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Post by heretoday on Aug 12, 2010 17:42:29 GMT -5
yes the house is a bit messy and the long haired cat has some tangles in her fur on the stomach, she won't let me comb them. My vet has shaved her before but it is not something to be done in the summertime. i did scoop the litterboxes the day I left. When I talked to the shelter they said that it was something that had to be dealt with and had me call another officer because the one who did the complaint was off - she even called the one who was off somehow when she had me on the line. So I guess they are taking it seriously, but the letter is exaggerated. My daughter doesn't have a camera.
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Post by heretoday on Aug 12, 2010 18:24:35 GMT -5
well I called again to give the spca constable my hotel phone number and she said oh we will just wait til you get back, phone as soon as you get back. So I will and then I will make sure everything is as good as I can get it before she comes. my poor daughter having to go thru this stuff. will keep yous updated as to what happens next week
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Post by Louie on Aug 12, 2010 23:46:18 GMT -5
sorry that you are going through this.
what i don't understand, after reading her letter, is that if the situation were as bad as she describes it, she would have seen this on the first visit and so why did she take the job and not make a complaint then?
I hope it all resolves OK for you heretoday
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Post by CourageouslyLion SeeksSerenity on Aug 13, 2010 7:16:23 GMT -5
well I called again to give the spca constable my hotel phone number and she said oh we will just wait til you get back, phone as soon as you get back. So I will and then I will make sure everything is as good as I can get it before she comes. my poor daughter having to go thru this stuff. will keep yous updated as to what happens next week I'm glad the animal officers will wait for you but ... You are now planning on staying away for the full term of your planned vacation? I would consider your daughter's feelings. She is stuck in this situation. Things could change yet again. What if a different animal control officer goes on duty, and misses reading the notes of your most recent conversation? Is your vacation THAT important ? ? ? Ultimately, regardless if any of this is your fault or not, the situation is still your responsibility. Do you see the difference? Don't get caught up in the blame game. The catsitter may or may not be to blame here, but that is not the point. Regardless, your cats need you. And your daughter is stuck in a scary situation. Your home and your cats are your responsibility, even if you did nothing wrong. I would say: GO HOME NOW.- |
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Post by downandout on Aug 13, 2010 8:19:25 GMT -5
what a lousy pet sitter!  if anything she should be charged with abandoning your cats! man im mad about htis and they arent even my cats! if she really felt that the situation was that bad then why didnt she wait until you got home and told you never to call her again? why did she even take the job if she already knew it was a problem for her? if she really felt that the situation was that bad why didnt she clean the litter box? or wash the bowls? or comb the cat??? and you know darn well shes the one that called the spca. i think its pretty callous to just abandon your cats like that. i am fuming over this for you!! im also freaking out because we were hoping to hire someone when we go away for a few days next month. now im not so sure what we will do. i sure hope you can get this cleared up quickly!!!!! |
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Post by anonymoose on Aug 13, 2010 14:39:12 GMT -5
I'm glad it sounds like they're willing to wait and work with you when you get back. If I were you, I'd head home early to buy myself a bit of time to work on the areas they plan to look at before they actually expect me back. Either way, I wish you and your furry ones the best!
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bonnie
New Member
Joined: October 2008
Posts: 28
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Post by bonnie on Aug 13, 2010 21:32:28 GMT -5
True, you are responsibe for getting this ironed out no matter who is to blame. But this really scortches my shorts big time. Let's just say everything is exactly like she described it. I think she should have done the basic things for cat sitting. Care for the kitties and clean out the litter boxes. If there is waste dried or caked on the litter boxes then do the best she can. Wash their food and water dishes. If she thought they were too dirty, why not grab a few dishes out of your cupboard and put them into service. You would understand. I mean things would have to be life and death before I'd call the authorities on somebody. Also, I've been away from the boards for a long time and I am not up on your vacations or where you live but where I am and I guess most of the country is in a relentless heat wave. Perhaps your house is hot and you know that aggravates everything. If I were you, I'd go home now. Comfort daughter. Panic clean. Air out. Call up the spca and be cordial. Invite them over. Pretend you appreciate them looking out for animals. It sounds like they are willing to work with you. The reason I'd go home now is that like Courageously Lion mentioned, one never knows when some hot dog do gooder at the spca will take it upon themselves to jump the gun and create problems for you. I am very sorry you are going through this and the best to you and your little furballs. Who I am sure are missing you.
