WWYD?

mrs.jacinthe

This is going to sound crazy.  DH and I are planning 2 weeks home to see family at the end of May.  At the moment, airfare is approximately $350 round trip each.  We'd be spending $600 to board Dot and at least $100 to have the neighbors cat-sit 2x per day.  Plus around $160 in parking fees at the airport.

So, not counting airfare, we're looking at around $850+ for pet care and airport parking.  There's no one around here we trust to house-sit 100%, although I suppose the neighbor (she's 16) probably could ... but we don't really know her at all, just her mom.  Local pet/house sitting agencies would cost about $750, so there's no savings at ALL there.

I'm thinking it would cost less if I flew someone I knew and trust out and just lent them our car while we were gone, plus all the food they could eat.  This is, of course, providing I can find someone I trust who's not busy/working/etc.

DH thinks I'm crazy to even suggest flying out a pet/house sitter.  I think it could work.  What say you, pesties?

mainerocks

I think if it makes financial sense, it's a brilliant idea. Hopefully you can find someone to take you up on it?

AmeliaPond

My parents are flying out to take care of Pel while DH & I go on vacation in July. So, not crazy.

They're thinking of moving here and wanted to try it out, and I'm not turning down free pet sitters.

Mryan209

I think if you can find someone, it's a great idea. I'd probably also give them something on top of flying them out (either money or GC or something) but even doing that, it seems you'd be way under $850. My concern is that it might be a tough sell to get someone to go out there by themselves for two weeks if they don't know anyone or the area. I say it's still worth looking into though. 

SallySparrow

I think it's a great idea. No worries for you, vacation for someone else. 

mrs.jacinthe

SallySparrow:

I think it's a great idea. No worries for you, vacation for someone else. 

This is kinda what I'm hoping to sell it as ... I mean, we're like an hour from Lake Tahoe.  Who wouldn't want a beautiful mountain vacation on someone else's dime?  (LOL - the mountain part is a stretch for our house, but we do have a lovely view.)

LuckyAngel07

I say, if you can find someone, go for it!! It's be saving you guys a chunk and all the animals would happily remain at home with a new friend for a couple of weeks! Pet care when you don't have to go to work is definitely not a full-time thing, so whoever could come out would definitely get lots of nice relaxing downtime to do whatever he/she wanted!

kellbell1919

My brother did this for us, but he drove.  The pet sitting was his bday present to us and then we paid for his food.

Kaiene

Mryan209:

I think if you can find someone, it's a great idea. I'd probably also give them something on top of flying them out (either money or GC or something) but even doing that, it seems you'd be way under $850. My concern is that it might be a tough sell to get someone to go out there by themselves for two weeks if they don't know anyone or the area. I say it's still worth looking into though. 

Agreed.

I don't know what we'd do if we didn't have our neighbors.