'He responded by saying that he would like to end the friendship': Cat owner stands up his cat-sitter for 20 minutes in favor of going to a restaurant, then acts like the victim when the sitter decides to cancel

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jun 26, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

Cat sitting is a difficult job, and don't let anyone tell you otherwise. It's a difficult job when things are normal, without even talking about the crazy cases. The cat might not like their sitter and be as much of a hooligan as pawssible during. The cat owners might leave elaborate instructions for their cat sitters, with rules about every little detail that yes, they will expect you to follow. And of course, there are the cray cases, like when the cat owner accuses their cat sitter of bonding with their cat too much and demand the sitter take their cat to therapy. Yes, that has happened. 

So, really, there is no reason to make things more difficult than they already are for your cat sitter. There's just not. It's only polite to tell your cat sitter if you are going to be twenty minutes late to bringing your cat beforehand, and not after twenty minutes of standing them up and making them wait. 

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to start your Caturday with the funniest felines on the internet!

Advertisement
  • 01

    "[Am I wrong] for cancelling cat sitting last minute after being stood up?"

    "That is what really hurt me: no apology, no 'I am sorry'"
    via Unsplash / Pedro Miguel Aires

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    We had agreed that he dropped off his cat at 19:30 in the eve or bit later. I was all ready, had prepared my flat, waiting.
    via Interesting_Shirt558
  • 03
    19:50 got a call that his plans changed and he either makes it really really late at night or tomorrow morning. I could hear restaurant noises in the background.
    via Interesting_Shirt558
  • 04
    I was stumbled and said, well, just drop it off. But after an hour texted that I didn't find it very nice that he didn't call me upfront as I would have loved to enjoy my evening then otherwise.
    via Interesting_Shirt558
  • 05
    His answer was, that his plans changed and I should have made it clear that so expected him that day. And that is what really hurt me, no apology, no, I am sorry, my behaviour sucked etc.
    via Interesting_Shirt558
  • 06
    I said: don't put this on me. We had agreed 19:30 and you called 19:50 to cancel I asked back if there are other options for his cat to stay for the long weekend.
    via Interesting_Shirt558
  • 07
    I need distance from this. He responded by saying that he would like to end the friendship and does not want contact anymore and blocked me. AITA?
    via Interesting_Shirt558
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10520503040
    via Unsplash / Pedro Miguel Aires

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • No, you are not wrong for placing a boundary and sticking to it. You're not wrong for cancelling the cat sitting. But we have to say that this whole friendship comes across as strange and forced to us. Probably should not have agreed to cat sit for someone that you have had drama with before in the first place. Either way, we are not surprised that this friendship ended. 

  • 09
    MystifiedByPeople NTA, if I'm home at 19:30 waiting for you to show up, doing you a favor, I've almost certainly turned down some more exciting activity to be there. Calling me 20 minutes later (with restaurant noises in the background) to tell me you can't make it is already beyond the pale. I was already doing you a favor, I'm not going to reschedule the favor for you without some pretty good excuses (and heartfelt apologies) on your part.
    via MystifiedByPeople
  • 10
    DubiousPeoplePleaser That escalated quickly. If someone is waiting for you, you let them know the moment you realize you won't make it, apologize and ask to reschedule. 1. he didn't tell you he was late until after the fact 2. he expected you to cater to his schedule. As if you don't have a life and you're just sitting around waiting for him
    via DubiousPeoplePleaser
  • 11
    3. he didn't apologize 4. instead of owning his sh he decided to cut you off. Basically "I can act as as I want and people just have to take it." NTA and good riddance
    via DubiousPeoplePleaser
  • 12
    No-Diet-4797 Something feels off about this like a lot is missing. The reactions are pretty extreme.
    via No-Diet-4797
  • 13
    Interesting_Shirt558 OP Yes, you are right. In March we had an argument and I put the friendship on probation afterwards. He insulted me very badly after I criticised him for something. He said things like "I would make everybody leave me" and he also threatened me back then to cut contact. I let the friendship cool off afterwards. He also didn't apologise back then. this cat sitting incident was the third time we talked. This is why I most likely reacted stronger and very hurt.
    via Interesting_Shirt558

  • Some people are just not meant to be long-term friends, and that is okay. It's not worth the heartache, in this situation, to keep fighting for a relationship that not working. 

  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10520502784
    via Unsplash / Pedro Miguel Aires

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    Big_Meat2819 NTA, that's not a friend. Bullet dodged pretty easily, you didn't even have to block the ingrate.
    via Big_Meat2819
  • 16
    Zestyclose-Custard-2 NTA and I know it might be difficult, but try to let it go. You're better off without that in your life.
    via Zestyclose-Custard-2
  • 17
    Interesting_Shirt558 OP It is very difficult because we have been good friends for some years but this was not the first time I felt mistreated
    via Interesting_Shirt558
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10520503552
    via Unsplash / Pedro Miguel Aires

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 19
    apocketfullofcows NTA. plans changing is fine but you should convey them in a timely manner. 20 minutes after the agreed upon time is not a timely manner. and then no apology? yeah, no. that said, your friendship is over, and you should've been way more upfront and just said "no, sorry, you need to be here now to drop your cat off or i cannot sit for you"
    via apocketfullofcows
  • 20
    Interesting_Shirt558 OP Agreed, my communication wasn't too great either. Thanks for the balanced view
    via Interesting_Shirt558

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

cat drama overreaction interesting friends babysitting breakup Cats
Scroll Down For The Next Article