Pet or plant-sitting... official MoneySavingExpert.com discussion

black-saturn

I'm sure the 15 year old on this thread who is already doing this hasn't got a qualification in animal husbandry. They will be signing a disclaimer to say that if their animal shows signs of illness I will be taking it to the first available vet.

~Chameleon~

black-saturn wrote: »

I'm sure the 15 year old on this thread who is already doing this hasn't got a qualification in animal husbandry. They will be signing a disclaimer to say that if their animal shows signs of illness I will be taking it to the first available vet.

From what I understand the other young poster is looking after animals in their own homes, not in her own home, which is a completely different ball game. There are rules and regulations about boarding animals in your own home and I think you might find you also need to be inspected and licensed, certainly for cats & dogs, can't remember what the situation with small animals is now but that's something you'd need to check out yourself.

I was only trying to help by offering you some suggestions and things you might not have thought about as it appeared that you hadn't really looked into it properly.

SMR1_2

Platinum Petcare are excellent and are always looking for new people. They pay pretty well and cover you travel expenses too. I think it is quite casual work so is good for a few extra pounds to ward off those debts.
www.platinumpetcare.co.uk

Over_the_Rainbow_2

Hi this is my very first post and I'm very excited to finally sign up:j

Not sure where to post this question (!?!) as it's part upping your income / lowering your bills / break from same ol same ol!

I've thought about this for a while and wondered if anybody had done it in similar circumstances to me? I'm single, work full time and am a homeowner but worry constantly about my utilities and don't have cash to put aside for holidays / short breaks.

I've just checked out a web site www.homesitters.co.uk and it sounds like a very MSE thing to do

From what I gather, your travel expenses and housekeeping are covered which means you're not out of pocket, your own household costs are lowered as a result of being away from home and you get to experience somewhere different for minimal inconvenience...Is it all too good to be true??

Would love to get any feedback thanks!

BubbleFrogette

Hello there,

I have just had a look at the website and it seems like a reasonable scheme, but I don't think it will pay much - the website states 'payment is very modest; normally it equates to 1.75 hours per day at the National Minimum Wage'. You would need to do a lot of home-sitting.....

Have you considered perhaps taking a Saturday or Sunday job in a shop that suits you - perhaps a bookshop if you like books or a cosmetics shop if you like make-up? Or maybe a garden centre or pet shop? I used to work for Clinique and then MAC cosmetics on a Sunday whilst at Uni and they pay above the min. wage. This would keep you out of the house (keep the leccy bills down), earn you a few extra quid and you would make new friends.

Also - have a look at the 'green' ways to save energy if you're not doing so already as they help cut down energy use and could help to ease your worries about utility bills.

Hope it helps x

V_Chic_Chick

TBH, unless the getting away from home thing really appeals to you, then popping round and feeding pets / watering plants / moving post / turning lights on and off etc. pays a lot better - 4 - 8 times minimum wage, although you don't work 8 solid hours a day. It's also easier and less mind-numbing. I believe that you can't be away from the house for more than 3 hours at a time or something - fine if you're retired, but!

misskool

Hi,

I've merged this into a similar thread to keep all the information together.

I'm a Board Guide for this board and volunteer to help the board run smoothly. I can move & change posts there but can't read every post, so if you see an abusive or illegal post please report it HERE (it's not part of my role to deal with abuse).

lilylady_2

Hi, I was pensioned out of work with fybromyalgia and Irritable Bowel 4 yrs ago and am on IB. I was thinking I might b able to try dog walking, house or pet sit over the summer months and was wondering if it would affect my IB. Would I need to even inform the Benefit Office as I would most likely only be doing it here and there depending on how I was feeling and if I would feel up to it. Thought it would help my self-esteem and at the same time I would feel as if I would be contributing something (even if small) as my partner is only one working now. Excuse me if I am not where I should be with this but first time in Forum

V_Chic_Chick

lilylady wrote: »

Hi, I was pensioned out of work with fybromyalgia and Irritable Bowel 4 yrs ago and am on IB. I was thinking I might b able to try dog walking, house or pet sit over the summer months and was wondering if it would affect my IB. Would I need to even inform the Benefit Office as I would most likely only be doing it here and there depending on how I was feeling and if I would feel up to it. Thought it would help my self-esteem and at the same time I would feel as if I would be contributing something (even if small) as my partner is only one working now. Excuse me if I am not where I should be with this but first time in Forum

I don't know a lot (anything!) about IB, but I always work cash in hand, so Inland Revenue would probably never find out. Might be best to ring up the benefits people and ask.

lilylady_2

V_Chic_Chick wrote: »

I don't know a lot (anything!) about IB, but I always work cash in hand, so Inland Revenue would probably never find out. Might be best to ring up the benefits people and ask.

Was hoping I wouldn't have to contact them but yes I may end up doing so thanks.