:help:

I am watching an assortment of cats over the holidays, and one woman is a client at work whose animals i've never watched before. She didn't have a key for me when I went over to her apartment, and so she said she'd copy them and drop them off at work the next morning (i don't come in til noon) with an emergency number. (she did no such thing) Well, the keys don't work.

okay, let me revise..

The mailbox key works like a charm

The front door key - NOTHING.

I can't get into her building and she is going to be gone for 10 days. I am so angry at her for being so stupid and not checking to make sure the keys work, and I am so panicked thinking of these cats dying cause I can't get into her building. I left a big note on the door BEGGING anyone who may come home to call me to let me in so I can feed them. I called a couple locksmiths and ONE was willing to help me (for about $100) try to work the key in the lock, but they can't break the lock or anything cause I don't live there. He said wait a while and see if anyone calls, then call him back.

Anybody have any advice or reassurance?? I am so freakin' upset.

if she lives in an apartment building, the super can let you in. also, you can call the emergency number to let that person know.

Note: THERE IS NO EMERGENCY NUMBER!! SHE DIDN'T LEAVE IT!!!!

I have no idea how to contact her or the super!!

Can you ask a neighbor for the supers number?

well.....
Is there a big crack under the door? You could probably get food under it, but I don't know about water...Maybe one of those Hamster things, with the spout, and you could tape it to the door?
Ok, so those are lame suggestions, but you know....
If you call the main office of the apartment complex, there might be some one who can help you.
There has to be someone who has a better suggestion than me...
lovenlight,
Linz

I can't get into the building. She lives on the third floor, so I can't get anywhere near her door.

There is indication anywhere of who owns the building to call.

I left a big note on the inner door pleading with the residents to call me if they can let me into the building (hopefully her door key will work) but no one's called as of yet. There are only two other residents of the building, so if they're both away for christmas...

<sob>

Go to city hall and get the records. They'll list the name of the building owner and his or her contact information.

If the dead bolt is not locked you may be able to get in with a credit card.

dead bolt.

You mentioned she is a client from your work. What sort of info do you have on file? Perhaps a family members number, or a work number; you could call them to try to either get the number of where she is staying, or someone who has an extra key.

You could try calling the police. You never know, they might help you out.

Have you tried the police or an animal organization(animal control or rescue)? Do you have any proof or witnesses that you were suppose to be watching them for her? They might be able to either get you in or atleast make contact with her.

If all else fails, I'd break in and let her pay for the damages. She'd have no right to get angry with you about it because you kept them from starving.

Will she not call you to check in on them?

PRAISE THE LORD AND PASS THE CAT CHOW!!

One of her very kind neighbors read my note and called me and let me in the building. We have it worked out where I left the lady's apartment unlocked, and she is going to feed them for me tomorrow if I can't get in again, and she is copying her outside key for me and is going to leave it in the woman's mailbox on Friday. What a nice lady! I should send her flowers.

I am so relieved. I've been in such a state all day. I did the one thing that would assure someone would call me -- i took a shower, and sure enough, dripping wet, she called.

This was the problem --
She lives on the third floor of a three family house. I couldn't get in the OUTSIDE lock to get into the building, let alone to her apartment door to stick food under it (like thin sliced cold cuts ala Seinfeld). Since she was on the third floor, i couldn't get to a window to try to open the window. I would have broken a window or something if needs be if she were on the first floor.

Locksmiths were useless, the guy who cut the keys said he "did a good job" and accused me of not knowing how to unlock a door, I did check her file at work (it was my first thing I tried) and her computer records to see if she had a cell or emergency number, but she didn't. I spent the entire day picturing these cats dead from starvation and feeling horrendously guilty and I am so so so happy that I can now relax and enjoy christmas knowing they're well taken care of.

Thanks everyone for putting up with my insanity again. I learn an important lesson every time I pet sit. In the past its been "make sure you have a snow contingency plan" and "make sure you have an EAST COAST WIDE BLACKOUT contingency plan" (aka ask where the flashlights are), as well as "don't trust the garage door opener code to work, always get a key." My new one is I'm gonna get some sort of a log book and have people write in an emergency local contact and a number they can be reached instead of depending on them leaving me a note.

ahhhhhh i have to go to a christmas party now.......

thanks again all :) :)

I am so relieved it worked out! Whew!
Have fun at the party. :)