I don't think it has to be a confrontation. I think you just have to say "I'm sorry, but I am really not comfortable being entrusted with your beloved pet's well-being". No explanations, no excuses. If they push, then you can say "I am not an animal person, I don't want the responsibility, and I don't want something to happen to your pet while you're gone". I guess if they continue to push then you do have to say "no, you are taking advantage of me". But if they are reasonable people, the first one should do it.

Personally, I would be extremely uncomfortable leaving MY pets in the care of someone who isn't thrilled about it. When I have housesitters (which is a lot), I want ones that are doing it because they love the dogs and want to spend a lot of time with them, like being at our house, and of course, are responsible. I don't want someone who just "checks" on them because they think they have to.

If you want to be helpful, you could look up housesitting services in your area and give them a list of phone numbers.

Good luck!

Could you suggest another person who could help them?

Our neighbors sometimes ask my older kids (11 and 13) to watch their pets when they are away. The kids like animals and are happy for a chance to earn a little mad money. Are there any teenagers in your neighborhood who might be in the same situation?

When I needed someone to let my dog out while I was at work, I looked online. I was surprised at how many pet sitting services there are, many of whom have years of experience and offer references. I found someone who lives a mile from me, and who happened to be the mother of an acquaintance - retired but looking for occasional part-time work. I feel better about asking her than a neighbor, because I think she is more motivated to take good care of my dog than someome who is just doing it as a favor.

Of course, they would rather have you (right next door and free!), but maybe suggesting an alternative solution would be easier for you than just saying no.

prairie love and freeze tag, thanks for your suggestions.

I do want to clear one thing up - even though we have no pets of our own, I have always loved animals. We grew up with both cats and dogs. For various reasons, we've never had any of our own.

I agree with you, though. If they were my pets, I would not want just anyone to be responsible for their care. And I do think the "free" part and convenience of me living nearby has a lot to do with it. The neighbors with the old, old cat went away for two weeks and said not to worry too much in watching after him; they just didn't want him to die while they were gone and come home to a stinky house?!

I'll just deal with it when and if I'm asked again - thanks again for your input.

I don't think saying NO, is a bad thing. You should be able to say it politely, without causing bad feelings.

If they ask if you will watch their pets, you say "Oh, I'm sorry, I can't." If they ask why, just say: "We'll be busy and won't have the time." and if you can offer them a suggestion, a name of a local pet sitter or kennel, it will sound like you do care, you just don't have time....

That's terrible! I hate when people think it's okay to take advantage of other people.

I also would just tell them politely that you are unable to, and offer up a suggestion of a sitter or kennel. They don't need to know anymore than that.

OR, you could send out a nice letter announcing that you have 'found your calling in life' and will be starting a pet sitting business, to the tune of some unreasonable amount of money, and that should take care of that!!

Only joking, but, on the other, if you did that and it didn't deter them, you could make some good cash!

Find some sitters, then start a business as an agent, getting a cut of the fee :-)

Somewhere along the line, your neighbors are not getting the message. You need to say something that is going to bring the point home, without sounding rude and/or confrontational.

I would say:

"I am really not comfortable looking after other people's pets. I've stated this to other people who have on occasion asked me to pet sit".

If neighbor still does not get the message, just state that you will not change your mind and would appreciate their seeing your side of things. You might also suggest that they could find a sitter through their vet.

You could also come up with a very severe allergy.

SG

Humm ...

First off, I would never do that to my neighbors.

Secondly, I would say exactly what prairie_love said.

Thirdly, they shouldn't have pets.

I think people like your neighbors, who take advantage of others they hardly know, aren't going to accept any excuse you give. They'll look for any loophole in your excuse to convince you to change your mind.

I'd do as joepyeweed and keep the answer short and simple, then hand them a list of local sitters.

Thanks, everyone, for your suggestions......glad to know that I'm not alone in how I was feeling about the situation. Last week, when one of them hinted at needing my assistance toward the end of this month, my elderly mother was with me, visiting. She was appalled at how brazen they were in asking. Of all times, during the holidays. That's when I told the neighbor that we were going to be in and out of town, really busy. Hopefully, she got the hint. When she was asking, she was going on and on how good I was with animals (yea, right) and asked why didn't we have any, was it because my husband didn't like them, etc. What is it with these people?

todancewithwolves, I totally agree with you, especially that people shouldn't have pets if they can't be responsible for them.

Happy holidays, everyone.

I'll let you know how it turns out, when I am approached again.

I am stunned by the nerve of these people! It's outrageous to even ask in the manner that they have! They haven't even really asked, they've assumed. Sheesh.

I would go with "Oh, I'm sorry I can't do that anymore." (since you have apparently already done it.), but I would not offer any reasons. These ignorant users will take any reason you give and explain to you why that reason isn't valid. Just repeat "I'm sorry I can't do that anymore."

I have a DEAR neighbor who lets my dogs out every day. He is retired, loves dogs, but doesn't want/can't have his own anymore for personal reasons. He absolutely refuses any form of payment, which makes me feel incredibly guilty! So I cook for him and his wife, who is disabled. I still feel guilty, but they like my cooking, so it's working :)

I own a pet sitting company and get a lot of clients who run out of friends/family and neighbors to take care of their animals. While I am not free, I am insured and bonded and give a detailed schedule of times I or my staff will visit in email schedule format. I also send pics and videos of the animals when people are out of town. I realize in a tough economy free can be viewed as a necessary evil, but many times after utilzing my services people who really love their pets want a trusted professional service/person and not somebody who stops by if and when they remember on their own schedule. Google pet sitters in your area and when somebody asks you hand them the list!

