Pet sitters

A question about : Pet sitters

I have 2 dogs and a cat and a need to travel abroad for 3 days to a week several times a year. Has anyone used a home sitting type service where the pet sitter stays in the pets' home? I know there are companies like 'Homesitters' but they seem very expensive - I was thinking more of a mature student or such like who might like to supplement their income a bit. What do people think?

Best answers:

• In the past I have used sitters who come to my home but, as you say, they work out expensive. For about the last 7 years I have used a dog boarder where my dog goes to the person's house. I have two different ones I use and each of them only have one person's dog(s) at a time.
  They both do dog boarding full time so are at home with my dog all day (unless they have to nip out for something which is fine). They both have nice big completely enclosed safe gardens and both live where there are lots of walks. They both charge Ј20 a day which is cheaper than someone staying at mine, although one does lower her price if my dog stays longer than a week
  You could maybe try placing an ad in a local shop or paper and see what response you get but if they are going to stay in your house you will really want some kind of assurance that they are trustworthy. Do you know anyone that might do it?
  My niece sometimes stays at my house if it is for a long weekend and I give her Ј10 a day
• Yes, trustworthiness is an issue .
• What about borrowmydoggy or a similar website? I know they are covered by insurance and the prices seem very reasonable. I was actually thinking of registering myself as I can't have a dog permanently but I'd love to look after someone else's for a few days at a time.
• it might be worth asking at your Vets practice, they might be able to recommend someone x
• Problem is, someone who does it to supplement their income rather than as a job may not have the relevant insurance, transport (could they get your dog to a vet in an emergency, for example), or even the right skills for it (would they assume a quiet dog was pining for you when it was actually quite unwell, for example).
  Also, with the latest amendments to the DDA, I'd want to know I'd left my dogs with someone responsible. Someone not used to dogs may not be as cautious - and if they have the dog in their own home and a visitor (postie, relative with keys to let them in, etc. - anyone who has the legal right to be visiting) not used to/expecting a dog turns up and feels threatened/in danger of being hurt, your dog may have breached the Dangerous Dogs Act.
  Petsitters charge what they do because there are lots of considerations and a lot of responsibility in looking after someone's pet, not just morally but legally too.
• Dog boarder who will pop in to see the cats and feed them/change trays is what I would do.
  No idea where in Scotland are you but my ex dog walker moved there about a year ago and she does dog boarding too - highly recommended.
  https://www.edinburgh.dogsandthecity.co.uk/
  If any good for you, feel free to contact her - she did dog walking, training, boarding when she lived in London and moved her business when she herself moved.
• I used to leave my dog with a self employed woman who worked from home. I was very wary at first, but when I met her and her 3 lovely dogs, and we all went out for a walk together (her insistence to check how my dog behaved with her dogs, but I was happy to comply and get to know her) I was convinced she knew how to care for animals.
  She was appropriately insured, had several safety gated areas in the house to keep dogs separate should the need arise, and I had to fill in lots of forms and provide proof of vaccinations so I felt confident that my dog wouldn't be subjected to other potentially non-vaccinated or aggressive animals. I gave details of my vet, and the agreement was that any urgent vet treatment would be saught immediately and it would be my responsibility to settle the bill, and she would get in touch with me as soon as possible. Non-urgent treatment (like cut paws or infections) would be contact first, although I did insist if he needed to be seen he should be without delay if I was uncontactable for any reason. Fortunately, this never needed to be tested.
  Unfortunately she stopped doing it recently, and I can't bring myself to put my dog into kennels as he gets very anxious in a non-home setting.
• Thanks everyone for your thoughts. Getting ready - I am in Dundee - long way from Edinburgh. I had a dog boarder but she has given up - think I will look for another and sort something out for the cat! Pets are as much a worry as children!
• You're not wrong there! They are such a worry. I'm planning, when I retire, to set up a pet sitting/walking business as my dear dog will no longer be with us at that time (she's 10 in March and I don't retire for years, if ever).
  I am very lucky to have a group of dog owning friends who kindly include my little terrier in their dog families if we have to be away. We all help each other with all sorts, child care/collection from schools and clubs, dog care (both at home and in friends' homes), home maintenance tasks and so on. Do you not know someone you could trust who would do this for you? I know that if I were in Dundee instead of hundreds of miles away, I would offer. I think it's so important for pets to have a home environment when their loved ones are away.
• I used a home from home boarding for the first time last month. To say I was nervous about leaving my girls is an understatement! They are both rescues and one has a few wee issues but the girl who looked after them is well used to rescue dogs! She is fully insured etc and I had to fill in questionnaires about mine and provide vaccination records etc It works out at Ј30 a day for them both. I was only gone one night and she sent me lots of texts and updates about them (including pictures) She had them thoroughly spoiled I reckon. They wouldn't get in her crates (she has a van all kitted out as she also does dog walking etc) so she let them sit up on the passenger seat!
  They are going to her again in March, this time for 8 nights as I'll be in New York. Yet again I am dreading it. I know they'll be in good hands but I'll miss them!