We are leaving in a couple of weeks to visit my sister and I will be asking my neighbor (and her daughter) to come and feed/water/pet the cats. I will have a back-up schedules too.

Last time they did this for me I gave their daughter $10/visit. She doesn't come over herself as she is only in 4th grade and I'm sure her mother assisted!!

So I was thinking I should really compensate both.

So I was thinking perhaps a build-a-bear gift cert but I'm not sure of what for her mom. She isn't a person that would do spa type things.

So perhaps a gift card for both for the mall so they could choose whatever store they wanted???

What does everyone usually do??

The girl that takes care of my cats is 21 she's been taking care of them since she was 13, I pay her $15 a day. She is like our daughter and she hangs here with them sometimes sleeps over with them too:nod:

When I pet sat for my neighbours at Thanksgiving and Christmas, they brought me back a lovely candle and liquid hand soap in a Cranberry smell (Christmas) and a lovely box of chocolate truffles (Thanksgiving).

Well, whatever you decide to do, you could also add in a thank you card from the cats! :lol3: That'll be cute.

I always bring my bf Pam something back when she's looked after my 3.

I usually get her a box of shortbread biscuits or they sell boxes of fudge with "Thanks for looking after my cats" on the front :D

I give gift cards to local stores that I know my catsitters frequent. I usually bring back a "token" if my travels have taken me somewhere interesting.

When I catsit for my neighbor, the cat breeder, I usually get gift cards or a nice fat check.

Cally

speaking as a petsitter myself, I not only appreciate a little extra in the check department, but I have always enjoyed the little things that people bring back from their travels. I have also been known to ask people to find the the coolest cat themed thing that they could find from wherever they went-it is cool to see the different things people come up with, from cheap mugs and t-shirts to some pretty cool sculptures, art work and jewelry. Just a thought.

When I used to have friends petsit or exchanged petsitting with friends (we watched each others' pets when one of us was away), I usually brought them back a nice souvenir, and if I petsat for them they did the same.

However when I was a kid and I used to petsit for neighbors they would usually pay me something-per-day.