Paying Cat Sitters! How Much?
 

Prepetual issue: we're in the DC area, going on travel and it's time to call our cat sitter, and leave a check. She comes in once daily, gets our mail, waters the plants, and will take a sick cat to our vet. She is reliable. How much do you pay? With more than one cat, we pay $18 per day for one visit, and $25 per day during a major holiday period. Is this about right?

I pay $9/day for a once-a-day visit for two cats. Same price for holidays. I lived in a considerably cheaper part of the country than you, so am guessing your figures are in line.<BR>

We're also in the DC area (NoVA) and we pay our pet-sitting service $12 a visit to feed the two cats, water plants and bring in the mail. They seem to be reliable and always available on short notice.

There's a very similar thread on here w/many replies that you might find helpful.

I'll sit on your cat for free.<BR>

I live in a large midwest city and pay my cat sitter (2 cats) $18/visit. But I only have him come every other day.<BR>

SF--$10 day for two cats. Same rate for holidays.

In Boston area I pay a teenager to feed 3 cats, 1 iguana, bring in mail, and once during week water plants and bring in trash cans - $10/day plus some sort of tip. If it were an adult person doing this as a business I am sure it would cost more. But I figure that, including travel time from down the street, this is about 45 minutes of work, and kids get almost that much per hour to bag groceries around here!

We pay $10/day for one cat.

My two cats are indoor/outdoor pets who are insulted by a litter box. I bought a self feeder and self waterer fill em up put outside in an indiscreet location, show the cats where the food/water is and the cats care for themselves for up to 2 weeks. Cats are very independant naturally. We think they need all kinds of care. Fill the bathtub with water, set the plants in it and they are watered while your gone, if there is no window in your bathroom leave the light on, you will be surprised how healthy and lush the plants are when you return. As for mail, ask the post office to hold your mail until you return to pick it up. The cats don't know or care if it is a holiday period or not, you just saved 18-25 bucks per day. By a couple of timers for lights and set them, they cost about 20 bucks. Enjoy your trip.

Well, MINDS THEMSELVES, you blew me out of the water with that one. Amazing, and congrats to you! Ours used to be outdoors models, but after one was hit by a car, that was it.<BR><BR>BTW, for those who read the Wash. Post, and know about the famous "motor cat" who rode with his owner Catman on a motorcycle, there an article in the Style section today. The cat died of cancer, 17 years old. Quite a person. <BR><BR>Take care.

Do you expect them to bathe the cats? If so, do the cats have claws? This would most likely raise their fees dramatically.

I hope you trust the employees of your local post office, because having the mail held broadcasts the message that you're on vacation to everyone working there. There was a discussion of this very issue on CNN just a few mornings ago.

I catsit for a friend who has three cats and I charge $10 a day to feed them, love on them, water the plants, bring in the mail, and hang out for a few hours. It works out fine because her cats get "people time" and I get to watch movies on her DVD player!

MINDS THEMSELVES......you are a completely irresponsible pet owner and your local S.P.C.A should be notified. <BR>Leaving animals unattended for 2 weeks is abandonment and abusive and you should be charged. Moron.

I live in Boston and pay a t eenage neighbor $5/day to feed cat (1x/day) and take in mail while we are gone. <BR><BR>In addition, I usually bring her home a little gift, piece of jewelry or thoughtful souvenir from wherever we have been.

Hi. This isn't my real email 'cause I know some of you won't like my answre. I have a cat and I travel frequently for work. Usually I'm only away for 5-7 days. I normally put the cat in the bathroom with his litterbox with a big canister of Iams. Also I leave the tub faucet dripping so he can drink. When I get home a week later, he's as good as ever. The litter box is usually quite due for a change though.<BR>

William, not to get on you, not at all, but just for your cat: think about having somebody come in at least every second day, just to check, Your cat would enjoy the company. Look, just because it works for you does NOT mean it's good for your kitty. I'm sure you love your cat, so please, have someone look in and spend a few minutes now and then.

William, I won't flame you either but PLEASE don't do that to your cat again. Surely you know a neighbor or a friend who could look in on your cat every other day to at least give him fresh water? I'm sorry but leaving your cat shut up in the bathroom for 5 to 7 days is cruel -- no other word for it.

William, it is cruel. <BR>I left my cat for 2 days and like you, thought 2 days was nothing. I came home and found a severely ill cat with a urinary blockage that required emergency intervention. Two or three days later and he would have died a horrible death. (can you imagine filling up with poison because you can not Pee??) PLEASE...if you cannot take care of your pets, surrender them to a no kill adoption agency and find them a real home.

Willaim, where do you live? If in my area, I could suggest some good people to look in and care for your kitty. Obviously, you can see that how you treat your kitty has resonated with some of the other cat owners. Please take this opportunity to do it differently the next time you travel. You know, our cats depend on us for loving care, they cannot fend for themselves. They may survive, but if one could see inside, they might be dying in their hearts. I hope you do it in a new, kinder way.

