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The litter tray

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Original poster

Cat sitter

44 replies

purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 12:35

Do your cat sitters stay for half an hour? Because I know they're advertised to stay for half an hour for a certain amount of money.

I've used the same one sporadically for over 6 years and she hasn't changed her prices for me. I know if I was a new customer I'd be charged more, as per her info.

Over a year ago I got a ring doorbell though. So I know she's not staying for anywhere near half an hour now. (For all I know she could have been doing this for a long time).
Yesterday she stayed for 3 minutes.
This morning for 1 minute!
That's not enough time to check the litter trays is it.

Does everyone's else's stay for half an hour.

I can't help thinking even at the cheaper price it's a bit of a cop out.

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 17:15

Anyone

OP posts:
WhoNeedsSleepNotISaidMyBody · 21/01/2023 17:30

I cat sit sometimes for my friends parents. Sometimes I stay at the house, other times I just pop in. They always say once a day will do, but I love Puss and she's old, so I go twice a day. It depends what mood Puss is in how long I stay, but even if she in a 'let me snooze' mood I'm probably there a minimum of 15 minutes in the morning. I clean her dish, give her breakfast, put fresh biscuits & water down, empty both litter trays & give her a wee fuss.

if she's up & about I'll have a coffee & she'll snuggle up wanting a fuss. She's old & isn't interested in playing.

then at night it's much the same really. I like it when it's just the cat, we have a different relationship than when I'm looking after their dog too.

if I was in a real hurry, I suppose I could be in & out in under 5 minutes, sitting litter trays and putting food down. Especially if I was coming back at tea time.

But I'm not being paid to visit. I'd expect a sitter to stay as long as she's said for the money.

but I guess it depends on your cat. If your cat is fast asleep & not interested in a fuss, 5 minutes will do the job and as she's doing it for an income, there's her travelling time, insurance & all the rest too.
if your cat is well & happy when you get home, I personally wouldn't be bothered by it.

Toddlerteaplease · 21/01/2023 17:32

Mine did because she'd message me while she was there. Mine are very cuddly and she enjoys fussing them.

Haffdonga · 21/01/2023 17:33

Mine doesn't stay half an hour but she doesn't claim to. Frankly I don't think my cats would want her hanging around for no reason after she's fed them and checked everyone's ok.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 17:41

I'm sure one of mine would love a cuddle and company.

The other one is more wary until she gets to know you so of course she won't come out to cat sitter because cat sitter is hardly there.

Neither are asleep as they want their food

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Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 17:50

I don't really see how you can check the litter trays in 2 minutes either

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beccahamlet · 21/01/2023 18:03

I agree with you. I think some of these people just dash in and out. I paid someone to give extra tlc to my old cat and my gardener said he was in and out in 5 minutes. Very disappointing.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 18:08

beccahamlet · 21/01/2023 18:03

I agree with you. I think some of these people just dash in and out. I paid someone to give extra tlc to my old cat and my gardener said he was in and out in 5 minutes. Very disappointing.

Thank you
I mean this is supposed to be her job isn't it?
But they advertise half an hour these sitters

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Bookworm333 · 21/01/2023 18:44

If they charge for half an hour then I think they should stay that long. And 2 minutes is nowhere near enough time to deal with the litter.

Had a catsitter last time I went on holidays and I know she stayed for longer than 2 minutes as she sent tonnes of videos and pictures. I actually felt she was sending far too many but now I realise it's so we know she's doing her job! She would bring a bag of toys and film the cats playing with them, it was very impressive. Left the litter and food cleaner than we did! What sort of a state is the house in when you get back?

Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 19:03

Bookworm333 · 21/01/2023 18:44

If they charge for half an hour then I think they should stay that long. And 2 minutes is nowhere near enough time to deal with the litter.

Had a catsitter last time I went on holidays and I know she stayed for longer than 2 minutes as she sent tonnes of videos and pictures. I actually felt she was sending far too many but now I realise it's so we know she's doing her job! She would bring a bag of toys and film the cats playing with them, it was very impressive. Left the litter and food cleaner than we did! What sort of a state is the house in when you get back?

It's never done to the level I would do it at. There have been occasions where the litter was left (but then I often go away for just a night so it wasn't concerning). She has cleaned the trays before don't get me wrong. I just kind of thought no person would do it to my standard because they're not me?

But yes this is what I think, that 2 minutes isn't enough. And if half an hour is what's advertised then that should be what they do.

But the ring doorbell is right there. So many people have them nowadays that you'd think she'd know it's there and that I can see how long she's there for

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 19:15

It just makes me feel sad to be honest
Aren't they supposed to love being with the pets if they're a pet sitter.
And one of mine at least would love the attention

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Suzi888 · 21/01/2023 19:18

What is she paid to do exactly? Genuine question, do you sit down and have a chat about what you want? Check food/water, empty tray? stroke/play with cat 15 mins?
She may think it’s ok to just nip in and out…

whirlyhead · 21/01/2023 19:24

Mine comes in for an hour as she loves the cats. She sits and watches tv with them. She brings her kids to,play with them too! Plus she worries about them being lonely so often pops in 3 times a day. But she absolutely adores my cats and knows them well, and they love her too.

