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

[FeelingSmurfy]

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

Though it has just occurred to me that she didn't notice that the instructions didn't mention 'dessert' and didn't question that, which is a bit of a worry...

I think she has probably only ever fed cats dry food. Still, it is funny to think she thought they got dessert!

Wtf!? How qualified do you need to be to be a pet sitter!?

This is the front end where the food goes. This is the back end where the shit comes out. Viola!

I'd be composing the feedback for them now...

Get the key back off her.

RebelCat is going to be so disappointed as OH got him chunks in gravy not jelly. No more dessert for him!

there are no words for the stupidity. I've never had cats myself but have cat sat for neighbours many a time, it's really not hard.

Chuck yes I will do that this afternoon

I'm not sure what to say to her, or what to do about money but I think I will leave the money side to my sister. The one good thing is that at least she did call me

I just keep giggling at 'cat dessert', brilliant

I think you have discovered a gap in the market OP.

Pussy pudding.

Clearly she is naive but I wouldn't sack her.
She had a problem and she phoned you to resolve it. As long as she knows to give food and water and calls you if there are any issues then she's done the job required.
I wouldn't hire her again but don't go to all the hassle of sacking and trying to replace her.

Good grief . I often wonder how some people manage to function in the big wide world!

Chattery will almost certainly insist on the paperwork showing the cat is up to date on vaccinations. Just FYI.

Cat sitter does not sound experienced. But our cat is currently being sat by a 12 year old girl. It's not a job that needs much by way of initiative so long as there is back up (you). I'd be a bit wary of trying to replace. Check on the water and then check in with her in three days to see how she's doing. Unless you know of a decent cat sitter you can replace her with, you aren't in a great position to be sure of anyone else you hired to replace her. Closer supervision may be the answer. Maybe ask if she would send you a photo of the cat each day?

I'm dying to know why she thought that meat in chunks of jelly would be dessert.

Cattery not chattery!

This is hilarious. But I wouldn't fire her its not really your place. I would check on the cat every other day though

oh dear worries for your Dsis 🐱

Don't sack her that would be mean. I would go in once a day myself just to check. Will she be emptying the litter trays do you think?

I wouldn't sack them. It's not rocket science. They called you with a problem and there the main thing.

EachandEveryone Will she be emptying the litter trays do you think?

Once she realises that cats don't use the loo she'll be ringing the OP to say she can't find the cat nappies.

I hope you are at tesco buying some ice cream to go with their jelly!!

I keep thinking she's like my teenage niece and they can be abit daft can't they?

Whilst this thread is very amusing, to say the least, I definitely wouldn't want some incompetent looking after my dogs. She may indeed be a sweet naive girl, but still ...
Inform your Sister, so that she can right her own wrongs, so to speak.

This is the best

This is the sort of thing I might do, and I've had cats my whole life... For me, "proper" food is kibble, and the wet stuff from tins is for treats (so why not call it dessert).