'I'm just glad she is safe': Loving cat dad astounded to realize wife left the cat out for four days while they're out of town, his cat-sitting parents didn't even bother looking for her

Author image for Ayala Sorotsky
Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Nov 17, 2025 1:00 PM EST

Every pet parent knows the fear. That icy, stomach-dropping anxiety that hits the moment you realize your fluffy little heart-on-legs might be missing, endangered, or simply… not where they're supposed to be. Because when you love an animal, you don't just love them - you guard them. You build routines, triple-check doors, peek under furniture, and develop a sixth sense for "suspicious silence". It's instinctual, protective, and deeply emotional.

And that's why there's nothing quite as panic-inducing as feeling like the only one in the room who gets it. When you care about your pet with your whole heart, it can be bewildering, even heartbreaking, to be surrounded by people who treat their safety like an afterthought. For many of us, our animals aren't just roommates or companions, they're family. Their wellbeing isn't optional, it's essential.

This is why trust in a cat sitter (or any pet sitter) matters so much. Leaving your pet in someone else's care requires faith, attention to detail, and the shared understanding that "good enough" isn't good enough when another life is involved. A missed door check, a half-hearted search, a shrug - any one of these can be the difference between safety and disaster.

Thankfully, in this case, the beloved kitty is home, safe and sound. But the experience is a powerful reminder: our pets rely entirely on us. Their safety depends on our care, our vigilance, and our willingness to take their lives seriously - even when others don't.

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  • 01
    I'm always reminding my wife to close the door so the cat doesn't get out. She says things like "it was only for a second!" As we were heading out the door to take a four day trip, she turned back to get something she forgot.
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 02
    cat with a collar stuck outside of a big window, looking inside the house
    via sambarfoto

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 03
    I waited in the car, not knowing she left the door wide open for several minutes.
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 04
    Then my parents came over once a day to check on her, and they told me she wouldn't come out and wasn't eating.
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 05
    cat looking through a window
    via 大 董 from Pexels

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 06
    I told them to look under the bed, which they half- checked if at all. They forgot to mention they didnt even bother trying to find her (it's a tiny apartment and a search would have taken all of five minutes), or that she hadn't touched her water.
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 07
    Who goes around thinking an animal can go four days without water? It turns out (checking my security cameras) that she was on the patio during a couple of their visits, and if they had just pulled the blinds they would gave found her.
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 08
    cat sitting outside on a patio
    via Maridav

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 09
    Well our baby is back home safe, no apparent injuries or infestations. But I seem to be the only one thinking how bad it could have been if she had crossed paths with a car or a raccoon.
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 10
    man closing eyes lovingly as a cat "headbutts" him with affection
    via Sofia Potanina

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 11
    My parents shrugged it of saying "we didn't know she wasn't there. We told you we didn't see her." And my wife doesn't seem to think it's a bug deal she got out.
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 12
    Am I crazy for being baffled by all this?
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 13
    man closing his eyes gently as a kitten touches his nose with a paw
    via Raphael Angeli

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 14
    Rainy 579 NOR. I don't understand the attitude of the people around you at all
    via Rainy579
  • 15
    OP AndrewLipiansky Right?! It's like I came home to the Twilight Zone.
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 16
    Rainy 579 I've never understood people who can be so blasé about animals, and they don't even care enough about your feelings to look after something that you love just because they love you if you know what I mean? I'd be angry and sad, and getting a cat sitter next time too maybe
    via Rainy579
  • 17
    OP AndrewLipiansky That's exactly how I felt. I had this sharp, intrusive thought sink in that I am surrounded by people who don't care what's important to me.
    via AndrewLipiansky

  • To realise that… this must be heartbreaking. Knowing how much you love a cat, and seeing the people closest to you disregard it so easily, is a thing no cat pawrent should experience.

  • 18
    Yeah Rainy 579
    via Rainy579
  • 19
    OP AndrewLipiansky I got mad at my parents too, but do you think that was misplaced?
    via AndrewLipiansky
  • 20
    ellianaheavenly You are not crazy, your concern is valid. It was a big deal your indoor cat got out and its frustrating others are not taking it seriously
    via ellianaheavenly
  • 21
    [deleted] Definitely NOR I lost my baby to a car bc I let him go out freely. protect your baby.
    via Reddit
  • 22
    kvetchup NOR. If my husband was so blasé about my cat, I would divorce him. I would never be able to forgive him or stop thinking about what could have happened to her.
    via kvetchup
  • 23
    Main-Syrup-1334 Animal lover here, you are not or! I would be very upset! For them to think it's no big deal, not even trying to find her in the apartment. I'm just glad she is safe.
    via Main-Syrup-1334
  • 24
    LemonadeLola NOR and I'd be questioning your wife on why she cares so little for the wellbeing of your cat who you clearly love.
    via Lem0nadeLola
  • 25
    teiubescsami The cat is fine. Let it go. Just make sure it's in next time. IMO you're just as responsible for not making sure the cat was inside yourself.
    via teiubescsami

  • Well, we're not disregarding this opinion as well. Is the cat the dad's cat? Then, yes, there is some extra responsibility on his shoulders regarding her, her safety and wellbeing. But is he guilty? No, we really don't think so. Definitely not after learning how his wife and his parents regard the cat.

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ask reddit feud family dynamics family drama cat drama wife reddit story family feud aio felines husband cat dad feline family reddit thread Reddit Cats parents
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