First I’m very sorry about your cat, it’s hard to handle these things especially when they happen so suddenly. Obviously it’s a little late for this advice now, but for future reference/to help anyone else in this boat:

Yes call the SM, even if they don’t answer it’s proper protocol (it does say in the partner guide that if you’re calling off it needs to be a phone call to the SM with as much advanced notice as possible; a text is not acceptable). They need to know so they can go in and open/find another barista to open so the store opens on time. If you know the next barista scheduled in, call them to see if they can go in early and open. It sucks getting a phone call at 2am, but at least then you’ve covered your bases.

Also, don’t be surprised if the SM says you’re still expected to go in; technically this is not an excused absence. Most SMs will act with empathy and understanding, but as we are all short handed right now there may be corrective action for unexcused absences when you don’t get your shift covered.

Apparently you’re supposed to call your SM anyway and let them know. I was fired for “inappropriately” texting out of a closing shift once because I woke up at 3am so sick I literally thought I was dying. When I was later reinstated and they told me texting was not valid way to call out, I asked “so was I just supposed to call my SM at 3 in the morning??” and they didn’t give me anything more than a vague yes. If you were working later I’d say to call as close to when you know people would be in the store as possible but I’ve never worked an opening shift before.