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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think my cat sitter was in the wrong?

136 replies

Tabbyz · 31/05/2026 10:01

I got back from holiday yesterday and I used a cat sitter for my 2 cats. The instructions were clear, one cat can come and go as she pleases and the other one can come in while cat sitter is there but must put her back out before leaving.

The first day they came, they did a visit in the morning and evening and in the evening report it said that there was a poo outside of the litter tray and they had cleaned it up. I messaged her to say that will be because you kept Olivia inside and if you keep her outside, she will toilet outside.

I got back yesterday to a poo in my living room and Olivia was inside!! I contacted her asking why my instructions were not adhered to and she said she didn’t think it was in Olivia’s best interest to be outside as she didn’t want to go and when she placed her outside she was crying to come back in. But it’s not up to her to make that decision. Those were my wishes and the cat would’ve been absolutely fine, it was only 4 days . What is the point in leaving them instructions? AIBU to leave a bad review and not use them again?

OP posts:
5128gap · 31/05/2026 10:15

You hired a human being who presumably cares about animal welfare, not a machine to follow your 'exact instructions'. Many people would be disinclined to turf a cat out all day in a heatwave. If you write a review of her saying what you have here, you will probably make her more attractive to future clients, because many would prefer initiative to be used by the sitter in the animals interests.

Loulou4022 · 31/05/2026 10:13

WTF!! You wanted a cat sitter to leave a cat outdoors in what had been the hottest few days of the year! You do realise that in the last few days it’s been up to 32 degrees outside!! If I was the cat sitter I would absolutely not be working for you again!! For the record when we go away our cat is shut indoors for the time we are away!

IPM · 31/05/2026 10:11

NachoCheesed · 31/05/2026 10:06

Cat Sitter here and I would be angry with her. I follow instructions to the letter (whether I agree with them or not).
Can you write her a review on the platform you booked her on?

If you'd throw a cat out in a heatwave that's distressed and crying to come in, you're very much in the wrong job.

sprigatito · 31/05/2026 10:11

Perhaps the cat sitter has personal boundaries around animal cruelty and wasn’t prepared to violate them? If I were responsible for an animal and it was literally crying to come inside, I wouldn’t ignore it either. Look after your own pet if you want to insist on it being mistreated.

Original poster
Tabbyz · 31/05/2026 10:11

MushMonster · 31/05/2026 10:06

You are wrong. You do need a cat flap. You cannot leave a cat outside in this heat! Where is your cat going to get shade and water?
I think the sitter cares for the wellbeing of the cat, so that is why she did not follow command... maybe she should have refused to "sit" your cats. I think I would have.

There is shade, we have a big back garden and there is plenty of shade and I ask them to
leave dry food and water outside! I paid for two 45 minute visits a day so that she could spend time with them and play with them after feeding. So my cat could come inside during that time while she is monitored, she just refuses to use her litter tray for poos

OP posts:
IPM · 31/05/2026 10:10

Horrible thing to do to a cat to lock it outside for 4 days when its crying to come in.

I'm glad they didn't do it.

Plus did you expect them to chase the cat around the house in order to be able to pick it up and throw it out?

MushMonster · 31/05/2026 10:09

NachoCheesed · 31/05/2026 10:06

Cat Sitter here and I would be angry with her. I follow instructions to the letter (whether I agree with them or not).
Can you write her a review on the platform you booked her on?

And if this poor cat dies of heatstroke, then which review should be left in the website?
I think you should not have pets or look after pets if you cannot see an issue with the welfare of the animal here.

MushMonster · 31/05/2026 10:06

You are wrong. You do need a cat flap. You cannot leave a cat outside in this heat! Where is your cat going to get shade and water?
I think the sitter cares for the wellbeing of the cat, so that is why she did not follow command... maybe she should have refused to "sit" your cats. I think I would have.

NachoCheesed · 31/05/2026 10:06

Cat Sitter here and I would be angry with her. I follow instructions to the letter (whether I agree with them or not).
Can you write her a review on the platform you booked her on?

tiramisugelato · 31/05/2026 10:06

So you wanted your cat left outside with no shelter or opportunity to come inside for 4 days?

viques · 31/05/2026 10:04

If the cats were in the UK then I can understand the sitter being reluctant to put a cat outside all day. My very outdoor-loving cat spent most of last week inside on the coldest floor he could find because it was too hot for him outside.