Dog Minding

[alisonsvintagechicboutique]

Word seems to be spreading about my dog walking/caring skills!   I dont normally charge for this - its just been to help friends out really.

I've been asked by someone to care for x2 dogs for a week when they are on holiday.  She is offering to pay me as she pays her other lady (that is unable to do it this time).  She has not mentioned cost and I really have no idea.  A bit of extra cash would help towards the rent though.

Would £10 a day seem reasonable?  What do you think?  They will be staying at my flat.  She did  offer me to stay around hers but I think it will be easier to have them with me here.  There are 2 beautiful parks withing 5 mins walk so it will be really nice. 

[tintinthegingertomcat]

Where I live - that is what is called home boarding - and my local lady charges £20 per 24 hours for one dog and £30 per 24 hours for two dogs - so £10 is more than reasonable - when I look after my friends dog he pays me £15 a day so really £10 is under priced.

[1311rose]

I'm charged £18 per day when my dog goes to the dog-sitter.  He does get extremely well treated so I see it as money well spent.  The lady he goes to is fully insured

[alisonsvintagechicboutique]

Thank you very much for your comments Tintin and Rose.  I would be happy with £10 a day I think and it will just help with the bills for  next month.  I am looking forward to the company,  a little sausage dog and a spaniel  xx

[**towery**]

make sure you get the vet details and a letter incase you need to use them  from the owner

good luck 🙂

[rose2008-2008]

Good idea Alison, i contacted someone recently about coming to feed my cat if i go away. I get frightened to go anywhere as i have never had anyone i can trust to come in mt flat or look after my cat. Shes precious to me you see and i worry so. its good to have friends you can trust to do this.

Good on you Alison, i think its a caring thing thats in demand as people worry i think when they possibly might have to go into hospital too, things like that. Our pets are important too.

 

[mr-expresso]

If word gets out .. and you do a good job you could have the making of a decent business........

BUT... Only if you price it right .. £10 a day for two dogs is way too cheap...

[captainbovine]

I would look into insurance though, especially if they are outside, accidents can happen and if anyone sued....well you wouldn't see much of your £10 a day!!!!
have a happy time with them though, dogs are so much fun, oh and we want piccies....

[wickedywitchwitch]

I was going to mention insurance too.

As the dog's 'carer' you are responsible for anything that happens while the dogs are in your care.

Although you're not technically a business, if money is changing hands it might have a bearing on any insurance cover (dog and human) so do check that - you don't want to give them an excuse not to pay out.

Make sure that the owner's pet insurance will pay out if the dogs are in someone elses' care and have, or cause, an accident or injury, or damage.

Also find out what your own personal/houshold insurance covers you for.

Hopefully it will never be needed, but the last thing you want is to discover there's something in the 'small print' giving the insurance company a get out clause.

Really hope this works out for you Alison.

Happy dog(s) mean a happy client and that could easily generate quite a bit of interest as most of the dog people I know go on recommendations from other dog owners.

Hope you and your doggy boarders have lots of lovely walks and heaps of fun!

[alisonsvintagechicboutique]

Thank you so much for all the excellent advice,  really appreciate it.  I have met both dogs now and they are just gorgeous,  little Louie is the dachshund and he is just totally adorable.   I love his quirky looks!!  It is a bit sad as he is only middle aged but he is going blind,  I will spoil them both rotten and of course post some pictures in a couple of weeks!   I will check about insurance - I agree this is important.  

[merc1_clocks]

Alison...I just know that you are going to be so happy doing this - well done you

[captainbovine]

I remember when I was a child, we looked after a friend of my sister's little dashchund, he must have missed his family as he ate the stuffing out of an old chair we had in the lean-to

[chickengrandma-2008]

Perhaps you were supposed to feed him while he was there capt?

[merc1_clocks]

Oh CG...

[rose2008-2008]

Bless our Alison ((()))  . im a big animal lover too its nice they give you so much pleasure

[fishpieface]

Oh Alison, I bet you have a wonderful time with the little dogs.

I think £10-00 each day is very reasonable, you could probably get away with a little bit more

but it's also nice if you can charge a nominal fee and just do it because you love to, if you

know what I mean.  A bit different if you begin to do it as a business as you will have to be able

to cover overheads.

We are extremely lucky, we have fabulous neighbours next door who have three gorgeous cats.

We feed them when they go away and they feed our two when we do.  I looked after them for

just over a week in June, they did bring me a little pressie to say thanks but I assured them

I had huge pleasure from caring for their lovely cats and that was more than enough.  Our tabby

cat was a bit confused though 'cos I kept going next door and he looked at me as if to say could

I please make my mind up where I live!

You seem a lot happier now Alison, hope that's the case.  Have a lovely time with the little dogs!