Cat owner who asked their neighbor to cat-sit for "a couple days" suddenly expects the neighbor to come twice a day for 2 weeks without payment, the neighbor compromises on one week, then gets ghosted: 'The whole scenario feels exploitative'

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 8, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

Despite being such small, fluffy and cute creatures, for some reason, cats seem to cause a whole lot of problems with their neighbors, and we don't really know why. Well, actually, we do know. It's because the neighbors are bad. We swear, people can do insane things sometimes. We have seen neighbors stealing cats, we have seen neighbors holding lost cats for ransom and demanding money to give them back, and we have even seen a person ask their neighbor to keep their cat out of their own yard because it is distracting their dog.

And today, what started as an entirely wholesome interaction between two neighbors turned into… what we have come to expect at this point. Because why wouldn't you con your neighbor into cat sitting your cat two times a day for two weeks without payment when the agreed-upon time was a a few days with payment? Why not?

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  • 01

    "[Am I wrong] for refusing to continue to cat sit for a neighbor that asked for a couple of days of help that turned into two weeks?"

    sodistam A neighbor asked for a couple of days of help that turned into two weeks
    via Unsplash / Dietmar Ludmann - d13n

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 02
    I have a neighbor that I have seen at parties three times ask me to cat sit for a couple of days.
    via MishMash1313
  • 03
    The message originally went like this: "I have a crazy question actually-- we have 2 cats. The person who was supposed to come over once per day fell through.
    via MishMash1313
  • 04
    I know it's a lot to ask since we just met but since we are right down the street was wondering if you could help with a couple days of helping with feeding them? I can pay you for your time!!"
    via MishMash1313
  • 05
    I responded back with "Happy to help out if possible. How long are you planning to stay? We should be here this weekend but not next weekend. Bummer they had to cancel on you on such short notice!!"
    via MishMash1313

  • This started off as an honestly wholesome interaction. A neighbor being kind, trying to help out, even though they don't even know each other that well. And then everything went right off the rails, and we remembered why we are so cautious when it comes to our neighbors in the first place.

  • 06
    The neighbor then went on to say they were coming back Saturday (which was two days away) and asked me to come once a day for a couple of days and that they would find others to help out.
    via MishMash1313
  • 07
    I didn't think much about it because I assumed they were just covering all their bases for the two day trip. I never said no the compensation but also didn't feel right asking for only two days.
    via MishMash1313
  • 08
    Between meetings and dropping kids, etc I drove to their home to find a huge pile of cat food sitting out. I told them it was overkill for two days and they laughed.
    via MishMash1313
  • 09
    They preceded to show me the litter box and told me I needed to come twice a day for two weeks so the cats don't get queasy eating too much and take out litter, etc. (mind you I don't do litter even at home).
    via MishMash1313
  • 10
    I was in such shock I did not say much in the moment except that I had plans and was only told about a couple of days.
    via MishMash1313
  • 11
    I felt bad for them and told them that I could try to feed them once a day but that they need to get a back up. It was very uncomfortable as I was running late for another meeting and they had their small kids there.
    via MishMash1313
  • 12
    Once I had a second to digest, I offered, in the spirit of being neighborly, to take care of their cats for one week and they agreed to find someone to take on the last week.
    via MishMash1313
  • 13
    I have texted the other person multiple times to set up a time to give them the key and no one has confirmed. In two days, I will reach my week of helping and I'm worried that they will think I'm an ah le because I will leave the key under the mat and they will have to figure it out.
    via MishMash1313
  • 14
    The whole scenario feels exploitative and like a bait and switch. Am I wrong for putting my foot down?
    via MishMash1313
  • 15
    Tea Manche Menschen nennent Char es lebevol nennen Familie September monado coffee Oh of Upda Tea TRODDER-MOWY Tea Fries Sugar Tea THE SHEHOM MA
    via Unsplash / Dietmar Ludmann - d13n

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • You're not wrong, it's just that you have been put in an impossible situation. We - and they - should not expect you to stay beyond the point that you said you could. It's not your responsibility at the end of the day. It's just upsetting that, out of everyone, the cats are the ones that are suffering the most in this situation. 

  • 16
    Individual_Metal_983 • 8h ago They conned you. Tell them the other person is not speaking to them and they need to get home to care for their animals. ΝΤΑ
    via Individual_Metal_983
  • 17
    Donutsmell 8h ago NTA. There is no other person. There never was. In two days, they are going to message and guilt you by insisting you are bailing on poor innocent animals. I would bet money on it.
    via Donutsmell
  • 18
    Cheezburger Image 10525952768
    via Unsplash / Dietmar Ludmann - d13n

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • 19
    . ComprehensiveBand586 • 8h ago I think you should tell them you'll call animal control after the week is up because otherwise they'll ignore your messages and expect you to do the full two weeks.
    via ComprehensiveBand586
  • 20
    quats555 • 8h ago ESH if you abandon those poor cats. Personally I'd care for them then sue in small claims court for pay and damages. Or report them to the local ASPCA for animal abandonment. But if you just leave the key under the mat, those cats could di . Even if you leave a ton of water and food out, they could tip over the water, and without water they would di in a few days. The owners are far worse than you for setting up this nasty situation, and deserve consequences. Those poor cats do
    via quats555
  • 21
    Mish Mash1313 OP • 8h ago I am close enough to go back to check on the cat's welfare if the third party doesn't confirm that they grabbed the key. I would never want any harm to the cats as they are the reason I agreed to begin with. I just hate that I've been stressing about them this entire time while they're blissfully on vacation.
    via MishMash1313

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cat neighbors drama cute cats babysitting payment Cats
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