What would/do you charge for pet sitting?

[cluckychick]

I have had someone ask me if I would bet sit for them from Dec. 19th till after xmas. I live 5 miles outside of town and would have to travel back and forth atleast 2-3x a day to let their dog out, feed and water for 7 cats and 1 hamster. Clean their litter boxes everyday. I've never pet sit for someone other than family members so really don't have a clue as to what kinda fee to bring to the table so to speak.

Please give me your opinions so I atleast get a starting point, Thank you.

 

[Anny]

Normally when I pet sit I charge $20 a day. I will take in their mail, water their plants, and make the house looked "lived in" while they away, as well as take care of the animals.

I charge more if you have to medicate any of the animals.

 

[Robin'sBrood]

I used a professional petsitter a few years ago when we went on vacation. They charge per animal and per visit. They also charge extra on holidays. I wouldn't go that far but I'd set a per day price of what you're going to be spending in gas, then tack on what you feel your time and labor is worth. Best wishes!

 

[FireTigeris]

depends on your location and animal type and how much you think your time is worth.


I charge $12 for two visits in a single day for one pet & +($1 to 5 for each additional chore (pilling, walking (as opposed to letting out in a fenced backyard), bathing) also +$1 per pet (sometimes I'll fudge this for clients), $1 for every 3 miles over 10 miles in round trip.

sounds complicated like this but it tends to work out.

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Also have a contract- written or typed that includes the following - you can make it simpler language too-

'Owner holds harmless the petstitter for any damages on property not as a direct result for abuse.

AND

Owner authorizes petsitter at the discretion of the petsitter without further consent to take owner's animals ( blank) to vet (blank) who will be reimbursed in full up to the amount ($) within two weeks of return date ( blank) , any care that would require more will be at Owner's discression by vet calling owner at (blank#).

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Basically this keeps you from getting sued if something happens while you are there or not there (vandals, break-in, fire) unless you did something really really dumb .

The 2nd one is more important to me basically if one of the animals is acting 'off' you can take that animal to that person's vet- the contract will make sure the vet gets paid after the owner returns.

 

[chickendude]

I would guess somewhere around 25-30$ per day. You will make 3 trips a day and there is plenty of work for you to do. My kids would water or neighbors garden ( very large garden ) and feed their fish for 20$ per day. It took them about one hour a day. And they walked to the house, no driving and spending money on gas. good luck!

 

[thebritt]

My DD would charge at least $15/day. She's been petsitting for 8 yrs now (she's now 18). Now that SHE drives, the $ may go up! But cats are easy (unless they all get certain flavors of canned food, which involves doing the dishes). If you go out 3X/day, I'd charge an extra $5/day. Consider the gas - (5 mi X2 for one trip) X 3 trips...You do want to make a profit! Do you have any "professional" sitters you can call with that scenario in your area? Might give you a good idea as to what's reasonable.

 

[PaintedGemsRanch]

I charge $25 a day to take care of all animals if they are within a 10-15 mile distance and only require max. 2 visits/day. If they need more visits or are further away I account for my time and gas. I also charge more for overnight sitting. This price is also for a "small" amount of pets. If I am taking care of a farm I price higher and it also depends on how bad the winters are as well. I spend a lot of time walking through pastures breaking up frozen water troughs and doing more hay bales, etc. Use your best judgement, but I use $25 as a base. If I were you my price would be 35 a day, 2-3 times a day is a lot and you will be doing cleaning as well. Something else you have to consider is if there is someone else that will do it cheaper, is this something you want to pursue, is it for a friend?? You will need to fix prices accordingly to help a friend, or get a good reputation going. It is very hard to raise prices once you have one set. As stated above pleaaaassseeee do up a contract!

 

[teach1rusl]

I'll tell you what I pay for a pet sitter. She's a college student whom I trust, and she actually house sits for me. Good deal for her because she gets away from home for a few days, can eat whatever's in the fridge or cabinets, etc. She can still go to school or work. And good deal for me because my pets aren't put out of their routine. For my crew (below in my signature) I pay her $25 a day. Our property is fenced, so there's no walking of animals unless she just wants to take them down to the woods. She feeds, and if it's more than a weekend, she scoops litter boxes. This weekend she will be checking on the chickens as well, but they will have enough food and water out already. We'll see if she's willing to scoop my dropping boards...lol.

Check out daily rates for boarding from a few places around your area for dogs and cats. For a dog and 7 cats, that would add up to a LOT. But you may have a lot of competition in your area, so you have to look at that too. But because you're having to run back and forth so much, I'd quote $25 a day. I would not do it for less than $20 per day unless you just REALLY need the money.

 

[cluckychick]

I'm not worried about competition, this actually for my ex-SIL and her DH whom I'm still real good friends with. I don't mind doing it and it gives me extra cash for xmas, which I really really need. I was kinda figuring 20 a day, maybe 25. The dog is an elderly Rott and then her seven cats, which shouldn't really be that hard to take care of.

 

[PaintedGemsRanch]

$25 sounds perfect!