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?

I disagree with how you treat this cat - therefor I wouldn’t have agreed to take on this job.

Yes strictly speaking she was wrong for not following your instructions. But, they seem cruel and neglectful.

My flabber is gasted that you call yourself a cat lover
Mine loves to come and go as he pleases but in this heatwave with thunder and lightening he has very much stayed cool as he could indoors on his cool mat
I think the sitter did the right thing

The poor cat sitter was probably in a dilemma about what to do and made a decision based on what was in the best interests of the cat. If you want a cat to remain outside for a poo then get a catflap so it can come and go at will. Poo on the floor is absolutely nothing to get het up about. The welfare of an animal comes first.

Op you don't appear to treat your cat well. Please rethink.

This.

YABU to make the poor cat live outside in a heatwave. Next time pay for a live-in cat sitter or book them in to a cattery.

You are a horrible pet owner to keep your cat shut outside when it’s crying to come in. I glad that the pet sitter did what was in the best interests of the animal in their care.

Get a cat flap and lock it one way.
Mine is locked so they can get out but not back in. After finding a bat under my bed, that decision was final.
Mind you, mine have an outhouse with a bed and a shed with a bed....both with cat flaps that open each way.

OP can get... a cat flap. There, done!
It is not difficult, is it?

No need to leave a cat outside, crying to get in, in a heatwave or all night outside, when they are used to sleep indoors.

The difference is, when you are there the doors open. The cat comes and goes whenever it likes. It sleeps inside at night as well and cries to come in at bedtime but you just wanted her to be left out all night for four nights which isn't her normal routine.

You need a cat flap or you need to pay someone to stay over night to stick to the cats normal routine. My cat comes and goes as she pleases. Sometimes she decides to stay out in the summer but you can guarantee there's multiple times in summer we need to run down and let her in as she's screaming blue murder as another cats appeared wanting to fight her, no way would I ever risk leaving her out without someone there to let her in in that situation.

It's already disruptive to them their owner being away, never mind totally disrupting their normal routine and leaving them at risk of being attacked by other cats and no one their to help them in the night.

I’m probably a bit soft but I’d have probably left her inside but done additional checks (and not charged). I’m a people pleaser with my own moral compass though 🫤

I think @sprigatito that you are being very unfair to the RSPCA, because if there were TV cameras there they would have fallen over themselves, and tried to jump through hoops, to make sure they look good on the TV...

Apart from that, I totally agree with you about the cat sitter, and I actually find it heartwarming that in these days when so many people seem to try to do the least possible, for the most gain, that the cat sitter had the gumption to actually do what was best for the animal in her care, even though she was potentially putting her job at risk by going against her employers wishes.

Think your pretty disgusting to be fair. You shouldn't have animals if you can't take care of them properly. Leaving a cat outside for four days is not acceptable and I think you should be ashamed.

Disgraceful to treat your cat this way. I say this as a vet nurse.

I think the fact you said you paid for 2x 45-minute visits then amended it to 2x 2-hour visits in a different comment, to act like the sitter kept it in rather than the truth (wasn't willing to force it outside), says you know this to be true deep down.

You put the sitter in an ethical dilemma. Don't leave a bad review of her business for doing what any decent person living in 2026 does.

Poor cats

and we don't all live on a bloody farm 🙄

Ok so first of all, OP is there any reason why you absolutely refuse to answer the MANY PP asking the same question - why don't you get a cat flap??

And secondly, I genuinely do not understand why people have cats just to chuck them outside 24/7 (or 23/7 if they're actually allowed in the house for a bit each day).

Even putting their food and water outside!?

One PP even said the instruction for their cat is to put it "out during the night let back in for food and put them back out again".

Just WHY?

It's the same as people who have dogs and they just leave them in a kennel outside all day and night?

My cats are in the house with me, safe, on the bed as we speak. I genuinely do not understand people who get cats and dogs just to put them outside and leave them to exist.

Poor creatures

This is why people have cat flaps fitted. I have always had a cat flap, my cats have been free to come and go as they please. I have had cats who like to sit outside in warm weather, cats who like to sleep on the kitchen floor, cats who like to go out first thing, cats who will only use the cat litter. I don't understand why people are so averse to them. Get a cat flap!

OP - do you still feel like cat sitter was in the wrong after reading everyones comments?

You'd hate where I live as it's illegal to leave your cats outside 😊 if they get found outside they get taken to the pound

Yabu.

Its different having her outside when you are working from home and are on hand to let her back in, but you wanted her to be locked outside, when she was crying to come in, and the sitter (or you) wouldn't be home for hours.

The sitter had to use their judgement, and they did what they felt was in the best interests of the cat at the time.

Maybe rethink your cat care for when you go away in future, if your current cat care means one cat is locked outside all day apart from 2 short periods when the sitter visits in 24 hours.

Your instructions sound a bit overcomplicated and ridiculous, and not great for the cats.

Agree with the cat sitter here. It's been very hot outside. Yabu.

and not everyone has land, orchards, barns etc!

I don't understand why OP will not answer about having a cat flap.