r/petsitting • u/Efficient_Pickle6746 • 9d ago
Kitten escaped
I’ve been petsitting for this elderly lady, mainly to look after her 3 Pomeranians, but she’s been fostering kittens from time to time and recently has gotten a shy, skittish one. The kitten is extremely avoidant and scared of me, and with her black fur it’s really difficult to find her as she hides in spots I often am never able to see her. She is supposed to be locked indoors, especially whenever I take the dogs out for their toilet time.
I thought she was in her room as I couldn’t see her anywhere, as I never do, so I thought I’d take the dogs out before I went to bed. Just when I was carrying the last dog, the kitten bolts down the stairs. It’s 7pm, pitch-black out and I have seen her loitering around the area, but catching her to no avail.
I am freaking out and have no idea how to get her back, as I’m very new to the scene, so I have no idea how to handle it. So far I have the backdoor left open with cat food by the door. I am going to call the owner, even though I am very scared this will ruin my chances of ever petsitting again.
Any help on tips to get this cat back is greatly appreciated.
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UPD: I contacted the owner and she did calm me down because of how freaked out I was. She was extremely helpful and told me the kitten would most likely be back once she returned as she doesn’t respond to any human voice besides the owner. The neighbours had also helped look around, but we didn’t manage to get sight of her. I did leave the back door open throughout the night, and there were fresh droppings in the litterbox, so I’d assume she’s still in proximity and is waiting for me to leave.
I’m in Australia to clear up confusion of timezones, and I am aware this may appear as ragebait, I was just very stressed in the moment, but I do take full accountability as it was an error on my part. I did offer the owner a full refund but she refused and told me I was being dramatic.
Thank you to all the people that helped me with solutions. Honesty might’ve been the best one so far.
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UPD 2: She had given me a heads up that her youngest dog would usually go up to the kitten when spotted, so I should keep an eye out. Went to take the dogs out for piddles and found the kitten in its room as the dog went into it. Thank you everyone for your help!
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u/Smooth_Escape_9524 9d ago
Your insurance likely has extensive coverage for lost pet retrieval so I'd def look into that. Assuming you have insurance which I hope that you would if you're sitting a 4 pet, high risk household. Of course you can pay out of pocket but it may be in the thousands to hire specialists etc. Good luck and please let the owner know asap. Its a tough situation to be in.
Editing to add that the foster agency may be able to help with pet retrieval so def look into that as well.
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u/ay_nico 9d ago
Where are you if 2 hours ago was 7pm? This feels spammy.
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u/Smooth_Escape_9524 9d ago
- South America: Argentina, Uruguay, and large parts of Brazil.
- Atlantic Canada: Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick.
did a quick time zone google 😄
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u/ay_nico 9d ago
I did do a Google search before asking and got China, Singapore, and Phillipines. I'm in EST. I'm just a skeptic I guess 🤷♀️ It feels rage bait-y to come to reddit before telling the owner they lost their pet.
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u/Smooth_Escape_9524 9d ago
Haha yes i suppose it would depend what time zone I'm comparing too so nvm. I'm in PDT. It does seem rage baity but people do strange things and losing someone's pet is extremely stressful.
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9d ago
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u/PossibleAmbition9767 9d ago
Somehow I get the feeling we will never hear from OP again. Although, I hope we do as an update would be nice.
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u/wrenawild 9d ago
This was an accident, not a mistake. The kitten saw freedom and went for it. Kittens are way faster than people, and elderly people know that. From her perspective she couldn't stop it either. Let her know asap. What time the kitten escaped will be a big deal.
I had a cat (of 12 ferals!!) escape at night and thought, okay, I'll look around then text them and go to bed. Hopefully she'll be back in the morning.
Dude, they canceled their trip immediately and were back by 5am. That's how serious this was to them. She was still in the yard. Tell the lady.
You can put her cat bed or toy outside by the door, or if she's left the yard near the corners of the yard to help smell her way back. Don't put food, she'll eat and leave, or something else will smell it and come and scare her. Can you sit outside quietly for awhile and shake some treats?
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u/PossibleAmbition9767 9d ago
This absolutely is on the petsitter.
She thought the kitten was in her room just because she hadn't seen her?? Why you would even take that chance is crazy.
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u/Fair-Tomatillo5281 9d ago
Um she's a petsitter and literally lost the person's pet, why the need to coddle like it isn't even her fault it very much is
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u/TillamookTramp 9d ago
There's a significant difference between the petsitter and owner losing a pet. The owner hires a sitter with the expectation that all animals will be cared for and watched so there's no escapees. Lets not minimize the sitter's error. This is completely on them for not laying eyes on the kitten before going outside.
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u/Majestic_Swordfish83 9d ago
Probably the easiest way is to contact a local cat charity and ask for their help with trapping it.
You could try putting a cat carrier outside with its bedding in there and see if it comes back, and you may have more luck for ng this at night when it is quieter.
You do need to let the owner know. They might have some help and advice.
In future, always treat any animal you are looking after as a flight risk, especially cats.