The Owners

Evelyn Shields- Owner
The Cat Whisperer

Evelyn (she/her) grew up on a farm in Vermont with independent kitties outside in the barn and cozy kitties inside her home. Her first inside kitten was an orange flea-bitten little guy left on her elementary school front steps that she brought home on the bus (without asking permission!). Courtalee claimed Evelyn in 2001 and (un)happily moved across the country with her twice and held an important role in the home and business. Evelyn has a knack for calming anxious kitties and even the most timid have been wooed by her charm. She enjoys meeting the new kitties needing sitting services and their owners as well! Evelyn is co-owner of Austin Cat Sitters and has been part of every facet of the business. Evelyn is fluent in ASL and also works as an interpreter.

Vox VanDyke- Owner
Cat Counselor

Vox (he/him) has been a lover of animals his entire life. His first cat Hank is the inspiration for the business and logo. Vox moved to Austin in 2014 and has loved how animal crazy this city has been. He loves taking care of all kitties from the energetic crazy kittens to the cantankerous old cats and everyone in between. Vox is mostly in charge of the back end business operations and management but will jump in for visits when needed. Vox modeled the basics of this business after his years of experience as a Licensed Professional Counselor. Cat counseling costs extra.

Banana Split- Inventory Specialist

Banana is our Inventory Specialist and is very serious about his job. Banana can tell you how many spring toys are under the couch or birds in the window. Banana has unique skills in counting the kibble in his bowl and letting you know if you have not given him enough. He holds an uncanny ability to make excess treats disappear in a matter of moments. No snack gets by this guy uncounted. He is also determined to let us know that we always come up short.

Zing- New Hire Training Coordinator

Since starting with ACS as an intern in 2017, Zing has climbed the ranks and is now our New Hire Training Coordinator. Zing is experienced in giving psychological assessments and dabbles in human mind control. Within moments of meeting Zing you will find yourself unknowingly “assisting” her in tasks by throwing her beloved zip ties so she can fetch or turning on the faucets for the highly coveted sink water. Zing has been known to train even the strongest willed. She is an asset to our team.

Courtalee (1997-2020)

Courtalee lived an amazing 23 years and provided infinite wisdom and support to ACS and her owners. Courtalee was soft as a bunny and had lots to say right up to the end of her days. She crossed the rainbow bridge in June of 2020 and we know she is bossing everyone around and being sassy with the other kitties that we have cared for and lost over the years.

Foster Cats and Kittens

Austin Cat Sitters is proud to support the local cat loving community. We have fostered and adopted cats through Austin Pets Alive shelter and adopted from the Austin Animal Shelter. We also regularly donate to APA and other local rescue organizations and participate in local pet sitter organizations. We support the small business community of the cities we service by shopping local.