“AITA For Refusing to Pay My Cat-Sitter?”

Much like how difficult it is to hire a good, trustworthy babysitter, it can also be challenging to find someone to look after your pets. And in some cases, like this story, it can be a problematic situation even when a family member is involved. 

A woman hired her brother-in-law’s niece to watch over her cat. However, much to her great dismay, her precious pet ended up injured, all because the pet sitter ignored her instructions. 

Understandably frustrated, the woman refused to pay for the weeklong pet-sitting, which created a rift within the family. Scroll down for the entire text. 

Finding a reliable pet sitter can be difficult

Calico cat resting indoors, illustrating a scenario related to refusing to pay a cat-sitter.

Image credits: Ellisn95 / Wikipedia (not the actual photo)

This woman hired her brother-in-law’s niece to watch over her cat while she went on a trip with her fiancé

Woman describing issues with cat-sitter refusing to pay, discussing challenges of finding reliable cat-sitting services.

Text excerpt about accepting a cat-sitting side job, related to refusing to pay a cat-sitter conflict.

Cat-sitter visiting to meet cat Daisy, shown leash and harness rules to prevent unsupervised outdoor risks.

Tabby cat wearing a harness outside in grass, relevant to the topic of refusing to pay a cat-sitter services.

Image credits: Dana Sarsenbekova / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

Upon returning home, she discovered scratches on her beloved pet because the sitter had ignored her instructions

Text excerpt discussing a cat-sitter admitting potential cause of scratches on a cat during a walk.

Text excerpt discussing checking a cat harness for damage after using a cat-sitter’s services.

Text excerpt showing a cat-sitter admitting to letting the cat outside and forgetting it all night in a pet care dispute.

Text about a cat-sitter realizing the cat was outside and using treats to coax her back inside in a cat-sitter payment dispute.

Person filling a bowl with cat food, illustrating a cat-sitter feeding a pet in a home setting.

Image credits: zinkevych / Freepik (not the actual photo)

Out of frustration, she refused to pay for the week-long pet-sitting services

Text conversation about refusing to pay cat-sitter after a dispute over a mistake during pet care.

Text excerpt discussing refusing to pay a cat-sitter and standing ground on vet visit expenses.

Young woman in beige coat looking upset while checking her phone, related to refusing to pay cat-sitter issue.

Image credits: garetsvisual / Freepik (not the actual photo)

The woman later clarified some parts of her story

Text excerpt discussing clarifying family ties and caution when hiring a cat-sitter in a payment dispute context.

Text showing a discussion about refusing to pay a cat-sitter due to vet bills and past pet sitting experience.

Text excerpt showing a disagreement involving cat-sitter payment and vet bills in a pet care dispute.

Image credits: catmom51525

Hiring a professional for pet sitting is a more advisable option

The woman didn’t specify why she chose to hire a teenager to watch her pet instead of a professional or a company. Perhaps she was saving money, but what happened to her was an expected consequence of her decision. 

As Ontario-based veterinarian Dr. Anneliese Heinrich tells CBC, professional pet sitters are not only more experienced, but they are also insured for their services. They are also likely more familiar with other important nuances, like a pet’s personality. 

Dr. Colleen Fisher, who has three decades of experience studying animal behavior, also made a case for hiring professionals because they can easily figure out the pet’s needs. 

But if you’re more keen on hiring a referral from a family member or friend, Dr. Fisher says it should be someone who has a close relationship with the pet. 

Person feeding a cat at home, illustrating a scene related to cat-sitter refusal and care responsibility.

Image credits: Yoo hoo / Unsplash (not the actual photo)

“In some cases, it could very well be a family member or friend who’s comfortable with that pet, who knows that pet,” she told CBC in the same interview. 

In the story’s case, it didn’t seem like Ava had a connection with the woman’s cat, which is likely why she appeared indifferent. However, you can also argue that the woman may have been too trusting to hire someone she didn’t know to do the job. 

While she may have been within her rights not to pay for the unsatisfactory services, hiring a professional instead of a 18-year-old may have been a more practical option for her. It’s a lesson learned, and fortunately, she was able to find a compromise. 

The author also responded to some comments

Reddit user discussing concerns about refusing to pay cat-sitter due to potential FIV infection from a feral cat.

Reddit conversation about cat-sitting, discussing concerns and responsibilities of a cat-sitter in pet care situations.

Reddit discussion about refusing to pay cat-sitter due to vet visit caused by sitter’s negligence with scratches on cat.

Most people sided with her, with many giving some unsolicited advice

User comment discussing refusing to pay a cat-sitter who neglected the cat, highlighting cat-sitting responsibilities and issues.

