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Should I charge for looking after my neighbours' pets?
42 Answers
My neighbours have two rabbits, and they asked casually, if they were ever away for the night, would I look after them. I said yes.
Two days later they put their key through my door with a note saying they'd be away for a few days. Three days after that, I called them to let them know the rabbits were ok etc, and they said I could watch their TV (more channels than me), help myself to food and drink (which I don't want), but didn't mention when they'd be back.
Four days later (a week into looking after the rabbits), I texted asking when they would return. I received a text back 11 hours later saying they were sorry, they'd be back 2 weeks after they originally left, and they'd give me cash on their return.
I've been checking the pets each morning, and spending around an hour each evening letting them run around, and changing their litter tray. I've had to top up the neighbours' electricity meter and buy food etc for the rabbits. This isn't easy as I'm skint just now and have to watch literally every £1 I spend.
Should I see what they offer me when they get back, or should I tell them how much I want ie refunded my costs and paid an hourly rate? (If I do this it will be around £100 total which is far less than local petsitting services)?
Two days later they put their key through my door with a note saying they'd be away for a few days. Three days after that, I called them to let them know the rabbits were ok etc, and they said I could watch their TV (more channels than me), help myself to food and drink (which I don't want), but didn't mention when they'd be back.
Four days later (a week into looking after the rabbits), I texted asking when they would return. I received a text back 11 hours later saying they were sorry, they'd be back 2 weeks after they originally left, and they'd give me cash on their return.
I've been checking the pets each morning, and spending around an hour each evening letting them run around, and changing their litter tray. I've had to top up the neighbours' electricity meter and buy food etc for the rabbits. This isn't easy as I'm skint just now and have to watch literally every £1 I spend.
Should I see what they offer me when they get back, or should I tell them how much I want ie refunded my costs and paid an hourly rate? (If I do this it will be around £100 total which is far less than local petsitting services)?
Answers
I pay £40 for 1 week, they always seemed happy, It's half the price of a cattery which My cat hated.
22:48 Tue 01st Mar 2011
How much does rabbit food cost? I would expect to be refunded for the electric (though why that needs topped up and how you had the card/key escapes me) and the rabbit food. Bit much asking for an hourly rate when you could have let them out, gone home and gone back later to put them back in their cages.
I wouldn't have topped up their meter, just see to the rabbits. When they come back go round with a pie, say their rabbits died three weeks into your neighbours disappearance, and you thought they wouldn't like to see them go to waste. Give them a written account of all the money you've had to spend.
I did try to put the TV on one evening, but couldn't get it to work - it's a fancy paid-for service which is beyond me!!
Letting the rabbits run around unsupervised is out of the question - rabbits will chew electric cables (something to do with their instincts re roots blocking their burrows, supposedly) and anything else they fancy. I can't move all of my neighbours belongings to leave the floor completely clear.
Letting the rabbits run around unsupervised is out of the question - rabbits will chew electric cables (something to do with their instincts re roots blocking their burrows, supposedly) and anything else they fancy. I can't move all of my neighbours belongings to leave the floor completely clear.
Just see what they offer you. You might be pleasantly supplied. I certainly wouldn't ask for an hourly rate. Mind you it's a bit much doing what they did. They should have least come round and discussed it with you. Two weeks is a bit different to a night away. Suppose you wanted to go away. Keep a note however, of what you put in the meter (they should be expected to reimburse that, even if you have been using their television).
It depends. If your neighbour is also a friend I would leave it to them and say nothing about recompense. One day you may need a favour. If you dont have much to do with them otherwise you could ask for something for looking after the animals.
Either way you must not be left out of pocket on any payments you have had to make on their behalf. If necessary you must ask for these.
Either way you must not be left out of pocket on any payments you have had to make on their behalf. If necessary you must ask for these.
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