To refuse to feed neighbours' pets again

[MarySmit]

I have done this as a favour to various neighbours, yet feel rather taken advantage. No payment is requested or given, but I have been surprised at the lack of gratitude. I have been told it is only a cat, only to find a menagerie of animals with complicated and time consuming instructions. When I arrived to collect keys I was told the timing wasn't convenient and to come back. When they return back: nothing, not even a thank you card. I have had this before with another neighbour, who after visiting their cat 3 times a day for a week, couldn't even be bothered to collect their keys.

I have also been faced with filthy houses. I don't expect them to be spotless, but I am surprised people would leave dirty dishes out and food splashed on the wall, maggots in food bowls, when they know they have someone coming over to feed pets.

For context, they have never returned the favour. If they had engaged a service to feed the pets, the cost would have been at least £10 per visit.

I don't think anyone normal leaves maggots in bowls - that requires weeks/ months of neglect and if an animal is living in those circumstances you should report it to the RSPCA, as it is unlikely to be properly cared for

It’s gross but that isn’t true, it takes maggots less then 24 hours to hatch from an egg, so any pets food left out in that time can easily have maggots if not cleaned daily, especially in summer.

Will do! This seems the best solution

Even when my early 20's DSC looks after our pets (they live in a different part of the country) we fully stock the fridge with all their faves, leave them some cash for takeaways etc and bring a thank you gift

I take the point regarding the maggots, but the general level of filth was not acceptable. (Food splashed on walls, dirty dishes, general dirt everywhere). I'm not expecting a spotless place, but a normal level of cleanliness.

Definitely not normal behaviour! For short periods we pay our neighbours teenager to feed our cats. Long enough that they'll need a full litter change rather than just scooping and I get a proper pet sitter.

On the odd occasion we have been held up - e.g. Once had to stay overnight with family as the ferry was cancelled - neighbours have a key and I will ask them to pop in. Would always drop in a bunch of flowers or similar to say thanks.

Always leave all the equipment and food that will be needed. I really don't think your experience is normal!

I used to feed neighbour's cats as a teenager and was always paid for it. It was probably peanuts but at the time, I felt like I got rich from all the neighbours going away in the summer. As well as paying me they always brought back a gift and said thank you properly. Feeding a someone's pets when they are away is a neighbourly thing to do, and has a lovely community feel, but not paying, thanking, or reciprocating in some way is the opposite of community spirit.

They are taking advantage, I can see it would probably be awkward to ask for payment at this stage so it would probably be best to just say you don't have the time anymore and let them pay and official company. I wouldn't dream of asking/letting a neighbour, family member/friend feed my pets while I am away without offering payment and if they refused they would get a present instead. I am sorry your kind nature has been taken advantage of in this way.

Let’s put it this way… I certainly would not be back to collect the key if they told me to come back. It would be a…. I’m sorry, but I have a commitment come up and it is no longer convenient for me to fit o to your schedule.

If any changes f my neighbours came even once to check on my pet they’d get a bottle of wine & a bunch of flowers. How ungrateful.

Just say you’re not available anymore to do it, end of.