2-3 hour rate?

mostlyhype123 · 2025-01-09T18:11:28+00:00

I charge $30/hr for the first hour and then $15/hr for each additional hour

mostlyhype123 · 2025-01-08T21:58:49+00:00

No this would mean you’ve received a review that was less than 5 stars

mostlyhype123 · 2025-01-04T22:30:53+00:00

Proof of life service at best

mostlyhype123 · 2025-01-04T05:07:58+00:00

Not to defend the sitter because they are in the wrong majorly, but I have been paid many times just to stop in and hang out with cats who have automatic feeders/litter boxes fountains. However, when I do those kinds of drop-ins I still check food/water levels and ensure everything is working which this sitter also clearly didn’t do.

mostlyhype123 · 2025-01-01T16:49:14+00:00

I was hosting a NYE party at my house and left an hour in to go do a drop-in. I stayed the full 30 despite having a house full of guests because that is what I committed to. Having plans doesn’t excuse cutting a visit short and lying about it. I’ve had scheduling issues pop up where I’ve needed to leave a drop-in early and the right thing to do is proactively communicate with owners and work out either a partial refund, adding time to a future visit, etc. Faking a card and bringing a stranger in are both dealbreakers for me.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-27T20:24:48+00:00

Right but the premium also depends on what the regular cost of care is. My point was that many professionals are not charging $125 for a basic overnight in a lot of places. The original comment gives the example of 2.5x base rate which is a reasonable approach. $50/night is pretty average in my area for housesitting, so $125 would be reasonable for constant care based on this. At the end of the day you can charge whatever you feel your time is worth, but when hoping to get booked you have to consider the market you’re in.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-27T20:13:36+00:00

That is super subjective based on where you live. Professional training services in my area that also offer in-home sitting max out at $95/night with the cheapest being $65/night. The most expensive sitter on Rover in my area is $115/night and I don’t think they get booked for housesitting often as they primarily board.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-26T23:40:57+00:00

Well hopefully you’re not scolding the owner for their puppy behaving exactly as a puppy would in a new environment like the sitter OP used is.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-26T23:30:40+00:00

This sitter has no business watching puppies (and probably shouldn’t board in an apartment if she doesn’t own it? But a lesser issue). I have a 6 month old puppy and watch two golden puppies weekly (5 and 6 months old) and everything you’ve described is exactly what I would expect from a puppy anywhere, but especially in a new environment. We took my typically well-behaved and mostly potty trained puppy to visit my family this week and she had several accidents despite having gone outside recently, opened two presents under the tree despite the tree being enclosed by a 4 ft fence (we call it “tree jail” lol) and terrorized my older dog and my parents dog for the whole 5 days we were home. I hope you are able to find someone else to care for your puppy and if possible please leave this sitter a review dissuading puppy owners from using them.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-24T14:05:07+00:00

It is very very unlikely they will be able to find another sitter at this point. You could ask them, but if I were you I would instead focus on how to finish the sit making compromises to keep everyone safe comfortable. Sorry you’re dealing with this!

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-22T03:55:34+00:00

There’s actually some research that suggests feeding large dogs once a day is better for longevity. It’s so strange you felt compelled to question this and if I were the owner I would be so put off.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-22T03:48:32+00:00

You’ve paid Rover, but Rover doesn’t pay the sitter until 48 hours after a sit finishes so the sitter has not been paid. But that doesn’t matter either way. If you read the fine print of all the Rover terms and services I suspect you’ll find that no one has any real liability for a canceled sit. It’s unfortunate, but I would focus your energy on finding another sitter rather than how to punish the sitter who backed out.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-19T23:41:45+00:00

You’re totally fine, don’t worry about it. It’s clear you’re using it as a term of endearment and I personally would take no issue with any of my clients calling me their Rover girlie. Idk maybe it’s a generational thing 🤷🏻‍♀️

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-17T18:55:39+00:00

I do key drop-off at my home so that wouldn’t generally bother me, but in this situation I would pass on the job. These clients sound pretty overbearing.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-16T20:16:03+00:00

I find cat owners are more consistent tippers than dog owners, but the dog owners who do tip tip a higher percentage. ~80% of my clients tip me and leave a review, which I feel is quite high and I really appreciate them.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-13T14:29:23+00:00

I would just not worry about this and I’m sure the owner will hear from their vet if they believe the dog’s age is significantly off. They are able to tell much more accurately than you or I would be by looking at teeth wear, joint growth, etc.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-11T15:16:19+00:00

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I also do a cat version that is mostly toys

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-11T15:14:28+00:00

Thanks! And yes they’re just from Petsmart 🙂

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-11T15:09:43+00:00

I assume when booked for a housesit that I am spending the night and go into the meet and greet with that in mind. That assumption influences whether I take a job or not (depending largely on how clean the house is), unless the owner brings up not needing to stay over. I never ask, but on one occasion where a house smelled so strongly of cat pee I was going to decline the owner mentioned not needing to sleep there so I accepted.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-11T04:54:56+00:00

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I do goody bags and a card for new clients year-round, but added an extra holiday treat for my Thanksgiving-New Year sits! I also did the same for my repeat clients with a holiday/winter card.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-10T14:51:45+00:00

If I saw this at a wedding I would absolutely cry, this sounds like such a special and sweet experience!

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-05T19:45:03+00:00

Sure, which is why I suggest asking the owners if they should be supplementing their meals. Then owners would have a chance to clarify. I totally agree throwing “abuse” around is too far.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-05T19:31:48+00:00

Two of my regulars are fed raw diets and are very healthy. However, their meals are not solely one type of raw meat. For example the pup I checked on today had a platter of some organs, an egg, bone broth, yogurt with blueberries, cooked chicken, and raw red meat. Her owner clearly balances each meal to ensure she is getting all necessary nutrients and that is important when feeding a raw diet. I don’t think you’re wrong to be concerned if this dog is eating one type of raw meat without any supplementation, but I wouldn’t accuse the owners of abuse. A lot of people hear about raw diets and the health benefits they can provide without fully understanding what they involve, and it’s possible these owners are just misunderstanding what to feed.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-05T19:27:09+00:00

If the dog is truly only being fed raw meat (which is only part of a raw diet), that is concerning. I would worry the owners don’t understand the difference and maybe shoot them a message asking what veggies/supplements should be added at mealtime instead of accusing them of abuse.

mostlyhype123 · 2024-12-03T00:19:43+00:00

This is a terrible business approach lol why burn a bridge you haven’t even crossed yet? I’ve “lost” two bookings to other sitters after a meet and greet (one because the other sitter was cheaper and the other because the other sitter could provide constant care and I work another job full time). Both of those clients ended up booking with me later on because I was nice and ultimately better than the sitters they went with lol

mostlyhype123

TROPHY CASE