What would be a fair charge for caring for two dogs?

[TemporaryArmadillo]

3 weeks

2 large energetic dogs

3 walks a day including early morning, afternoon and around 9-10pm at night

One rolls in dog and fox poo nearly every day so washing down at home included

Also feeding them twice a day

Keeping an eye on house, and eye on both cars.

Midlands. Family know how much it is to have put them in kennels.

Im not actually sure if I’m going to be paid, as I normally walk them for free occasionally after I’ve done nursery runs for their child!

They’re a ten minute drive across town for me, 3 times a day. My car is not fuel efficient at all.

Should I just ask for fuel costs?

Thanks!

What's the deal about who these folk are - family?
Do you offer to do the nursery run and occasional walks?
Do they provide doggy food?
Did you offer, or have they asked?

(Initially my gut feeling is they should offer you a house sit and the money that kennels would cost)

Not family. They advertised for a local babysitter. I am paid for the nursery runs. Yes they provide all dog food.

It’s an odd kind of set-up really, very informal. I offer to do a lot of things for free, why wouldn’t you I guess. I did mention I’d look after the dogs when they went on holiday - but I didn’t actually know it would be for 3 weeks !

And not being a dog owner I didn’t realise it would involve 3 walks a day. Daft I know.

Labradors by any chance ? Mine love fox shit 😀

I would go back and be honest. It's a much bigger commitment than you expected, and you need full payment for time and transport.

Wait, why does it matter that you live 10 minutes away? Surely either you are moving in there or the dogs are staying with you?
Pop ins is in no way an acceptable way for these dogs to be cared for - especially for 3 whole weeks!
Apllogies if I’ve misread though

Well it costs £25 a day for a business to pop in and feed that cat twice and poop scoop the litter tray so a lot more than that!!
I dog sit for friends / family for free and they cover my travel expenses and usually a gift at the end as I enjoy having them but it’s a big commitment, particularly with energetic dogs.

I was thinking the same.

Well kennels will cost 35-60 a day depending on demand in your area. You would be an absolute mug to do three weeks for free. Even a dog walker coming twice a day would be around 40 a day.

You’d have to stay there or the dogs come to you. They can’t be left alone and just taken out 3 times a day

Do you have any idea of rates for dog sitters?

I’d probably halve it to be honest . Or just ask for fuel costs. I think that would be reasonable wouldn’t it?

I should have established this before they left I know, but the whole set-up is so informal it’s a difficult topic to raise when the ‘employer’ relates to you in such an overwhelmingly friendly fashion.

No the dogs can’t stay with me, and I’m not staying at their house.

I go early morning, afternoon and later at night to walk and feed them.

Utterly unacceptable and full on neglect. I don’t say that lightly or without knowledge. I’m a professional dog trainer

Oh don’t be so wet and passive! (Not said meanly)

I have a little side line doing this. Latest was popping in to feed two cats twice a day for 7 days. I charged £15 per visit so £30 a day

You cannot leave two dogs home alone even with 3 walks a day , tell them you can’t do it and they need to make proper arrangements.

£50 per day for three weeks is £1050. I don’t understand why you are so willing to be taken for a fool though.

Ok so there already on holiday

OMG are you serious they are leaving the dogs alone for 3 weeks !! What if
you can’t get there, get taken ill? What if the dogs are taken ill overnight could be the case of life and death to get to vets in
terms of choking etc. totally irresponsible I would have nothing to do with it and they should be told how bloody stupid this whole idea is ! Those poor dogs

It’s not the OP who is neglecting the dogs though. It’s their owners on a three week jolly.

Absolutely. I never said otherwise. The OP cannot be complicit in it with impunity though

You cant be serious on going in 3 times a day? Fuck me my dogs would destroy the house/protest poo everywhere!!!

Just your fuel costs???? You are a mug. Does your time have no value?? You are saving them at least £1000........

I wouldn’t say that. I’ve had recent tragedy in my life both personally and professionally so helping this family fills the gap in my life for now.

I too agree dogs should not be left with someone popping in

Well they are seriously taking advantage of you...... you need to have a look at the bigger picture. What else are you doing for free??

If you are set on this work out the rate for kennels and apply a 25% discount (mates rates). Three weeks looking after dogs/house etc is a huge ask.

but seriously, give this ask a huge swerve. The fact the owners have not offered any payment shows they are just after a cheap solution here.

(not even going to ask how or why you are doing nursery runs for them.)

I’m sorry to hear that you’ve had serious difficulties but these people are taking advantage of your fragile state.