Rabbit Sitting Rate?

[mcleary15]

   I’ll be vacationing on the mainland in a few weeks (I live in Hawaii). I’m leaving my precious Chanel, a six month old Lionhead, with a very close friend. I’ll be visiting family for about three and a half weeks, so it is for an extended period of time. How much should I pay my friend to rabbit sit my bunny? 

[Zombie-Sue]

That’s weird, we in the mainland go on vacation THERE.

I imagine something like that would vary drastically depending on region, and she’s your friend, too.

[LBJ10]

How much effort is she having to put in to this? Is your bunny staying at her place? Or does she need to come to yours every day?

[mcleary15]

I’m supplying everything to feed her, as well as toys. My bunny will be staying at her house. I’m at a loss as to how much is acceptable for feeding, playing and keeping her cage clean.

[NewBunnyOwner123]

We had CLOSE friends watch my buns for 3 weeks while we went on vacation. We paid for everything. We left them $100 for supplies (they only used $25 for veggies) and we made sure they had plenty of hay and litter before leaving as well as veggies so the baby sitters wouldn’t have to get anything at first. Anyhoo, we paid them $100 when we came back to pick them up after vacation. They only used $25 for veggies and kept the rest of the money as well. So they only got paid about $175 but as I said, they were very close friends of ours. A d they understood we were paying for a wedding and honeymoon and didn’t have much. They would’ve done it for free lol Just make sure you guys come up with an agreement BEFORE you leave. That way there is no confusion.

[Deleted User]

Mmmmm…… Gee, this is a hard one? I (just me) would think free???? Then you can return the favour in another way? As long as all the costs are covered and if you are good friends/family, I hate involving money – $ seems to end relationships quickly if expectations aren’t met on one end? But, if the babysitter is young (friends child maybe? with adult supervision – always cool to encourage ‘earning’ money) then I would speak to the parents and get their input. My suggestion (and again it really depends on your relationship with this person…), call an official place (bunny holidays while your on holidays), get their price and halve it. You benefit, and so will your friend. ?????? Like I said, gee, this is a hard one. Cheers mcleary15.

[Beka27]

Lol… I’ve paid my friends with a nice souvenir and a case of beer. It really depends… I absolutely agree with giving them money to cover costs/emergencies while you’re gone. Beyond that, it’s really up to you. If they’re doing it more as a favor (and you’d be called upon to petsit for them in the future), I don’t feel that an actual exchange of money is necessary… But friends/relationships vary.

[Deleted User]

Beka27 – Is the souvenir a spoon with a little pic on the end? Is the beer cold? Count me in for bunny sitting on your next holiday? ha ha ha hah!!!!!
Sorry, had to do it! Cheers Beka!

[mcleary15]

We’ve lived on the island for about 7 months now. The friend is someone our family has learned to trust, her husband is deployed with my husband at the moment. She is also going to check my mail, watch my house and give airport transportation. So i feel like I’m asking A LOT out of her. But, in all honesty she’s the only person I truly trust with my home as well as our bunny.
I love the idea of extra veggie/emergency money.
My biggest concern isn’t paying her for feedings and giving love, but for the clean up of the litter box/ etc. Because I don’t exactly enjoy that part myself! Haha. Thanks so much, you guys rock! Keep your opinions coming!

[LBJ10]

If the bunny is staying at her house, then I would think that $100 isn’t a bad amount. After all, it is over 3 weeks. IF you want to put a monetary value on it, that is. Like others have said, perhaps this should be a favor that you can return later. Then again, if she is doing all that other stuff for you too it might be nice to give her some incentive. Maybe offer to take her out?

[Stickerbunny]

Why not just ask her what she thinks? If she’d rather do it as a favor and would feel awkward taking money from a friend, then return it by buying her a gift or taking her out somewhere (especially if both your husbands are deployed, some time out would probably be appreciated I imagine). If she thinks money is good, but doesn’t care about the amount, $100 or $150 is probably a safe flat fee. But, for me… I always ask my friends what they prefer and work out stuff like that before hand. That way no hurt feelings over “I didn’t get paid and I did all that!” or “She thinks I have to be PAID to do a friend a favor? What kind of person does she think I am?” … people can vary so much it’s hard to say!

[mcleary15]

She’s definitely a person that believes in favors! I think I have decided on:
– taking her out to dinner for watching our house and driving us.
– $100 for rabbit sitting Chanel

– $75 for fresh veggies. What she doesn’t spend, she can keep.

– She loves Cracker Barrel. We don’t have one on the island so I’ll find her a good souvenir from there as well.

Thanks for all of your opinions and advice!

[Beka27]

That all sounds good! I love the idea of taking her out for a nice dinner after… You can tell her all about your trip!

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