pet sitter didn't notice cat was missing - would this concern you?

[Anonymous]

We ended up taking one of our cats on Thanksgiving vacation with us, and I forgot to tell the pet sitter. It didn't occur to me until we got home that she'd never mentioned a cat was missing. Would this bother you?

[Anonymous]

It depends. Is this cat typically one that hides when the sitter comes over? If the food was getting eaten and the litter box was getting used I think it is fair for her to assume the cats were there. If it was a dog that she needed to walk or you specifically hired her to sit and pet the cats that would be different.

[Anonymous]

How many cats do you have? How much interaction did you ask her to have with the cats?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends. Is this cat typically one that hides when the sitter comes over? If the food was getting eaten and the litter box was getting used I think it is fair for her to assume the cats were there. If it was a dog that she needed to walk or you specifically hired her to sit and pet the cats that would be different.

+1

[Anonymous]

Two cats. This cat is very friendly, but we've only had him for two other trips that she visited for.

[Anonymous]

I think it’s reasonable to assume the cat was off doing cat stuff unless there were detailed instructions to lay eyes on the cat for whatever reason. Did you want her to go through your house looking under beds and furniture for a napping cat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s reasonable to assume the cat was off doing cat stuff unless there were detailed instructions to lay eyes on the cat for whatever reason. Did you want her to go through your house looking under beds and furniture for a napping cat?

Not necessarily, but this is why I asked. He does come up to every stranger who enters, but he's a fairly new addition she'd only seen twice. Just wasn't sure.

[Anonymous]

How long were you gone? For a day or two, ok. For 4+ days, I’d expect the sitter to look for him and text.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It depends. Is this cat typically one that hides when the sitter comes over? If the food was getting eaten and the litter box was getting used I think it is fair for her to assume the cats were there. If it was a dog that she needed to walk or you specifically hired her to sit and pet the cats that would be different.

+2
I have watched my sister’s cat for a week and not laid eyes on him at all during that time. He likes her and her only so if it weren’t for the food and water disappearing and the litter box getting used, I wouldn’t know he was there.

But since you say your cat greets people, it’s a little concerning. But not much since the sitter was taking care of the cat regardless.

[Anonymous]

Yeah this wouldn't make me THRILLED. But I'd say if you otherwise like this sitter, just ask her to text you every day if there's a cat she hasn't seen. Then you at least know she knows how many cats there are supposed to be - and can gauge if a cat not being witnessed on any given days is concerning.

[Anonymous]

It was Sunday to Sunday.

Like PP said, I'm not thrilled, but yeah, I guess she was taking care of the cat regardless.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yeah this wouldn't make me THRILLED. But I'd say if you otherwise like this sitter, just ask her to text you every day if there's a cat she hasn't seen. Then you at least know she knows how many cats there are supposed to be - and can gauge if a cat not being witnessed on any given days is concerning.

^ Or, actually, ask her to text you every day to tell you which cats she HAS seen.

I tell you, the thing I hate about travel is leaving my pets. We've had good pet sitters, and not as good, and no matter what I worry.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it is a huge deal - I guess she just thought it was hiding.

[Anonymous]

These smartphone days I ask for a daily photo when someone comes to care for my pet.

[Anonymous]

Cats are "independent" creatures. I don't expect anyone to to care for the cat, just to take care of food/litter/supplies.

Dogs and hamsters require attention.