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AIBU?

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Original poster

...to think she should have mentioned the cat???

82 replies

EmmaGrundyForPM · 27/08/2018 07:46

We arrived at our holiday villa in Greece last night quite late, In the dark. Lovely owner came and met us, showed us round the villa, explained how to work the air conditioning, when the pool guy would turn up etc. Also left lots of lovely things for us - beer wine, Jams, honey, butter, bread, selection of English tea. Her English was excellent. She told us that if we had any problems to call her and she would come but she lives about an hour away. All good and lovely.

We've woken up this morning to the sound
scratcing at the front door. Went out to investigate and there is a cat sitting there. Not a feral cat - plenty of those around and they are very thin and mangy. This cat is sleek, well fed and has a collar and bell, so clearly belongs to someone. She then walks very expectantly over to a cupboard under the porch where I realise there's a pile of foil trays of cat food and then next to the cupboard are two bowls, one with water in and one which clearly is used for cat food. Hadn't noticed these last night as it was dark. And the owner didn't mention it.

So, it appears that the cat comes with the villa. That's ok, we are cat lovers so not a big deal. But is it not a bit odd for the owner not to mention it? Also, the cat food will last 3 days if we feed her twice a day so we'll need to go and buy more cat food.

OP posts:
youricloudisfull · 27/08/2018 09:41

I'm now disappointed that none of that places I've stayed in Italy have ever had a random cat or dog.

derekthe1adyhamster · 27/08/2018 09:42

One of our duties in tenerife this year was to leave water out for the feral cats. Yes we did also buy the odd sachet of food

OctaviaOctober · 27/08/2018 09:47

Stop wondering and call the owner!

I think it's someone else's cat, and previous guests have been feeding her which has led to her current state of entitlement. But let's find out for sure?

Shmithecat · 27/08/2018 09:51

I suspect it is a six dinner sid, but I'd feed it anyway. Lovely thing. Your dh is a sweetheart OP.

Celebelly · 27/08/2018 09:57

In Greece it's very common for tourists to feed stray cats and dogs - some of the islands there are loads of them but generally they are kept reasonably well fed because tourists buy food for them or sneak bits of hotel food off for them. Looks like this cat might just be a savvy local one taking advantage!

(We found a litter of kittens on our last trip to Greece who were living under the boardwalk on the beach. We went down to cuddle them every evening!)

Wishiwasa · 27/08/2018 10:03

My neighbours have food in for our cat. He is a total tart and goes to several houses where he gets fed. Very cheap food bills for us and they all know he is our cat. When he got run over and ended up at the vets people kept coming for updates. They all knew my name and the cat's name but some were people I'd not met before! The vet bill more than made up for the lack of food bills though Wink

MagicKeysToAsda · 27/08/2018 10:09

There was a free cat scrounger that came straight into our lodge as soon as we arrived at Centerparcs this year. We assumed it belonged to staff, or was a stray, as it was a long old walk back to any real streets. It wasn't bother to us, popped by three or four times a day to see if it could persuade any leftovers from us, had a cuddle, and wandered off again. DD was thrilled (we don't have pets) and I assume anyone less pleased could and did kick it out of their lodge.

Doobigetta · 27/08/2018 10:10

That cat is the absolute spitting image of mine! Be nice to her Smile

TheCatFromOuterSpace · 27/08/2018 10:16

I would put money on it being a neighbour's cat chancing its luck. The last people probably fed it and left the food. I'm pretty sure our cat regularly gets an extra dinner at another house on our road.

Poppins2016 · 27/08/2018 10:19

I would find it slightly odd that the owner didn't mention the cat.
I stayed on a farm once and was warned that the resident Siamese would want feeding (as long as I was happy to do so) otherwise the owner would pop over. I was more than happy to oblige (he was a gorgeous, handsome, affectionate cat).

Your 'holiday cat' is beautiful - I'm glad your DH gave in (I would have)! Grin

Twotailed · 27/08/2018 10:20

I am absolutely mad about cats but I don’t think it’s at all selfish and shitty to not want to be surprised by one in your holiday villa. My SIL is terribly allergic to cats and would have a miserable time in the OP’s circumstances. She also doesn’t terribly like them, and I don’t think it would be fair to thrust caring responsibilities upon her just because there’s some kind of universal expectation that everyone should be happy to take on a pet with no notice.

Branleuse · 27/08/2018 10:21

nobody thats allergic to cats would ever go to Greece LOL

Id see the cat as a bonus :D

POPholditdown · 27/08/2018 10:22

Ahh I’d love this, but I appreciate not everyone would. Since having cats, all of my relatives send me photos of cats they’ve made friends with on holdiay.

ciderhouserules · 27/08/2018 10:26

I stayed in an AirBnB with a cat in - not mentioned in the write-up. The bloody thing was on our bed when we got there, and hissed and spat when we tried to move it. I'm not allergic but can't have cat hairs on the bed!