Wow. You guys are mean! My kitty is just fine when I leave him. He has fresh water from the tub faucet like I told you. Besides, he's such a wuss, he wouldn't like other people looking in on him.

wow, cats are expensive to leave behind. Are dogs cheaper? my son feeds his friend's dog, takes in the mail and newspaper when they're away. They gave him $20 for a week and I thought that was extravagent. I didn't expect them to pay him anything. He's doing it again for 3 days and I guess, out of kindness they'll give him $5 or $10. <BR><BR>You actually pay someone $10 - $20 a day to do this?<BR><BR>

UNREAL.<BR><BR>I am NOT an irresponsible pet owner, my cats, ages 15 and 17, would hate to have ANYONE keep them. They prefer outside to inside so why would someone have to come check on them? It is not illegal to leave your pets unattended for two weeks. They have shelter, fresh food and water. If they were so miserable with the set up hey would leave. Cats that are free to come and go as they please choose to stay with you, or they leave. I have had mine since they were kittens. However, for those who leave them in the house, what if it burns down? As stated earlier these animals are able to fend for themselves, they were once wild, we tend to think they need US. <BR>TO BECAREFUL: So, are you saying that the stranger coming to your house, a strange car in the driveway, strangers going into your house and getting the mail once a day doesn't broadcast that you are gone? You must not live where there is a neighborhood watch.

William and Mindsthemselves: yes, you are both irresponsible pet owners. Would you go away and leave your kids alone, but argue that b/c they have food, water, etc. that they're okay? Mayabe you need it spelled out for you:<BR>PETS ARE LIKE CHILDREN. THEY CANNOT TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES. <BR><BR>What was once a wild animal ceases to be once we domesticate them. Therefore, they need us. You're lucky that nothing has ever happened to your cats while you were away, but that doesn't mean nothing could ever go wrong. <BR><BR>If I were either of your neighbors I would call the SPCA on you.

Anyone who leaves a cat alone for days on end locked in a bathroom (or any other room) with a cannister of food and a dripping faucet should have the same done to him/her. Likewise for people who think the neighbor's kid is going to care for your pet. Ha. Most kids can't care for themselves let alone an animal. <BR>We had friends who tried this once, having a neighbor kid (a good kid, responsible, etc. said his parents). Well little darlin' left the front door unlocked and my friends came home to find that. Luckily nothing was gone but responsible people don't leave the doors unlocked. <BR><BR>That said, I have 3 cats, we board them every time we go away. It's $20 a day for the 3 of them (discount for over 2 cats). They are well cared for, if anything happens (sickness) they are treated at once. The kennel is clean, roomy and reliable. Sure, the cats would rather not go to the kennel, but we feel safer taking them and in the long run they are better cared for. <BR><BR>Those of you who leave the cats home alone (with maybe a kid coming by once a day-if you are lucky) how would you feel if your house is robbed and windows left open and Fluffy wanders out and gets lost (or worse yet run over) ??? Board the cats for heavens sake. If you can appord to travel then board them. If you can't stay home.

Make that last sentance afford. and I really mean that, if you can afford to travel you can afford to board your cat (or dog).

TO MINDSTHEMSELVES: I trust my neighbors (the only ones who could ever notice strangers coming and going) and a licensed, bonded pet-sitting service FAR more than I trust the minimum-wage mail handlers at the post office. If I was a savvy burglar, I'd specifically seek out a job there. You'd be virtually guaranteed a never-ending list of potential targets. <BR><BR>Do what you want. I'm just passing along a tip I heard on the news the other day and had never thought of before myself. We've had our mail held multiple times in the past, but now that I've really thought about it I'm not sure I'd do it again.<BR><BR>

I agree with you Kitty, but I'd recommend a good pet sitter before a kennel. We investigated kennels at one point and couldn't find a single place that provided more than a glorified cage for our cats. Our bathroom is several times the size of any kennel berth. One of our cats has the roam of the house and the other (who sometimes forgets to use his litter box) stays in the bathroom. Our pet-sitter checks in once a day to feed and play with them. This is by far the best option IMO (unless you have a friend actually move into your house while your gone). The other benefit is that the cats are less traumatized by a strange environment.

I cannot believe anyone who calls themselves a CATLOVER actually thinks a cat needs to be cared for like a child. My cats are very independant. However, they are the plain old run of the mill cats, not some foo-foo high dollar breed, nor are they cat show quality, They are sisters that were saved from an animal shelter. When you own a cat, YOU become trained to what they want not the other way around. I wonder if those that think this is abusive treatment, have had Fluffy's claws yanked out so she can't scratch up the furniture, THAT'S INHUMANE. BE CAREFUL..good grief, where do you live that postal workers only get minimum wage? I don't want to visit, much less live there. Of course, since I let my cats act like cats, you probably wouldn't want me anyway. THANK GOODNESS.

to Mindthemselves: you leave cats for up to two weeks and call that "fresh water." You've got to be joking. I also use a self-feeder and self-waterer. The water gets changed every other day -- and every day during the summer.<BR><BR>Where I live it does cost more for dogs because they need more than one visit per day -- for potty needs.<BR>

Also to minds thenselves - Don't they have leash laws where you live? <BR><BR>Where I live cats cannot be outside of your own yard unless they are on a leash!!!!! No I don't live in a large city either. I live within a subdivision in a smallish town of about 50,000 people. Even we have leash laws!!!!

