Motion sensor camera for cats?

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I've just been on holiday for 12 days, and the catsitters I used didn't spot one of my two cats once during that period. She really doesn't like strangers, so I was reasonably sure that she was lurking in the garden and coming in when the catsitter wasn't around, but I wasn't sure and it was a little bit stressful. I was therefore thinking of getting a camera and setting it up near the cats' bowls and then checking in via my phone. I'd obviously warn the catsitter, but I wondered if anyone had done anything similar and whether it worked??

Yes I do cat rescue and the rescue team use them all the time. Motion activated, night vision ones. I'll see if I can find a link.

Ah, I've just realised I can't link to the ones we have as we have no remote access, we just retrieve the camera and review the photos. Still, I'm sure it's the same idea. They definitely do the job.

Another option is the app controlled microchip flap which records your cat's comings and goings.

Yep, we’ve got a portable ring camera set up near the cat flap which documents our kitties comings and goings; it’s brilliant! I’ll often check it during the night for reassurance they’ve been home and I’m sure it’ll be invaluable when we’re away for a couple of nights next month. Like your cat, I’m expecting one of ours to only make nighttime visits to avoid the cat sitter!

@Yarnasaurus Very tempted by this, but the catflap I have is a larger size and the microchip one seems to come in a smaller/standard size. @CheerUpSleepyGene Ooh, that sounds perfect - will investigate!

If you can try and see how long it takes for the camera to activate when there is movement or sound. Ours takes 10 seconds which is sometimes more than it takes for dcats to go in and out so they don't always get tracked.