Does the Family You Work for Have a Dog?Pet-sitting can be a pet-peeve (no pun intended) for some nannies and au pairs.
For example, Katie, a nanny working in Atlanta, GA told Be the Best Nanny Newsletter, “I don’t like pets. I just don’t accept nanny jobs at homes that own any large pets.”
Sandra, a live-in nanny working in Westport, CT explains, “I am allergic to cats and dogs so I cannot work for a family that owns a cat or dog. I don’t like other pets but as long as I am not responsible for caring for them then I can work in the household.”
MaryAnne, a household manager in Morristown, NJ explains, “I feel I ought to be compensated more if a family I work for has a dog. Whenever the parents have said I won’t be responsible for caring for the dog that was far from the truth. Dogs are harder to care for than the children. I don’t mind cats or smaller animals. But, I have no interest in walking dogs or cleaning litter boxes.”
Using a simple pet-sitting contract can be helpful when parents ask nannies or au pairs to pet-sit.
For example, if the family will be traveling on vacation the nanny
or au pair should
create a separate pet-sitting work agreement that includes essential
responsibilities for the job. If the au pair or nanny cannot perform the pet-sitting
duties the parents can then use the work agreement when they hire another
pet-sitter as well.
Information to Include in a Pet-Sitting
Contract:
-
Emergency phone number where the family can be reached in case of emergency.
-
Veterinarian phone number.
- Pet-sitter back up person in case of emergency.
- List of family, friends, or neighbors that have a key to the house.
- Detailed history of each pet.
- Where family buys pet food and supplies.
- What food to serve each pet, at what time, and the amount of food.
- Detailed list of any medications required. When, how much, and what type of medicine should be given to each pet.
- Which treats the pets are allowed to have and at what times.
- Fees per walk and length of each walk (for example half hour walk).
2 comments:
Victoria:
yes. a golden doodle who wants lots of attention from the nanny
Samantha:
One of my previous families decided to get a golden retriever puppy unfortunaly i ended up having to care for him, a 1 yr old and a 3 yr old with no extra pay! i wasnt very happy! No pets in my current family and they dont want to get any either!!
Lois:
No but my boss lets me bring my puppy to work so her little boy gets used to being around animals :)
Suzanne:
Yes, 11 yr old black lab :)
Stacie:
yes an older black lab bassett hound mix.I've worked for several families with dogs, I love it.
Lisa:
I have never been a fan of dogs, cats on the other hand I love. While there are many cons to current pet dog I can says she growls and barks at everything so the kids can be in the backyard and I know she is guarding.
Kari:
One of the families I work for has a dog. They know I am not a fan of dogs... The children are responsible for letting him out/feeding him. I generally won't work for families with pets.
Christine:
Yes they have a turtle that we found at the park and they love her.
Sarah:
First nanny family had a German Shepard named Blue and I loved that dog. The only thing I had to do was open the door for him to go out which was not a big deal at all. Current family has 2 cats and I don't do anything for them. Although I did volunteer to take care of their litter boxes if DB diesn't get to do it before her leaves for work but this is only because MB is pregnant.
Victoria:
In my area, nannies are paid extra for pet care. Not so at my job for a few reasons. Youngest (12 yr old) is in charge of the dog but he'd much rather be gaming online so often I end up caring for her.
Penny:
I'll have you know that I have 4 furry charges who believe I'm their nanny & not there for the children. Puppy pouts when I have to leave!
Jody:
Uggghhhh....yes! they have cats, I'm allergic. I don't have to do anything for them, and can't touch them (even though I love cats) but since they seem to be in a puking stage I feel too bad to leave it for mom and dad to get home. I am NOT a dog fan, but almost every family I have worked for has one. I always tell mom and dad that I am ok with the dogs, but since I am not a dog person I won't be playing with their dogs. The new family I am working for 2 mornings a week has an older small dog that doesn't bother me at all, and a bigger and louder dog that they either keep upstairs while I'm there or take to doggie daycare.
interesting things!
Pet sitting|Pet sitter
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