jan

I'm wondering what most people pay to have someone feed their pets while they're away. We are having a neighbor housesit, feed our two house dogs, 5 cats [semi-wild,just need to put food and water out for them] twice a day, bring in the mail. <BR>What would you pay per day for this, we will be away for a month? I'm also interested in whether this varies by region of the country.<BR>Thanks.<BR>

xxx

you asked this on the USA forum, why also here in the canadian forum???

jan

Wasn't me XXX I just borrowed his idea cause I do sincerely have the same question, but I am in Canada.<BR><BR>Cheers,<BR>Jan

Bubba

We're leaving on a 12 day trip this weekend. We'll be paying a lady $10/day to come in and feed/water our cat; she'll also do some odd chores around the house - water the plants, etc.

Susan

We used to use a service and always had the same housesitter. The company was sold and our guy is now working on his own. We paid him $10 visit last time. We have 2 cats and they really don't need daily visits - he came every 2 days, collected the mail, etc. On our next trip, we're hiring the daughter of close friends. She's a real cat lover and her parents won't let her get a cat, so she's excited. We'll pay her the same, $10 a visit. The service, BTW, was more expensive - rates depended on whether it was high season or low season and they also charged GST.

Susan

( I also posted on US Forum!)<BR>We live just West of To. Our catsitter said she did not want to be paid! Nevertheless, I pay her $15/day to feed/water 2 cats. She also brushes them, plays w/ them & picks up mail/newspapers. I also give her a Christmas present to show my appreciation. Our cat sitter is a university student.

Ms.Petsitter

jan,<BR>I work as a pet-sitter - best job I ever had!<BR>I generally charge between $8-12 per visit depending on the number of animals, work required, and distance travelled.<BR>I charge less for lengthy sitting jobs.<BR>$20 per day or more {$10 a visit} would not be too much IMO; there can be a lot of work involved caring for dogs. You'll have to honestly assess the amount of work and inconvenience your neighbor will incur, and decide accordingly.<BR>Happy Travelling!<BR><BR>

Lisa

We live in the NY area & pay $15 per day for 1 visit to feed & play with 1 cat & take in mail. Our sitter charges $5 extra for a holiday visit.

rand

I feed / play with my neighbor's cat for free. Dor's sister housesits every year for free for the privalege of having three cats try to sleep on her face at once.<BR>I did not realise how much money we save each other.<BR>That is Victoria, a city with more cats than people.

Catherine

We never pay for housesitting or animal care. Friends and family just take turns helping each other. Last time a young relative helped I brought back a gift for him. Saves us all a lot of money!

xxx

We live in anorth suburb of Toronto and we pay $16 per visit. We have 3 cats, 2 litter boxes. We used to pay $12 per visit to a different sitter who came in, dumped food in their dishes, and left (our neighbour watched). Our current sitter takes in the mail, waters plants, play with and brushes each cat, and writes a quick report each day. If hiring a professional service, ask a neighbour to time a visit if possible and make sure you get what you pay for!

Zoes mom

Well, we have a very large house and a very large and demanding (but sweet) Great Dane. To board her for a week costs $80/day so we have an amazing woman who moves into our house, takes care of everything, loves Zoe to bits and we pay her $70/day and it's worth EVERY loonie (Canadian dollar). We've had many, many things go wrong over the past five years, either with the house or the dog and she is a godsend.

jan

Thanks To Everyone for your input.<BR>Its a tricky one. For this young fellow [20] it will be pretty much a holiday for him. His family lives right next door if he needs them for anything however I think he will quite enjoy having the place to himself with only having to pamper the spoiled little rascals on occasion. His family was quite willing to volunteer him. I think they want him to broaden his horizons or something. We thought to give him $100 a week and to supply him with lotsa good grub. Doesn't add up to much per hour but he probably has a max. of 1 hour a day that he actually has to do stuff other than be company for the dogs.<BR>So any more input is appreciated.<BR>Sincerely<BR>Jan

Ms.Petsitter

jan,<BR>I think that this sounds like a mutally beneficial arrangement. Free room and board is worth a lot to a 20 yr. old!<BR>My son is also 20, and boy can he eat!!<BR>