Coworker kindly agrees to cat-sit for an entire year for free, only for the entitled cat owner to demand that she pay $1000 to install a cat flap in her own home, telling her that it's a "quick install" and that her cat has to have one

Author image for Mariel Ruvinsky
Mariel Ruvinsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 16, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

As any cat person who has had to leave their cat for a while knows, cat sitting is a very important job. And it's a difficult job too. Every cat is a little different, every cat has their own needs. It's your job, as the cat owner, to leave clear instructions to your cat sitter, to pay your cat sitter properly, and to show gratitude before, throughout and after. Because these people, who invest their time and love into taking care of someone else's pet, deserve it. 

Sometimes, you manage to find a kind human who is willing to do the cat sitting for free. That's amazing. It probably means that you have a relationship with them and that they like cats enough to do it and to find joy in doing it. Not paying them does not mean that you neglect all the other things. You still have to be clear in your instructions and to be thankful. What you for sure don't get to do is tell your cat sitter that they need to pay $1000 to install a cat flap in their own house because your cat needs it. 

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  • 01
    "Refusing to pay $1000 to install a cat flap in my home for a colleague's cat that I'll be looking after"
    via Canva / Nils Jacobi
  • 02
    Hi. Posting on behalf of my friend. (all names are fake for anonymity). We are not from not living in the US for clarity if people offer legal advice.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 03
    I am writing this post as I (and Hannah's bf) have given her our opinions but i think she wants more reassurance.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 04
    My friend's (let's call her Hannah) colleague (let's call her Jane) is going on a year-long travelling sabbatical and owns a cat that she needs to leave behind. Hannah offered to look after it but made it clear her offer was to be used as a last resort.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 05
    Unsurprisingly Jane didn't find anyone else and so Hannah will be looking after this cat, with the intention of taking her cat back when Jane returns in a year.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 06
    This is already very kind of Hannah who is a very generous person but is often also taken avantage of due to her kindness and difficulties to set boudaries as she hates up setting people.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 07
    Hannah has already agreed to pay for food for Jane's cat as long as Jane pays for an initial large bag to last a few months. Considering that Jane is getting her cat back at the end and Hannah is just caring for it, I personally think Jane should pay for all the food and litter as it's HER cagand is naughty for not doing so.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 08
    But it's difficult to change now that Hannah has already agreed to this. Jane has verbally agreed that she will pay for any and all vet costs, but this is not in writing.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 09
    Cheezburger Image 10529467904
    via Canva / Kasemsan Chamrasamee

  • The entitlement that some people have… amazes us sometimes. And this is one of those times. Asking this generous coworker to have their door destroyed for a cat that is not even their is insane. They are crossing so many lines. Instead of being thankful, they are doing everything they could possibly do to make themselves look bad. 

  • 10
    Now, onto the main issue. Jane had a cat flap in her current house and has taken it out, telling Hannah "oh it's quick to install" as she wants her cat to have one. It's not huge but it's a new build and her life savings have gone into this.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 11
    She will have a large monthly mort gage (twice her current rent and we live in a high cost of living area). This cat flap installation will at least cost hundreds up to a thousand dollars. As well as making permanent changes to Hannah's new home.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 12
    Hannah doesn't currently have any pets and wasn't going to have some for a few years though at some point wants a dog or cat (hadn't decided which). However Jane is saying that Hannah should pay for the installation as "she is going to get a pet at some point anyway".
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 13
    Hannah has told me she wasn't planning on ever getting a cat flap installed. Hannah is really worried about this financially and is really uncomfortable with the whole situation. She still is happy to look after the cat but is having doubt about how much she is currently going to contribue to a cat she won't get to keep.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 14
    So is Hannah TA ? Furthermore, I have told Hannah that in my opinion, she shouldn't be paying for anything at all as she is doing Jane a huuuuge favour, as Jane would otherwise have to give up the cat or have it live in a cattery for a year (which is very expensive).
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10529467392
    via Canva / purplevine

  • Tell your friend that we think a contract is a great idea and that she should not bend on the cat flap. That is a flat out no. Some kind of boundaries have to be set in this situation. She has already caved to so much. This has to be one of them. And if the coworker is not okay with that… then she can look for other solutions for this year. 

  • 16
    I have advised her to let Jane know that she is not comfortable with this financially and wants Jane to cover costs or just not get a cat flap and let it out when Hannah gets home after work.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 17
    I have also advised Hannah to get a small contract stating that Jane will 1. Cover any and all vet fees. 2. Pay for this cat flap installation. 3. Pay for the pet insurance (if she has any).
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 18
    4. Pay for the flea and worm treatments. 5. Pay for the litter (it's not cheap here). 6. Buy a bag of cat food that weighs at least 8-12 kg for the initial few months or buy all the cat food (e.g. Set up a regular delivery thing)
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 19
    I told Hannah to ask Jane to sign this by saying something along the lines of "Please can we set up a small contract as, with my current situation, i'm comfortable to be fully financially responsible for your cat that you will taking back."
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 20
    and if Jane says no to this, to then tell her "That's ok if you don't want to, but now I don't feel comfortable looking after your cat". Or something along those lines. I am not the best with wording so would also really appreciate any and all feedback for Hannah on how to talk to Jane without making it a confrontation and getting Jane to accept.
    via Devils_Baguette
  • 21
    Tldr. Is Hannah TA for not wanting to be spending a lot of money on a cat that isn't hers when she is doing the owner a favour already? + please help us with wording on how to tell the owner this.
    via Devils_Baguette

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cat drama coworkers reddit story babysitting Cats money
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