What is a fair rate for a teen pet sitter?

[SadieDog]

Personally I would give him the $10.00 a day, your posts said pets so I am assuming there is more than one and I am also assuming you are talking about cats. $10.00 a day is a whole lot less than what you would pay a boarding place or a vet. And if you are gone for any length of time the litter boxes should be scooped daily and cleaned at least once. Also you may want to use this kid again sometime in a pinch and he is more apt to do a better job for a little more money. .

 

[Acklander]

The thing is, you already offered him the job at $10.00 per day - and if I had done that, I would stick with the price. If it makes you feel better as far as getting your money's worth - have him go with the original agreement of stopping by twice a day. I'm sure your pets would appreciate it.

 

[Nana Annie]

I think you should stick to the original agreement, personally.
Yes, you are unreasonable.

If you had already negotiated with the teen for $10.00 per day, then it is unreasonable of you to change the terms of your agreement just because you changed the feeding schedule of your animals.

You offered $10.00 per day, the teen agreed to do it for that price.

It is not fair for you to change the terms of the deal.

And not only that, but word will get out that you don't stick to agreements and you will have a much harder time next time finding a teen willing to do work for you.

Is it really worth it?

 

[poohandwendy]

I am planning on offering one of my neighborhood teens $100 for a week of watching our 7 cats. (her house is about 100 feet from ours) She would only need to come over once per day to check on their food, change the water and scoop the litter boxes. I plan on tipping her an extra $20 if she does a good job.

I agree that you should stick with what you originally talked about.

 

[Imzadi]

do you want a disgruntled person taking care of your pets? I'm not saying he would harm them but I doubt he will be enthusiastic.

The thing is, you already offered him the job at $10.00 per day - and if I had done that, I would stick with the price. If it makes you feel better as far as getting your money's worth - have him go with the original agreement of stopping by twice a day. I'm sure your pets would appreciate it.

If you had already negotiated with the teen for $10.00 per day, then it is unreasonable of you to change the terms of your agreement just because you changed the feeding schedule of your animals.

You offered $10.00 per day, the teen agreed to do it for that price.
It is not fair for you to change the terms of the deal.

And not only that, but word will get out that you don't stick to agreements and you will have a much harder time next time finding a teen willing to do work for you.

Is it really worth it?

I agree with these posters. I do a lot of freelancing. Once we've agreed upon a rate, I woud not be sticking around if they suddenly decide to change things. It's not my fault if they suddenly need me less. I have still set aside that certain time period for this job/project. I would be finding another job in no time flat,
for that same time period, and willing to pay me the original rates.

I think you are taking advantage of him because he is a teen. I wouldn't allow you to do that to me.

If he, agrees to $6 in the end, are you sure you're even going to get $6 worth out of him, once he's disgruntled?

Personally, I'd want someone checking in on my fur babies twice a day AND spending some quality time with them. Being suddenly left alone for that long of a period, you don't know how they will act up as the days go by. What if one gets into trouble? Gets tied up in the cord of the window shades or something they don't ordinarily get into. That extra visit a day, could be the difference in keeping them calm to begin with, and/or being able to untangle a petrified cat, vs. the worst happening while no one is there enough to check on them.

 

[Northstar]

Somebody you're willing to trust with a key and access to your house deserves $10 a day, IMO.

Maybe just stick with your original agreement of 2 visits per day but now only one visit involves feeding? Then your pets will get a little more human contact... or maybe they're fish and couldn't care less?

 

[dreamergirl78]

Thank you for all of the advice. He lives pretty close and can get here on his bike in a matter of minutes. I think what I will do is this. Pay him $6.00 a day on the days where all he does is feed the animals. And $10.00 a day ever 2 or 3 days for getting the mail and watering my few potted plants out front.
I do not appreciate being called unreasonable, as my question was an honest one and I was looking for different opinions. Usually I have had a friend offer to stop by so I have never been in this situation before. I am NOT trying to get one over on this kid. I have had him do work in the yard for me before and paid him WAY more than anyone else would. He said he wanted to make some money this summer, so I said he could do this if he wanted. I am not cheap or trying to get out of paying. If I didn't have the money for a pet sitter, I would not go on vacation.
Anyway, thanks again.

