Pet Sitting Question.....

[snowbear]

Anyone ever watched their neighbor's pets for them? :7 ---?

Ok.. here's the deal.. my daughter (11) spent the last 8 days (during her spring break) going over to our new neighbor's house to feed their 3 cats, and walk their overly lovable HUGE slobbery dog.

The pets did great! She.. actually "we".. (I walked over there with her) spent quite a bit of time with them stopping over there 3x per day.

I just called them to tell them that my daughter will be running the keys back to them. (It's only 6:30 p.m. here) .. And they said "great, she can let us know how much we owe her then!".

= :o =

My kid is now terrified to take the keys back because she said she'd be too embarrassed taking any money from them. :blush: I told her it was up to her.. that she could tell them she didn't want to be paid if that's what she wants.

(Hey, what can I say.. she's a sweetheart.. a future Democrat :loveya: )

I'm thinking that on one hand.. it would be good for her to earn her first money doing a good job like she did.. but on the other hand, if she's too embarrassed accepting even a few dollars, why push it..

What'cha think? :shrug:

[KitchenWitch]

1. What is her favorite charity

She could ask them to give money in her name to the Humane Society...

[CottonBear]

9. That's an excellent idea!

The local humane society would be great! Where I live, our local rock stars, r.e.m., donate each year to the Humane Society and encourage every one else to do the same!

edit: For a neighbor, I work out a trade to house or pet sit at a later date.

[candle_bright]

2. I don't know, but

if nothing was agreed upon, maybe have her refuse payment, which are her wishes.

Your daughter DID do the pet-sitting, and took on the responsibility of it. That in itself speaks volumes about her. :)

[Sanity Claws]

3. If the neighbors are nice, they'll offer her something

even if she is embarrassed and doesn't ask for it. She should accept it and say thanks.
If you want to coach her on what to say, what about something along the lines of "I enjoyed taking care of them. That was my reward." Then it's up to the neighbors as to what to do.

[Sanity Claws]

6. More thoughts

I'm trying to put myself in the neighbors' position. It sounds like they want to compensate her. Let them. If a child did not allow me to compensate for her work, I would feel reluctant to ask her to sit for my pets again. I would feel as though I'm taking advantage of the child and her family.

[snowbear]

4. Ahhhh guys.... thanks!

All GREAT ideas!!!

And just to ease her fears, I'll go over there with her. She can tell them she doesn't want to get paid, but maybe they could donate to the SPCA Shelter (where she got her dog) sometime.

Whew! Another problem solved at the DU... :headbang:

[DawgHouse]

5. She earned it and should be fairly compensated!

When my youngest son was eleven, he cared for a neighbors dog for a week. When the owner returned from her vacation, she presented him with a $100 bill. He protested but she insisted because it would have cost her much more than that to board the dog. Plus, we brought the dog over to our house every evening at bedtime and he was a snippy little thing!

[Dastard Stepchild]

7. I did this as a youngster....

Neighbors would give me a few bucks for taking care of their animal pals when they went on vacation. It's a nice show of gratitude from your neighbors, I think, and can show your daughter that her time and effort was/is valuable to others. I always gave the obligatory, "Oh, that's not necessary," because it really wasn't, but the neighbors genuinely preferred to give me a little something.
It's sweet of your daughter to be concerned, though. :)
I must have been a little capitalist - I loved the money! :)

[napi21]

8. She should charge them. Most people who have animals are

thrilled to have a responsible person take care of them while they are away, and most would feel very guilty having someone do it for nothing!

I have 2 dogs & 2 cats. I had someone come to my home 2 times a day to let them out in the morning, and then feed them and let them out again in the evening. She did also bring in my mail and newspapers too. She charged me $10.00 a day, and believe me, THAT WAS A BARGAIN!!!!

I had a lady who is part of a pet group I belong to ask me to take care of her 3 little dogs for 10 days. She brought them to my house along with their food, and she paid me $15.00 a day.

LEt me tell you. A vet, groomer, or other facility that keeps animals while you are away charge $7.00 per day, per animal AT MINIMUM, and it's extra if you want them to have a walk, play time, or any other special attention. That price is for small dogs or cats. Check on a large dogs, and the price skyrockets!

Your daughter should tell them at least $5.00 a day, partly because she is quite young, and you really had most of the responsibility, and because the animals apparently stayed in their own homw.

Let us know what you decide.

[NV Whino]

10. The real problem here is that some compensation (or not)

should have been agreed upon in advance.

I like the "donate to the SPCA" or whatever idea, but 3 times a day is actually work. Check with your local vet as to how much it would cost to board the animals per day, then knock off 10% or so. The neighbors get a deal. The animals get a deal (staying in a familiar invironment and having loving care), your daughter gets a deal by making a little money. Be sure and tell them that the vet would charge so much for the same service and the animals would not be as happy.

Personally, my neighbors (landlords) open a connecting door, throw food in the dishes once a day for three cats, and I bring them something from my travels, or I give them a bottle of wine.

[Not_Giving_Up]

11. When I was in high school

I always took care of the dog across the street when her humans went out of town. I never took payment, for a couple of reasons. One reason was that I lived with my grandparents, and the neighbor did tons of things for them that they couldn't do themselves. The other reason...I loved that dog!

[ArmchairActivist]

12. She shouldn't have to ask...

...IMHO, when she drops off the keys, the neighbors ought to present her an envelope containing a crisp $50 bill. A decent amount of money for an 11-year-old kid...

If the envelope is sealed (like w/ a thankyou card or something) that might lessen the embarassment somewhat.

[I_Make_Mistakes]

13. I agree

I paid the most qualified (a nurse by trade) to watch my baby, a cat who had seizures and needed to be pilled. She only charged me $10.00 a visit. ( That is an hr, she spent and documented like a nurse her visit) I had a baby parrot in the end years and had her come 2 times a day (A whopping $20.00) to come to my house, feed and spend time with my babies. I always gave her a bonus, also.

Pet sitter is a good job, for a pet caring person. The problem was, my sitter took a NEW pet sitting job. It was for a big dog, she met with the owner of the dog present, and everything was kosher. When she went to feed the dog, she put her cell on the table, opened the refrigerator, and the freaking dog attacked her, (no owner present).

This dog bit her (22 stitches, to her upper thigh), she was captive on the counter top for 2 1/2 hours, till she could get to the dining room table and her phone.
I begged her to sue the owner, because he admitted to training the dog to attack.

Now, she doesn't pet sit anymore. I don't blame her. She had a feral cat and a Doberman. What is wrong with country that we live in SO much fear of other's, that we don't fear what we can are animals to do to others?