pet sitters (mods please move if this is the wrong place)

[Petunia]

I am, I hope, going to be having knee replacement surgery sometime this year. It takes a long time to set it up, so I think it probably will be in late Fall, it depends on the surgeon's schedule.

Because I live alone (no other humans live with me, I do not technically live alone :lol: I've got 4 rats and 3 cats) well, because I have no one to help take care of me afterward, and because I live on the 3rd floor and do not drive, I am going to have to go into a nursing home/rehab facility for up to 2 weeks after the surgery, as I will not be able to climb stairs, scoop litter boxes, etc etc.

I almost want to not go ahead with the surgery because I can't imagine being away from my babies for two DAYS let alone two weeks! but if I don't have this done, it's just going to get harder and harder to take care of them. And myself.

So, long story shortened a little bit, I am going to need someone to take care of my rats and someone to take care of my cats.
There's no one in my neighborhood I would trust to come into my house and care for the pets. I don't live in the best neighborhood. People move in and out all the time, no one has been here as long as I have (15yrs!!)


already asked the two family members and they can't help for good reasons, not because they don't want to.

I do have a friend who said she'd take the rats, but if for some reason she can't, I probably should have a back up plan

I don't even know where to begin to look for a sitter! I know that you can pay professional sitters to come in once or twice a day but I really would rather have the cats in someone's home. I worry that something will happen if they are left alone 95% or more of the time. So much can go wrong, esp with the 3 of them. THey could get into a fight, one could get sick, etc etc

also professional pet sitters charge $15 or more per visit, that's $30 per day, way more than I can afford
I can't have the cats boarded because they haven't been recently vaccinated for rabies, and for various reasons won't be vaccinated any time soon. Boarding places keep the cats in cages, I don't want my cats in a cage for 2 weeks!

I would feel so much better if they stayed with someone. Besides they are MUCH better behaved in a different environment. But most ppl who like cats, already have cats and that can cause problems.......

:gaah:

I also have to figure out what to pay for these services. Of course I would provide food litter etc etc
What do you think is a reasonable amount to care for 2 or 3 cats for a week to 2 weeks (I am hoping I can rush the therapy and get home sooner, maybe that's just wishful thinking but I will be extremely motivated!!!)

what would you pay someone to take care of your rats for the same length of time?

of course if I cant find anyone or cant save up enough I wont' be able to get my new knee.


Part of me is just wanting to forget about it, because I do not like being away from my home or my babies at all (I am rarely away from home for more than 4 or 5 hrs at a time, usually if i go out its for 3 hrs or less!)

this is gonna be so so hard!

not the surgery, I mean, I have a pretty good idea how that will go, I"ve had ortho surgery before, it hurts like hell at first but you heal pretty fast
er well I did back when I was 18 yrs old! LOL maybe I won't heal quite as fast now at 55 :giggle:

sorry for the rambling post, I have an anxiety attack anytime I think about leaving my kids!

 

[Spork]

Do you have any friends or family members with teenage/young adult kids? If you trust them to be responsible, it's a pretty good option. They'd be waaaay cheaper than a pet sitting service, and they could actually stay at your apartment, which would mean less stress on your animals, and more attention than someone just stopping by a couple times a day. If you were to go that route, I think $5-$10 per day and a stocked fridge would be perfectly reasonable, on the higher end of that if any of your pets need meds or to be fed at a specific time every day.

 

[MumsyRat]

Maybe try calling your local ASPCA or shelter. They might be able to recommend a person or persons who would be willing to help you out for a more reasonable cost. Your cats probably won't appreciate being on their own for 2 weeks but they should be fine if checked on daily. My son takes care of neighborhood pets from time to time and he charges less than $10/day if the animals don't need walking.

 

[user 1946]

When I pet sat for friends I charged about $28-30 a day.... to take care of horses, goats, dogs, and vacuum the house twice a day.

For 1 dog that I had to walk 4 times a day, I charged $10.

In both of those situations I stayed at the persons place.

I would check with your local vet, and see if he knows of anyone that could do it. Alot of vets higher teens as there kennel workers and they usually can use some more money.

Ask around for people who have teens or college students that you would trust to come stay with your babies.

Also, care.com has listings for pet sitters... some of them have references and background checks as well.

Good luck!

 

[Dahlas]

Oh I would do it if I lived close to you. Sometimes if you explain to the person it is for health reasons they will charge a little less....I know I would. I would try emailing all your friends and ask if anyone has a spare room they could set your 3 cats up in for a couple of weeks....and would be willing to care for 4 ratties in a cage....even if the only get basic care for 2 weeks....as long as they are fed, cleaned and well care for.
Hope you find someone....

 

[ruthlessbliss]

I've pet sat several times over the past couple of years for neighbors and friends (I'm convenient because I'm home during the day and morning) and I never gave a specific charging price. They'll tell me what they'd like to pay me, I do the work, they come back and pay me. Both times they've paid me more than I was expecting, but I would've been happy with what they'd told me. If you went with a kid or a teenager, I think you could expect something similar.

My mom has a pet sitting business, and her model is that she charges $15 an hour with a half hour minimum, but that's flexible. I would definitely check out care.com, which is how she gets her jobs. I would also ask your vet for recommendations. My vet has a boarding clinic and they may suggest their own clinic, but if you told them that you would not be comfortable with your cats at a clinic for two weeks and that you preferred they stay with someone at their own home, I'm sure they could hook you up with someone.

Good luck!

 

[hprats]

When I've had to leave my dog with someone, I've paid between 16 and 18 dollars a day at people's homes...I always found them advertising on craigslist, went to meet them, called a reference, and it's always worked out well.

 

[ChrisK]

Kudos to you for checking into this so far in advance!

I don't have much to add, other than checking with your vet if he/she knows of people who pet sit or other boarding - type options.

I recall my sister who lived in California at the time, found someone with a large acre-age who ran a dog-sitting service out of her home, and she left her dog with her for two weeks of "doggie camp" while on vacation. My sister said it seems her dog had the time of his life!

On another tac... I wondered if the opposite is possible? Instead of having someone watch your pets, can you get rehab in your home after the surgery? I expect you'll say that's very very expensive or just not possible, but I thought I should pose the question.

All the best to you and your loving and beloved pets.

ck

 

[PitLuvs]

I wish you were closer, I'd take care of the critters for the 2 weeks, for free. You pay the food, I give the lovens. Hope you can figure something out! I will be going on a stupid cruise next April and I have to board my dog for just over a week, cause no one can take her My cat can go to my Moms but my dog can't. It blows, I hate boarding. Good luck hun.

 

[smilez_n_hugs]

On another tac... I wondered if the opposite is possible? Instead of having someone watch your pets, can you get rehab in your home after the surgery? I expect you'll say that's very very expensive or just not possible, but I thought I should pose the question.

I know when my Aunt had her hip replaced she wasn't allowed to go home after the surgery unless she had someone available to help her around the clock (mind you this is in Ontario) so I'm guessing this is the same issue for Petunia.

As for the cost, I would think if you are able to find someone to take your cats into their home then I would charge less since they don't have to travel to your apartment to look after your pets. It might be a good idea to write up an ad on Kijiji or CL now so you leave yourself lots of time to find someone you are 100% comfortable with.

I hope this all works out because the surgery sounds like something you really need. I too wish I was closer so I could help.

 

[smmmiley]

A lot of good suggestions on here... you need to meet more of us rat lovers near you because it seems many of us would help you out, in a heart beat!

Let us know how the planning goes...