To think my cat sitter was in the wrong?

[Tabbyz]

I got back from holiday yesterday and I used a cat sitter for my 2 cats. The instructions were clear, one cat can come and go as she pleases and the other one can come in while cat sitter is there but must put her back out before leaving.

The first day they came, they did a visit in the morning and evening and in the evening report it said that there was a poo outside of the litter tray and they had cleaned it up. I messaged her to say that will be because you kept Olivia inside and if you keep her outside, she will toilet outside.

I got back yesterday to a poo in my living room and Olivia was inside!! I contacted her asking why my instructions were not adhered to and she said she didn’t think it was in Olivia’s best interest to be outside as she didn’t want to go and when she placed her outside she was crying to come back in. But it’s not up to her to make that decision. Those were my wishes and the cat would’ve been absolutely fine, it was only 4 days . What is the point in leaving them instructions? AIBU to leave a bad review and not use them again?

Completely agree.

then the cat sitter should have declined the contract so OP could have got someone else.

And if the cat sitter honestly believes that OP is cruel, she can go to the RSPCA.

In two minds because she went against your wishes and you had to deal with the poo that you were preventing. But I think it’s very rare that cat owners want their cat shut outside for 12 hours every night and despite the shade it’s been very hot. My outdoor cat has spent most of her time inside this week. If you have a cat flap then I don’t understand why Olivia can’t use that as she seems to prefer pooping outside so that’s where sheI’ll choose to do it. Have you had other pet sitters who have followed your instructions? I think most would not want to shut out a cat that doesn’t seem to want to go out.

Cat flap? Easy peasy.

She could, but the RSPCA is about as much use as a barber’s shop on the steps of the guillotine.

The cat sitter may have assumed that the cat preferred to be outside, or at least wouldn’t be distressed by it. Once she realised that wasn’t the case, and in sole charge, she did the right thing.

Poor cat.

What ever the rights and wrongs of wanting the cat put outside you gave the cat sitter clear instructions and they should not have accepted the job if they weren't prepared to follow those instructions. It was quite an important issue that understandably a lot of people wouldn't have been happy about so the matter should have been thoroughly gone into before they accepted the job and before you went away.

So yes you are entitled to leave a review stating they didn't follow instructions.

They were born on a neighbouring farm and have lived outside all their lives. Having said that, they have timber boxes full of fleeces, insulated with 50mm Celotex for the winters in the barns and I have got them tame.

If they had no shelter at all, I would have them in.

It’s been boiling hot all week, that poor cat. Your a shitty owner.

My cat can come or go as she chooses but in the heat she often closes to be outside, under a big bush where it is obviously nice and cool.

But the point is she has a choice - OP just wanted to chuck her cat out for 23 hours a day.

It sounds like you should have a cat flap, that would solve your problem.

I also don’t love the idea of a cat being locked outside during a heatwave. In fairness, over the last week our cat has chosen to spend most of the day outside (under a thick hedge), but we have a cat flap and he always has the option to come inside.

If the only reason for you not wanting the cat inside is because it will toilet outside the tray, just get a flap so it can go outside!

Either way I think this is relatively a minor event. No disaster happened because the cat was inside. She used her judgement for what she felt was best, and though it didn’t align with your instructions, if the only negative impact was a poo on the floor (which is the work of moments to clean up) then I would let this go and move on.

My cat comes and goes as he pleases - we have a cat flap. And in the hot weather he never stays indoor during the day. He prefers staying outside, sleeping in shady undergrowth / little woods near my house. So unless have concrete car park instead of garden, the cat sitter is out of order for not following the instructions.

It sounds very much as if this is not a situation where there is a cool outbuilding for the cat to retreat to or you would have mentioned it.

I wouldn't look at a garden and feel confident to evaluate whether there would be enough shade throughout the day, especiallly on an exceptionally hot day with no breeze.

I can understand why your instructions weren't followed on this occasion. I would let it go.

You need to rethink because I don't imagine her or any other local catsitters will take a booking from you again.

Your instructions were cruel and I'd have ignored them too.

Why don't you have a cat flap?

Cats normally find cool shady areas in a heatwave. My cat spends a lot of time indoors normally but has been out a lot during the hot weather - he tends to hide under a bush. As long as the cat had access to shelter, food and water I don't think it is unkind to keep them out.

YANBU. Your cats, your decision: you were quite clear in your instructions and it's not up to the cat sitter to go against them. If they were concerned they should have contacted you to check. I would definitely leave a realistic review.

A bush isn't shelter - they really need somewhere inside to go if they wish. A shed, a garage, a cat house etc.

Mine has been indoors a lot during the heatwave as even in the shade, the temperatures were in the early thirties.

If they've got plenty of shade, dry food and fresh water out I can't see why Olivia should be shut in. Yes it was hot last week, but under bushes, or in long grass it was ok and probably cooler than being indoors. Would be different if it was freezing and there was snow.

I've barely seen my in/outdoor cats during the heat, they come for food and to check I'm working then go off into the bushes. Having had to crawl under one huge bush to get one, to give him his daily tablet, I can definitely say it was way cooler under there than indoors!

The cat sitter should have done as instructed. Personally I don't like mine being left out for nore than a few hours without access to come inside and don't like them left out at night but you know your cats and what they're used to.

My cat opted not to be in on the really hot days.
It's been 32 degrees in my living room, and 34 upstairs. He found himself a nice dirt patch in the shade outside and has made every attempt to escape when brought inside!

Yes she should have followed your instructions under normal circumstances, but the last 4 days haven't been that.

I would much rather have come home to a shit on my floor than a sick or dead cat. It's been absolutely sweltering here over the last 4 days, highs of 35c.

I know you've said the cat has access to water and shelter but for reference we have a duck bath that's about 6 inches deep and we've had to fill it up twice a day because it's been so hot it's evaporated.

The RSPCA wouldn't deal with this as they'd see it as cruelty on to low a level for them to intervene.

However, that doesn't mean it isn't cruel or that the OP should be a cat owner.

Of course it's unkind.

Cat's will snooze under a bush during the day because it's light and they can see predators.

At night time they need to be higher up to keep an eye out and if they're not, they can't truly relax and sleep so will end up exhausted.