I guess your sitter doesn’t have the emotional connection to your cats. But I do think if you’re paying for 30 minutes you should get that. Find a new sitter!!

Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 19:31

Suzi888 · 21/01/2023 19:18

What is she paid to do exactly? Genuine question, do you sit down and have a chat about what you want? Check food/water, empty tray? stroke/play with cat 15 mins?
She may think it’s ok to just nip in and out…

I don't think it's that she doesn't know what to do/what I like her to do. When I first used her I met her, asked questions etc and over the years I've left notes, texted, showed her all new litter tray places when we've moved. She's paid to feed them, water them, do the litter trays, and stay for half an hour (whether that be play or stroke) because that's what they advertise on their information and what was discussed at the start when I started using her

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 19:32

whirlyhead · 21/01/2023 19:24

Mine comes in for an hour as she loves the cats. She sits and watches tv with them. She brings her kids to,play with them too! Plus she worries about them being lonely so often pops in 3 times a day. But she absolutely adores my cats and knows them well, and they love her too.

I guess your sitter doesn’t have the emotional connection to your cats. But I do think if you’re paying for 30 minutes you should get that. Find a new sitter!!

That's what I thought too ☹️
It's a bit sad.
Maybe she's only bothered about dogs ☹️

OP posts:
meetmeatmidnights · 21/01/2023 19:32

If her advertised prices are for half an hour but are more than she's been charging you for the past six years, then perhaps she doesn't have you down for the half an hour service and thinks you're just a pop in feed / tray job? Do you make it clear you're after the half an hour service? Just wondering if she's got you down as some other service at all.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 19:32

@whirlyhead yours sounds so good.

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Bookworm333 · 21/01/2023 19:35

I think you are getting ripped off! Part of the half hour is staying to give the cat/s attention, especially if that's what they advertise as part of the package. I think you either just stop using them, or you have to bring it up and query why they are staying for such a short time. Personally I'd avoid the confrontation and just never use them again but if you do speak to her please let us know what she says!

Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 19:36

meetmeatmidnights · 21/01/2023 19:32

If her advertised prices are for half an hour but are more than she's been charging you for the past six years, then perhaps she doesn't have you down for the half an hour service and thinks you're just a pop in feed / tray job? Do you make it clear you're after the half an hour service? Just wondering if she's got you down as some other service at all.

I didn't think I had to say it to be honest because like above that's what's advertised and that's what was discussed when I first started using her. But it's only a year and a half ago I got the ring doorbell so I've only been able to actually check at that point. There's no reason that she should have thought oh I don't stay for half an hour actually.
If I'm honest though I wouldn't be so bothered about not staying that long if she actually stayed for longer than she does now.
3 minutes yesterday, 1 minute this morning and 2 minutes this evening. I can't really understand that

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 19:40

Bookworm333 · 21/01/2023 19:35

I think you are getting ripped off! Part of the half hour is staying to give the cat/s attention, especially if that's what they advertise as part of the package. I think you either just stop using them, or you have to bring it up and query why they are staying for such a short time. Personally I'd avoid the confrontation and just never use them again but if you do speak to her please let us know what she says!

Yes I feel awkward.
And wondering if this is something all cat sitters do cos you're not there? But then so many people have ring doorbells nowadays...

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meetmeatmidnights · 21/01/2023 19:43

@purpleme12 what's the price difference between what you pay after 6 years and what she currently charges? That's what I was trying to get across, if you're paying e.g £10 but it's actually a £25 charge now then I wouldn't expect the same service if you see what I mean?

user1471548941 · 21/01/2023 19:44

I have a cat that loves company and attention and sitters like this are exactly why he goes to a family run cattery in their garden. I’ve popped it all times and there is always someone in the cat runs and he can see people coming and going all day/squeak at the other cats.

A lot of people dismiss catteries as cruel but for a week or two’s holiday, it gives me much more peace of mind than a sitter.

user1471548941 · 21/01/2023 19:44

We pay £10 per day in the South East for a single cat.

Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 19:47

meetmeatmidnights · 21/01/2023 19:43

@purpleme12 what's the price difference between what you pay after 6 years and what she currently charges? That's what I was trying to get across, if you're paying e.g £10 but it's actually a £25 charge now then I wouldn't expect the same service if you see what I mean?

£3.
I see what you're saying but I guess what I'm saying is I would still expect more than 3 minutes or 2 minutes or 1 minute at a time, even if it wasn't as long as half an hour

OP posts:
Original poster
purpleme12 · 21/01/2023 19:50

@user1471548941 is that £10 a day for boarding?

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