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Post by cleanchallenged on Aug 14, 2010 2:34:25 GMT -5
I know it sucks, to leave vaccation early. But I would definatley go ahead and go home, and evaluate the situation, and figure out the remedy. I assume you are like the rest of us and if your home/litter boxes etc was in that bad of condition you would have never hired a catsitter that was going to come into your home. For fear of her/him seeing the mess. But it is what it is, shes made the alligation, so they are going to have to investigate. If I was in this situation I would head home now... and get the whole thing resolved.
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Post by cleanchallenged on Aug 14, 2010 2:41:41 GMT -5
How did Cinders get out?? Do you think maybe she accidentley let the cat out and was worried, she would be in trouble upon return, so she freaked out and decided to quit, and make this report to the spca? Just a thought I had when I read the e-mail she had sent.
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ichabod
New Member
Joined: April 2009
Posts: 48
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Post by ichabod on Aug 14, 2010 7:26:41 GMT -5
I completely agree that the sitter should have fulfilled her commitment and cared for the cats (I'm worried that the daughter is afraid to go over there), I think, though, that her email sounds sincere and she is genuinely concerned for the animals. Sometimes wake up calls are harsh but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be heeded. OP, I agree with the others. Head on home and see what you can do before you meet with SPCA. I'm pulling for you!
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Post by heretoday on Aug 14, 2010 15:08:28 GMT -5
Thanks for the input everyone. I am packing up and heading back first thing tomorrow morning. I do feel bad about my daughter getting caught up in the situation. The reason I got a catsitter was so my daughter wouldn't have to do it, she has taken care of them before but is in college this summer and had her final exams this week. I did clean it up I thought pretty well before I got the catsitter. I still don't know what she means by bugs, the only thing I have is the odd spider because my basement is half underground. Anyway I will do some cleaning as soon as I get back and then phone the spca. One thing I have on my side is that they have recent visits to my vet, I told them phone my vet and check the records. The oldest cat is on meds and has had bloodwork done. I don't think Cinders actually got out - I was careful with the door when I loaded up the car. I left that message for the catsitter because I couldn't see her when I left but she does hide sometimes, she is a shy cat. Anyway will do the best I can when I get home and then phone them, I have had other catsitters over the years who have never said anything about the house but I do agree it is not up to everyone's standards. I know it has been alot better since I have been on this board and in the chat room tho. Will do the best I can when I get home and update yous then. Thanks again
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Post by heretoday on Aug 14, 2010 15:16:45 GMT -5
Another strange thing I just noticed - I don't even use bowls for the cat's food - gave that up quite awhile ago and just use styrofoam plates so they can be thrown out afterward as it is so hard to get dried cat food off the dishes so don't know why she said that about the dishes.. Anyway will take off tomorrow morning and do the best I can.
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Post by success19 on Aug 15, 2010 2:28:23 GMT -5
I think the catsitter shoudn't have taken on the job if she thought it wasn't suitable for her to be there - obviously you would have hire someone else or not gone on vacation at all if she told you this before you left.
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Post by puppybox on Aug 15, 2010 13:07:37 GMT -5
Obviously there is someting wrong with that cat sitter person. she behaved weirdly, I think we all agree.
I feel confident you will be able to work it out, they are willing to wait for you to come back and all you have to do is listen to their recomendations for the cat's care if they end up agreeing with the catsitter person about anything and discuss it with them. I'm glad you're on your way back sooner rather than later. Its too bad about your vacation and your daughter getting stressed out by it. But hopefully all's well that ends well.
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Post by Meme on Aug 15, 2010 17:17:16 GMT -5
I certainly am confused-- her quitting puts her into the point of neglect-- she knows u are away so why did she not clean the area-- sigh
this is so sad and I hope it works out for you and kitties---
does your town have any by-laws re cats going out or how many etc- do they need to be l icensed??
here we are limited to 3 pets only - -must be licensed and they are not allowed to roam --but few folks adhere to this unless reported--so I could see that happening here-- sigh
I cannot see if she cared so much why she quit-- I would not pay her - plain and simple she broke the good faith of care--
sometimes cat food causes bugs in the heat-- i forget the name but it is just a matter of cleaning dishes and the area where food sits--
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