pet sitter fell through, advice please

[geoaware]

We started a pet sitting business because all the pet sitters we tried to come to us were just terrible - they never returned calls, were late for appointments etc So we thought we should do it... It took us a while to set up the business (names, advertising, insurance etc) and we found that we have specialized in looking after peoples farm animals (mostly small hobby farmers use our services).

All that said..when WE want to go way we find it difficult to get help. There seems to be a ton of 'pet sitters' out there in our area now....but mist as college students looking for beer money. They have no insurance, they don't drive more than 5 mins from their dorms and expect top rates.

So I want to follow through on the idea in here....lets try and help each other cover our holidays!

 

[miss_jayne]

we trade pet sitting with neighbors who have animals. i am taking care of their pony & cats this w'end actually.

her family has owned their land for 4 generations (our street is her maiden name!) and she has always told me when i need help, 'Rhandi, this is what neighbors do. They help each other!' she is hardcore old school and i learn from her everyday! she is my sage adviser!
(she also pays my 14 yr old when she sits for them, and it was never asked for. she just rewards her for being on time, responsible etc to bolster those characteristics.)

i'm w/geoaware, find someone who has animals near you and help each other out. we used to barter in this country, now it's all about cold hard cash. and the help is usually not what you expected for this type of work. it's all about 'getting paid' not about the honor of doing your job well!

geo, you make a great point also...if there is a need in your community, provide the service! good for you!

 

[chickygirl2]

Where in Maryland are you?

 

[brookwoodpat]

Well, I am back, and my 15 chickens are all fine. None were out in their pen. Nine of them were laying around in their coop (it was starting to thunder and the coop had a deep bed of shavings and so I guess it was comfy in there) and one was sitting in the doorway. They still had a lot of food, and plenty of water, though some of it had gotten dirty. I had two two gallon waterers and two tubs of water out.

The 5 four week old baby chicks on the porch I had put out two quart quail waterers and a heavy small crock of water that couldn't be tipped over. They had a couple of feeders too, a 3 pound and a baby chick feeder and both still had food in. It was very humid but not as blisteringly hot as I had feared.

The hardest part was rounding them up before I left because they were free ranging. I gave myself an hour to round them up and I got seven in their coop pretty quick, but three of them were spooky. I wasn't going to risk the seven going out again so I latched the doors. Normally my chickens are pretty tame, but they knew something was up. I tried leaving them, hoping they'd go over as they do at sundown to stand around the coop and join their friends - no dice. I tried chasing them through the bracken -- finally, when I had almost given it up and only had five more minutes before I had to leave, I drove them out of the undergrowth one more time and instead of running for cover they ran for the coop. I got the door open and chased them round the coop and in they went. I had almost resigned to letting them take their chances. I was glad because I knew it wasn't going to be an easy thing getting them in a coop when it wasn't sundown.

I am glad I made it home okay and now I just have to figure out who to use as a pet sitter for the end of July. Any southern harford county, ne baltimore county MD people on this board willing to trade petsitting services?
Pat

 

[miss_jayne]

glad everything was okay! that's great!

 

[1acrefarm]

Glad everything turned out ok. I have one neighbor who I usually call on and another neighbor who is a backup. My backup sitter is moving in November so I have to train someone else. I could call the pro services but I would rather have someone sitting them that can see my property from theirs. Hiring the neighbors means it is someone I know and trust plus my money stays not only local but in the neighborhood.

 

[seminolewind]

You might be able to hook up with someone thru the vet's office, or grooming place, for next time

 

[Beekissed]

If you have the capabilities to provide large amounts of water and food to your chickens, why the worry of leaving them alone for a couple of days? Just curious.....