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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Unhappy with petsitter, would you rebook?

35 replies

Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 13:33

She is somebody I know through a friend and have met a few times before.
I know she is ND, but I have found this experience with her frustrating.
The first time I booked her for my pet i was happy with everything, she did leave a bit of a mess but I overlooked it.

However this time, well I looked back at my texts and I had made my instructions clear, however she totally misunderstood them and it caused a bit of stress before I'd even left for my holiday. Then she misunderstood another instruction.
My cat uses the litter tray and has never once toileted anywhere except the tray (or outside) even when I first got him.
I left adequate litter, bin bags etc. For my friend and as a petsitter she should surely know that litter needs cleaning often.

I've just come back and only one of the bags has been used, and my cat has left a nice present on my bed for me. I can't 100% say this is the friend's fault, however my cat has never done this before even when we've gone away, and when I got back both trays were unclean.
It may be the stress, however I wasn't away for that long and my cat has never once done this even when I first got him, I keep on top of the litter cleaning.

Next, my friend was meant to visit twice a day for a max of 1.5 hours, and it's close to her address. I'd told her she could help herself to drinks.
I've got home and all my pans and utensils have been washed and placed on the draining board. They were clean and placed in another part of the kitchen before I left so they've clearly been used.
I would have no issues with it but she didn't ask me and I didn't think she'd need to cook on short visits. She owns a flat much bigger than mine, it's not like she's in a houseshare or something.

I've paid her a decent rate for this, more than I earn per hour. Does it sound like I'm overreacting?
I won't be booking her next time, I'm shocked that she cooked meals here without asking and hasn't bothered to clean the litter properly. Should I say something?

OP posts:
Original poster
Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 13:35

It's also rude to just leave them on the drainjng board, and not put them back where she found them.

OP posts:
Wonderberry · 29/01/2025 13:36

If you aren't happy with her service then don't book her again, that's simple.

There is a website for cat sitters where they have reviews I believe.

YouDeserveBetterSoAskForIt · 29/01/2025 13:36

Absolutely under no circumstances would I re book.

A clean litter tray is a basic need and requirement for cats.

My 3 cats regularly have a cat sitter and I wouldn't tolerate this at all. Also cooking meals in your home is crazy! That alone would make me not use her again.

I use Catinaflat.co.uk and it is great. I've used a few different sitters and I've never been disappointed and you can read their reviews too!

lilythesheep · 29/01/2025 13:37

I wouldn’t be at all happy with this. She hasn’t taken adequate care of your cat (poor kitty with uncleaned trays) and she is treating your house like an AirBnB, which would make me feel very uncomfortable.

Definitely don’t book her again.

Original poster
Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 13:37

I can tell she's not refilled the litter either, because the litter sack is as heavy as when I left.
She seems to get regular rebookings as a sitter, but apparently has had a couple of complaints. I feel bad as she's my friend.

OP posts:
purpleme12 · 29/01/2025 13:46

No I wouldn't rebook. Not sure I'd say anything but that's just me.

My cat sitter's not the best but I know I'm not paying her the going rate so at least I'm not losing loads of money

I'm not clear if she's your friend or if she's someone you know through a friend.
If she's a friend maybe she felt comfortable enough cooking but then it doesn't sound like you've got that kind of relationship anyway

Pigeonqueen · 29/01/2025 13:49

Did you explain how to clean the litter and how often it needs completely replacing? A lot of people who aren’t familiar with cats just won’t “get it”. I wouldn’t ask her to let do it again.

Original poster
Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 13:51

She regularly looks after cats so should be fully aware of how often, and she could surely see it was dirty etc.

OP posts:
mondaytosunday · 29/01/2025 13:54

Why is it even a question? She hasn't done the job properly and has used your kitchen stuff without permission. There's only one answer here.

Onlyvisiting · 29/01/2025 13:56

If you want to keep a friendly relationship with her then I wouldn't complain, it won't achieve anything. I'd just count it a lesson learnt and not book her again.

dementedpixie · 29/01/2025 13:56

Did you leave explicit instructions as to what her duties were? I leave written instructions for the woman that comes when we are on holiday e.g. how much food to put out and what types and when to put it out.

You could also detail how often to clean out the litter and how often to change it completely and where the disposal bags are and where to put them afterwards.

Very cheeky for her to cook in your house though.

