How much to pay?

itsanne

I am going to be using a neighbour's teenager to look after my house cats while I'm on holiday, but I've no idea what is a reasonable amount to pay her. She'll feed them twice a day, spend a little time with them and clean their litter tray. Anyone have any idea of the going rate?

sammyjammy

For how long?  The longer its for the more commitment it requires from her but say its a week I would say £30 minimum

itsanne

sammyjammy said:

For how long?  The longer its for the more commitment it requires from her but say its a week I would say £30 minimum

Thanks. I'll be away for seven weeks, but family will be staying a fair bit of the time plus my daughter will do some days, so she'll be needed for about three weeks in total. 

Brie

My neighbour used to look after the cats for free.  I'd leave a nice box of biscuits on the table for her to munch.  She was a 30 something mom with 3 boys and to come over to ours and sit for an hour in peace was a treat - at least that's what she said!!  Think she also used to smoke a few cigs too - not a problem as my OH smokes - but she was trying to be good and not show her lads bad habits.  

We did go away for a prolonged holiday once and in addition to the biscuits I also gave her 2 vouchers, £25 each I think, one for the cinema and one for pizza hut so she could have an outing with the family.  

Around here if you are paying for a pet sitter it's in the region of £15 a day which would include 2 visits to feed etc and sit with the little beastie.  I would settle on something less for a an unqualified teen but would also let them know they could have the coke in the fridge, the crisps or biscuits and that it is lovely for them to be there (by themselves of course) for the evening watching TV.  Give them rules.  

Oh and I'd always leave a typed page of instructions including the vets address/phone number as well as another contact number in case of an extreme emergency (so a friend who would be able to pick up a vet's bill in my absence)

itsanne

Brie said:

My neighbour used to look after the cats for free.  I'd leave a nice box of biscuits on the table for her to munch.  She was a 30 something mom with 3 boys and to come over to ours and sit for an hour in peace was a treat - at least that's what she said!!  Think she also used to smoke a few cigs too - not a problem as my OH smokes - but she was trying to be good and not show her lads bad habits.  

We did go away for a prolonged holiday once and in addition to the biscuits I also gave her 2 vouchers, £25 each I think, one for the cinema and one for pizza hut so she could have an outing with the family.  

Around here if you are paying for a pet sitter it's in the region of £15 a day which would include 2 visits to feed etc and sit with the little beastie.  I would settle on something less for a an unqualified teen but would also let them know they could have the coke in the fridge, the crisps or biscuits and that it is lovely for them to be there (by themselves of course) for the evening watching TV.  Give them rules.  

Oh and I'd always leave a typed page of instructions including the vets address/phone number as well as another contact number in case of an extreme emergency (so a friend who would be able to pick up a vet's bill in my absence)

Thanks. That's useful to know. She's coming round with her mum in a couple of days, so we'll discuss rules and expectations then.

Edited for typo

frugalmacdugal

Hi,

does said teenager have a job, or still a student?

What percentage of cost of your 7 week holiday would be acceptable?

Would £10 a day spoil your holiday?

itsanne

frugalmacdugal said:

Hi,

does said teenager have a job, or still a student?

What percentage of cost of your 7 week holiday would be acceptable?

Would £10 a day spoil your holiday?

I'm not sure what she's doing - or that it makes a difference. I'm not trying to see how little I can get away with, simply had no idea what to suggest!

From what has been said on here, £10 a day is probably about right.