 

[NikiM20]

Here is my situation. My friend's son agreed to take care of my pets for us when we go on vacation. Originally, I thought I would need him to come twice a day and I was going to pay him $10.00 a day. I have since put my animals on a once a day feeding schedule, and only need him to come once a day. He still expects $10.00 a day. I told him what I was willing to pay and it worked out to $6.00 per visit which I thought was fair. I would want him to stay for about 30 minutes or so at the house each day. Am I being unreasonable? I don't want to be cheap, but I don't think he should still get $10.00 a day either.
I have looked at a few web sites and it seems like most people pay a teen $5 - $7 a visit. So I landed in the middle.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Thank you for all of the advice. He lives pretty close and can get here on his bike in a matter of minutes. I think what I will do is this. Pay him $6.00 a day on the days where all he does is feed the animals. And $10.00 a day ever 2 or 3 days for getting the mail and watering my few potted plants out front.
I do not appreciate being called unreasonable, as my question was an honest one and I was looking for different opinions. Usually I have had a friend offer to stop by so I have never been in this situation before. I am NOT trying to get one over on this kid. I have had him do work in the yard for me before and paid him WAY more than anyone else would. He said he wanted to make some money this summer, so I said he could do this if he wanted. I am not cheap or trying to get out of paying. If I didn't have the money for a pet sitter, I would not go on vacation.
Anyway, thanks again.

Umm.......you asked if you were being unreasonable

 

[poohandwendy]

Personally, I'd want someone checking in on my fur babies twice a day AND spending some quality time with them. Being suddenly left alone for that long of a period, you don't know how they will act up as the days go by. What if one gets into trouble? Gets tied up in the cord of the window shades or something they don't ordinarily get into. That extra visit a day, could be the difference in keeping them calm to begin with, and/or being able to untangle a petrified cat, vs. the worst happening while no one is there enough to check on them.

I agree, that is why my friends and family are stopping by once a day to check on things as well. They will be the ones spending time with the animals (they actually know the cats well) but I don't want them to have to worry about the food/water and litter duty, so I really don't need the pet sitter to come more often than once a day.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I do not appreciate being called unreasonable, as my question was an honest one and I was looking for different opinions.

You asked in your original post if you are unreasonable and I said yes. To slam me now for what you asked is silly.

 

[lg3]

Well, I did not post that you were or were not unreasonable, BUT you asked and truly $6/day really would be for taking care of more than one animal, and watering plants IMHO. Pets are often like part of the family and nowdays kids that age do have options. Why mess up a good thing going for you? Hope everything works out well.

 

[Nana Annie]

Here is my situation. My friend's son agreed to take care of my pets for us when we go on vacation. Originally, I thought I would need him to come twice a day and I was going to pay him $10.00 a day. I have since put my animals on a once a day feeding schedule, and only need him to come once a day. He still expects $10.00 a day. I told him what I was willing to pay and it worked out to $6.00 per visit which I thought was fair. I would want him to stay for about 30 minutes or so at the house each day. Am I being unreasonable? I don't want to be cheap, but I don't think he should still get $10.00 a day either.
I have looked at a few web sites and it seems like most people pay a teen $5 - $7 a visit. So I landed in the middle.
Any insight would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance!

Thank you for all of the advice. He lives pretty close and can get here on his bike in a matter of minutes. I think what I will do is this. Pay him $6.00 a day on the days where all he does is feed the animals. And $10.00 a day ever 2 or 3 days for getting the mail and watering my few potted plants out front.
I do not appreciate being called unreasonable, as my question was an honest one and I was looking for different opinions. Usually I have had a friend offer to stop by so I have never been in this situation before. I am NOT trying to get one over on this kid. I have had him do work in the yard for me before and paid him WAY more than anyone else would. He said he wanted to make some money this summer, so I said he could do this if he wanted. I am not cheap or trying to get out of paying. If I didn't have the money for a pet sitter, I would not go on vacation.
Anyway, thanks again.

You asked for opinions if you were being unreasonable. Most here said yes - you should pay the boy your original offer.

Not doing so IS being cheap.

