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Post by dtesposito on Aug 18, 2010 9:36:47 GMT -5
I've been following this thread wll along and am finally commenting--as a pet sitter myself, I can't believe that anyone would quit a job in the middle like that. I don't care if the place WAS "dangerous" (which, clearly, it was not) I could never walk away from an animal that I was responsible for--just assuming that you would be able to get someone else to come in. That just boggles my mind--what if she was babysitting, would she leave the baby and walk out if there was something about the housekeeping she didn't like?
In the note from her that you shared it said she wanted her $28 for her visit--that's for ONE visit? If so, I'm way undercharging! And if it's for more than one visit, why did she not quit after the first visit if the place was so offensive to her?
I'm also quite surprised that your animal control people would get a warrant and break down a door for a report of dirty litter boxes and a matted cat--I live in a large city, where there are seriously bad animal hoarders, dog fighting, *** fighting, and all kinds of animal abuse--I'm sure our AC people would laugh if they got a report like that. I guess it's good that they take things seriously, but still...
And finally, if your petsitter was just starting out, I'm sure she found some kind of stock contract for petsitters to use--maybe she's not aware of everything in it--I'd check and see if there's any kind of agreement about how fast she has to return the key to you. Maybe SHE'S in breach of her contract and should forfeit her payment.
I'm sorry that your experience was so bad--I hope you can find someone else to watch your cats that you can trust--I'm sure that the person you hired was the exception rather than the rule.
Diane
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Post by heretoday on Aug 18, 2010 14:45:12 GMT -5
She did actually send me an email Monday the day I was returning saying to contact her regarding the return of the key and that she wanted her $28 - yes it was for one visit. Apparently she is away for a week now so I guess I will do up an email telling her how much it cost me ($70 in cell phone calls and 2 long distance phone cards) plus the money to change the locks. I have a handle lock on the front door so right now am double locking it and using the back door. The house is old and no one has the key for the handle lock but she can't get it with it on. I just have to think as to what exactly to put in the email, am so mad I could just blast her but have to do a draft of what I am going to say exactly. Thanks for the help everyone.
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Post by heretoday on Aug 18, 2010 14:49:09 GMT -5
My daughter actually is a responsible person, she works and goes to university but she was terrified at the thought of someone starting legal action against her. I checked it out on the internet and the spca actually can file criminal charges against the owners or the people taking care of the animals. My daughter is only 20. I only had my cel phone with me and didn't have too many numbers stored in my phonebook, unlike alot of people I don't use my cel phone that much. I guess I would have to look for another catsitter if I went away but am kind of discouraged after this last hassle.
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Post by amberwind on Aug 18, 2010 15:23:13 GMT -5
I think in the future, you need to have a contract of your own in addition to the cat sitter's, in order to have it in writing that they are aware of the conditions of your house, the conditions of your cats, what you will do for your cats before leaving the property, and what you expect them to do as part of their job duties. Have the sitter read and initial each part, then sign and date at the bottom. That way, if there are any more problems, you have your own documentation backing you up.
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Post by heretoday on Aug 18, 2010 16:06:49 GMT -5
dtesposito it was actually the fourth time she did petsitting for me, I even said that to the spca officer, that the catsitter could have said something to me before I went away rather than coming for one day and then quitting, it's not like she hadn't been here before.
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