Pet sitting fees

[korbbec]

I am going to Hawaii in a few days and a friend is watching my pets. She lives in the next town and will have to drive 15 minutes each way, plus spend time here with them. I have 3 tanks full of fish and 3 cats- 1 needs medication, which can be difficult. I have offered her $200 for the 9 days- $20 a day plus $20 for gas. She is refusing to take the fee. I explained to her that hiring a service would cost me much more, I would have a stranger in my house daily and my cats love this particular friend, while actively avoiding almost everyone else. She doesn't understand the peace of mind she is giving me is well worth the money, and she is still saving me money. So, do I insist she take the fee or graciously accept the favor? Opinions please....

We have only been friends for about a year and a half- before that I lived in another state, but we were roommates 10-12 years ago, until we had a falling out and I moved out of state. Two of these three cats were originally hers ten years ago- I took them because she could not.

 

[Soubrette]

I had the same situation about a year ago. I friend took care of our dogs for about 4 days and refused to take any money from us either for gas or pay. Once we were home, I gave her a $50 gift certificate for Barnes and Nobel which she graciously accepted (she was a students...always in need of books). In the end, it worked out great because it was like she was helping me out as a friend, and I was giving her a "gift" of thanks.

 

[korbbec]

That is a good idea. I work part time at a Steak House my friend loves (thats how we ran into each other after 10 years) but she is having job problems right now and it is pricey so they have not been able to come in... That might be a good idea. Thanks.

 

[PrincessDeb]

I recently had to shop for a pet sitter because everyone who watched my older dog has since moved into a situation where they can't anymore. I found a really good sitter (although I haven't used her yet). She charges $15 a visit and makes three visits a day ($45) or else she sleeps overnight (5pm-9am) with the animal for $50 a night. Your friend is a bargain! If she won't take money, I would get her a gift certificate to a place that you know that she likes.

Deb

 

[ducklite]

If she won't take the money (and I think that amount is reasonable) then I would give her a Visa Gift Card or gift card to her favorite department store. Who wouldn't love a gift card to Bloomingdale's, Macy's, Penney's, or even Target?

It's a lot harder to return a gift card, and it's something that she'll certainly get some use out of.

Anne

 

[RickinNYC]

My best friend is also our regular dog sitter. He and the Demon Dog, aka Bill, get along famously. Joe and I have tried time and again to pay him for his services. It costs $45-50 per day to board Bill otherwise so Chris has saved us a mint over the years.

Nevertheless, he absolutely refuses any compensation, even if it involves him uprooting his life for a week to stay at our apartment. So I buy tons of groceries, all the good stuff that I know Chris would never normally purchase for himself. Plus, when we return, we take him out for a nice dinner and drinks, which he always happily accepts.

 

[korbbec]

Thanks everyone. Sounds like "in kind" payment is the way to go with friends. I always had roommates before so it was never an issue- they automatically took care of the house pets if I was gone. I'm actually feeling unreasonably guilty about leaving them this time...

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I would give her compensation of some kind.

 

[Albertan mom]

My friends kids take my dog. I pay .50cents an hour. So that includes overnight, which works out to $12.00 a day.
He stays at their house. They take him for walks etc..

I put it down to an hourly rate to make it easier for me to figure it out when I am paying them!
Last time we went to WDW, it cost me over $130!!

 

[porterbl1]

Those boarding fees mentioned are outrageous. My mother owns a nice indoor boarding and grooming facility here in Louisiana. We charge 13 dollars per night per dog. I can't imagine charging that much!

 

[MOMTOMOOTOO]

I pay a college girl that I trust completely 35 per day plus food. She loves to come here to get away from her siblings and have her space. She is such a sweet girl and works well for all of us.

But last year, my son's pre k teacher was going away for Easter break and we got to talking and I volunteered to watch her black lab Her husband was dying of cancer and the family needed to spend some quality time together. She insisted on paying me but I adamantly refused, the dog was such a joy to have here and we were dogless at the time. Of course she mailed me a GC which she knew I couldn't return and brought all the kids souveniers back from her trip. Also after we got beagleboy she sent me a coupon for one free week of dog sitting

 

[Hillbeans]

Funny you posted this because i Just posted a thread about trying to have the teens next door watch my cat.

I occasionally watch my friend's cats - she doesn't pay me, but she has sent me flowers and a GC. Her house is not far off my route to and from work, so i'm able to stop in once a day and feed/water/change litter without going too far out of the way. I wouldn't expect a friend to pay me however it's easier watching cats than dogs. If she had dogs, I would not be able to watch them because I can really only stop by once a day and dogs would need at least 3 stops a day i'd imagine.

Have a great trip!

 

[ducklite]

Those boarding fees mentioned are outrageous. My mother owns a nice indoor boarding and grooming facility here in Louisiana. We charge 13 dollars per night per dog. I can't imagine charging that much!

And you can buy a gorgeous 3000 s/f home for $180K and the taxes are $1200 a year. It's all relative.

Anne

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I recently had to shop for a pet sitter because everyone who watched my older dog has since moved into a situation where they can't anymore. I found a really good sitter (although I haven't used her yet). She charges $15 a visit and makes three visits a day ($45) or else she sleeps overnight (5pm-9am) with the animal for $50 a night. Your friend is a bargain! If she won't take money, I would get her a gift certificate to a place that you know that she likes.

Deb

These are the same prices I pay for up to 3 pets. My last trip cost me $268 for 5 days - 3 visits a day.

 

[korbbec]

See- this is what I am trying to tell her. At $20 a day I'm getting a bargain. It is more of a token payment to say thanks- a pet sitter would cost more for less service. My cats would just hide from a stranger anyway. She will spend time and give them love. That is the most important thing to me. Never mind trying to give Calvin his daily pill- he is amazingly strong and will pull out the claws at pill time.