.

• Are you insured and bonded?

  The Pet Maven is fully insured and bonded through Business Insurers of the Carolinas. For pet grooming, there is a separate insurance policy through Merchants Insurance Group.