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Post by Deleted on Jul 8, 2016 16:51:13 GMT
I just got back from my trip to help my daughter move from northern Maryland to Denver, Colorado. I'll post more about that in a separate post. It was a tremendously successful trip but I'm already starting to consider our next trip out this time next year that will include my husband and son (who will be 19 then).
My husband hasn't gone away in years but now that our daughter, our baby girl (!), has moved 1700 miles away, this is no longer an option! What that means is that I need to find an AMAZING and TRUSTWORTHY person to house sit/pet sit our 3 dogs, 1 barn cat and 5 miniature horses. While the trip won't be any sooner than next spring, I don't want to wait that long to start interviewing and investigating recommendations. I just don't know where to start. I realize this is not going to be an inexpensive proposition either! I'm okay with that because the welfare of my pets is absolutely the most important thing to me in this.
So, where do I start? What have you done that's worked for you?
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Post by jesq on Jul 8, 2016 16:54:07 GMT
I posted in my local Facebook group. While I ended up with someone I didn't know personally, she is friends with my next door neighbor, which gave me some level of comfort.
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Rainbow
Pearl Clutcher
Where salt is in the air and sand is at my feet...
Posts: 4,103 
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Post by Rainbow on Jul 8, 2016 16:54:15 GMT
Use only someone you know very well, and even that is no guarantee. No strangers.
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Post by mom22grlz on Jul 8, 2016 16:59:41 GMT
We use a friend of my oldest dd. Does your son have any friends that you would trust to look after your animals?
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Post by peano on Jul 8, 2016 17:04:06 GMT
If you've got a local Facebook group, you can ask there. Ours is very active and there are lots of great and current suggestions for doctors, plumbers and dog sitters etc. We personally found our dog sitter at an obedience training class many years ago.
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jul 8, 2016 17:17:46 GMT
We got very, very lucky. The friend who watched our DD for two years part time in our home also came to love our three goofy dogs. She has stayed at our house to take care of them numerous times since she left us for a full time job two years ago. I would suggest looking in your network of family and friends for someone responsible that loves animals who might be open to it, and I would go so far as to have that person come in for a weekend here or there to see how they do with short sitting gigs before committing to a longer time away.
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scorpeao
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Jun 25, 2014 21:04:54 GMT
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Post by scorpeao on Jul 8, 2016 17:21:59 GMT
I have my nephew or one of my dd's friends house/pet sit for me. I pay $25 a day and they can sleep at my house or not....as long as the animals are taken care of I don't care. A friend routinely uses Rover.com. She interviews the people, and sees how they interact with her dog before she hires them. She's found some great people using Rover.com
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Post by Basket1lady on Jul 8, 2016 18:31:46 GMT
Ask your vet. You have more unusual pets in the horses. I would imagine a trip that far wouldn't be just for a weekend, so I'd want someone I trust. I use a kennel for our lab, but I know many of our vet techs are young, live at home, and love to pet sit. A week staying at another house and taking care (and playing with) pets is a vacation to them!
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Post by bc2ca on Jul 8, 2016 18:41:41 GMT
Ask your vet. You have more unusual pets in the horses. I would imagine a trip that far wouldn't be just for a weekend, so I'd want someone I trust. I use a kennel for our lab, but I know many of our vet techs are young, live at home, and love to pet sit. A week staying at another house and taking care (and playing with) pets is a vacation to them!  I think this is where I would start given your miniature horses. Another idea is to check out riding stables in your area and see if they can refer someone or allow you to post on a FB page. A friend of DD's summer job has been pet sitting through Rover.com - her sister has done this for a few years and helped her get started - but I think it is exclusively for dogs. |
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Post by Monica* on Jul 8, 2016 19:02:49 GMT
I use dogvacay.com . I like that I can review profiles on line, read reviews, see pictures, etc. It's very easy. We drop our dog off at the sitter but many have an option (more expensive) for them to sit at your house. We are using a sitter coming up for our next trip home to see family. Nice young couple a few miles away, no children, dog lovers, big fenced backyard, husband works from home, accept up to 3 boarders per night. Very easy transaction.