As mentioned previously, Motorcat, a female tabby and local icon in the DC area, has passed away from cancer, and the First Union Bank in Silver Spring, MD, is accepting conributions toward a grave marker. Excees money will go to ASPCA. See the Wash. Post July 30, Style Section, page 1.<BR><BR>J. Catman, Motorcat's "owner" is a motorcycle rider, and so was Motorcat - she had her own helmet, and stood on the handle bars and gas tank. When they first began to ride together in the late 1980s, Catman would tell Motorcat which way to lean when he got ready to turn. Over the years, Motorcat learned to watch the turn blinkers and respond accordingly.<BR><BR>So, with Motorcat's passing, we lost an interesting creature in our area, and the world is a bit smaller today.

Mindsthemselves: Are you mentally challenged? Because your arguments make no sense. You ask how a cat lover could think that pets are like children? How could you think otherwise? You also argue that because your cats came from the shelter they don't need to be taken care of? My cat also came from the shelter and I treat him just like I would treat any cat - expensive or not. You should stop replying to people. Every time you do you just show your intelligence. <BR><BR>Your poor cats.

Stop with the bleeding heart stuff. Many cats only tolerate us humans because we feed them and play with them (when they feel like it). If we're gone for a week or two, they most likely won't even care or notice as long as they have food and water.

I suppose this thread has turned into a emotional bash because most people want to believe that cats are dependent on humans. Well who takes care of all the farm cats out there.<BR><BR>Most farmers do not Feed their Kittys, they get water from puddles and catch their own food, and you think that just because you happen to coddle your pet that they cannot take care of themselves.<BR><BR>Mind Themselves is not doing anything wrong, she obviously has a very large yard or lives in an area where her cats can roam free. Her cats are probably getting better treatment than most farm cats that have to actually hunt for their meal & water. In fact her cats are probably in a better environment than someone who keeps them cooped up in the house all the time.<BR><BR>

Jesus TripleX, your ignorance is astounding. FERAL cats, i.e. undomesticated (farm) cats who live outside and aren't fed by people, can take care of themselves in a general manner of speaking, HOWEVER they have a much, much shorter life span because they're exposed to all sorts of dangers that indoor cats are not: other bigger animals, cars, disease, rancid food, etc. Do you now understand why that twit who insists her outdoor cats are fab is an idiot? It's called keeping your head in the denial pile and congratulating yourself on what a wonderful human you are because you occasionally throw some chow at the cats who live outside your house. Indoor cats CANNOT take care of themselves because (big DUH here ) they can't open can of food! They can't give themselves fresh water! They don't scoop their litter boxes or change the litter themselves! Indoor cats live longer, healthier lives because they are better cared for than outdoor cats and have much less exposure to dangers. Everyone get it now?

You're all incompetent pet owners! If you were really caring owners, you'd take your cat on vacation with you. Buy them a seat in first class (let the dogs ride in the cargo area), some Fancy Feast, a suite at the 4 seasons. Don't forget to bring the catnip.<BR><BR>You should all be ashamed of yourselves!!!

Pay not attn. to xxx, or mindthemselves, they're hopeless. by xxx's logic, we ought to use the bangledesh approach to raising our kids - if they do it there, why can't we do it here. Akin to his theory on the farm cat standard. With dogs, xxx might be tempted to apply the asian model, they eat them there, so why not here? I grew up hearing the xxx approaches - it was a mean, heartless time, and pets didn't always receive humane treatment. xxx sounds like he's a product of a meaner time and place. They never outgrow that brutishness, so don't waste anymore time on them. I pity their pets!!

Rnr is absolutely correct. I must add one final thought and since this board is clearly frequented by mostly urbanites, let me speak for the farmers.<BR>I have raised/trained horses for the last 30 years and obviously, spent years in barns and among farmers. EVERY barn cat I know is immunized, sterilized, feed cat food (sometimes special food for special needs) and given clean water and litter boxes. They receive regular vet checks and in everyway are treated as well as most house cats. We love and care for our barn cats as they return a valuable service. Even with all the protection we can afford, they typically live shorer lives and are subject to all kinds of accidents. <BR><BR>"Most" farmers do not treat their animals as has been suggested. If anyone understands the value of animals, it is the farmer or rancher. Those who neglect some animals (ie cats)typically neglect all their animals and are not successful or respected as animal owners.