Marinel · 29/01/2025 13:59

I would absolutely not rebook her. Ensuring there is a clean litter tray is as basic as ensuring the cat is fed. She did not do the job you paid her to do. And she has no reason to make a mess or use pans.

oakleaffy · 29/01/2025 13:59

Cats are very scrupulous about having clean litter.
I have looked after cats and do the trays several times a day .
Absolutely get a professional in who takes notice of your instructions and looks after the cat properly! ( clean tray)

Would she like to use a foul lavatory?
Of course she wouldn’t.

MrsJHernandez · 29/01/2025 14:00

I can't believe she was cooking in your home! What a cheek. Was she sleeping in your bed too?! Next to the poo??? Lol.

Definitely don't use her again. She didn't do the basics of what she was paid to do and clearly made herself at home. Piss take.

oakleaffy · 29/01/2025 14:02

Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 13:51

She regularly looks after cats so should be fully aware of how often, and she could surely see it was dirty etc.

I pity the cats she supposedly cares for.
She sounds chaotic and incompetent-
And you obviously left detailed instructions, so she’s incapable of doing a decent job.

Original poster
Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 14:27

I'd understand more if I were booking an inexperienced teenager or something.
She looks after several cats and gets repeated bookings, so I'd naively thought she would know when to clean cat litter trays.

I've just looked through the texts and nowhere did I say she could cook meals here.
Lesson learned absolutely.

OP posts:
Original poster
Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 14:31

I left out disposal bags and gloves right in front where she could see. She has looked after the cat before and knows exactly where the bins are, no excuse. There was also a big pile of litter on the floor last time she came looking back, not just the pellets that come out when cats dig in the tray but a huge pile, I should've known better after that when she failed to clean it.

OP posts:
BarrioQueen · 29/01/2025 14:32
  1. There's 2 issues here. 1. She didnt look after your cat properly, and lets face it there's not much to do is there really. If she's that slack re cat litter - she might forget to give your cat fresh water, or other things.
  2. Why was she cooking in your house? Has she been entertaining? Staying there, this is a breech of trust.
  3. She's a cheeky cow.

I would not use her again. End of. And if she asks why tell her. Your cats deserve better.

ChristmasPudd1990 · 29/01/2025 14:34

This is why you should avoid having friends do this sort of thing. It gets awkward if things go wrong/they can take advantage because they know you.

Original poster
Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 14:38

She's just said she didn't cooked, just washed all my pans as she thought they needed cleaning?

OP posts:
BarrioQueen · 29/01/2025 14:43

I'd be tempted to say - nah it's the cat litter tray that needed cleaning...not my pans.

I think she's lying - and she clearly cooked. what;s her living arrangements. She's unlikely to be some sort of clean neat freak if she left your cat litter tray so bad. I'd just not use her again.

Original poster
Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 14:45

BarrioQueen · 29/01/2025 14:43

I'd be tempted to say - nah it's the cat litter tray that needed cleaning...not my pans.

I think she's lying - and she clearly cooked. what;s her living arrangements. She's unlikely to be some sort of clean neat freak if she left your cat litter tray so bad. I'd just not use her again.

The pans were not dirty, I rarely use them, they were not left out dirty or anything like that, I havent used them for a while.

I didn't leave a single dirty dish or pan out, I wouldn't do that.
Re the cat litter she said she cleaned it, but I'm not sure.

OP posts:
Clarice99 · 29/01/2025 14:55

I know she is ND, but I have found this experience with her frustrating.

What's the relevance of her being ND?

I'm autistic and this has no bearing whatsoever on the care my cats receive. If anything, it makes me more in tune with their needs.

The person you employed to look after your cats didn't do their job properly. It's time to look for a pet sitter who will care for your cats properly in your absence. And one that doesn't take the piss in other aspects as well.

BarrioQueen · 29/01/2025 14:56

I wasnt implying your pans were dirty. I was suggesting you rebuke her. You said in your first post that the trays were unclean, i meant you say to her. My pans didnt need cleaning but the trays did !
Personally I'd not trust her now to do a good job and wouldnt rebook

Original poster
Spongebob35 · 29/01/2025 14:57

BarrioQueen · 29/01/2025 14:56

I wasnt implying your pans were dirty. I was suggesting you rebuke her. You said in your first post that the trays were unclean, i meant you say to her. My pans didnt need cleaning but the trays did !
Personally I'd not trust her now to do a good job and wouldnt rebook

I mention it only because she has struggled with employment in the past due to failing to follow instructions which she says she thinks is because of her condition. She has been fired from a couple of roles, not saying that is because she is ND, but she is saying herself she thinks it is.

OP posts: