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New clients that want housesitting for dog don't want to add their cats to the booking?

Do sitters ever have this problem: New clients contact you to housesit and they add their dog to their profile. I agree to a meet and greet, and at that point I find out they have 1 or 2 cats that "aren't much trouble, you just have to feed them." So they don't add their cats to the booking, but expect me to feed them, clean the litter box and be responsible for them not escaping the house. I even put in my listing to "please add all your pets to ensure they are covered by the Rover Guarantee and I can give you an accurate quote." I hoped that was a subtle hint that:

a) your cats are not covered if there is an injury and

b) I do expect to be paid to take care of your cats

It has not really helped, people still expect the cat care to be for free.

Any solutions that work well without offending the owner?

Thanks

2 Answers

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Contact Rover Customer Support and ask them to reach out to the client.

Ultimately, it is up to you to decide whether you want to work for people who are asking you to provide free services. You are running a business; you are not their friend doing them a favor. when they say you just have to feed them, explain that is not as insignificant as it sounds. Ask them who is going to empty the litter box because you have no intention of staying in a home where that is not done regularly. If you have already agreed to perform other housekeeping jobs like taking in the mail, watering plants, etc., then you can tell them that you are doing all those things gratis. But you cannot care for another animal for free because of the risks involved that need Rover's guarantee.

Comments

Thank you! When I asked what they wanted to do with the kitties (2 cats, 4 litter boxes to clean!) and I said I could give them a call to explain, they just suddenly added the cats to the booking!

Excellent!

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I refuse to sit without all animals added. Even if you don't charge for the cat I insist they add them because if something happens to that cat during your stay it won't be covered under the rover guarantee leaving you liable which is how I explain it to the clients. Secondly, If they want the cats to be fed, that is a service they have to pay for even if it's only like 5 dollars a day.