Taking a paycut for low-income owner?

Big preemptive caveat: I don't do this full time, and I have another job, so I'm far less concerned about potential lost income than I would be if this were my primary income source.

I would be inclined to try and help if at all possible. I work in an ER, and I once took a patient's dog home for three days because she needed to be admitted and had no other options. She didn't have friends or family who could take the dog. She lived in a shelter (luckily one where residents can bring pets). I didn't ask for any compensation; she couldn't afford it, and if she didn't find care for her dog, she was going to refuse admission rather than give him up. I ended up bringing him home at 4:30 am when I got off work to introduce him to my two dogs and the guest staying with me. I was terrified I'd made a horrible mistake, but I didn't regret my decision for a second. I don't expect to get anything out of that act of kindness; I just wanted to do something that I hope someone would do for me if I ever needed it.

I'm late to this game, but I hope this helps! Check Groupon, Amazon Local, and LivingSocial! I got certificates that allow me to get dog boarding for half off! So, I got $240 to spend on dog boarding for $120. Here is the only site I could find that has an offer right now (I didn't see any on Groupon or Amazon Local right now). Go to this link: (Or you can look up dog boarding services on those sites).

https://www.livingsocial.com/deals/15...

This one, and others, might be for first-time Rover customers only, but she can always a) try it to see if it will work b) contact Rover to see if they'll make an exception for her circumstances, or c) invite a family member to create a new Rover profile.

Absolutely tell her to keep checking these websites, as they often rotate offering discounts on dog boarding through Rover. I'm not sure if we're allowed to refer to other sites, but they also have discounts for DogVacay and local dog boarding services.

I've had requests to offer a lower rate through a few different sources of business (besides Rover) and usually it's been for 2 or more dogs. It hasn't happened frequently, but there are a lot of people with serious financial and medical issues (often these go together). It's so personal to share all that life threatening fight, I'd doubt she's trying to scam you.

However, you do have to consider what you can offer and be satisfied with. I'd also consider calendar booking / or anticipated booking volume, and if this may be ongoing booking after the holiday period. Since these are for drop ins, you might still be able to handle other clients, but you also may need to calculate the costs of your travel to ensure the rate is fair. You have to decide what you consider fair first. Then, you can present your offer and get her reaction. I prefer discussing money matters in person, usually at the meet&greet.

I just read your update. That's a total of 8 walks (4 days x twice). Her desired budget of $100 = $12.50/visit and your regular drop in rate is $24. If this was her first booking on Rover ever, she can use a promo code to save $. If you care for her dogs, it may restrict you from caring for many others because you'll spend nearly 40 minutes round trip just driving.

I think that the advice you took to contact her to suggest considering other options and letting her know that you may be available closer to that time based on your availability then sounds like the best move. I've cared for dogs that were 20-30 minutes away 2-4 times per day. It can be very wearing and that drive time plus time spent on walk/food/care definitely restricts boarding clients you can accept. Also, you'll have a fair amount of mileage expense. If you end up helping her out, maybe you can ask if she could budget $140 (which would be 17.50 /visit- $5 more than what she really wanted but $6.50 less than your non-holiday regular rate).

I would not have a problem offering a discounted rate for someone who is truly in a financial bind. However, I would definitely take into consideration a) distance to travel to and from her house, b) number of other dogs/bookings you may have at the same time, and c) would you be losing bookings by accepting her request?

I had a request a few months ago with similar parameters, minus the discount request. It ended up being more trouble than it was worth to drive that far twice a day, with the cost of gas and the toll on my time. That's a lot of driving, and I would probably refer her to another Rover sitter or to a neighbor or relative, as Karen suggested.

I think it admirable that you want to help this woman out. If you have other dogs boarding with you, traveling back and forth twice a day may be more than you want to take on during the holiday period. You could ask if she has a neighbor or a neighbor's child who could see to her dog. It would be more convenient and I'm sure a child would be thrilled to earn $100 for eight walks.

How booked are you for the Thanksgiving Holiday? You may want to offer your regular rate instead of the holiday rate. This is my "business" and only income so if it was me, although wanting to help them out, I would be suspicious if they really wanted your business for just pennies. I have a neighborhood couple that I have been -on occasion -pet sit for and is in a similar situation. I have been pet sitting for them before I joined rover. The husband does have serious medical health problems and the wife works. I give them a special rate but the dog comes to my home so I don't travel. Go with your "gut" and if you do decide to take them on as a client make sure you make a "little" profit but not a loss. Also, I would probably expect them to be calling a Lot for the same low fee.