Solution to cats: Benedryl and Claratin. Hostels are not 4-star accomendations. You really can't be picky on your lodging on the trail. It is what it is.
Peed in shelters. Now did they pee in the interior of the shelter or pee from the platform to the outside.
You need to carry a tent no matter what. You do not want to be caught in the middle of a section with no shelter in bad weather with the next shelter 6 miles away