Is it ok to leave money for a sitter?

Is it ok to leave money for a sitter?

THS sitters are not paid, but on our current sit, the hosts have left us ÂŁ100 in case of emergencies, if we run out of dog food etc. I will get receipts for anything I buy.

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Yes, just make it clear how you want it to be used and if you want receipts.

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Yes, you can give a sitter pocket money if you want. Or a gift card.

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I would think usually the important thing is to have enough petfood, poo-bags or whatever is needed for the pet.

Sometimes it can be necessary to leave an amount (for instance pets that require fresh produce, salad and such) or a small amount for emergencies.

It can be a good idea to be clear on what the amount is meant for, whether you want to be notified when sitter use it and/ or if you would like receipts or a small listing of spendings. It could be useful to know how it is spent in regard to future sits and what is needed to prepare.

@61542 sitters can’t ask for money . However hosts can chose to give the sitter a gift ( money or other ) if they want to .

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@61542 , do you mean to pay for any pet needs whilst you are away, or do you mean as a gift to your sitter.

In any case, the answer is YES! :moneybag:

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It is a great idea to leave cash for emergencies or small things that crop up (hopefully anything major can be paid for remotely by the HO directly).

Giving compensation or “tips”, while allowed if not requested by the sitter, goes against the spirit of THS in my opinion. Gifts, and gift cards to local businesses are great, though.

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We’ve been left generous gift cards to our favorite grocery store but never cash. (unless you want to leave it in case of emergency for your home or pet, as others have said)

Be clear as to why it’s being left.

If it’s for incidental pet expenses, note it as such and ask for receipts.

If it’s a gift- make sure it’s a gift (not to be turned into an incidental in case the sitter has out of pocket expenses for your pet.)

Communication is key so that there are no misunderstandings as to why money is being left and what its purpose is.

We had a home owner give us “pie money” it was so cute. We were making our way down to Key West and we had mentioned we wanted to stop at a specific spot to try fried key lime pie. Before we said goodbye, she said, “here is for your pie, we hope you enjoy it.”

It was so sweet :heart: I kinda felt like when an auntie would give me money to chase down the ice cream truck as a kid.

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I always tips my sitters. I give a small amount about $60 to $100 varies but I do it as a thank you. Sometimes I get them gift cards too

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At my recent sit they left some cash in case I needed anything. I assumed that meant for the dogs, and I didn’t need to buy anything for them, so left the cash where it was

As experienced housesitters, we neither expect nor ask for payment. But multiple Pet Parents have voluntarily provided some form of gift - monetary or otherwise - in appreciation of a positive outcome. To be fair, we have also left voluntary gifts for some Pet Parents - in appreciation of fabulous experience. Our housesits are often relatively long duration. Provided voluntary then any gift, either way, seems respectful.