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Post by flee on May 18, 2015 17:58:14 GMT
Having come to the conclusion that the most complicated and expensive part of going on holiday is organising care for the animals left at home , I am giving serious consideration to getting someone to live in for a week or two . My daughter has often done this for us in the past but is now in a much more demanding position at work and I don't want to add to the pressure . Does anyone else use animal sitters - we have dogs , chickens and ponies (the ponies would be out 24/7 ) ? Was even considering a horsey student looking for a summer job but am a bit wary of having someone I don't know living in my house and in charge of my menagerie And feel it's far too much responsibility for my willing but not very horse savvy farmer neighbours . What does everyone else do if you don't have family to do it for you ?
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Post by comanchediva on May 18, 2015 19:45:28 GMT
We used a house/pet sitting company a couple of years ago just for the house and the dogs and had a terrible experience. You need to meet and vet the people very closely if you decide to go with that kind of company. Somehow people say they're up to the task but when it comes down to it they haven't a clue.
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Post by chalky284 on May 18, 2015 20:28:52 GMT
Have you thought about using mobile livery?? They often will care for other animals too, it may work out cheaper especially if your neighbours are willing to look after your property security wise??
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Post by 5874julie on May 18, 2015 22:45:12 GMT
we have used a couple of people locally who have been absolutely fine, but always somebody we have a connection with. round here people put small ads up in the local tack shops offering their services and because the horse world is quite small, you generally know friends of friends etc and can check them out.
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Post by ponymum on May 19, 2015 8:19:59 GMT
There is some company that does dog sitting at there own homes , sorry I dont know the name! maybe contact them and see if you could find someone close to you to come and live in?
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on May 19, 2015 8:21:05 GMT
Animal Aunts?
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smalley
Full Member
Horses lend us the wings we lack
Posts: 419
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Post by smalley on May 19, 2015 8:50:14 GMT
We had someone come and live in to look after our horses when we had a very rare week away, we left very clear instructions, had a friend pop in and check everything was ok and my instructor came about 4 times to ride them and she also checked everything was fine.
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Post by comanchediva on May 19, 2015 11:35:20 GMT
It was Animal Angels that we used. I'm not saying everyone will have the same experience but I would never use them again.
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Post by gilbertgrape on May 19, 2015 11:36:23 GMT
Mine live out. I have a local friend or horse sitter who checks them daily. sadly my last wonderful lady has gone to live in France so was stuck this year. Found someone now They must be reliable not clueless. Some are selfish and just don't do the job if they fancy going off on holiday themselves.Unbelievable!Only found out because she wrote about her hols in Cornwall on Face book. I find one of the things helpers fail to understand is the principles of electric fencing! often come back and the whole run has collapsed or earthed out because the fencing is touching a hedge. yes there are folk about but the truly good ones are rare and to be treasured. It is a trust issue. I agree pet care costs more than the holiday.
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sarahp
Happy to help
Posts: 9,510
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Post by sarahp on May 19, 2015 11:41:47 GMT
I gave Animal Aunts name in answer to ponymum's enquiry, not to your bad experience comanchediva. We used Animal Aunts before we built up our little list of private house-sitters and they were always very good. We started using house-sitters in the first place as they were cheaper than putting three dogs in kennels, and covered ponies and house security as well.
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Post by belfa on May 19, 2015 12:01:53 GMT
I have been thinking about this too and think I will put an advert up looking for a freelance groom type person i.e. someone that might work at a local livery yard or pass by daily who would be up for an extra bit of cash. I guess you run the risk of them not turning up but as others have said, I'd only consider someone who I had links to locally and could get a reference for as, if they did a good job, I would potentially use their services for days I'm too busy to do the horses myself or if I was unwell etc. and needed a few days off.
I once used a pet sitter for my dogs rather than put them in kennels as my parents were away at the same time as us and they usually take them. I have no idea what happened but one of my dogs was totally traumatized for a couple of weeks after we got back and I had to take him everywhere with me during that time.
Do you have facebook? Might be an idea to put a post in your local horse advertising group on there and then you can check out the profiles of whoever replies. Or, even better, get a friend to post on behalf of you so that no one knows who it is looking.
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Post by roseview on May 19, 2015 12:12:05 GMT
Have a look at Trusted House Sitters. I've signed up to it and am thinking of giving them a go.
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Post by inkjet on May 19, 2015 22:01:31 GMT
The trusted house sitter site is very good. I know someone who used Zena Jackson who was excellent but not sure where you are or how far she travels
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Post by poppyanderson on May 22, 2015 20:55:56 GMT
A friend of mine uses Zena! She's based in cheshire.
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Post by flee on May 23, 2015 20:58:56 GMT
Well the good news is that our daughter has just asked us if we're thinking of going away for a week . When I said that I hadn't wanted to burden her with extra work she sounded quite affronted and said that our grand kids would be devastated if they didn't get their weeks holiday in the country ! Must say I hadn't thought of it like that ! However , we have had some really useful suggestions and offers of help ( thank you all !) which means that , in addition to our annual child centered summer holiday , me and Mr F might finally get that longed for child free break at long last .
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