05/07/2024
Many people think we charge too much for what we do. I've heard people say we're only in it for the money! I had someone say ALL of us are in it for money not love!
So let's break it down....
Firstly, I love every single one of my furry clients. I think about them even when I'm not with them, they are like extended family! I care about their owners too!
Secondly... how much would you pay a daily cleaner?
At least an hour a day and then at the end of the week a full clean, bathrooms, toilets, kitchens, floors, bedding washed, dried and beds made, towels washed and dried? More than £3.00 an hour I'm guessing. Say £18 an hour. So thats approx £180. Yet that is included in my sitting fees.
A dog walker? £15 an hour? Everyday, another £100. Yet that's included in my fees, sometimes twice a day!
Then there's looking after your home, taking in mail, watering plants, putting the bins out, opening/closing windows & curtains - the security of knowing someone is watching over your home whilst you're away. The cost of a house sitter can range from £25 to £75 per night or £295 per week, depending on factors such as location and the services required. In addition to hourly rates, many house sitters may also charge for extra services such as pet care or additional tasks. So £295 +
That's also all included in my fees.
That's now you're pushing £600 - £700 for a week if you paid a cleaner, a dog walker and a sitter to look after your home.
Now roll all those jobs into one. One person, at your home, doing all of those jobs, whilst also knowing they are trained in first aid, they understand dog breeds, traits, body language, stress signals, behavioural changes. They know when it's too hot to walk your dog. They know when your needs space and when they want attention, they treat your dog with love and care and your dog gets to stay where they feel safe whilst you're on holiday - priceless.
I charge less than £400 for a week on average. If i split my 24 hour rates down into 8 hours where I would be awake, either walking, feeding, cleaning, playing, fussing, etc each day, that equates to around £6 an hour. For shorter day sits it's less, around £4 an hour for an 8 hour sit.
On 1 April 2024 the National Living Wage increased by 9.8 per cent to £11.44 an hour.
So, are we really in it for money????
I can't speak for every other pet service provider out there, and trust me, there are some in it for money, they won't have insurance, they won't have certificates of courses they've completed, they won't have first aid, they may not even have proper policies, procedures and contracts for you to sign, let alone detailed forms about your pets completed. These types may well be in it for the money, these types may well use platforms such a s Rover to advertise. They do exist, unfortunately.
However, good ones exist too. We don't do it for money, we just about break even, we cover our expenses, mileage etc, we dedicate ourselves to doing the best we possibly can for your pets. Keeping them safe and loved.
Those in a pet services job for the money are in the wrong job!
I am definitely in it for love. I'm sure my furry clients would agree! ❤️
