DH and I are going on vacation for 10 days and we have asked a college girl to come stay at our place while we are gone. We have 2 dogs and 2 cats that are easy to care for and good "kids". (they require no special care or medication, just some love and company).

We aren't sure what to pay her, she is very excited to stay and says what a vacation its going to be for her...We plan on putting food in the fridge for her and told her she could have a friend or two over if she'd like.

We're just not really sure what we should pay. Could use your input.

We had someone stay at our house with our dogs and paid her $100 a week. She was thrilled because she was very much looking forward to living in our house (no roomates!!!!) and our house was within walking distance to her job. We have also used dogsitters (their house) and I believe we paid $35 a day per dog. You might want to discuss her expectations in advance so you know what she is expecting.

My daughter has done this several times and enjoys it. Keep in mind tho, it is a big responsibility to take care of someone elses family pets. I think the last time the people were gone for 10 days and they gave her $300, plus stocked the frig. Both sides were happy with the outcome. The people even told my daughter she could have friends over to use the outdoor pool. She was very careful and only had 1 or 2 people at a time. She was scare about the what if's--the dog biting one of her friends, the dog escaping the backyard, etc. I think she acted responsibile and the homeowners appreciated it.

I would pay her at least $25 per day and probably more if she's to do a little more like walking the dogs, watering the plants, etc.

I usually pay my person $100/week. Plus, I give her gift cards to Kohls, a food restaurant, etc. I also give her a grocery gift card for her to buy her own food while staying in our home. That saves me time and I don't have to shop FOR her. Just a few thoughts.

Thanks everyone for your input. My husband and I have decided to give her $100 for the week and a gift card for a restaurant.

We know that she feels that this will be vacation. She is moving home for the summer and isn't looking forward to moving back in w her parents now that she has had a taste of living on her own.

I pay my sitter $150 a week, and give him a gas card. He is a friend's college age son, and our home is further away from school than if he was at home. We also have 3 dogs, one that is 90lbs and needs a lot of attention...maybe a little more work than some animals might need.
I have both borded my pets, and paid petsitters to stay at our home. I have always been much happier with the petsitters. The dogs are not as stressed by us being gone since they are in their own home, plus we know someone will be "home" just in case a burgerlar gets an idea.

I think you made a great choice with the $100/week. I just came from a week and half long vacation (in Hawaii, yay! lol) and I paid the person who looked after my pup $100. The difference however is that she did not stay in my house, I took my dog to her, she is actually the one who bred his parents and still has his parents and their new pups, so my dog was able to kind-of go on his own little vacation to revisit his dog family! lol But I furnishd all the food, kennel, toys, etc. so I thought $100 would be sufficient, though she really didn't ask for anything and didn't even accept what I gave them last time they dog-sat (they said it was too much *Shrug* go figure)

I use a pet/housesitter to save my dogs from the stress of being away from their home and in a kennel. I figure the amount it would cost me to house them in the kennel is well spent on a sitter who will stay with them and give them the love they deserve. Right now it would cost me $20 a day to kennel each dog, so that's what I'm paying and we are all happy.

Was anyone else as confused by Twwelvepole's answer as I was?
I thought Beachy was asking what to pay a known girl to petsit....not hiring a stranger on for a full time job. I do not think any of us would leave our pets with "just anyone willing". I never thought of hiring an attorney.
("my "Dirty work"!?!? Jeesh....they sure don't know me or my pups very well! And Desperation!?!...I guess twelve does not ever take a vacation where he/she has pets or plants that need care).

beachy1, that sounds fair. Looks like it turned out great.

FYI for those reading this later, in the bay area, California we paid 40 bucks per day to a pet sitting service to come out twice a day to feed and exercise our dogs. Kenneling here is around 50 bucks were dog per day so I was so glad that we looked up ones that would come to our house.

quote:

Originally posted by Twelvepole:

You are looking for folks to do your dirty work. Unless you have someone in mind as previous posts describe their desperation, you may skim by as a scum bag. There are state and local laws. Learn these. Hire a good lawyer. Many potential issues require an experienced attorney.

If employees are not citizens, contact immigration authority.

quote:

Originally posted by cotontail2:
Was anyone else as confused by Twwelvepole's answer as I was?

