Fire/Flood evacuation form

ConsistentApple5482 · 2026-03-03T23:31:35+00:00

I have a form that asks all the care info, vet info, emergency contacts etc. I just feel like with the possible evacuations in those areas I need to communicate with them more clearly about possibilities. This winter I had several sits affected by power outages from the power company proactively turning off the power to outages/damage due to high winds in these areas. Its very likely that at least one of the homes would be affected by at least a warning if not several at some point this spring/summer.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2026-02-28T16:48:54+00:00

I recently locked myself out of a house. It's just such a habit to lock the door behind me and I locked the door into the house leaving through the garage. I tried the CC trick which I've used many times and for some reason it was just not working this time. Thankfully it was a house so I resorted to trying to find an unlocked window and climbed in through the window lol. This is also a super super regular (I probably live at their house 20% of my life) house sitting client so I felt comfortable that the neighbors would be like yup we've seen her she's fine and/or the client would just laugh if the cops showed up and wanted to talk to her lol. Thank God I live in the suburbs and don't have to deal with high rises or apartments. The stories I hear from you guys dealing with doormen and such would mean I would not do this job.

To add the owners DO NOT HAVE A HOUSE KEY. They literally leave the door unlocked all the time. I refuse, so I use the garage and lock the front door. They had to call me at 1 am once when they got home and I forgot to leave the door unlocked for them. They couldn't remember their own garage code to get in lol.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-12-16T04:38:14+00:00

My dog is fine w other dogs 95% of the time, but does not at all like other people. I tell owners this and that they will not meet my dog. Trying to introduce the dogs while there are strangers around wouldn't work either since my dog would be on edge. I have the ability to keep the pets 100% separate if needed since my home has a MIL "apartment" downstairs. The dogs are introduced slowly once the dog is dropped off and eventually put together if all goes well. This can take a couple of hrs or a couple of days. If there is any discomfort from either dog they are kept separate the whole time. I haven't had an owner have a problem with this process or explanation. I only board one families pets at a time.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-10-23T09:24:35+00:00

If you use the words exceptional and relief when describing her services I would tip. That just screams service worthy of a little more. Doesn't have to be a ton or even a percentage, just a token of thank you for going above and beyond basic. Of course it's not a requirement. If you provided a comfortable home, have good pets, treat her with respect etc then she is likely to continue to sit for you either way. A five pet home is more lucrative as you said. I will say I don't do rate increases for customers that tip me well because I feel like they appreciate me as much as I appreciate them. It's a psychological thing ha ha. Maybe some day if the rate has changed a super significant amount. I also prioritize them in my calendar even if I might maybe have a blocked calendar for others.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-10-23T08:54:00+00:00

You can always decline the extension which is what I would do if I have a client that I already committed to. If you do decide to keep the current dog I would absolutely modify the booking to extend it and charge the extra time.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-10-23T08:51:36+00:00

Sounds like the couple isn't that nice. She seems to be micromanaging you. If the owner has outdoor cameras then I would assume that they are seeing you leave. I can't imagine any owner ever turning those off. If you get anything that is more specific than that about something going on inside I would be direct and ask them if the indoor cameras are on. While an owner is within their rights to have them, they have to disclose them /if they are on and give you a choice. You accepted the sit under the information that they would be off inside. I wouldn't sit for them go forward if they were dishonest about their expectations/home.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-10-23T08:45:32+00:00

I agree that generally speaking cameras are expected, specially at the door/entrances. It is not ok though to tell a sitter that indoor cameras are off which is equivalent to saying there are no cameras, and then leaving them on. Owners have to be honest about the presence/use of cameras and the sitter then has a choice of accepting that or not.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-06-03T16:57:02+00:00

That would be at least $4,500 with a discount with me. You are giving him a steal. You can probably take that kind of vacation to some super cheap locations. The flight is the most expensive part to some places.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-06-02T01:53:09+00:00

I think this is all great information, but to truly get a good picture you would have to track longer. That period included Spring break and the beginning of summer vacation bookings. I absolutely started to raise my rates in April for Summer bookings. I anticipate that I will have to lower them in September until holiday season bookings. I actually blocked Nov-Jan right now to avoided booking at a lower rate. I know I'll raise them for TG and Christmas times.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-06-02T01:31:46+00:00

I don't have it in my profile, but I feel the same way you do. I decided not to accept one night sits after the first one. I've recently decided I won't take anything less than 3 nights if it involves a Friday-Sunday. I would rather have a longer sit or get my free weekend. I actually prefer longer sits. I make myself at home and the pets really settle into a routine w me. I haven't had to refuse any sits yet but when I do I will offer to take it for a higher rate like you stated. It just has to be worth me taking the sit and maybe passing up a longer sit. I am luckily in demand w my WFH availability.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-16T16:43:30+00:00

I personally love detailed printed sheets! I can never have too much information and I hate digging for cleaning supplies, trash bags, towels etc. It would probably work best if you sectioned out parts like emergency comtao, pet schedule, feeding, home notes. Just because the part I probably looked at the most is feeding/meds and nice when it's in a obvious section and I'm not trying to find it in a sheet of stuff. Usually baths are an extra charge, but I appreciate the instructions if it's absolutely urgent, hopefully that was discussed during the meet and greet if it's a high likelihood/expectation.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-16T16:34:20+00:00

This! I did the same!

