Should I take money?

Question

My next door neighbor has asked me to check in on her dog once a day for the next two months (and occassionally walk him) while she is at work. A couple times I have gone away for the weekend and she has fed my cat. She has offered to pay me $40 a week for this. She didn't charge me when she looked after my cat and I am not sure if I should be doing this for free or accepting the money. I know 2 months is longer then 2-3 days but should I charge someone for just popping in to see how the dog is? A few times I have had to rearrange my schedule to make sure I am home around the time I need to check on him, but even so I am not sure what the right thing to do is. Advise is appreciated

Answer 1

Hello,
A lot depends on your relationship with your neighbor.
Assuming you are fairly close friends, I would not accept
40.00/week and might even offer to do it free, again
depending upon how close your friendship is....but for
two months, it would have to be close!

I don't believe I would accept 40.00/week from your neighbor
who is going to help you out from time to time. I would
get her down to much less. But, unless you are very close,
I would not do it for free....and I don't think she expects you
to. You are not charging anything, she is offering to pay.

I would simply tell her you will do it but not for 40/wk...then what you will do it for, 10/wk or 40 for the entire two months.
She will feel good about it and all will be well.

Answer 2

If this is a good neighbor and you mutually benefit from favors and have offered to take care of pets in the neighbors absence, I don't think that money should cross hands.

If on the other hand, the neighbor asked you to perform a service, for which a fee was pre-negotiated, then there is nothing wrong with taking the money. Responsibility for a dog requires daily visits, and time. Two months is a really long time to be responsible for another persons pet.
Besides a boarding the dog in a kennel would be a lot more expensive.
Make sure that if you do take care of the dog, you really are assuming responsibility for its well being and comfort.

Answer 3

2 months is a lot longer than 2-3 days, and since she has made the offer to compensate you for your time and trouble, take the money. But, also remember, the next time she watches out for your cat, to compensate her also. Dogs require a lot more attention than cats and since it will be a regular favor/job for a while, make sure you let her know that you will do the same.
Feeding your cat for a couple of days is not the same as walking or looking after someone's dog daily for 2 months.

Answer 4

Take the the money... after two months I would think you will start to feel used unless you are getting paid. She will also feel better.. she won't feel as if she's taking advantage of you. Also she has said this would last two months ... sometimes things happen and that may get extended. Her paying will keep her more to her time frame.

Also the summer is coming and this "job" will be during the prime spring time weather... I am sure during that 2 months you will have to miss things to care for that dog...
If your really bothered about the money perhaps take it but donate half to a local pet rescue...since you seem like a animal lover. Good luck

Answer 5

If you don't want to take the money, don't. There are ways in which you can graciously decline the offer of monetary compensation for the service that you will be providing. However, if your neighbor is insisting on giving you some type of monetary compensation, negotiate a much lower rate that makes you comfortable. If you are still apprehensive about accepting the money from your neighbor, donate whatever she gives you to a local shelter. Make certain that your neighbor knows you have no intention of keeping the money and will be donating it. Perhaps this will encourage her to make the donations on her own and not pressure you into taking it from her.

Answer 6

I agree with several other replies, which stated it depends a lot upon your level of friendship with the neighbor. Also, it is important to think about the future possibilities as well. Will she be leaving for an extended time again soon? Will you be away on a long Spring break yourself?

If you are uncomfortable with taking the money, tell her that "knowing you can count on her for your much-loved pet's care is more valuable than money" to you.

Another option, is you can decline the money and suggest she spring for a nice lunch for you both. Its a good way to spend quality time your friend / neighbor, while making her feel easy about the situation.

Answer 7

If you need to check on the dog each day, and walk him EACH day, consistently for the 2 month period, I would say
that you should take the money. You are right that 2 months is different that her feeding your cat over a weekend, and Cats & Dogs are very different. If you are feeling uneasy accepting the money....perhaps you would feel more comfortable if you offered to do it for LESS money?! Just an
idea....as a jesture of appreciation and reciprocation!

Answer 8

Some people feel offended if you do not accept what they would offer to you. You are providing a valued service to your neighbor. If you are asking this question, it seems to me that you might feel a little guilty about accepting payment. If you do not want to accept the payment, but feel she might be offended by the refusal, why not donate the offered payment to a local animal shelter yourself or ask that she do so in both of your names?

Answer 9

If it's every day like that then thank her and take the money... That's an extra responsibility for you and she will probably feel terribly guilty not to be giving you something for doing that for her... If you don't feel right about it then tell her that $40 is too much.

Answer 10

I would not charge her nor would I hold her to paying you. If she gives you the money buy a toy and some food for her dog.