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Post by craftsbycarolyn on Jul 8, 2016 19:21:57 GMT
I hope you find someone. We are in the same position. Our middle daughter usually does it, but she works full time and has a boyfriend, so that makes it hard.
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 14:13:24 GMT
My friends in Texas have someone that comes to feed their horses, donkeys and mini horses once a day. They posted a help wanted sign at the feed store and found someone great!
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Post by Merge on Jul 9, 2016 14:20:45 GMT
We also found someone through the local FB group - daughter of a friend of a friend - and it's worked very well for us. She stayed at our house and cared for our two high-needs dogs for a week in March, and will do so again at the end of this month. She's great.
I know that Care.com also has house-sitter/pet-sitter listings now, too, and their review and background check system gives some measure of security.
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Post by melodyesch on Jul 9, 2016 16:08:28 GMT
Ask at your Vet's office. We lucked out and the receptionist that has been there over 10 years offered when we were going on vacation. Since we have cats, there wasn't a need to spend the night, but we asked her to check in once a day. Since our Vet is just around the corner, she comes and has her lunch at our house then comes back after work for a bit. We are very fortunate, Good luck. Hopefully you have enough time to find someone trustworthy.
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Post by gorgeouskid on Jul 9, 2016 16:26:20 GMT
We use a boy whose family we know from church, or my son's best friend.
Both have moms to drive them and keep them accountable, and the boys appreciate the extra $$.
My mom uses a professional bonded sitter to watch her cats when she goes on long trips abroad.
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Post by tuva42 on Jul 9, 2016 16:40:42 GMT
Do you show your miniature ponies? Or belong to any organization related to them? I'd ask around with folks in that group.
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Post by anniefb on Jul 9, 2016 18:53:19 GMT
Ask your vet. You have more unusual pets in the horses. I would imagine a trip that far wouldn't be just for a weekend, so I'd want someone I trust. I use a kennel for our lab, but I know many of our vet techs are young, live at home, and love to pet sit. A week staying at another house and taking care (and playing with) pets is a vacation to them! With the number and type of animals you have. |
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Post by anniefb on Jul 9, 2016 18:57:04 GMT
Normally friends come and feed my cat when I'm away. When they couldn't do it one time, I hired professional pet sitters - police checked, public liability insurance etc. They came in each day but didn't stay.
If you're having a house sitter, you probably also need to clear it with your insurance.
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Post by anniefb on Jul 9, 2016 18:59:20 GMT
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johnnysmom
Drama Llama
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Jun 25, 2014 21:16:33 GMT
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Post by johnnysmom on Jul 9, 2016 19:03:31 GMT
Ask your vet. You have more unusual pets in the horses. I would imagine a trip that far wouldn't be just for a weekend, so I'd want someone I trust. I use a kennel for our lab, but I know many of our vet techs are young, live at home, and love to pet sit. A week staying at another house and taking care (and playing with) pets is a vacation to them! The vet was my first thought too, with the horses. Maybe they have another client with horses who has a college-aged kid looking for a little spending money. Or perhaps a vet-tech student/intern. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 20:29:48 GMT
I know them!!! I've been drooling over their minis over the last couple years. Never thought about boarding them out temporarily. Most often boarding is meant for more long term situations and breeding (boarding so someone more expert can be available to deliver your mare). |
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 20:31:29 GMT
Yep, my vet was definitely someone I was going to 'tap' to help identify resources (both my dog and horse vets).
Our miniature Dachshund can't have vaccines beyond rabies due to allergic reaction so she can't be boarded at a kennel. That being said, we could take her with us if need be.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 9, 2016 20:33:59 GMT
Do you show your miniature ponies? Or belong to any organization related to them? I'd ask around with folks in that group. Most of my showing friends don't live close...over an hour away and more. |
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Post by tuva42 on Jul 10, 2016 2:20:15 GMT
Do you show your miniature ponies? Or belong to any organization related to them? I'd ask around with folks in that group. Most of my showing friends don't live close...over an hour away and more. I meant ask them for references on finding a pet sitter. They might know a reliable college student who might like to make some money and would't mind coming to your area. |
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I think this is where I would start given your miniature horses. Another idea is to check out riding stables in your area and see if they can refer someone or allow you to post on a FB page. 
