Hi, Just wondering if its up to the sitter to ask the owner to reimburse you for any money spent while sitting, or is it a total loss?
All of the stuff we buy for our business/client pups are deductible on your taxes come April 15. Toys, treats, poop bags, etc. should not be paid for by the client, they are just part of the cost of doing business. Pee pads for puppies should be discussed at the M&G and in my opinion should be paid for by the client. If not, that's another tax deduction.
Food and any specialty treats should be discussed at the M&G and should be provided by the client, as Maureene pointed out. Each dog's diet is different and changing their food could cause digestive issues.
I have a checklist of items that the clients need to bring when they drop off their dog. Food is at the top of the list. If, for some reason, you run low before the stay is over, contact the owner and tell them the situation. Ask them where they buy the food and tell them you would like to be reimbursed. Then buy the smallest bag available and get payment when they pick up the dog.
This should have been discussed before the Stay. There are two things to keep in mind:
#1- your rates should be set high enough to cover incidentals usual to the care and supervision of your guests. This is why Sitters set their own individual rates and what pet parents assume they are paying for.
2- pet parents should be informed of what their pets need to bring with them (if staying at the Sitter's), or have supplied in their homes (if Sitter is House Sitting ), prior to their stay.
Typically, the pet parents should provide their own food, regardless of where the care is occurring. The simple reason is that every dog will have a different diet and otherwise, you, the Sitter, will end up with tons of half-used bags of food and a lot of out-of-pocket expense.
Puppy pads are your call. Many Sitters charge more for puppies because of the extra work / expense, in which case, you would have charged up front in your Puppy Booking rate.
If the dog were misrepresented, such as stated that he was potty trained but wasn't, and you had a lot of surprise expenses due to the pet parents lack of disclosure, then you may choose to ask them to reimburse you or just walk away in lieu of a good review and lesson learned.
Thank you, I appreciate it. In this situation I simply was left with food alone. Some toys, but I felt the guy needed something extra. I appreciate your reply. Happy New Year! ;)
Yup. Btw: I have no idea why the font changed mid-comment. I didn't hilight anything :/
Oh! And, I would've asked the guy for reimbursement on yhe puppy pads. :)
More of a comment, but I've dogsat outside of rover a lot previously and it would never occur to me to ask the owner to bring food, etc bc they always have- most people are so particular about anything for their dog as parents- as they should be. I'm now in charge of a 6 month puppy for almost three weeks. The owners literally brought nothing, not even a leash or collar...just the dog! I asked them to sit down and go back through the pups routine and they said they were in a hurry...I asked what food he ate, they said dry...I asked if they brought any...they pulled out a can of wet food! I asked about wee wee pads or going outside etc. they said- wee wee pads but that he may have a few accidents. Well, a few is an understatement. The pup was clearly not trained to use them and my rug is becoming one big wee wee pad. He is slowly learning though and I'm loving the dog as my own. Needless to say went and bought necessities and a few toys, but it was a valuable lesson in checking all the specifics prior to the owner coming. Regardless I think it is reasonable to ask for a reimbursement!
Keep receipts. That way when you give them a total for reimbursement it doesn't sound crazy.
Personally I try to make sure that the dog has every single possible thing they could ever need before the owners leave my house. Because they are not required to reimburse you. Its nice, its polite. But if they left the dog without those supplies it kinda lets you know where their head is at.
I make sure the pup has no allergies or food restrictions, and I provide the treats. I tell the owners that unless they want their dog to get a specific treat that they want to supply, I give treats.
It's just a nice thing to do. I get paid for it, so why not?
