I’m reaching out for advice on a current sit that has presented unexpected challenges. The homeowner’s listing did not disclose at all, nor did they mention during handover, the extent of their senior cats’ health issues. Since day one, we’ve been dealing with frequent incidents of the cats defecating and vomiting throughout the house and not using the litter boxes. Today, It’s escalated to the point where it’s happening multiple times daily, severely impacting our ability to work and carry out normal activities. On top of that, the cats are pooping diarhea and vomiting in locations we might not know and the houseowner labled the cats as “house owners” meaning they should be allowed everywhere!!! The vet said they just need to change their diet and mix some probiotics but it is not working at all!!
The situation seems beyond what was implied as SOME times. It’s become overwhelming and is affecting our quality of life, with over three weeks left in our commitment. We feel the homeowner misrepresented the situation and hasn’t shown concern for the impact on us.
In such cases, what are our options? How should we proceed? We are experienced sitters with great track of reviews however this is beyond of what we have ever experienced before with senior pets!
Any guidance or similar experiences shared would be greatly appreciated.
Document everything. Photos/videos, and in writing. Communicate it factually with the owner.
Talk with member services now.
Be blunt with the owner about how this was not disclosed prior, and is beyond your capacity. Leave it up to them with how to support you, but I personally would have a pretty high bar that some major changes need to be made, and if that doesn’t happen then I’d be cutting the sit short.
Look into alternative accommodation options, in case you do cut the sit short. You don’t want to be caught out if it comes to that.
So sorry to hear, this sounds so challenging.
I think it’s crucial to have an open and honest conversation with the homeowner about the current state of the cats’ health and the impact it’s having on your ability to fulfill your responsibilities. Document everything, including the frequency and severity of the incidents, and communicate these concerns clearly. The goal is to work together to find a solution that is in the best interest of both the cats and you. While the initial advice was to change the cats’ diet and add probiotics, given the ongoing issues, a follow-up vet visit might be necessary. There could be underlying health issues that haven’t been fully addressed.
Have these cats been ‘sat’ before? Some cats are really sensitive to change and this may stop soon once they get used to you.
Yes we saw a few reviews from previous sitters however oddly only 2 were unique and the others were either the same person (more than 5 times) or no reviews.
You mentioned a change in diet and probiotics. When did this start? Maybe they’re not used to it yet?
The vet gave 3 packs of wet food and probiotics (which was already part of their daily diet). This was few days ago.
Have you contacted the owners? Can you take a few videos or photos and present the owners with it and ask if this is normal?
We are confident the owner already knows this is happening. The indicators are:
The house is full of pet cleaning materials scattered everywhere (ground and top floor).
The house has several litter boxes installed with news papers beside.
The probiotic was already exisit in their diet and was part of their routine which suggests this is an old health issue.
We literally found dry food throw up the first day we arrived behind the couch.
The house owner was asking about their poop the next morning we arrived!
That sounds horrendous and should definitely be discussed with the owners. If you can continue the sit (and I understand if you can’t) you can suggest adding psyllium and pumpkin to the cat food to help with diarrhea.
As @botvot mentions, maybe the cats aren’t used to the new food. If a vet can prescribe a food for sensitive stomachs, that could help. I am in the US and find that the Hill’s i/d wet food helps a lot with my foster cats.
This is about covering your own back. You’ve done all of the right things by documenting and communicating with the owner, but they violated the Ts&Cs by not disclosing upfront. Sharing this with membership services means there won’t be negative consequences for you and your membership as a result of this HOs behaviour.
At this point, this is their responsibility, and I think you need to leave the sit. Be firm in stating that you care about the pets health and wellbeing but it will not come at the expense of your own. Give them a specific timeline by which time they need to make alternative arrangements. I’d suggest two days is plenty, but once they have specifics be as flexible as possible on handoff if you can, just as a sign of good will. Be really firm and factual, don’t bow to any emotional pressure. Show you care about the pets, but they violated the Ts&C’s so they need to take responsibility for the situation.
You can tell the owners that this is beyond the scope of the sit, undisclosed issues, known by the owner prior to the sit and you are leaving. Please find an alternative arrangement. You can tell member support the same and show evidence as back up. Ultimately you either have to grizz it and write an honest review or call time and protect yourselves @Alison_smith#yourcall
@Alison_smith I imagine this is both mentally and physically draining for you. Sounds like the sit I’m starting tomorrow the pet parent told me a few days ago the cat has asthma and has to take 2 pills by month plus an inhaler. Then this morning tells me the cat has ringworms. And this evening just as they were getting ready to head to the airport they tell me ants have mysteriously appeared in their apartment and to use the spray if I see them when I arrive tomorrow morning. I swear I am dreading this sit. It is exhausting dealing with lackluster pet parents that have the “sitter can deal with it” attitude with no regards to the health and well being of their pets or the person providing care to their pets.
Ringworm is probably the most serious omission for the owners not to have mentioned until the day before the sit . Humans can catch this from infected pets so you are putting your own health at risk if you go ahead with the sit
As the sit hasn’t started you have every right to not start the sit if you choose . You can state that given the new (previously undisclosed information ) about the health issues of the pet ( asthma / ringworm) you won’t be starting the sit as these were not disclosed in the home listing and therefore the T&Cs of the agreement have been breached . Also that you would be putting your own health in danger .
“5.2. The following applies only to Pet Parents. You will:
5.2.1 be responsible for vaccinating your own pet(s) and notify your Sitter should your pet(s) have any illnesses or ailments;
5.2.5. notify a Sitter of any special requirements or behaviours relating to your pet(s) in your Home Listing and when you communicate with any Sitter and during the Handover;
5.2.7. ensure that the details of your Home Listing are accurate and up to date;”
It’s easier to get out of a sit before it starts than when you are already there as that can be construed as “abandoning the pets “
As the sit is due to start tomorrow you can call member services on the emergency line for help and support . Number is on your dashboard.
You can also ask member services if given the circumstances you will be covered by the sit guarantee ?
If despite your concerns ( and the red flags )you decide to go ahead with the sit have you discussed with the owners who will be paying for any veterinary treatment required during the sit ?
In my place (in Sweden), I usually have ants coming in this time of the year. I have already seen a few (fewer than five so far). That means that I must rinse glasses after drinking orange juice, take out the garbage every evening, etc. Or else the whole colony will come in!
No need for spraying any poison. And anyway, it is a temporary problem, until food will grow for them outside.
Hi @Alison_smith
I’m so sorry you are having to deal with this. It sounds like the home owners changed the cats diet right before your sit and now you are getting the consequences of it. The diet needs to be changed, the cats need confining to one room with a litter try available. However I’d reach out to member services immediately to advise these issues were not mentioned in the ho’s listing and the effect it’s having on you. I’d say the HO probably needs to pay someone that can care for the cats in this situation.
Hi @kimshady
To me the inhaler isn’t an issue IF the cat is used to it. You simply hold the difFuser over the cats mouth for a minute so it breaths the medication. It’s the same thing as an asthma sufferer I do for myself.
Pilling a cat is more difficult if you’ve not done it before. Do they have something like easypill treats that you can encase a pill in and the cat will take as a treat?
The ringworm is the most worrying thing you mention and the reason you need to be contacting member services as already mentioned you can get this.
Ants in hot countries are a constant issue you just deal with.
@Silversitters thank you for the member services phone number I will be calling them now. This is way more than I signed up for when the sit was confirmed a month or so ago. I’m very concerned about the ringworms. I will talk to member services about not starting this sit.
I would check it into the vet’s office so it can be helped, and maybe they can provide some meds so it’ll feel better.
