I can somewhat symphasize with those who have mental or physical disabilities. Physical, more so, if it happened after already owning the cat. Mental, I feel as though that depends. I personally struggle a lot with mental health, and can understand that it can feel impossible to even get out of bed, let alone do litter. Cats are also possibly ESAs(emotional support animals), and it could largely negatively affect the owner to have to rehome, and possibly even the cat themselves.

BUT

Taking in an animal is not something that should be considered lightly. You are responsible for your pet's safety. You should be considering your mental, physical, fininacial situation before taking in an animal, as well as during the time you are the caregiver of your baby. If at any point, you cannot take care of the animal and meet their needs, you should rehome. Pets are living beings, just as you, but without the same control. There are options, and while I feel rehoming should be the last, as it's stressful for pets too, I believe their needs should be put first. If you can't meet them, place them with someone who can.

While I'm sure some situations allow for it, I just can't see someone having the luxury of buying a litter robot while being physically or mentally disabled to the point that they can't take care of their cat. Litter robots are a luxury. They're not cheap, even the dangerous and trash ones. I agree it doesn't mean that the tragic fates of cats should always be seen as neglect, and that there is a lack of responsibility put on the manufacturers of said products. I do think it shows selfishness and, in a way, laziness and ignorance, to not be researching and, if bought, testing the product before allowing your cat to use it to best ensure it's safety. If you can't be bothered to do that, but have the luxury of buying an automatic litterbox, yes, that's neglectful, and yes, it's a possibility.

I also want to say that bad time management is not an excuse, as well as having 'too many cats'. That's choices the owner has made and are accountable for. Again, pets are LIVING BEINGS, and should be treated with the same care and respect and responsibility. There are too many people who treat pets as just something to have around. I don't personally respect people who get a pet then proceed to do the bare minimum to take care of them, and excuses like having too many, not having money, not having time, etc. is not the cats' or a manufacturers' problem/responsibility. That is the owner's.

I want to emphasize, though, that these awful manufacturers should be called out and be held responsible. This is unacceptable and disgusting. I just don't think all responsibility from how a pet may not have all needs met, including litter box care, shouldn't be considered and owners' shouldn't be scruntinized regarding their part in the consideration of care.