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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to fire my sisters pet sitter while she is away (surreal conversation)

199 replies

FeelingSmurfy · 26/03/2017 12:37

My oldest sister is abroad and has hired a pet sitter to look after her cat, she left my phone number for her in case of emergency. I've just had a phone call that went like this -

Me: Hello?
PS: Hi, it's Jenny (not real name)
Me: Jenny?
PS: this is FeelingSmurfy isn't it?
Me: Yes, who is this?
PS: I'm the cat sitter
Me: Oh! Right! (panic sets in) is everything OK? My sister only left yesterday, nothing has happened has it?
PS: no, the cats are fine
Me: phew! Well...
PS: Oh I just called because she hasn't left any breakfast for them
Me: really?? Have you checked the cupboard next to the sink?
PS: no (she goes to check) no its empty
Me: she must have left food somewhere, I will come try to find it
PS: well she left their dessert on the table, I just can't find the breakfast
Me:.... Dessert??
PS: yea, cat jelly, I didn't even know cats had dessert
Me: (realising what's going on) do you mean the x food that says chunks in jelly?
PS: yea, weird or what
Me: that's not dessert, that's the food, just give them that when my sister asked you to
PS: for their proper food? Even though it's jelly??
Me: Yes
Me:Comes off the phone and hits my head against the wall

I still can't quite believe what happened. She told my sister she had cats growing up and has been a pet sitter for 4 years so has lots of experience looking after cats. I'm not entirely sure what to do now, because I've told her how to feed them and I don't know whether to leave it or get in touch with my sister or cancel the pet sitter and find a new one/try to sort it between my other sister, me and parents

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Trills · 26/03/2017 12:40

I've started typing about 4 different sentences...

This is bizarre.

This person clearly does not have much experience of looking after cats.

BurnTheBlackSuit · 26/03/2017 12:41

😂😂😂😂

Trills · 26/03/2017 12:42

How near do you live? How much hassle would it be for you to change things?

The petsitter is obviously not terribly competent, but you only need a very basic level of competence to feed cats twice a day.

If it would be a large hassle for you, the cats probably won't suffer, and so you can just leave it and then not hire this petsitter again.

ElspethFlashman · 26/03/2017 12:42

Tell your sister and let her decide. She can give Jenny a call "just to see how things are going" and go over a few things.

But....pet sitter for 4 years my arse!

FeelingSmurfy · 26/03/2017 12:43

Trills that's exactly how I feel, my head is just ... But ... How ... What? Confused Hmm Confused

OP posts:
AllTheWittyNamesAreGone · 26/03/2017 12:44

Dessert for the kittyGrinGrinGrin

RebelRogue · 26/03/2017 12:44

Cat dessert 😹😹😹

shyturnip · 26/03/2017 12:44

How long is your sister away for?

TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 26/03/2017 12:45

"yes you might be my PFB but even the cats are not allowed jelly for their main meal....eat your cabbage child!"

She is strict!

groingasbag · 26/03/2017 12:45

😂😂😂. Seriously lost for words!

LindyHemming · 26/03/2017 12:45

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

VladmirsPoutine · 26/03/2017 12:45

How bizarre. I'd call her and ask if the cat had had it's brunch yet.

ClockBusCanada · 26/03/2017 12:46

If you keep her on for now, make sure she knows to give them water. My cat-owning friend cat sat for us once and didn't give ours any water for two days Sad. I have no idea how she didn't realise she needed to refill the bowl.

DixieNormas · 26/03/2017 12:46

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Bluntness100 · 26/03/2017 12:49

She left their dessert on the table? Ffs.

She's thick as mince. I've never had a cat and even I know that's their food. Anyone who watches tv and has seen an advert knows it.

Can you put the cat in a cattery?

Sparkletastic · 26/03/2017 12:50

Call your sister. I would deffo sack the cat sitter but best check I suppose.

IloveBanff · 26/03/2017 12:51

ClockBusCanada That's a very good point. She's so incredibly thick that she probably won't think of it or think that the cats don't need it "because no water was left out". Maybe she'll give them coffee and biscuits.

WonderMike · 26/03/2017 12:51

I love the thought that

chunks + gravy = mains
chunks +jelly = pudding

ExplodedCloud · 26/03/2017 12:51

Outstanding Grin
You might want to pop over and check on the poor cats at some point...

acatcalledjohn · 26/03/2017 12:52

Cat dessert HmmGrin

Our experience with cat sitters is that they didn't follow written instructions and according to neighbours didn't turn up twice a day, as agreed.

Our neighbours now cat sit when we are gone. I wouldn't go back to a cat sitter unless for a short period of time over Christmas or similar.

If you are able to take over the cat sitting then I suggest you do. I couldn't in good conscience let someone so dim look after animals. It can only go horribly wrong.

TondelayaDellaVentamiglia · 26/03/2017 12:53

I am sooooo telling my catfaces how lucky they are to be allowed jelly catfood on demand

yeah, cos that will make The Little Furry Overlords appreciate me.

MargaretCavendish · 26/03/2017 12:55

How long is your sister away for? This person obviously isn't the brightest spark(!), but she will probably be ok for a few days

StealthPolarBear · 26/03/2017 12:55

:o

MumUndone · 26/03/2017 12:55

Hee hee, this has made my day!

FeelingSmurfy · 26/03/2017 12:55

My sister is away for just under 2 weeks

It would be a pain in the rear end for us to do it, which is why she got a pet sitter, but I would rather have the inconvenience than the cats suffer

Euphemia from the conversation I don't think she's ever had cats, unless when she was very young and had nothing to do with their care, or looked after any Sad

Clockbuscanada I think that has swayed it for me, I don't know what I'm going to do about getting another sitter or sorting it amongst ourselves, but I need to fire Jenny. I will head over there after lunch and check their water

I wouldn't know where to find a cattery (I assume Google would help there) or what I was looking for when I visited, so I would feel uncomfortable choosing one on my sisters behalf as her cats are like her babies probably why they are spoiled and get dessert

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