It left muddy footprints in the bath and on the floor, scratched the carpet up, and left hairs all over the dining table Envy

NonaGrey · 27/08/2018 10:29

I don’t think it would be fair to thrust caring responsibilities upon her just because there’s some kind of universal expectation that everyone should be happy to take on a pet with no notice.

Very sensible Twotailed.

Kittykat93 · 27/08/2018 10:39

I'm allergic to cats and have been to Greece - crazy or what !! Hmm

I still adore them though and would have to feed it. It wouldn't bother me, I just couldn't have it hanging around inside the villa. I do feel a bit sad that some people would find it such a problem to put a bit of food down for a cat just because they are on holiday. But definitely agree it should be mentioned when booking the villa.

Kittykat93 · 27/08/2018 10:39

My post makes no sense sorry I'm tired! 😑

Birdsgottafly · 27/08/2018 10:49

I can remember the cruelty towards cats across a lot of EU countries, but especially Greece, some years ago. They were once viewed as we would view rats, as dogs are still, in some countries.

The Cat might not have been meant to come into the property, you just wasn't efficient enough in knowing it needed food Grin.

Around 11-15 years ago, a lot of people got interested in Cat (and Dog) welfare and it became common to 'adopt', street cats, feed and make sure they were well etc.

It was that, or destroy lots of them. There were neutering schemes, as well.

It should be in the literature. It always mentioned if you research going to Morocco, for example.

It's one of those quirks that makes going to different Countries, interesting.

I feel sorry for anyone with an hatred of Cats, or allergies, it must limit were you go and many places that they got rid of cats have a rodent problem.

CanuckBC · 27/08/2018 10:52

I agree, the cat should have been mentioned. S/he is gorgeous though and I admit, I wouldn’t mind a bonus animal on holiday

Birdsgottafly · 27/08/2018 10:54

""I don’t think it would be fair to thrust caring responsibilities upon her just because there’s some kind of universal expectation that everyone should be happy to take on a pet with no notice.""

We see them as Pets, but they are animals and it's about being a part of Animal Welfare.

Personally, I am glad that I come from a Country which has good animal welfare standards and would like to help other Countries in getting to our standards.

That includes not having pictures with street monkeys, reptiles etc, donating and helping out with feeding the local animals, if the owners are a part of that.

TellMeItsNotTrue · 27/08/2018 11:14

@MagicKeysToAsda was that Longleat? We've seen a cat each time we've been to that centerparcs, did a double take the first time!

Angry all the £ paid out for holiday and activities while there, and postcards yes I'm a mean mum who makes them write postcards on holiday, but their grandparents appreciate it and we write one to ourselves to keep and remind us of our holiday always talk about nothing but the cat Hmm

It's not like they've never seen a cat before, there are a lot of them in our street which they ignore year round! All the different animals in the forest and all they talk about is the cat Grin

shallen · 27/08/2018 11:21

Slight side line, but my cousins once stayed in an air B and B that came with a cat (I think they knew about it beforehand). They have cats themselves so we're happy to feed it, they then came back to the house one day and it had got in their suitcase and pi£&ed all over all of their clothes!! They literally had nothing to wear the next day till it was cleaned/replaced!
Poor cat I think was probably a bit distressed by all the random people living in it's house!

SunnyInGrimsby · 27/08/2018 12:40

I’m surprised the owner didn’t mention the cat but she probably assumes tourists are kind-hearted and will feed it.

I help out with a Greek animal charity (it is UK based) and have to remind people that while there are animal protection laws in Greece they are rarely enforced. All the cute stray cats and dogs you see usually have no protectors and must fend for themselves and often end up getting run over. They often have disabling health problems as well.

The kindest thing anyone can do is neuter them as they face a wretched life in a country which apart from a few doughty souls, has very little interest in animal welfare.

Someone mentioned cuddling kittens but please try and feed them – they are probably starving. Never assume that `someone else’ will be doing it because they probably won’t.

At the end of the season most of these strays will be poisoned and die an agonising death. I’ve sponsored various neutering trips in Greece and would never go back now after witnessing horrendous cruelty to cats, dogs, horses and donkeys. And please don’t blame economic poverty as it is the poorest who do the most to help.

Howhot · 27/08/2018 12:54

I would be thrilled to find thisBlushGrin

But it seems very strange they didn't mention it. I would speak with the owner and see if they can clarify things

Belindabauer · 27/08/2018 12:59

On our last trip to Greece the hotel had several cats.
Each morning they would appear and settle on the sunbeds with towels on whilst the guests were having breakfast I assume.
They were the source of great entertainment as often they would fight over sunbeds resulting in the guests towels getting dragged off the beds and on to the floor . Once dp and I went for a dip in the pool. One of the cats jumped on dps sunbed and stretched out, they began fanning the pages of his book it was hilarious.