How Much to Charge for this?

[laurafergie]

I paid my pet sitter $15 a day over Spring Break. He didn't stay over night, but he came over 3 times a day - 7am, 4pm and 10pm to let my very old beagle outside, feed him and the cats and the fish - bring in the mail and water my porch plants.

In your situation, I think $20-25 a day would be in line.

 

[SC Minnie]

DD's friend comes by and checks on the 2 cats while we are away. She brings in our mail and newspaper as well as feeds the cats, clean the litter boxes, and plays with them for awhile.

I pay her $10/day. If I were to board them it would be ~$15/day each.

 

[epcotfan]

Eons ago when I was a petsitter I was paid about $400.00 for a 7 day's stay. It actually cost the people more than that (around $600), but the owner of the pet sitting company obviously took a percentage. That's about the going rate around here for live in pet sitters.

 

[JESW]

When we go to Disney (usually 7 or 8 nights) we have someone come over to bring the mail in, feed the birds and change their water, feed the cats and change their water, scoop the 3 litter boxes and just vacuum near the litter boxes - it takes less than a half-hour each day and we pay $100.

I would say between $50 - $60 for that job would be fair.

Jill

 

[kacaju]

can your dh spend the night with you? It seems strange that she would want you to be apart from your husband for 3 nights so her CATS can have company overnight.

 

[disneychrista]

I think I pay about $15 per day to board our dog. You pay for any day your pet is there so if you drop of at 5pm Friday and pick up at 8am Monday you pay for 4 days.

I think $25 per day or maybe $100 for the entire time. You do have to up root your life and stay at their house.

 

[My sister's princess]

Thanks for responding-- do you mean $20 per night or $20 total? Just want to clarify!

Again, I don't want to recommend a very steep price but do want to be paid for my time (I will still be teaching, have to leave my DH at home, etc).

It was for 4 nights. She was beyond thrilled, didn't expect anything, again getting out of her dorm situation was good (not the best roommate) She didn't even have to scoop the box, I only had one kitty at the time.

I just don't see the advantage of overnight pet sitting, I guess.

Some animals get lonely. When I left the one cat alone for 2 nights (someone checked him during the day) he was very clingy when I got home. Seemed very upset

 

[Imzadi]

It sounds more like she wants a house sitter than a pet sitter, as she wants someone to stay overnight. She probably doesn't know that most house break-ins happen during the day when the majority of people are at work.

I agree with being paid, not doing this for free. You are providing a service. Your time is worth something.

 

[*JoGo*]

My InLaws pay $20/day to take care of their cat - he needs meds. But we do not have to spend the night. They originally had 2 cats, 1 dog, and as the pets have died, they haven't reduced the pay.

Last time I watched the cat, I broke my ankle. Just got cast today. They're having work done on their house, workers dug a ditch while I was at work, came back when it was dark and in I went. Two broken bones and a sprain. So beware of ditches!

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

I pay $10 a day unless its my best friend and then I pay her kids $5 each for the whole weekend (so Its about $20 total). I only expect my pet sitter to make sure theres still 3 cats, check the food and water, and scoop the poop if theres alot. My current cat sitter also makes sure the hamster is alive and has water too.

 

[Rora]

Thanks for all the replies! The lady I am sitting for spoke with my mom the other day and said she'd pay me $100! I was SHOCKED. I wasn't going to ask for more than $50-$60. I think her offer is very kind--but not quite sure if I should tell her it's okay to pay me less.

As for a poster who asked if my DH could spend the night with me, I'm not sure. She didn't come right out and say no when we were discussing things but I have a feeling she'd prefer if he didn't. Guess I'll have to face my fear of sleeping alone!!

Thanks again!

 

[ThanksForNoticingMe]

Thanks for all the replies! The lady I am sitting for spoke with my mom the other day and said she'd pay me $100! I was SHOCKED. I wasn't going to ask for more than $50-$60. I think her offer is very kind--but not quite sure if I should tell her it's okay to pay me less.

As for a poster who asked if my DH could spend the night with me, I'm not sure. She didn't come right out and say no when we were discussing things but I have a feeling she'd prefer if he didn't. Guess I'll have to face my fear of sleeping alone!!

Thanks again!

Just take the money. The lady would not have thrown out a $ amount that she was not comfortable paying. My parents pay their overnight pet sitter $50 per night.

The general rate for overnight pet sitters is aprox. $50-60 per night.

 

[Lassie Lynne]

I think the amount is fair. Remember, you are spending your time there, even if you are sleeping, and I am not sure about the traveling, but is it further than your home? That would be extra gas, especially if you stop by your house to visit with DH.

I pay my petsitter $30 for a home visit for our pets, but we have several and she is a professional and bonded.