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!

Please don’t tell me they’re already away? These poor, poor dogs!

just listen to yourself what if something happens when you’re not there?? They are taking you for a mug! You’d be
mad to do it! They are cheeky feckers

Actually they’ve been really good. One is prone to ripping stuff up but so far none of the sofas have been touched.

They’ve only pooped and wee’d one time, the first day.

They do get plenty of cuddles and affection too I don’t just walk and go home I’ll lig about for 10 minutes playing with them.

This isn't ok - it's neglect and this is a good basis for you to withdraw from your arrangement. I'm shocked dog owners would think this is ok! There's absolutely no way dogs should be left alone overnight or for this length of time. They need a live in sitter.

For reference anyway, my dog walker charges £16p/h per walk (but takes out a group of 6 dogs a time), £45 for an overnight stay, or £13 for a pop in.

Why would you do this for just fuel?
I don't understand why you're doing so much for these people!

Poor dogs, home alone. I’m glad they’ve got you to care about them, though. Two large dogs in kennels or home boarding would be minimum £70 a day so £1470 for three weeks. Sorry you’ve had tragedy that’s sounds hard. Dogs are such great companions.

But they will tear up furniture because they’re bored and lonely

You need to stay at their house. You cannot leave the dogs alone and just pop in 3 times a day. That's disgusting and neglectful.

I’ll be honest, if I were one of the neighbours and got wind of this 3 week arrangement, I’d be reporting all of you. Dogs get very stressed alone overnight and if you’re not there you can’t possibly know.

How do people not know this basic stuff before getting dogs?

Agree

If you’re staying at their house with the dogs it’d be around £2500 for three weeks based on what a colleague pays a dog sitter. Two big dogs for two weeks cost her £1500

I think I’m a ‘people-pleaser’ is why. Who knows.
I’m a widow, was made redundant at the same time, and my son was recently in hospital for life-threatening surgery.

My life feels very empty and directionless and being able to work for someone who needs help in so many different areas fills that gap I guess.

I had a dog once years ago. I wouldn’t have left her alone overnight. But it just hasn’t occurred to me this arrangement is anything unusual. Maybe my brain isn’t working right.

Point is they’re being fed and exercised, and the house hasn’t been trashed, and they have a camera on in the front room where the dogs are so they can presumably contact me if the dogs look to be in need ?

Appalling dog owners. Clearly zero regard for their dogs’ welfare. I understand that you feel that they have been good to you but really, they’re awful, selfish people.

This is honestly not worth the stress OP. Caring for other people's pets is quite stressful at rhe best of times. And these dogs will be stressed and upset at being left for 3 weeks in this manner so it's likely that there will be issues. Given youve said you're fragile you don't want to be in the position of going to vets with unwell pets. This will not help you.
I'd just go back and say "oh I hadn't realised you were going for so long. I don't think I'm the best choice for this given the duration. Probably best to look at trusted house sitters or something "

It isn’t. Message me if you like I can confirm. Or Mumsnet will verify.

Fair enough but I wish it was. Those poor bloody dogs
obviously the main blame is the absolute bastards who own them but the question is, what now?
how long have they been away so far?

This thread is fucking infuriating. Why ask now when they’re already on holiday? Neglectful lot, all of you.

This is so wrong on so many levels. Animal abuse to leave these dogs on their own. You are being massively taken advantage of as well. I am a licensed dog sitter and would charge £40 a night for 2 dogs…so £280 a week. What horrible, horrible people they are….abusing animals and taking advantage of a vulnerable woman.

It does seem somewhat strange that as an ex owner yourself, you thought this was even vaguely acceptable OP.
Id given you the benefit of the doubt that you didn’t know any better but it’s clear you do as you wouldn’t have done it with your own dog.
So what are you going to do? You’ve been lumbered with their care and they (the dogs) are relying on you.
As an aside, I’d drop the using scum you thought were friends the minute they return

They saw you coming OP. Ridiculous that you’re doing this for free, and agree with PPs that it’s neglectful of the owners to be leaving their dogs for three weeks with only three visits a day.

I wouldn’t leave my dog alone overnight for even one night. I think they are pretty heartless and selfish dog owners. And not to agree a fee with you for all that you are doing for them, and just assume you will do it for free. Unbelievable. They are totally taking advantage of your kindness.
You need to build up the courage to say, this is actually taking over my life for three weeks - I feel I need to charge you for my time.
And If you feel you can’t say anything on this occasion please learn a lesson and say no next time.

Unfortunately, I know people who do this sort of arrangement when they are away. Its not that rare. My dog is left for no more than 4 hours ever and I refused to do that kind of arrangement for them when yhey asked. They got someone else. The dogs are only occasionally walked normally so actually are going out more when they are away. They are destructive and walk badly on the lead but they don't make the connection.

It cost me £900 for an insured dog/house sitter for 2 weeks for 2 dogs and a cat , she lived in and the dogs had 3 walks a day and company every night .She had other dogs she walked but ours were never left alone for more than 3 hours .
she supplied her own food but was told she was welcome to eat out of the cupboards and freezer .
We are in the north west near Manchester .

Honestly, I was in my early 20s when myself and boyfriend had a dog. it’s now decades later. We wouldn’t have left her alone because she was a farm dog and used to being outdoors all the time.

These owners did not give me the impression this was an unusual arrangement so it hasn’t occurred to me it is. I know that sounds unbelievable.