nanny/sitter dog sitting when family is out of town rate, details?

[Anonymous]

Do any nannies or sitters help out with pet sitting when family takes vacation? How much do you charge per day? Dc area. My family is leaving and asked me to sit their two dogs. They are both not yet fully house trained, and MB doesn't want them alone at night. I would have to go over every 2-3 hours to let them out (around 6 times a day) and spend the night or bring them to my house. They also mentioned water plants and bringing in mail and paper. They offered $30 a day but that seems low. Local pet sitting is advertised as $10-$15 each visit during day and additional $70+ for overnight stay.

[Anonymous]

30$ is way too low! How close do they live to you?
If you are sleeping over with the dogs I would say
75 - 100$ 24 hr

[Anonymous]

are they paying you while they vacation?

[Anonymous]

I get whatever they would pay their dog sitter. They pay her $75/night plus one walk.

[Anonymous]

I dog/house sat last summer for a family I used to nanny for. I was paid $300 for the week. I slept over at the house, but that was mostly for my own convenience- it was easier to let the dogs out in the morning if I was already there. It was by no means a 24 hr job, the dogs were used to being home alone all day while the family was at work/school, so they only asked that I make sure to let them out once in the morning, once in the early evening, and once before I went to bed.

One of the dogs had diabetes and required shots, and that was diagnosed between when we first discussed my watching the dogs and them going away, so they threw in a bit extra to thank me for taking that on with little notice, so I think the final pay was more like $350.

[Anonymous]

I pet sit when my nanny family is out of town. In addition to my nanny pay they add $50 per day, including they day they leave and the day they get back. I stay at their house because its easier then popping in and out every few hours. They're pretty great and stock the fridge up with my favorites, which is a great added bonus!

[Anonymous]

If they are paying you while you are away, I would not charge for the visits that fall within your normal work hours. I would, however, charge at least $50/night for overnights, but in reality I would probably decline that part of the job. I'm married and would rather be home with my family.

[Anonymous]

If they are going on vacation they need to pay you your regular salary even if they don't need you but SPECIALLY if they are having you work. Don't get involved on their dog business for $30 a day that's an insult. What happens when YOU need your vacation? Tell them you're taking your vacation now and can't take care of the dogs. Let them see how much is a pet hotel or a real pet care rate!

[Anonymous]

op here, thanks for your help everyone. They don't pay while they are on vacation. Its part time and flexible in the sense of if I don't work I don't get paid.

[Anonymous]

I'd think $50 would be the minimum in your circumstance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here, thanks for your help everyone. They don't pay while they are on vacation. Its part time and flexible in the sense of if I don't work I don't get paid.

take this time and FIND A NEW JOB. seriously $30/day? is this a joke?

[Anonymous]

I dogsit for my NF when they are away. It's a part time position, so in order to receive my weekly salary when they are away, I take care of the dog. It usually works out in my advantage, getting paid more than average for sitting. Works for us.

[Anonymous]

MB here. If I were boarding two medium sized dogs it would cost me at least $50/day - possibly up to $75/day.

I would think it a reasonable request if you asked for $75-100/day. I might not be able to afford it and might still opt for a kennel, but I think $30/day is absurdly low for the level of daily visits they're expecting and for overnights.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:MB here. If I were boarding two medium sized dogs it would cost me at least $50/day - possibly up to $75/day.

I would think it a reasonable request if you asked for $75-100/day. I might not be able to afford it and might still opt for a kennel, but I think $30/day is absurdly low for the level of daily visits they're expecting and for overnights.

+1. When I've had a pet sitter come to check on my cat (not the nanny) I paid $30/visit. Granted it was a cat so she only came every other day but if I had needed her to come more than once a day I would have paid $30/visit, not per day. So you should be getting much more than than. I'd charge at least $15/visit so say $100/day plus at least $75 for the overnight stay.