Pet Sitting question

[Chanda]

What do you charge/pay for pet sitting services?
A neighbor asked me to take care of her barn cats for about 4-6 weeks, just need to check every other day for food and water.  She offered to pay.   I'll take me longer to drive over than to actually check on them, but it would be nice to be compensated for my gas, as least.    I've taken care of them before, but never for longer than a week; and in the past I've not received payment. 

[Ryan]

hmmmm , I would def charge for the gas, especially if you have to drive. 4-6 weeks is quite an extended period of time to be responsible for someones fur kid.

[Chanda]

hmmmm , I would def charge for the gas, especially if you have to drive. 4-6 weeks is quite an extended period of time to be responsible for someones fur kid.

They are going through a divorce and there's lots of shuffling, I don't know what will happen with the barn cats in the long run, but in the short term, I'll feed and water them so they don't wander off and have wild animals get them.
I figured, I'd at least keep track of mileage, and then go from there.

[Anna]

I think your idea of keeping track of the mileage/gas used is the best one Chanda, then perhaps add a little on for your time - or more than a little perhaps depending on how inconvenient it proves to be. You should be charging something especially if this might become more regular depending on her circumstances - she's lucky to have someone willing to step in to help.

[Chanda]

Sounds like it'll only be for this 4-6 week period coming up, then if anything, nothing more than a day here or there like in the past.

[dcwolcott]

I didn't have anything to offer in the way of what to charge, but I agree with Ryan, that you need to recoup your gas and some $$ for your time, since it's a long period of responsibility, and we know how protective and careful you will be of her animals! 

[Chanda]

Thanks.
Part of me, doesn't want the responsibility, but I also don't want the kitties to go without.  [I don't think they are speaking, so he won't feed while she's gone, I'm sure.]   It won't take much time to feed, just the gas to get there and back each time, and if every other day, won't be too bad.  may even be shorter time than I think, but definitely more than the typical couple days or week that I've done in the past.   
I'll just have to keep track of my trips, so I know what to ask without being too much.

[Chanda]

Ok, plans change...  It's only a week now, while he's gone for Thanksgiving.  She's not going to stay up here through the winter, and he's going to stay in the house and take care of his 4 cows; except for the week he's gone for Thanksgiving (his brother is going to check on the cows, I'm sure they'll get a bale of hay and they have automatic cattle waterers).  I start Saturday, and probably won't charge anything, like previously, as it's only a week. 

[Ryan]

I wouldn't charge for only the week either. That to me is a neighborly "favor".

On the topic Chanda, how are your cats going? As im writing this , im hoping the coons have packed up and moved elsewhere 

[Chanda]

I wouldn't charge for only the week either. That to me is a neighborly "favor".

On the topic Chanda, how are your cats going? As im writing this , im hoping the coons have packed up and moved elsewhere 

Knock on wood, haven't seen more coons in 6 weeks or so.  I think we cleared out all of this year's "residents"; being a creek, more may move in, but hopefully not til next summer and they leave the cats alone.

[Anna]

Glad to hear the update about the coons (or lack of) Chanda and I agree with Ryan, feeding the kitties for a week is really just a neighbourly thing to do. Hopefully the cows will be ok with their hay bale.

[dcwolcott]

DITTO!