I am currently sitting for two big dogs and three rescue cats. One of the cats got into a fight a couple of days ago. I didn’t think at the time that he needed the vet immediately, but his eye was puffy. Yesterday it was obvious he needs to go the vets. The owners are away and not coming back until 23rd. I informed them. Anyway they’re now saying I should’ve take him straight way (they’re right. I should not have made a judgement). I tried three times to get this cat into a basket yesterday but he wasn’t having any of it. In the end I took photos and took them to the vet. He wasn’t there but the receptionist consulted with the vet. The vet authorise some eye drops. Yea good luck with that. I’ve made an appointment for tomorrow. I’ve enlisted some help from a French language group I joined. Owner says oh no you’ll frighten him to death. He’ll be so scared. Well he’s going to the vet. Oh and the bird feeders are empty. I really am VERY VERY stressed. I realise they are very anxious but I’m doing what I can.
Yes, they must be anxious but so are you and their pet needs action taken, not reproaches. They should be working with you and thinking of ways to help you and the cat.
In fact, they seem to be aware of the fact that it’s quite difficult to get the cat into a carrier and take him to the vet, they should have shared their strategies before the emergency arose.
I hope this is solved quickly and nicely and you can relax a bit.
They have now decided that they’re coming home. ‘no problem if you can’t deal with …we’ve changed our flights’
I’ve asked for urgent support to know what to do.
Good to know. I hope this change isn’t a big inconvenience for you.
For reference, I would like to share two experiences I had with great pet owners.
- The first one was with a cat that went missing. He was new in the house and, being an older cat in a not very familiar area he wandered away from the house one night. I did my best to find him during the first night, I was sick worried, seeing he didn’t come back, I contacted the owner, she was really understanding and helped me overcome my anxiety, she contacted the daughter to come and help in the search and she posted about the disappearance in a local Facebook group. Luckily after a couple of days, the cat was found. Difficult situation but nicely managed and happy ending.
- A cat I looked after was terrified by the fire alarm sound. The owner warned me about this and said I should not try to hold him in this situation because he would attack me out of panic . So, if the alarm went off, (they had regular practice) I should just let the cat in the apartment
Nice hosts usually anticipate their pets behaviour and help sitters to provide the care that’s best for them.
How do I do that please
In fact, I have already tagged them. If they are working this shift they will probably help out.
Have they said when they expect you to leave?
In a situation like this, some owners offer the sitter to stay until the end of the programmed sit. Some sitters are OK with this, some aren’t.
If this doesn’t work out and you have to leave, then the dates have to be adjusted. I’m not sure if owners can do that once the sit has started, but even if they could, I would prefer THS to step in.
If you have premium membership, you may be eligible for compensation but getting in touch with support ASAP is very important in order to make sure that you follow the protocol.
thank you. I am so stressed. ATM I don’t know when they intend to be back. So atm I’m carrying on with cat to the vets as planned. Animals are safe the injured cat is safe. And I’m looking at alternative accommodation.
Problem is do I still want to? I have said message them and said look I realise this is very stressful for you. The cat is cared for, and the vet is planned for tomorrow, and I have help arranged. Please will you confirm you updated travel plans so that I can plan accordingly. No I don’t have premium membership.
If you end up leaving before the sit ends, you should ask the THS support to change the dates. The host can do that also (via the THS support), and this might be the faster route, in case you need the sit to be made shorter so that you can look for a replacement sit. You need to agree to the shortening of the sit in writing in that case, so that the host can prove it to THS.
For getting the cat into its carrier, first close the door to the room the cat is in -it will try to run away for sure.
Bring the carrier into the room and unzip or open it. Wear thick long sleeves if you can (like a thick jacket). The cat will start running when you try to pick it up so you’ll have to try to corner it and grab it by the scruff of the neck. Slowly lift it and place it in the carrier and shut the door.
Scruffing a cat is never a nice thing too do but in an emergency it is necessary.
Sorry you are going through this, I hope things work out…
Thank you @Newpetlover ,
I’ve passed this over to Membership Services.
@Amanda56 , you should be hearing from them soon.
I get that you’re very stressed out, but….
it does sound like you’ve tried to problem-solve on your own and neither option has been the right solution. They are probably a lot more stressed about this than you are. Did you tell the HOs about the fight before it became apparent that a vet trip was needed? If yes and they were fine with waiting and only now are saying it should have been immediate, that is not fair to you at all. If you only told them after a few days when it was clear that medical help was necessary, I understand their frustration.
For getting the cat in a carrier, I use a variation on Felinelover’s advice - I put the carrier in a room that can be closed long before the vet appointment and just go about as usual. When the vet appointment nears, I pick up the cat and take them into that room and have always been able to get a cat into the carrier. Another option is to wrap the cat in a towel or blanket as you are taking them into the room.
I agree with the HOs that bringing strangers into the home to stuff the injured cat in its carrier is more likely to cause additional stress for everyone than make it easier.
I hope the HOs have their card on file with the vet so that you don’t have to deal with any payment issues, which would just compound things.
It’s resolved. And we didn’t ‘stuff’ the cat into the carrier.