Expections of a Pet Sitter?

[Freedom]

I use pet sitter for my cats back when I was working, as I traveled a lot. I provided the cat litter, NOT her, so I expect that would be the same for small mammals.

She came to my house; it cost more for me to board them at her house! And she was set up for it, she had the kennels. I wanted my cats to be ree roain at home same as when I was there. Not sure how this would translate for small mammals.

She insisted on coming over and meeting the pets, gathering all the needed info before she would agree to sit for someone. Proof of vaccines, spay / neuter. Who is the vet in case something happens? Signed agreement that I would pay the vet, not her. What food did I use and where did I keep it? Where did I dispose of used litter? (See lots of this will apply if you go to their house).

Cats are very particular about their litter. Are small mammals? I don't know, but think about that too.

Some people will not use tap water, has to be spring water.

For small mammals, I think you would want to know if they are allowed out, and where. Even if they are at your home, some folks only allow them out in a bathtub (I have a friend like this; but her cage is enormous!)

Just some ideas to ponder.

[moosmom]

Good advice Sandi.

I would also insist that you get paid up front. There was one couple, I was very good friends with(I used to cat sit for them for free till I became "Fur-Nanny 911" who I had to chase around to get paid. It took me 3 weeks.

My great clients with the 4 dogs put the money in a clip on the fridge. No hassles, no nothing.

I don't do contracts. Although eventually with any new clients I might write up an "agreement". I'm in the middle of drafting up a "Client Feedback" sheet. Asking clients how they like my services, if there is anything I can do differently, anything they don't like. Just to get a feel as to how they like what I do.

I find that animals that are left to the care of a pet sitter are happier and calmer in their own environment, plus you avoid them getting sick if boarded out (other pets have fleas, URIs, etc that are contagious).

[Christmas_Hamster]

Thank you for the insight!

When I said $5/day I was comparing to other pet sitters near by. The dog and cat sitters seem to charge much more but anybody doing small animals seem to go down to about $10/day. I haven't seen any advertisements in my city though. I'll try asking more local residents and consider making the fee depend on the animal as you do for cats and dogs. Rabbits for example are more work then say hamsters. But I'll see.

I figured they should supply it but I was 100% sure. Thanks!

Parasites is what I was mostly worried about, that and the sendai virus which has recently been hitting Ontario. :/ Going to their house does make much more sense.

And again, thank you so much!

I've pet sit for friends and neighbours (cats, dogs, hamsters and fish) and it was really great. It would be scary to have to deal with a dying animal, something I'll have to consider.

And I was thinking of making a questionnaire, even if I only kept it as a reminder for myself about what to ask. I'll have to work that out...

The big thing about small animals is that very few people research about them beyond picking up an outdated book, a pamphlet from a pet store or talking to a pet store employee. Some of the questions in regards to the vet would get me funny looks, "Hamsters can go to the vet?, Why? They're only $8" :/ But I'll of course ask anyways.

[Pinot's Mom]

I have one cat and use a pet sitter. Her website, should you like to see it for comparison (although this is in the US in an affluent area) is: http://howardcountypetsitting.com - it gives her rates. The small pet rate is $10 per visit for one pet. All supplies are provided at the home of the pet. The kitty rate is $15 per visit for one kitty. It's a good site for information.

I leave a check with a note each time we use the service. They have our key.

Good luck!!

[caseysmom]

When we went to Hawaii two summers ago I paid my good friends daughter who was 24 to stay at our home. I can't remember exactly what I paid her I think I gave her around 250 for the week and she is a vegetarian so I left her lots of the things I know she like and she had the run of the fridge.

[moosmom]

Yeah, small animals are totally different. Because you CAN bring them to your home to sit for them.

The dogs I sit for are BIG and can be demanding and they live in an affluent part of CT (West Hartford) One of the dogs, Cooper, will grab my shoe or a piece of my clothing to get my attention. I learned real fast that you need to put things up high or they will end up in the back yard. A pink pair of summer shorts comes to mind and makes me laugh. We call him the dog from hell. They're all really great dogs, though.