To ask for a local teenager to feed my cat?

[Owlsintowels]

I've got two holidays coming up

I'm trying to work out how to get my cat fed. My mum normally pops over a couple of times to check in the house, my cleaner will visit. A lovely neighbour with a cat mad 3 yr old often fills in the gaps as a favour.

I buy all these people thank you gifts from my holidays, they all insist they're happy to do it / will ask me for return favours etc

Just setting the scene, we're all friendly and no issues

I'm on holiday twice in Aug. Mum will pop by and cleaner but neighbour has a newborn so I don't want to ask her.

I was wondering about posting on local Facebook group for my kid's school asking if anyone has a responsible teenager who'd like to earn some pocket money feeding the cat.

I live in a nice, fairly close knit community. I don't know that many people here, only lived here a year. I don't know anyone with teenage kids to ask hence considering facebook

Is this the worst idea ever? I'm inclined to trust a local teenager, but I'm willing to be told I'm naive and U.

If a teenager is a vaguely sensible idea, is there a lower age limit, and how much should I pay them?

Keen to get views from others. TIA

I think it's a good idea. Better if you know them a bit. I have a nice teen who looks after my guinea pigs if I go away.

I've just read this back and realise I'm proposing advertising in a public forum asking if a stranger would like keys to my unoccupied house for 2 weeks

That's totally mad

No need to reply telling me I'm an idiot

It took me saying it out loud to realise how stupid an idea it was

I wouldn't give my house keys to some random person off a Facebook group and leave town. Pretty sure it would invalidate any insurance you might have. Can't you just book a cattery or insured documented pet feeding company?

Why don't you post asking for recommendations for a cat sitter?

That's how I found my cat sitter - local Mum who does it for a bit of extra cash.

They will also provide references on request (although usually you get several people recommending the same sitter which speaks for itself).

X post. Look for a professional.

I always used to get a friend to house sit & look after the cat, one year they couldn't & I used a cattery, I'd never do it any other way now, no need to feel a burden on anyone, just book, drop off, collect & pay. Much easier

Now that's a good idea mojo, cheers!

I missed the bit about you broadcasting your leave on social media

We pay £12 a day for two visits, but they will let you know what their rates are.

It's a much better idea than a teenager as I would worry (a) they might use your house while you're away-- with boyfriends for example as that's probably what I would've done at their age-- and (b) they might not cope well if there's an emergency and won't have a car to take the cat to an emergency vets for example.

...and yes, don't put down when your planning to be away

Tbh I wouldn't even get a "local mum" - who, again, you don't know. What it they spill/break something, what if your cat gets ill etc. I'd want someone who was a legitimate business.

She is a professional dog walker and cat sitter (who just happens to be a local mum)

My teenager does this for a few neighbours. They pay him £10 a week and he goes in twice a day. I was a bit nervous about him losing keys or not locking doors properly but he takes it all very seriously. Good wee first job for him, cheap pet sitting for them.

I think it’s too risky imo, you don’t know their true intentions it’ll be an easy target for burglary/teenage party etc too once they know the house is empty. Book a cattery or home from home boarding so you know your cat and home are safe.

When my DC were teenagers I used one of their friends, who was so utterly reliable that she not only fed the cat, but collected the post off the doormat each day and filed it in chronological order ready for me to go through when I got back from holiday! She’s now a nurse.
But I think that’s very different to letting a random stranger into your home when you’re away. I use a cattery now, as the DC and their pals are all grown up and moved to the city for work.

Try catinaflat.com
We use it quite regularly and all insured
So far has been pretty good

You're over thinking it.
It's a great idea! There's probably someone on your Facebook timeline who knows someone with a 15 year old who needs a part time job this summer.

Wanted: reliable person for cat sitting / feeding duties during holidays in 2019-2020. You need to be: reliable, trustworthy as well as loving pets. References will be sort (either character, employment and/or school reference) and a reference can be given following successful first cat sit.

Why not use Tailster, you can register for free, and the pet carers are all registered and checked? You can get different quotes from different people, meet up and get to know them so you are comfortable with the person and all of the bookings are covered by the Tailster insurance?
PM me if you would like a discount code, I work in their head office so can pass on a staff discount for new bookings

Would you cleaner do it for an extra fee? She must be fairly local? I wouldn't get a teen as next doors teen was desperate to know if she could look after my cat..... She wanted a place to go with her boyfriend (heard them skyping about it while I was in the loo).

Fb sounds risky but generally sounds a good idea the teenager thing. When I was a teen my best friend had an awesome job feeding cats, watering plants and ironing for a very busy woman who worked long hours and lived alone. She occasionally recruited me too to do simple waiteressing for parties.

Currently using CatinaFlat whilst we’re away and my cat loves the woman!

I wouldn’t give a teenager access to my home. No way.

Don’t give your house keys to a random stranger. Try finding a reliable pet sitter online.
I found my cat sitter via a small online ad but she also worked at a vet practice. She’s wonderful.
Otherwise, try paying your cleaner to pop in every day. Cats don’t need much, clean water, fresh food, litter tray cleaned. It would only take your cleaner 20/30 mins. Pay her for an hour, sorted.

I wouldn't trust a teenager with my cat. Get a local cat sitter who visits your home. It's not that expensive, they are professional and you can trust them.

I use pawshake, but also found cat sitters on Gumtree before. Yes, it's a risk, yes they might burgle your house, but to me it seems like such a small risk, that I'm willing to take it. I'd post a message on Facebook, invite the teen over and if they seem reliable, go for it.

Could your mom pop by on e.g. day 2 of your holiday to check everything is okay?

We pay our cat sitter £8 for one visit or £12 for 2 visits/day. You could offer to pay them for a couple of days work in advance, and the remainder afterwards as an extra incentive for the teen to do a good job?