Rai just sort of picks the member of the week randomly. It had something to do with a game of drunken darts.

. Although, I'm guessing you were picked since you were gone for so long.
As for the cat thing, I had a similar issue with my cat. She kept doing her business on the bathroom floor or in the tub. I ended up having to buy her a brand new litter box and placing it in the bathroom. So I would suggest grabbing her a new box and placing it as close to where she has been going as possible. That will usually help solve the problem. Have you had issues with her before when you've taken her places?