I got a call last week from a guy looking for a pet sitter because his regular sitter isn't available for an upcoming vacation his family is taking. I didn't find that unusual because I get quite a few calls like that and am always happy for the overflow work. Sometimes, people end up liking me better and switch to me for all future sits.

I was supposed to do the meet and greet yesterday. He canceled last minute due to a family illness. I asked when we could reschedule because their vacation is coming up next week. He told me the earliest he could reschedule is 2 days before they're supposed to leave.

Red flags went up everywhere. I already suspect this guy's dogs are more of a handful than he's letting on based on how he's described them on the intake form. Now, he wants to wait until the last minute to do the meet and greet (possibly hoping he can pressure me into it since it'll be so close to the day they leave).

Would you even bother to reschedule with this person? I was thinking of rescheduling, but not being afraid to decline the sit if my suspicions about the dogs prove true.

So my mum accidentally put our dog’s emergency rectal Valium in his ears… 😂
Sounds ridiculous, I know.
She was looking after Whiskey, our three-year-old Cocker Spaniel, while we were away. Whiskey has epilepsy and takes a heap of meds every day, plus ear drops.
She grabbed the wrong tube.
Thankfully Whiskey was completely fine and we can laugh about it now, but it made me realise how insanely hard it is asking someone else to look after a dog with medical needs.
Every time someone watches him I send what can only be described as a novel over text. Medication times, seizure plan, emergency vet, foods he can and can’t have, weird habits… and I still spend the whole weekend wondering what I’ve forgotten.
It annoyed me enough that I ended up building a digital care guide for him, with medication reminders, how-to videos and everything someone needs to know in one place. Pet sitters, what’s the longest set of instructions you’ve ever been given? And owners, what do you do when your dog has a complicated routine?

Instead ... this is what I get. Immediately blocked him

TL;DR Venting but I’ll also take any and all suggestions. Before anyone gets on my case, I love this dog like he is my own. He’s the only dog I’ve been caring for under constant care. He has epilepsy. I can’t leave the room sometimes because I have to observe him.

He usually is vocal starting a few hours after my clients leave and for the first night. I don’t sit for this client very often overnights because he has gone through so many health challenges. My clients are retired and didn’t expect their dog to be this dependent upon them. They need a vacation!!!

Has anyone ever dealt with this? It is constant. He has been doing it for about 24 hours. He maybe slept for 3 straight hours? I had bouts of sleep for about an hour every 2 hours.

I’ve tried:

Petting him and using a soft voice

Taking him to the bedroom where he is the most comfortable

Letting him lay on top of my legs and waist (30 lbs of dead weight) to comfort him

Taking him out in the backyard in case he had to go potty

Getting their second dog to lay close to him

What else can I do?!?!?!

The title isn’t quite accurate but it won’t let me change it. Hi, I’m currently sitting for two cats twice a day and one of them needs to take special liquid medicine and pills every morning. The owner told me that she was friendly and would let me pick her up and would take the meds easily etc, the owner didn’t share any concern about it.

I’ve been here for two hours. The kitty in question has been hiding all around the house and refuses to let me near her. :(
She is now hiding under the bed. She won’t take any treats at all, let alone the medicine. Ive been sitting with her for a long time. I have no idea what to do? The owner is aware of this. I have other animals to check up on and can’t sit around here all day, but I care for the cat and I want to make sure she gets her medicine!! I’m supposed to do this twice a day for a week. I have no idea how to get her to trust me, and I don’t blame her for hiding. I know it’s scary for her.

What would you do?

Pretty much title -

For everyone who operates independently and has their own business (no third-party platforms), do you have your own website? Why/why not?

I’m trying to figure out whether it’s worth paying for one.

*not trying to discuss specific pricing

I’ve seen a lot of people discuss a client not paying them, but does anyone else have clients who overpay them?

I don’t mean a tip either. I have regular clients who I dog walk for that pay me more than I asked. This has happened with honestly more than half of my clients at this point. It’s just become my rate now that they pay me.

It’s made me wonder, am I undercharging? Should I be charging more? Or am I just in a good/wealthy area? Maybe clients think I do a good job and want to ensure I am willing to sit/walk for them again?

Does anyone else have this happen? I live in Connecticut for context.

Could you share the methods you use to track mileage (and related travel expenses). I’m especially interested in apps that make this easy. If you recommend against using certain apps that’s helpful too.