Totally thrown by that post. In fact, I read and reread several of the previous posts trying to find out what he/she was referring to. I would not consider taking a vacation and hiring someone (and paying them quite well from what I have read here!) to house/dog sit your animal, doing your dirty work! That is totally absurd. And calling someone a scum bag who does???? I am totally thrown by this and do not understand the reason for this post.

I have not personally ever hired anyone to take care of my animal in my home. I've either asked a family member to take care of my dogs or I've boarded them in the past, but I've never heard of anyone being referred to as a scum bag for doing so.

I, too, was totally confused by "twelvepole's" post. Non-responsive to OP's inquiry; went beyond the issue (immigration?) and more than just a little off-point (hire an attorney)??!

The issue was appropriate compensation for a KNOWN individual invited to live in your home with a stocked refrigerator to take care of 2 dogs/2cats. OP came up with $100/wk which I believe was very fair to both sides.

I actually believe it was a little bit generous on the pet owners side toward the temporary care-giver as I am working some numbers right now and will post back later re my results.

Posted now to respond to twelvepole's post and others who found it a bit strange as did I.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Idaho Resident,

My husband and I travel quite often for 2-3 weeks at a time and, for years, have arranged for an individual to come every two to three days to care for five indoor cats while we are gone. (We also have horses but their care is provided by other individuals so "cat-care" has no responsibility for them.)

I have to say I thought figures being suggested were a little high for what we pay (of course, it has varied through the years) so I decided to work the numbers and see the results.

First, if we were to pay boarding costs at $17 per x 5 cats x 21 days, we would never be able to leave home if we owed $1785. before leaving. That amount is ridiculous for most people and unneccessary for healthy animals...

$17-25 per day per animal charge is for total care; I think comparing boarding facilities to home care is like comparing apples to oranges. We have someone come to our home every 2-3 days to clean litter boxes, refill feed bowls and change waterers when we travel.

We have six litter boxes and three "Cafe Style" food and waterers that can easier go 7-10 days each in case of an emergency although, of course, I prefer change out every 2-3 days.

Cat-care person (CCP) lives 8 miles from us; 10-15 minute drive. With gas at $4.00/gal and assuming the very worst that they get only 8 miles to the gallon; each round-trip will cost $8.00.

Time to actually re-fill food, change water and clean litter boxes would normally be less than 20 minutes for both but, to be fair, let's say it takes 30 minutes for each of two stations! Hafta stop and play with the cats, right?

And find the cats who have hidden to make sure they are okay. So we are up to one and one-half hour per trip/$8 RT gas. Valuing time @ $20/hr, each trip would be $38.00 x 7 over the three week period = $266. for our CCP for the trip.

Should also add we also bring back special gifts from our travels for both her and her husband plus gift certificates we know they can use; know this isn't exactly on point with OP's inquiry since she was speaking of a live-in.

Hope it might be helpful to others; post back and let me know your thoughts on this subject.

PS. Although, I tried to break down costs, ect. using our recent example, truth of the matter is that she will be getting $300 in cash, gift card for a place I know they will use and a very special gift I hand-carried through air traffic security just for her.

Post back, all! Am I cheap, over-indulgent or just right? Thanks OP and all who respond!

I am so out of the loop on what to pay someone who is pet sitting/house sitting.

I have done it for some of my mother's friends and for the life of me can not remember what they paid me.

It was good for the pets and me, since I got to be on my own in a way.
This was years ago.

One couple had a Cocker Spaniel whom was high strung and they did not want to kennel him. They were going to Scotland her home country so it was not possible to take him with them.

Another couple had German Sheperds that were some champion bred or won stuff.

They were just down the road from us and I got the job because the lady worked with my brother's wife.

They too did not want to kennel their dogs and they paid very well and tipped me extra on top because I had cleaned their house when I was there (otherwise I could not have stayed).

I think that for 10 days, $100-$150 a week and if they do extra or if you can tell they took extra special care of the fur kiddos and house then extra.

One couple left a gift card for a grocery store and pizza place so I would have stuff to eat there.

As for twelvepole, I am confused by your comment. You made no sense and your comment had nothing to do with the question(s) asked.

They are NOT asking someone to do their dirty work. They are P A Y I N G someone to take care of their animals while they are away.
She also stated that they had someone who was a college student to house/pet sit.