How much to pay pet sitter

[Carole]

We have someone watching our dogs this weekend while we are out of town. This is the first time we have done this, so keep your fingers crossed that all is well. I worry so much about my girls...

The caretaker is a teen, and she will come for 4 visits a day. We asked her rate, and she said whatever you think. We don't have a clue. Any suggestions?

[Adina P]

We pay $5/visit for a young man who lives down the street.  We know his family.  Another family business that does this and uses their kids also charges the same.  4 visits = $20.  This is a little less than our local "nice" boarding facility charges per dog per day.  But I live in a small town.  Rates might be expected to be higher elsewhere.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I think it would depend on the length of each visit. I had a teen who came once a day, spent from 20-60 min with them depending on her work schedule, and I paid $10 per day. Oh, and she picked up poop if any left behind. She had to drive over, so I felt it was appropriate with gas.
But i offered this and she would have taken $5 im sure. So $20 per day seems fair.

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

We pay $20-$25 depending on how long a day.  If we are gone over a week end we have a kid that stays at the house, we supply plenty of food and cool drinks.  My girls do well staying at home and having someone take them to the yard and play a few times a day, we are rural so it is always a drive for these kids.  When we have the kid that stays the week end we generally follow up with a thank you card that contains a gas card for about $25.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

I would see what the local boarders charge as a gauge, as Adina suggests.  Petsmart here on Long Island charges $23 for day care.  

We always made sure our human babysitters were well paid since we did not go out that often and always wanted them to say "yes" when we did!  

[Julie and Max]

I get $15 a day to watch little Dougie, but he comes to my house. Now I know some people might think that's not much, but honestly, I'd take him for free!

[Carole]

Thanks so much. Hubby wants to give her $70 a day, but I think that's really high. I appreciate your input to talk him down a little. I want to pay her well, but we don't need to go crazy!

[Adina P]

Yeah I think that's more than you'd pay for boarding in some places. He's very generous.  But not necessary to pay THAT much.

[Jennifer and Jack]

We will be using our first real dog sitter as I have a upcoming surgery and my mom will be flying there...the dog sitter is a grown women who lives down the street from me. We are paying her $ 40.00 a day..... She will be here five times a day two of those five times she will walk the dogs, the other three she will fill baby pool and let them play in the yard for 20-30 minutes

I trust her and we would pay her well so she likes the Job and does a good job with the,

[Stella]

I have a girl stay in my house while I am away. She charges $30/day to look after my two dogs, this includes two to three walks a day and outdoor playtime. She is a teacher and is out during the day if she stays on weekdays (but m two are used to that as I work full time). I like having someone come to stay, it is easier on the dogs than going to kennels and it means the house isn't empty. I usually tip her an extra days money because I like her and I want her to keep coming!

[Deborah Brown]

We pay our dogsitter $20/visit!  She has 3 dogs to take care of.  It was just $10 for one dog but I think the extra dogs add a lot more work.  She is a responsible adult.

We've also had a petsitter stay at our house while on vacation.  We paid her $100/day and let her use my car.  She was a family friend.

I don't think $50/day is out of line.  You want to pay her enough that she wants the job and will do it again.  Is it just for two days?  If it won't break your budget, then pay her well.

[Julie and Charlie]

My dog walker charges $17 for 30 minutes. But they are professionals, have to worry about paying payroll taxes, running a business and such.

I'd say $30-50/day for the dog work- four visits per day is quite a bit.

[BG and Gavin]

My dogsitter has Gavin in her home. They offer to keep him for free because they like having a part time dog, but we pay them $20 a night.