What to Pay Petsitter?

[starrunner]

Hello COTH folks.

I know there are previous topics on the monetary incentives for pet sitters, however, my circumstances are mildly different.

First of all, we are going to be gone for a little more than a week. The gal that is pet sitting is actually living with us, renting a room. She already puts the dog out when she gets home, but doesn’t do anything beyond that, but does enjoy the company of the critters. She pays a fairly nominal sum for rent, since she is a working student and I know money is tight.

Her additional job responsibilities will be to feed one dog twice a day and make sure kitties are still alive (they have auto feed). Put the dog out one additional time than she usually does now.

She also will be feeding the poison dart frogs and the fish.

I am going to offer an amount off of her next month rent. But what is fair?

My husband is super cheap and doesn’t think that she should get much. I am just appreciative of someone doing us a favor and helping us out. She is super nice and dependable and I appreciate that.

Any insight COTH-ers?

[ladyj79]

I was recently paid 50/day for four dogs. For what you describe, maybe 25?

[starrunner]

For someone already living here, that puts the dog out as part of her routine, and has a break in rent because of her non-existent wage earning circumstances?

Holy smokes, the going rate when I was a pet sitter informally in college wasn’t that much. Need to do that more often again.

Thanks for your input.

[wsmoak]

I would keep it separate from the rent, which you say is already discounted. Perhaps give her a $50 gift card as a thank-you for the extra work.

She is not having to travel to your place, nor is she having to leave her home, both of which are part of the fee for a regular pet-sitter.

[GraceLikeRain]

It sounds like about a hour of extra work a day if she lets the dogs out a few times and feeds the crew. If I lived there already I would be happy to do it for $50. A starbucks card or having a takeout meal dropped off randomly the night you get back would be unnecessary but greatly appreciated.

[Chief2]

Feeding and turning out the dog, checking the cats, and feeding the frog and fish, and I assume house sitting is also implied in this? Keep it separate from the rent. A $50 gift card or cash would be fair, and probably appreciated, as well.

[Jhein12]

I watch my friends dog when she goes away. Usually I do it for free, unless she is making money while she goes away. For instance… she watches people’s dogs sometimes and stays at their house. If I’m watching her dog so she can go watch someone else’s and get paid then I get minimum 10% of her pay. We do live together so it isn’t much trouble for me to let her dog out and feed him but I do have to wake up earlier in the morning and give him all of his medications. $50 a day is what she usually makes pet sitting. In your situation I would probably ask her how she wants to be compensated and if the amount is ridiculous then you can talk about it but if she knows she is getting a discount on rent already then she probably will not say a high amount or she might say she is happy to do it for free.

[Curb_Appeal]

I my pet sitter gets $20 per visit. He stays for about 30 minutes.

I think $10 per day is reasonable for what you are describing. She’s caring for quite a few critters, but she doesn’t have to travel to do it.

[skipollo]

Back when I was pet sitting for several families, I would’ve charged ~$35-$40/day for that (I stayed overnight with the animals, did meds as needed, etc.)

[starrunner]

I was personally leaning towards $10 a day so I think that will be fair. It will add maybe half an hour on top of her daily routine I think.

I think she know she is getting a break on rent. She doesn’t pay utilities or any other expenses and her cost is about 1/5 of our mortgage, but she is the best roommate. Easy going, quiet, and good with the animals, but she has the lower level of the house to herself so it’s all good.

I think you guys are right to pay this separately from her rent. I’ll go ahead and give her cash when we get back from the trip. She also works one of my horses and I found it easier to keep that separate from her rent as well, so makes sense to me.

[Sobriska]

I may be the voice of UNREASON. But will chime in anyway.
Personally, I would forget that she is already there, has a good deal, blah, blah, blah.
I would, assuming she is Ok with extra responsibilities, jot down ALL extras for her. I would include emergency contact info, info on what to do in crisis,etc. and when WE go away, we also leave that “in case we don’t return” envelope.
I would ask what she thinks she should be paid.
And if everything is to your liking when you get back, I would knock her socks off!
IF you can afford to, I would pay her REALLY WELL!
Why? Well, she has care of your most treasured. And if she is good at it, and does as well, and better than you would, showing your appreciation is important!
My first pet sitting job was on recommendation of the Barn Owner I had farm sat for many times.
I was given charge of two horses, twice daily visit. Maybe 5 miles from my home. Agreed price was $20 a day for 10 days.
I treated horses as I would my own. I didn’t just feed and clean. I groomed,bathed on hot days, took down and re-did braids on mares long mane. I scrubbed water and feed buckets. I had everything immaculate!
The day they after they got home, I went to pick up my pay. I took the envelope if cash, accepted their thanks and went home. I SHOULD have been paid $200. The envelope contained $400! And it made an impression! That these people cared that I treated their animals as I would my own!
So, if you can show her you appreciate her, please do!

[stb]

What is it worth to you to have piece of mind? When it comes to keeping my animals, if I can trust someone and not worry about my animals while I’m away, I always try to overpay rather than pay the minimum. I want them to come back if I need them in the future.

[goldponies]

I pay close to what it would be to board the dogs & cats. The other critters no idea free I guess.

[independentlyawesome]

$10 per day is being a cheapskate, IMO.

What would you have to pay someone else to take care of them? Then take that into consideration when you decide pay.

She doesn’t have to travel, BUT taking care of dogs does impact your schedule. Required to be home at certain times & such jazz. Plus the additional responsibility if anything goes wrong & pets need to go to the vet.

[starrunner]

Never paid for petsitting in the past. Have always had free services from the vet clinic I work for &/or had my check voided by a friend who did the service, so like I said, not sure.

But I think the best route would be to check in with her what she thinks is fair so no feelings are hurt.

Part of her reduced rent is already putting the (just one old Labrador) out when she is in/out before we are, so yes, it does put the responsibility onto her solely for his & the cats’ well being.

Not sure! Hard for me to say because the pet sitting I have done in the past I a.) was supposed to be paid and never was or b.) was petsitting high risk/difficult critters so not sure!

Thanks all for input. I will check in with her and see what she thinks.

[starrunner]

Just an update. She told me not to worry about it at all, but I will go ahead and pay her anyway. I like to bake, so will probably bake some more things for her too.

She is just a nice person and a good roommate. Wish my college ones were like her.