To sack cat sitter?

[Deadcatbounce]

I was away this weekend, not unusual at the moment as sick parent in hospital.

Lodger was also away so booked cat sitter to come once a day.

Got back Sunday night, lodger had plans cancelled so was in all day Saturday and said did you book cat sitter as she didn't show up and I fed cats Saturday.

I had texted cat sitter when I got back Sunday night and asked how everything was and she said fine.

So I texted her again and said lodger was here and said she fed cats as you didn't show.

2 hours later she leaves a message and says there has been a misunderstanding, my daughter was ill and I gave your keys to a friend of mine to feed cats but I have realised she didn't.

Aibu to think she lied and wouldn't have told me if lodger hadn't been there unexpectedly?

[SillyMoomin]

Well of course she lied! Leave a review on her website if she has one and never ever use again (doubt you'll get your money back, but worth a try)

[Trifleorbust]

That is really unpleasant. Have you paid her?

[IzzyIsBusy]

She is lying.
Dont use her again.

[2014newme]

Sack her anyway she is either lying and left your cat hungry or gave your keys to a stranger!

[CoraPirbright]

She def lied! Also, what a stupid lie to tell!! Did she really think that it would be acceptable to you for her to give your keys to some random stranger to let themselves into your house??!!

[Deadcatbounce]

Yes I paid her up front

The worry is she will do again, I don't think she would have told me if lodger hadn't been here, as when I texted she just said all was fine

[emmyhNL]

Definitely demand your money back. Perhaps ask for further clarification about this "misunderstanding" but I'd be leaving a bad review.

[Deadcatbounce]

But if she did give keys to someone surely she would have checked they actually came?

[Damselindestress]

Definitely dodgy! Even if she's telling the truth then she gave your keys to a total stranger! I'm a pet sitter and would never behave like that. It's a responsibility being trusted with the well being of someone's pet and the keys to their home. Annoys me when people are just in it for the money and don't take it seriously. Don't use her again and leave feedback so other pet owners know to avoid. Also consider changing your locks. Sorry to hear you've had this experience.

[Damselindestress]

Sorry I mean a total stranger to you, that wasn't clear.

[Deadcatbounce]

If lodger hadn't been here which she wasn't supposed to be cats wouldn't have been fed at all

[IminaPickle]

I'd go nuclear. She stole from you.

[nixinoo]

She gave your keys to a complete stranger (allegedly) and then didn't bother to do what you paid her to do! I'm with the others, leave a bad review and try and get your money back. Would your home insurance have covered you if this "friend" had stolen anything?

[ChocolateWombat]

There's no case of sacking here. Each agreement to book a cat sitter is separate - clearly you won't be booking them again.

I would insist on a refund for at least the day they didn't come and suggest they refund you for the whole of that booking. I would wait to find out if they give it. I would also leave a negative review - if they refund, acknowledge that but clearly state that they are unreliable.

Be very clear with the sitter how disappointed and shocked you are - that an animals welfare was at stake. She has no right to outsource the work to someone else. If there is a regulatory or oversight body for animal sitting (not sure there is) Inwould report them.

[chickenowner]

It makes me wonder if she's done this before!

[Deadcatbounce]

I hadn't thought of that, I just think she didn't come and made up friend story, odd as she was very nice

[chickenowner]

Let's hope this was just a one off. Poor cats!

[DanglyEarOrnaments]

How cruel! I can't make sense of the fact that she just left them with no food all weekend! Are pet sitters not supposed to be animal lovers.

I wonder if the person she said she sent over to cover was an employee of her cat sitting business in which case it would be fair enough for her to allow them to cover her, if in fact they actually HAD done the job?

Either way it's very very poor service and cruel. I would maybe leave a bad review, I wouldn't do that to a business in most cases, I normally just wouldn't use said service again, but in this case animals were neglected therefore the burden of responsibility taken on by this kind of service is huge and in this case essential service was not delivered.

Lucky your lodger came home.

[jay55]

Giving your keys to someone else without your permission would have been awful even if that person had shown up.

[Trifleorbust]

Clearly not an animal lover - just someone who thinks it makes no odds whether a cat gets fed once a day or once a weekend, and knows she can make £40-50 for no work whatsoever.

I'd give the benefit of the doubt except that any honest person would have contacted you to say they were sorry to let you down, daughter sick, asking friend to pop in instead, would you like a refund?

Sounds like she just CBA.

[Deadcatbounce]

She has refunded me for Saturday and a few future bookings I have made

Won't use again as have told her I can't trust her. I have a friend who lives near by who has spare keys, if I had been told I could have got her round

It's the lying I hate

[Damselindestress]

I'm glad that she has at least refunded you but you are right, the trust is gone.