If I were the teen, I would "change my terms" the night before you left - like in "I am not going to do it". You reap what you sow.

I think it unconscionable to treat a teen like that. You made a deal - be a grownup and stick to it. You made a verbal contract with the teen - honor it.

Welsh:
1. to go back on one's word: He welshed on his promise to help in the campaign

2. To fail to fulfill an obligation

 

[nhrenee]

I would pay him the $10/day. It's still a bargain.

 

[Blondiex46]

I am paying the kids that come to fee my dogs once a day and let them out twice a day about 50.00 for 10 days

 

[Fan2CSkr]

What kind of animals are you talking about?

 

[MosMom]

.50 an hour. A preteen doesn't need anymore more than a few sticks of rock candy.

 

[epcotfan]

I pay my petsitter $15.00 for each half hour visit. She comes twice a day to feed my cats and tend my aquarium when I'm on vacation. Works out to $30.00 a day. Mind you she is professional, insured and has the skills to care for/administer medicine to a sick cat. She is worth her weight in gold.
No one around here would accept $6.00 for a half hour visit.

 

[ptrbryant]

I read this entire thread and still can't figure out what kind of animals are being discussed. If it's fish and a hamster, surely $6 a day is enough. Cats...I'd stay with the $10 a day because there's feeding AND litterbox cleanup. I'm really, really hoping you're not talking about dogs because I can't imagine how they could get by on ONE visit a day and no walks for multiple days.

When we go on vacation, I pay our petsitter--a college student--$30 a day. Now, she stays overnight with our 2 cats and dog, checks on the dog at least every 4 hours and, as my neighbors can attest, spends more time home with the pets than away. Our pets get very stressed when we're gone, but accept our petsitter. Our petsitter is studying to be a vet and I know every extra cent means something to her. I figure it's still cheaper than boarding 3 pets.

Karla B.

 

[dreamergirl78]

I am paying the kids that come to fee my dogs once a day and let them out twice a day about 50.00 for 10 days

Wow! That's nice of them to help you out like that. That's 5 dollars a day. And here I am getting slammed for $6 for one 30 minute visit.


Just to let you all know. My initial question was NOT to sound cheap or shady or to get one over on a kid. That is not me. I would do just about anything or give just about anything to the people I care about. It was an honest question and yes while I asked for opinions, I had no idea I would be called cheap, not a person of my word, etc, etc. I didn't intend for this to turn into another slam fest. Think of me what you will, my question was not stated in a snarky manner and I honestly did not expect the responses to be that way.
I see lots of people paying (or getting paid) $10 a day for multiple visits. So if you want to call me cheap, I guess it is all in your perception of the math. If he were to actually work an hour, that would be $12 an hour. I don't know of anyplace a 14 or 15 year old can go and make $12 an hour. And I can't think of any employers who pay an hourly wage that will pay an employee a full hour's wage for working half the time. If he was WILLING to stay that long, which he isn't, then it would be different. And the ORIGINAL agreement was for 2 visits a day at $10 a day. That is no longer what my needs are. Would you be ok being charged for a say landscaper's full day of work for only doing half a day? Probably not. You would pay on the amount of time and work that was performed. I do not see how this is any different. It's like going to get a hair cut and being charged for highlighs.
Anyway, I said earlier I had it figured out. I ran it by him and he was ok with it too. ($6 a visit plus additional money for checking the mail every couple of days, etc) I offered $10 for 2 visits and he said no. He only wanted to come once a day. I also spoke to his mom and dad and they were totally ok with it as well. He is coming over on Saturday to go over things. At that time I will give him half of the money that he has coming to him. He'll get the rest when we get home along with a tip if the job was done well. I do have my neighbor and my Mom doing check ups here and there.
Anyway, thanks again for thsoe that gave their opinions in a reasonable manner. I appreciate the insight. I am comfortable with what we have decided. My Mom always taught me, you don't get something for nothing. And she has the BEST work ethic of anyone I know. I think that completely applies to this situation.
Anyway, thanks again.

 

[CourtasanSatine]

I took care of the family dogs and a small army of cats while my mom and sister were gone. Mom's paying me once season 2 of Supernatural hits dvd(we agreeded so it's about 45 dollars for the week)