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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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

OP posts:
Thread gallery
9
ineedamoreadultieradult · 26/03/2017 14:28

Boney I dont believe I said 'everybody' knows I said it was common sense of course not everybody has common sense.

Toobloodytired · 26/03/2017 14:32

Grin keep her on!! She sounds hilarious!!

IloveBanff · 26/03/2017 14:34

Toobloodytired I wouldn't look for "hilarious" when choosing a pet sitter, I would want competence. It's an extremely simple task, yet this woman is clearly not up to it.

MrsSchadenfreude · 26/03/2017 14:48

So a cat menu would be as follows:

Amuse-gueule - 3 or4 Dreamies
Starter - cat soup/broth
Main course - dry food
Dessert - cat food in jelly

And a small piece of cheese to finish.

acatcalledjohn · 26/03/2017 14:58

For those mocking the girl, you do know that some cat owners don't feed their cats 'wet' food at all?

Boney, given that she claims to have been cat sitting for 4 years, claims to have experience of cat ownership, and is doing this as a business, I think we are well within her rights to mock her for thinking food in jelly is a dessert.

A dessert FFS. For cats. It's hilarious and really worrying at the same time.

It's like going to Halfords and a salesperson sells you 5w40 instead of 10w50. Because it's all oil, innit?

If you're in a 'specialist' business you ought to know your stuff.

Grin at amuse bouche with sorbet and cat canapés.

acatcalledjohn · 26/03/2017 15:00

And a small piece of cheese to finish.

I know someone whose cat visits the neighbour for cheese and cuddles most days Grin

laurzj82 · 26/03/2017 15:03

This has made my day! Helpful.

llangennith · 26/03/2017 15:05

Could you arrange to meet her later to tell her exactly how and when to feed and water the cat?

IloveBanff · 26/03/2017 15:06

Could you arrange to meet her later to tell her exactly how and when to feed and water the cat?

Don't phrase it like that though or she'll be looking for the watering can.

SexLubeAndAFishSlice · 26/03/2017 15:07

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

EdmundCleverClogs · 26/03/2017 15:08

This is hilarious, my jaw is hurting from laughing! How old is she? This sounds like me about 10 years ago...

Cocolepew · 26/03/2017 15:08
Grin My friends cousin came to her house to feed their labrador. He came four times a day, breakfast, lunch, dinner and supper. The dog was the size of a bear by the time she got home.
IloveBanff · 26/03/2017 15:09

MrsSchadenfreude no cat wine list?

Original poster
FeelingSmurfy · 26/03/2017 15:09

I'm glad she called me, but even if she has only ever fed dry food to the cats that she supposedly had and has looked after, she would know that cats aren't given dessert... Surely? Confused

I am still Confused unsure about what to do, I'm going to head over there soon to check on the cats and then decide later on where we go from here

I don't want to call my sister unless absolutely necessary, it's the first holiday they have had in a long time and I don't want her worrying about what's going on at home. Whatever is decided will be what's best for the cats, even if it's inconvenient for us for 2 weeks, they come first

OP posts:
Original poster
FeelingSmurfy · 26/03/2017 15:14

My sister left very detailed instructions, and talked her through everything a few days before she left. She treats the cats like PFBs so wouldnt miss any little detail out. She even left 3 numbers for emergencies, as well as the vet and out of hours vet.

'Jenny' is in her 30s, has her own pet sitting business as well as another job (don't know what, just know she works part time) and said she has been pet sitting 4 years, has looked after pets in the past and had her own cats when she was younger.

OP posts:
oliviaoatcake · 26/03/2017 15:25

Grin this made me chuckle OP.

She clearly knows nothing about feeding cats. meat in jelly has been around for years.

I'd be tempted to go around and have a chat with her about the extent of her 'business.' Grin

Googles 'cat dessert.'

Stopyourhavering · 26/03/2017 15:30

But what about their amuse bouche course?....poor kittys

SilverBirchWithout · 26/03/2017 15:38

Cat soup is FOR cats, not MADE OF cats, I hope?

I think so...not thought to check Grin

SnicketyLemon · 26/03/2017 15:47

GrinGrinGrin
I nearly wet myself reading this!!!
Maybe they eat cheerios for breakfast my OH has always called them cat biscuits.

knowler · 26/03/2017 15:52

I wouldn't sack her, just keep an eye on the cats every few days. Anything else will be a complete PITA for you and the cats will be ok.

ggirl · 26/03/2017 15:52

a nice pinot meow

Gabilan · 26/03/2017 16:11

Depends on the cats to be honest. Mine are semi-feral largely outdoor cats. When my neighbours feed them they come in once a day, put wet food out, put dry food in the timer for 12 hours later, job done. In the course of a week they might see the cats once. So long as the cats have access to the outside they'll survive.

But by the sounds of things these are indoor fur baby types so a check that things are going OK would be in order. Plus never using her again.

The only defence I can think of is that I sometimes refer to my horse's hard feed as his "pudding", his hay as his "dinner" and his stable as his "bedroom". Yes, I know it's twee and annoying, that's why I do it. Maybe the cat sitter has been hanging out with crazy cat ladies people like me and is just a little confused.

EdmundCleverClogs · 26/03/2017 16:26

It's because of people like the cat sitter that we need signs like this...

AIBU to fire my sisters pet sitter while she is away (surreal conversation)
TheSmallClangerWhistlesAgain · 26/03/2017 16:43

Are you absolutely sure that this isn't someone playing a joke on you or the cat sitter?

woohooyeehoo · 26/03/2017 16:54

You don't need cats to know jelly and meat is standard cat food. You just need a brain.