Rover Group Acquires Cat-Centric Marketplace Meowtel

The acquisition will help Rover expand its services to better meet the unique needs of cat owners.

Jan. 28, 2026 at 8:23am

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Rover Group, the world's largest online marketplace for pet care, has acquired Meowtel Inc., the leading cat sitting platform in the U.S. The transaction will allow Rover to further invest in cat-centric care and services, helping the company better serve the needs of cat owners across the country.

Why it matters

The acquisition highlights the growing demand for specialized pet care services, particularly for cats, as more pet owners seek personalized and in-home options for their feline companions. It also demonstrates Rover's strategy to expand its offerings and solidify its position as the dominant player in the online pet care market.

The details

Founded in 2015, Meowtel has built a network of over 4,000 cat sitters serving more than 125,000 cats in 8,000 cities nationwide. Rover will leverage Meowtel's cat-centric expertise to enhance its existing services and meet the unique needs of cat owners, who often prefer in-home care that allows their pets to maintain their daily routines.

  • Rover announced the acquisition on January 28, 2026.
  • Meowtel was founded in 2015.

The players

Rover Group, Inc.

The world's largest online marketplace for pet care, founded in 2011 and based in Seattle, Washington.

Meowtel Inc.

The #1 cat sitting app in the U.S., founded in 2015 and dedicated to connecting cat parents with trusted and experienced cat sitters for personalized, in-home care.

Brent Turner

CEO of Rover.

Sonya Petcavich

CEO and founder of Meowtel.

Bruno Leveque

CTO and co-founder of Meowtel.

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What they’re saying

“Rover exists to see and serve the unique needs of pets and their people, and this transaction underscores that promise.”

— Brent Turner, CEO of Rover (GlobeNewswire)

“We are excited to partner with Rover to further our mission of helping every cat and cat parent live their best life, which we will achieve by connecting pet parents across the United States with loving cat sitters.”

— Sonya Petcavich, CEO and founder of Meowtel (GlobeNewswire)

What’s next

Meowtel will continue to operate as an independent brand, led by co-founders Sonya Petcavich and Bruno Leveque.

The takeaway

The acquisition of Meowtel by Rover Group highlights the growing demand for specialized pet care services, particularly for cats, as more pet owners seek personalized and in-home options for their feline companions. It also demonstrates Rover's strategy to expand its offerings and solidify its position as the dominant player in the online pet care market.