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

You've done the right thing Smurfy. All joking aside, I wouldn't tell your sister - if she is anything like me it will really worry her and make her feel bad about leaving them.

Bloody hell that is both worrying and hilarious. Cat food desert tho lol haha

😂😂😂

Thanks Herman and others defending my decision. I've certainly not taken the decision lightly and I am putting myself out by making it, I am pretty sure my sister will still pay her what they agreed anyway. I've actually struggled to write about firing her on here, I've tried other words because I really didn't like saying that, but in reality that's what I'm doing so I decided not to sugar coat it, every time I go to write it I try to come up with an alternative way of saying it though.

The cats don't have a voice, so they need to be my top consideration in all of this. Once I got over the confusion of the conversation my gut instinct was that I should probably take over their care myself, but I'm glad I posted it on here (and shared the amusement) as other people asking whether she would know to give them fresh water etc just confirmed it for me. That post was the one that really made the decision for me, as soon as I read it the decision was made, I just had to come to terms with it.

So thankyou to anyone who has supported me or asked questions like above
To the people who have been amused by it - I'm glad, it's normally me getting amusement from threads like this!
To the people who disagree with my decision - I do understand and it's not a decision taken lightly, but the cats need to come first. Even if they probably would have been alright, I just can't take that risk. If it helps, I'm pretty sure my sister will probably pay her anyway

I hope it continues to bring amusement to new posters I will update when there is anything to update about, and will still read any comments made

😂 I am crying!!! And the poster who said check if they've had brunch yet?! 😂😂😂

As a pet sitter who used to look after friends, family, strangers pets and someone who has used pet sitting services.
I can honestly say I've never cried laughing so much whilst at the same time. You were right to tell her that her services were no longer required.
I would not have felt comfortable leaving anyone in charge of my pets or any friend/family members pets if I was the emergency contact, who thought cats had jelly for dessert. It's not just putting down fresh water either, it's also changing the litter tray (if applicable), feeding them at the right times, making sure their baskets/cushions are clean etc.
Simple common sense things which for a pet sitter should be second nature, and if it is a struggle then quite frankly you shouldn't be a pet sitter.

This is too funny! 😂

I do feel a bit sorry for the cat sitter but I think you did the right thing OP, you had to go with your gut. I'd ring your sister and tell her though, if the cats are as PFB to her as you say she'll probably at some point during holiday phone the cat sitter to see how they are doing. Bit awkward and worrying for your sister of that happens.

For anyone wondering, there is now wine available for cats:

www.apollopeak.com/?lightbox=dataItem-isgpqo1e2

OP, glad you've taken over. I have pfb cats and would be so upset if they weren't cared for correctly.

What if this is a tactic to get sacked but still get paid?

Mock not, ye doubters! There very absolutely is dessert for cats! Well, pudding for cats: m.zooplus.co.uk/shop/cats/cat_treats_catnip/gimpet_cat_treats/gimpet_milk_cat_treats/193555
In the summer I freeze it & my cats get to have a sort of cat ice-cream...

However, if you're a professional pet-sitter, you really can't be thinking that food in jelly = dessert. Do you think she's been overfeeding her charges on the regular in homes where they're fed a mix of wet &
dry?!

Am glad it's sorted now OP. Maybe the cats would have been fine with Jenny. But they might not have been, and it's really not worth the risk.

@EatTheChocolateTeapot
What on earth happened to your cats after that? Did they actually try eating the litter or did they just go very hungry for a fortnight? Were they able to hunt - or beg/steal from neighbours?

I'm another who thinks the OP's sister will be more than just fine with the new arrangement. Serious to the OP for putting the cats' welfare first.

My god, I've used pet sitters a lot and never come across anything like this, haha!

OP I would tell your sister though. All of my pet sitters have sent me a quick text update every day or two (part of their normal service, not at my request) so if she is expecting an update she might get concerned and contact the sitter herself.

Ooh that's true eyes. She may be expecting an update. I expect you're sister will be happier with family looking after her babies rather than a stranger anyway OP .

You sound like a really lovely sister, OP!

It's very thoughtful and considerate of you to not interrupt the holiday and to worry your sister unnecessarily.

I say very well handled!

And I bet your a lovely 'auntie' to your sister's 'babies' too!

I'm still laughing at the dog the size of a bear after 4 meals a day!! I have cats and dogs and cat sit for neighbours. Mine are all different and have different needs and my OH has a long list of instructions for when I go on hols at end of the month as he has little to do with their care day to day but even he knows that there are different types of wet food. He's often picked up the wrong type(same brand but definitely not jelly type) when shopping and had to take it back as my lot are bloody fussy. Glad it's sorted was worried they would end up like the bear/dog being fed several packs a day

The kitties need some meat. If they don't eat their meat, they can't have any jelly. How can they have any jelly if they don't eat their meat?!

Dd you know that felix now does food with jelly sweets in it?

Update: My sister called twice while away and asked me to check on her cats, I just said that I would which was technically not a lie, I just didn't mention that I would have been anyway.

She is home and now knows everything, she said I should have told her when it happened but she admitted that she would have been worrying and it was probably for the best that we kept it quiet.

She is happy with the decision made and very grateful to us for stepping in, she was glad that I went with my gut instinct. She was furious about what happened but I tried to calmed her down by pointing out it was good that she had called and hadn't just muddled along. As far as I know, she hasn't decided what she is going to do about what happened or had any contact with pet sitter yet

Cats are fine, but have been grumpy and ignorant the whole time and I'm not sure if they blame me for getting rid of dessert feeder

Cats usually have an expression of "whatevs" :o

she has posted about it on social media, if any of you know her/us can you please not mention this thread! She is not a MNetter and she does know that I posted on here about this, but she has a severe sense of humour malfunction generally when it's aimed at her, and she would not appreciate her precious cats being the source of amusement in here yes, unfortunately I am being serious. She would expect precious snowflake responses... I really should ask her one of these days if she is on NetHuns

My other sister has seen the thread and has laughed along, and it has helped me during a very stressful time (proper help and making me laugh) and I don't want it deleting of anything because I like that it has made so many people laugh. Oldest sister just can't take a joke

Oh poor you, I really hope she doesn't find the thread!

If she does she does, I did tell her it's on here so it's not like I am hiding anything from her.

This made me laugh far longer than it should have my friend sent it over after seeing what my sister posted this morning

Maybe I am just out of touch and cats do get three course meals now

In case anyone was wondering i hate threads having information missing at the end my sister paid the pet sitter what they agreed, as I expected

She did confront her about her past experience but she insists that it's all true, and it's my sisters fault for not being clear about the job despite talking her through and showing her everything, leaving stuff together to make it easier/quicker, and leaving very detailed instructions

My sister found her via the vet, so she has been in touch with them and said that she may not be experienced in looking after cats. She didn't go in to details, didn't say she wasn't a good pet sitter or anything like that (who knows what she is like with other animals, she may be great with dogs/hamsters/rabbits/fish) just thought that they should be aware that she may not have the experience with cats that she says she does.