How much is reasonable for pet sitting?
 

First off, I hope I am posting this in the right area.

I had someone contact me about watching her two yorkies for the weekend. I figured it would be something that I would like to do as well as making a little spending money. How much would be considered a reasonable rate? I will be doing it at my own home.. and I live in Philadelphia. (two things that I think would effect how much I charge)

Suggestions?

That’s a hard one…maybe you could see what a kennel would charge in your area and then tack on a little more, since they’ll be getting so much attention and care. Then tack on a tad more if they’re not housetrained. lol

There is a grown man in my complex that does this for a living. I have used
him twice for Buddy. He charges $15.00 to come in walk him and feed him. He spends total time with him around 15-20mins he told me. I live in NY.

Thanks guys.

Also, I forgot to mention that I would be keeping them overnight.

I would call some other pet sitters, and see what they charge.

I think the idea of finding out how much the best boarding would be in your area and then adding to that - would be a good place to start. You will be way better than boarding in a kennel - but if you set the price too high, you may not get the job.

My granddaughter keeps 2 cats (in her own home) for friends and they pay her $300.00 for 2 weeks. That's only about $21.40 per day, which seems low - but $300.00 for 2 weeks seems like a lot of money! Go figure. :rolleyes: Anyway, they are very little trouble, but the family on vacation is so relieved to have someone they trust keep the cats.

I agree with checking with the best boarding in the area and go from there!

I live in TX and have a pet nanny that comes in twice a day for my 7 dogs and 1 cat. She charges $34.00 a day. I also have a sitter that comes into my home for 24 hours and stays for $40.00 a day.

Personally - I wouldn't compare myself with a kennel. These are run by people who have a lot of overhead expenses that you and I don't have. They have to pay for their facilities, maintenance, electricity, water, employee salarys, etc. etc. etc.

Secondly - it would depend on whom I'm doing the babysitting for - a friend - an acquaintance - or someone I don't know well, etc.

Just an idea --- (not my best friend - but other people). I might tell them that I would babysit one dog for $20 a day and will babysit two dogs for $30 a day.

I think this would be a fair amount and it would give you some spending money.

Also - starting this way - you can get an idea of how much work is involved, etc. --- and then adjust your price in the future, if necessary. If you learn that it is not really a lot of extra work - great! But, if it ends up being more work and more time consuming than you expected - next time - charge more!


I've always had friends and relatives care for my pets (house sit at my house) when I'm gone. It's usually my 20-year-old niece. She can even go to work when she does this. But, she needs to take care of my dogs in the morning and after work - plus spend the night. I usually pay her $20 a day - and stock her up with a lot of food --- and because she's my niece and I trust her completely, she can have friends over, etc. Actually, she loves staying here - and the pets aren't much trouble for her at all. They are small - and are used to being in the house most of the time....not much work at all!

Every pet sitting situation is different - so you need to charge and pay accordingly.....

Carol Jean

Price
 

I always felt it was the same fee as the kennels in our area...pet nanny's and house sitters get much more..contact a few local kennels and ask their fees for two Yorkies..good luck

PS...a private home of a Yrokie lover is much better then any kennel..so a few dollars extra is a nice bonus...

We have never gone to far to have a sitter over night. We did go to a party one weekend and had a sitter come to the house. We paid $5.00 an hour for the 2 of them.

And I paid $15.00 for 20mins! NY is out of control!:eek:

That is cheap!!!!! My petsitter charges me $15/day and she is with Diamond for 30 minutes. She takes her out, plays with her, and feeds her.

Where at in Philadelphia do you live? I am moving back to South Jersey next week and there will be times when I am not there and I need a petsitter for Diamond. I already know of one time when I can't be with her and it is overnight.

My sister is getting married Saturday, September 9th so I would need a sitter September 9th as well as September 10th until the afternoon. I was just going to lookup petsitters in the area but it would be nice to have a fellow YTer watch her!

I am PMing you. ;)