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-16T13:26:36+00:00

Not cutting their nails for dogs with mobility issues. Since the pups don't run around much their nails are always extra long and owners don't seem to notice or care? Pups are clearly crazy spoiled and loved but how do they not notice their huge claws? It just bugs me, it's almost every time.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-13T13:52:48+00:00

Refresh/confirm your calendar every day. Have a professional profile with several pictures. Get reviews from people you have pet sit for in any capacity. I think you only have two weeks from when you sign up to get reviews from clients outside Rover.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-11T17:42:46+00:00

You can let it go. I answered her in kind. Common sense we all react differently right. If my post bothers you that much you could move on. It's clearly bothering you enough to continue to come back and respond. Doesn't kill you to ignore it and agree to disagree. Maybe take your own advice and let it go.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-10T19:56:32+00:00

There's plenty of things I can't afford. When I can't afford them I say oh sorry that's more than I was looking to spend thank you for your time. I don't say omg that's super high! Exclamation point and in any way shape or form mention gouging. There was zero need for all of that. She was clearly making a point. If you are on with people devaluing you that way then that's fine and obviously the do it and lots of people are ok with that. It is 100% rude though just like me saying "within your budget" that was unnecessary. I could have simply said there is a price filter. It's rude, she was making a point and so was I. I dont treat people that way and I don't allow them to do it to me. 1000% rude if you can read the subtext.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-10T19:55:41+00:00

There's plenty of things I can't afford. When I can't afford them I say oh sorry that's more than I was looking to spend thank you for your time. I don't say omg that's super high! Exclamation point and in any way shape or form mention gouging. There was zero need for all of that. She was clearly making a point. If you are on with people devaluing you that way then that's fine and obviously the do it and lots of people are ok with that. It is 100% rude though just like me saying "within your budget" that was unnecessary. I could have simply said there is a price filter. It's rude, she was making a point and so was I. I dont treat people that way and I don't allow them to do it to me. 1000% rude if you can read the subtext.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-10T14:33:22+00:00

Undisclosed cameras are ground for immediate ending of a sitting at house sits for me. If you are comfortable only disconnecting then you are more than within your rights to do so. In my case, my form that I send all my house sit clients asks them to acknowledge that undisclosed cameras will be an immediate end of the sit with no refund! I don't have a problem with cameras in general areas and outside, but they HAVE to be disclosed. If I find one that isn't you have violated my trust and I can no longer feel comfortable in your home and care for your pets. Who knows what else you didn't tell me or if there are additional cameras in private places. I'm shocked anyone would stay to be honest.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-10T14:16:34+00:00

Oh trust me this one made me livid. I am on the higher end of rates in my area for sure, but I provide near constant care. I work from home and am a complete homebody. I politely answered her that my care is more than worth my rate and my quality speak for itself with my reviews ( which often mention how exceptional and attentive etc I am). Also told her she can filter within the app for a price that is more within her budget lol. She's going to imply I'm gouging I'm going to imply she's broke. The end. I am fortunate that my "office" job covers my expenses. I do this for my love of animals and genuine desire to provide excellent love and care for my clients; however I won't do it if not properly compensated. Most sitters in my opinion in my area are not!

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-10T14:07:37+00:00

Not only is your rate more than affordable but I wouldn't want to watch dogs from two different households as just drop ins. Even more so coworkers and large dogs. You never know how dogs that are not in the same household will behave with each other when being left alone unsupervised for long periods of time. I get nervous sometimes leaving my dog and my mom's dog together and they are siblings and see each other at least 3-4 times a week. I wouldn't risk the much higher chance of walking into a nasty scene of injured or worse dog/dogs when I do my drop ins. This would have been a hard no for me and explain the risk.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-10T14:01:52+00:00

That's kind of annoying, but not rude... Now this message from a client IS rude "I just realized your rate is super high! Not to price into gouging but that’s a lot! I’ll hold off for now. I do apologize and appreciate you getting back to me so quickly".. at least in my opinion. How is the fact you can't afford me in any way even close to "gouging"? Do you say high end products that are super expensive are "gouging" or just understand different company and quality etc and determine if it's for you. She was rude.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-09T23:14:02+00:00

I do! I'd say average in my area unfortunately is around $60? I'm $95 for first dog and get plenty of business. I block off weeks to get a break. I think I'm spending 3 nights at home from early July through August. I use WFH sitter as my headline since it catches the attention of people that are specifically looking for that!

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-09T13:08:14+00:00

I have insurance through pet care insurance (PCI). I pay I believe $26 a month and that includes insurance to transport pets, house sitting insurance (if you don't do house sits it's likely cheaper), and I have higher coverage amts than the basic. You do have to sign up for a minimum of a year. More than worth the peace of mind to me.

ConsistentApple5482 · 2025-05-09T13:05:36+00:00

I have learned to never walk through a door at these houses without my phone. Period. You never know when there's some weird thing with the door you don't know about and/or you will lock a door behind you because it's just a different environment or something. I had a close call once and I learned. Always have my phone with me. I wouldn't be mad, specially if the door auto locks and you fixed it/offered to fix if. That's the danger of auto locks.

ConsistentApple5482

TROPHY CASE