Duane

I have plenty of neighbors, many with dogs, but I have never asked any of them to take care of my dog. I've always paid someone to do it. I'm currently using a professional (franchised) service I'm very happy with.

On the flip side, I don't babysit any of their dogs either. I tried once, but the neighbor I helped kept her dogs in tiny carriers during the day - and I was instructed to let them out, walk them, feed them, then put them back in their kennels. I felt so bad doing so that I told myself I couldn't do that again. (I know it's off-topic).

Anyway, just say no to people who ask a "favor" you don't wish to do. No explanations are necessary.

Hi Gina, I hope you are using Fetch! Pet Care! I own a franchise in the Detroit suburbs.

How's the ping pong going?

Duane

Yes it's Fetch! Hi Duane. I used to use a son of co-worker, but he's off at college now. I found Fetch! on the web. They sent me an angel - she lives nearby, Odo LOVES her. When we return from being away now, Odo is calm, relaxed and goes to the door wondering where she is!

Gina, great testimonial! I am so glad you are using Fetch! and I don't want to hijack this thread and turn it into a commercial. But happy to hear you like Fetch and found someone great to help out with Odo!

Duane

You've got some great suggestions here. I am like you, not confrontational, and would hate to get into this with them. However, be brave and take a deep breath, once you start talking, you'll be fine.

socks, thanks, and you're right - lots of good support and advice here. Now that I am prepared for them, I haven't heard a peek out of either of the neighbors since I started this thread!

Maybe one of them is reading it :)

wouldn't even bother with it. By giving in, your supporting their stupid stupidness.

Hello, again. Just thought I'd give you an update on my situation with the neighbors.

I had literally just gotten home from taking family members to the airport, after a week's stay with us. We all spent the weekend a few hours away with my mom and the rest of my siblings and got in late last night. Then found out last night that my quadraplegic nephew (whose mother, my oldest sister, just passed away in November) has developed infections from surgery on his spine, and had to be moved to a long-term care facility to recuperate. So,needless to say, I am exhausted, I need to do laundry and put my house in order, am very much on edge because of my nephew's situation, and preparing to hopefully spend a quiet Christmas with my husband.

I was on the phone with one of my sisters when the doorbell rang. It was the neighbor who has the kitten, the same person whom I told several weeks ago that I was going to be very busy during the holidays, with company, in and out of town, etc. I answered the door, she saw that I was on the phone, and still insisted that I come to her house. I said I'm on the phone long distance, is there an emergency? She proceeded to tell me that they were going out of town, and it wasn't a big deal, but if the weather got cold, would I put the kitten in the garage! I asked how long where they going to be gone, and she said a week! A WEEK!

So, with my sister still on the phone, I calmly yet firmly told her I just couldn't do it anymore, that I was not comfortable doing it, and that it wasn't fair to the other neighbors, who I had also refused to sit their pets (that was a little lie, because they had not asked me, but I'm sure, they will attempt to, in time.) She looked hurt and shocked that I would say no, and said well, I guess I could ask someone else to do it. I said that would be a good idea.

Who leaves their pet outside for a week in the wintertime (or anytime for that matter?)

I really thought she got the message when I told her a few weeks ago how busy I was, but some people just take more work, I guess.

The ironic thing is her religion does not believe in or celebrate holidays, including Christmas, yet I'm supposed to interrupt my time with my family to take care of her business. Nope, won't be happening.

To those of you who celebrate, Merry Christmas!

Good for you Wodka!!

I hope your nephew is holding out okay - and I hope you have a fantastic, pet-sitting free, Christmas!

munkos, thank you so much, and same to you - have a very Merry Christmas!

If I were you, I would have now said yes, reported it to animal welfare and given kitten away to a better home..

its sad people do stuff like this. Report this to the ASPCA or other animal welfare in your area.

Update: When our last shift of holiday company was visiting us for New Year's, we sat out one night by the fireplace, when out of nowhere, the neighbor's kitten appeared, and wanted to join the party! They had already been out of town for 10 days (I saw someone come by just one or two occasions during that entire time to check on the poor cat.) I'm sure she thought she had been abandoned, she looked so confused. So I let her visit a few minutes, then made her follow me back to her house. I let her in the gate, steered her toward her food and water, and she seemed content. I walked back home, and thought everything was settled, and then she reappeared! I didn't feed her, but we let her stay. She got downright cozy by the fireplace, listening to us talk and caught a few zzz's. When we went in for the night, I cut all of the outdoor lights out and hoped she went home. The next morning she met my husband at the back door!

When the neighors finally got home, I ran into them and told them how the cat visited us, and they just laughed and thought it was funny! Not concerned at all that someone might steal her, or that she might get hit by a car, or she might run off, or get too cold in the outside air. (Yes, they left her outside the entire time.)

On another forum, I just read how someone was very upset that a family member didn't take proper care of their cat. This is exactly why I won't be taking care of anyone's pets ever. I know my limitations - I am not an expert in pet care and don't claim to be. A favor can turn into a nightmare, for all concerned - the pet owner, the one left in charge, and most importantly, the poor pet!

tell teh neighbor to install a pet door so the animal can get in/otu the garage as desired. or that they should board it when gone. before my grandmother died she would take care of the dogs at my house and at my mom's house if we went on vacation. since then, we simply board them all instead of depending on someone else to take care of them.