Comment discussing refusal to pay a cat-sitter after the cat was left out overnight and injured.

Comment on a forum discussing refusal to pay a cat-sitter after the cat was injured due to neglectful care.

A Reddit comment advising to take the cat to the vet and discuss payment issues with the cat-sitter.

Reddit comment discussing refusing to pay a cat-sitter after the cat was left outside all night.

Reddit comment explaining fairness in payment disputes with cat-sitter, focusing on negligence and responsibility for vet bills.

Comment highlighting danger to a cat left outside overnight, related to refusing to pay a cat-sitter for pet safety concerns

Text post discussion about refusing to pay a cat-sitter after neglecting cat safety and causing vet bills.

Comment discussing the refusal to pay a cat-sitter after the sitter let the cat out and caused harm.

Alt text: User sharing a story about refusing to pay a cat-sitter after damage and rule-breaking during pet sitting.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment debating payment and responsibility in a cat-sitter dispute discussion.

User comment discussing refusal to pay cat-sitter due to negligence risking the cat’s safety in a disagreement.

Screenshot of a user comment discussing refusal to pay a cat-sitter after mistreatment of the cat.

Screenshot of an online comment discussing refusal to pay a cat-sitter after a dispute over cat care.

Comment expressing frustration about a cat-sitter and concerns over veterinary visits related to refusing to pay cat-sitter.

Screenshot of a text comment discussing refusing to pay a cat-sitter who neglected the cat overnight.

Screenshot of a forum comment explaining breach of contract and refusal to pay a cat-sitter for unmet obligations.

Comment on refusing to pay cat-sitter who neglected cat care, risking the pet’s health during owner’s absence.

Some faulted her for trusting her cat with someone she didn’t know

Comment discussing refusal to pay cat-sitter, mentioning deducting vet costs and financial responsibility for cat-sitting mistake.

A comment criticizing refusal to pay a cat-sitter, highlighting cat care and contract fulfillment issues.

Screenshot of a forum comment discussing refusal to pay a cat-sitter after taking care of a cat for a week.

Screenshot of a forum comment criticizing someone for refusing to pay their cat-sitter after pet care.

Comment discussing trust issues and payment refusal involving a cat sitter in an AITA for refusing to pay my cat-sitter thread.

While there were a few who blamed everyone involved

Commenter discussing refusal to pay cat-sitter despite rule-breaking, emphasizing care provided to the cat.

Comment discussing refusal to pay a cat-sitter, debating responsibility and trust in cat-sitting services.

Comment on a forum dispute about refusing to pay a cat-sitter despite poor job performance and disagreement.

Reddit comment discussing payment and vet costs related to refusing to pay a cat-sitter after a pet emergency.

The woman shared another update

Text update about refusing to pay cat-sitter, explaining busy schedule and caring for pet after vacation.

Alt text: Text about cat injuries and vet visit related to refusing to pay cat-sitter concerns and health updates for the cat.

Text excerpt from a dispute over a vet bill involving a cat-sitter and discussions with Ava’s parents.

Text about being glad the cat is safe and deciding not to plan trips until the regular cat-sitter is available again.

Text excerpt discussing responses to comments and thanking readers, related to refusing to pay cat-sitter issues.

Image credits: catmom51525

She also proceeded to answer more reader questions

A screenshot of a forum post discussing issues with a cat-sitter and reasons for refusing to pay the cat-sitter.

Text discussing a cat's behavior indoors, including feeding times and interactions with a cat-sitter.

Cat sitter refusal debate with concerns about cat safety, outdoor risks, and supervised leashed walks for indoor cats

As more details emerged, people continued to side with her

Comment discussing refusal to pay a cat-sitter, emphasizing care for cat wellbeing and actions’ consequences.

Reddit user discussing concerns about an indoor cat’s safety and reflecting on a cat-sitter payment dispute.

Comment discussing cat health risks and the refusal to pay a cat-sitter after overnight neglect in a cat-sitting dispute.

Reddit comment discussing a cat-sitter forgetting to check the cat's safety and refusing to pay the cat-sitter.

Comment on AITA post about refusing to pay cat-sitter, advising to never trust her near home or cat again.

Reddit comment detailing a cat-sitter dispute emphasizing refusal to pay related to cat-sitter issues and care concerns.

Comment about refusing to pay a cat-sitter, expressing strong feelings about caring for a beloved cat.

Screenshot of a Reddit comment by user Grouchy_Librarian343 discussing refusing to pay a cat-sitter in an online forum.

Forum user expressing relief that a cat named Daisy survived a night outdoors in a cat-sitter payment dispute.

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