Nanny Confessions: Pet-Sitting Can Be a Pet-Peeve

If You Get a Puppy Pay Your Nanny More to Care for ItBy Stephanie Felzenberg

Families have the right to own pets. But when working parents that hire full-time nannies get a new puppy they should acknowledge that caring for the new pet will largely fall upon the nanny. Nannies need to be compensated for the extra work or they may likely become resentful.

Pet-sitting can be a pet-peeve (pun intended) for many nannies. Using a simple pet-sitting work agreement and giving the nanny extra money for caring for pets can be helpful when parents ask nannies to pet-sit.

For example, the family and nanny should create a separate pet-sitting work agreement that includes essential responsibilities for the pet-sitting job. If the nanny cannot or chooses not to perform the pet-sitting duties the parents can then use the work agreement when they hire another pet-sitter.

Information to Include in a Pet-Sitting Contract:

1. Emergency phone number where the family can be reached in case of emergency.
2. Veterinarian phone number.
3. Pet-sitter back up person in case of emergency.
4. List of family, friends, or neighbors that have a key to the house.
5. Detailed history of each pet.
6. Where family buys pet food and supplies.
7. What food to serve each pet, at what time, and the amount of food.
8. Detailed list of any medications required. When, how much, and what type of medicine should be given to each pet.
9. Which treats the pets are allowed to have and at what times.
10. Fees per walk and length of each walk (for example half-hour walk).