Looks like I will be pet sitting starting next week

My fear is that I will be sued. The way the owner acted when she had to leave the cat, you'd think it was a human baby. She said her daughter couldn't take it because she has a vicious dog. The owner also said several times that Susie doesn't like the outdoors. I doubt she would go near a door, but being a shy and nervous cat in a strange environment, she may have panicked, but I just don't remember seeing her near the door when I went out or came in.

I have looked numerous times in every conceivable place she could hide, even in the basement. She is not a cat that could hide easily being very obese. I am at a total loss what happened.

BTW - my phone doesn't have a speaker option.
 

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Deb, you aren’t running a business and charging her for caring for her cat. You weren’t negligent. She can’t sue you.

Does Susie have any squeaky toys that you can have make noises and maybe attract her.
 
Jules said:
Deb, you aren’t running a business and charging her for caring for her cat. You weren’t negligent. She can’t sue you.

Does Susie have any squeaky toys that you can have make noises and maybe attract her.
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Yes, the owner left some toys, but none squeaks.

I might be considered negligent if I accidentally let it out.

They offered me a check for $100 and I refused to accept it. I told them to give it to the church who could use it more than I could.
 

If the owner calls, why should I tell her? She called me last night to inquire about Susie, but then I knew here she was. That's how attached the owner is to this cat. I know how I'd feel if I let someone cat-sit and they lost it.
 
Deb,
I wouldn’t be concerned over being sued but I would seriously consider going out of the pet sitting business, no matter what the outcome.

Could Susie be in the garage?

All you can do is leave the food and water out and see what happens.

P.S. if the owner calls tell her the truth.

🤗
 
Have you looked IN your furniture. Not under it but in it. I ask this because we had a cat that would climb up in our furniture. We looked under it and we couldn't see her but in it, there she was.
 
debodun said:
She is a very shy, hiding cat. I doubt she would get near any strangers or let them get near her.
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That's probably why she's hiding. In a strange home, with strange smells and noises, and a stranger, you.

I have a cat, when it thunders, she climbs inside my loveseat until the storm is over.

Hopefully, when she gets hungry, she'll come out of hiding. If the woman calls again, I'd advise her that the cat is hiding on you and you haven't found her yet. Ask her for suggestions to get it to come out of hiding.
 
The cat could be in a kitchen cabinet, IN the sofa, in the bathtub if it is free standing. I once lost a cat that was hiding in and behind a whirlpool tub. Do you have a fireplace...if so look up the flue. I have seen one hide there. Do you have a spare room you may have gone into and unknowing to you, she followed you and you shut the door? Look behind floor length drapes, in pantries, try smelling for urine throughout your house. I was a vet tech for years and cats can hold their urine for a long time. I hate to say it but if she hasn't been near her litterbox or food for 4-5 days she probably got out.

Go outside with the carrier and literally beat the bushes for her come out. Put a can of the food she is used to along with some water in the yard a bit from the house and go away where she can't see you and wait. If you see her but she runs when she sees you, then go to a shelter and borrow a have a heart trap and put it in the yard with herr food. Cover it up. If she is around and hungry she wil most likely go in there.

Pray.

I sure hope she is found for everyone's sake but especially hers. I am sending positive hugs and energy to her. Keep us up to date.
 
I went to bed early from emotional exhaustion, but woke up about 8 pm. I took a final look around and there she was sitting in the living room area. Apparently she comes out at night to eat and use the litterbox, but hides during daylight. I agree, she must be hiding inside some furniture since I don't see her under any. She a fairly large cat, though, not easy to hide - the owner said she weighed 16 pounds. I took some photos last night to reassure myself.

Susie2.jpgSusie3.jpgSusie4.jpg
 
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So glad Susie came out of hiding! Since you'll have her until Monday, will it be possible to keep doors to extra rooms closed overnight (after you have a visual on her in the main part of the house) so at least there wouldn't be so many places to hide? Did the owner call last night? I can't even imagine what a relief it was to see her this morning!
 
debodun said:
I went to bed early from emotional exhaustion, but woke up about 8 pm. I took a final look around and there she was sitting in the living room area. Apparently she comes out at night to eat and use the litterbox, but hides during daylight. I agree, she must be hiding inside some furniture since I don't see her under any. She a fairly large cat, though, not easy to hide - the owner said she weighted 16 pounds. I took some photos last night to reassure myself.

View attachment 373341View attachment 373343View attachment 373344
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Oh, good!
 
I have limited her access to the main part of the house - ancillary rooms are closed off. I suspect she is holed up in the large couch, but I don't have the enthusiasm at the moment to take everything off of it and tip it over to see. I know she's not in the Eastlake loveseat. I looked there since there wasn't as many things on it and it's much lighter than the large sofa.

No one called last night.

I didn't see her this morning, but I am not as worried now.
 
I just never knew such a skittish cat. She doesn't bite or scratch, but does not exude the slightest bit of friendliness. The owner said she was a rescue, so she may have been mistreated at some time in her life and doesn't trust strangers (just speculation on my part). But I also know most cats do not like any changes and being in a strange house is making her nervous.
 

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