Dog-Sitter Does ‘Insane Amount’ Of Laundry At Client’s Home Without Realizing The Owner Gets Notified Each Time It’s Done
A confused dog owner turned to the r/Dogs community on Reddit for advice after they realized something was not quite right with the behavior of their dog sitter.
“In both the word doc I left for her and in the walkthrough of my house we never discussed my washer/dryer which are in my garage so I don’t think she even saw them. She never asked about doing laundry at my place either,” the author Krirhu explained.
However, when Krirhu was on holiday, they started receiving notifications of finished laundry loads. And not just one or two. “I know that in the 3 days she has been in my home she has done 9 loads of laundry, almost all on the ‘bedding’ setting which is water and heat intensive,” Krirhu wrote.
Understandably, this left the author utterly bewildered and wondering whether this is acceptable behavior and if not, how they could address it. But when Krirhu got back home, more bizarre discoveries were made.
A conflicted owner wonders if it’s acceptable for their pet sitter to do an “insane amount of laundry” without asking while they’re away on holiday
Image credits:No Revisions (not the actual photo)
Image credits: RODNAE Productions (not the actual photo)
The last update from the pet owner indicated that there were more unpleasant discoveries they made after getting back home
Image credits: Krirhu
More people chimed in to share their thoughts on this situation
The author thanked people for their advice and added some more information about the whole situation
On the surface it does sound a bit petty but reading through it, I get ops point. I have a family of four and even when the kids were small, didn't often need to do 3 loads a day. For a dog sitter to do so at a clients home isn't what I would consider to be reasonable.
Agreed. I mean a load or 2 would be fine but 9 in 3 days? No that's too much. Also the sitter should have at least asked beforehand.
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Fire her. She damaged your home, took advantage of your appliances, and left the back door open, fercryinoutloud! How is this rocket science? Report this to the agency you use, and NEVER permit her anywhere near your house again. ................................... Also, change your locks NOW. She's already proven that she can't be trusted.
It could well be that she's moonlighting as a maid and therefore is doing other peoples' laundry at your house for pay. I had a scenario like that once and had to confront the woman that I was not someone else's laundromat (third party employer's laundromat)
It doesn't matter. The OP hired her to take care of the pets, NOT damage the house, use her machines, and leave the back door open so anyone could just wander in and clean her out.
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I presently work for Rover. You paid for a service. She drove your car which is BS, left your backdoor UNLOCKED, BS. Left garage door open so pets could go in also BS. If a client tells me it's ok to use washer then I will or I can act like an adult and ask if it's ok. What if the next person she sits for she does cause a fire from the lint trap on the dryer? Or crashes their car? She's ungrateful and doesn't deserve a job like this. And she's not answering your calls or texts because she knows what she did was wrong. Let Rover know all of what she did. Not petty whatsoever
Why do so many people seem to not know how incredibly important it is to clean the lint trap? It only takes a few minutes to clean. How do they not know how much of a fire risk it is? Also, clean your dryer vents out regularly too! And the outside vent flap thingy. This is your home people! Do you have a secret death wish? Clean your dryer lint screen and vent!
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I wouldn’t care about the laundry but the food in the recycling bin & giving the car a flat [using my car without permission in general] would convince me not to hire again.
Driving my car without permission would be it for me. She wouldn't be coming back and she wouldn't get a good review.
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As an In-home pet sitter myself, THIS IS ENTIRELY OUT OF LINE!!!! I don't use the washer/dryer or even the dishwasher without permission! (That last one is mainly due to some not having one or having a counter unit that gets hooked up to the sink-some people don't like me doing that myself) I don't check mail unless asked to, I don't eat their food without permission, AND I SURE AS HELL DONT TAKE THEIR CAR unless given permission for an emergency with their animal. IMHO- LEAVE THE REVIEW! LEAVE A SCATHING REVIEW!!! STATE EVERYTHING THEY DID! I do what I can to leave the place as good as or better than they left it! What you had wasn't a sitter... It was an entitled person!!!
You added she used your car? That was definitely crossing boundaries and SHOULD be reported to ROVER
Agree. That's theft. If she had had an accident, insurance would not have paid out as it was used without permission.
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2-3 loads, no problem. 9 loads on high volume, problem. Using my car=extreme problem and I wouldn't care if it was filled back up first. That's an entire insurance risk nightmare. To be fair, these things should absolutely be covered before you leave. I used to watch houses over summertime, including the pets and it was great, but yeah it was expected that I clean up everything and not blow $100 in water and electricity. Live and learn, I guess.
Not to mention leaving a door unlocked. So her friends can come and go as they please? That's the breach, leaving the property unsecured.
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It's a bit hard for me to be objective because I was in a similar position to the petsitter – at one point I was in a very tough financial position and my washer broke and I could not afford to replace it and I had been doing laundry by hand for MONTHS. My best friend asked me to look after their house and pets for a week and I asked her if I could use her washer. I even said that i had bedding to wash and offered to pay her back for the water. So I get being in a difficult position and i also get being embarrassed to ask. But the fact of the matter is it was my best friend and I did ask permission, and this petsitter did a lot of laundry. Tbh though I'd be more worried about the garbage and doors than about the laundry.
This is an insightful comment. A pet sitter most likely isn't in a strong financial position and the most important thing is that the pets are treated well. I would ask that the lint be cleaned, better recycling sorting, and the doors be checked, etc ... but otherwise not worry about. A little bit of charity and kindness to make a huge difference to someone struggling financially. The only concern I have is using the car, which I think crosses the line, at least for me, because of liability issues.
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WTF is this "Europe" comment? In which European country that seems like basic hospitality??!?!?
None that I know of. But I really only know Scandinavia, to be frank, and the difference between different countries in Europe is enormous.
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I'll bet this lady is a real hustler. While you were paying her to watch your dog, she was probably using your appliances to do laundry for other people at charge.
I get that the laundry is excessive and she should have asked, but I'm even more appalled at the fact that she has been driving her car. Am I the only one that this would be a bigger deal to?
What would have me very angry about the laundry, is not emptying the lint trap, that’s dangerous and that’s reckless, and very immature, and using your vehicle, that is an absolute no-no, and to come home and find your home unlocked and your cat being able to get out into the garage I have two cats they are not allowed outside nor are they allowed in my garage, yeah I would leave her a very very bad review on rover, she doesn’t deserve to be a pet sitter she takes advantage of her clients!
I had a terrible experience w Rover. When I reported the incident I was told they DO NOT vet their caregivers so it’s a gamble. I would not use them again and look Locally which I did and found a wonderful young man who actually wants to work for money. He’s actually better w my dogs than I am! Report her so no one else goes thru this.
If it was just the laundry, I'd say not a big deal, just a little odd, and not hire that person again. However, given everything else in her update upon her return, it sounds like this person is really taking advantage of her client's home(s). I'd be curious how she was so highly reviewed if she behaves like this at others houses. I'd definitely report her on the app, and probably change my locks. Glad the pets were okay!
As one comment mentioned, I bet she is doing laundry for other people as a source of income. In your dog sitters mind it is "the perfect crime" because she is making money on your machines and thinks you have no clue. Just my thoughts. (That's a lot of laundry for one person)
I'm a dog sitter. This is theft. No way would I take advantage of my clients like that.
I've heard horrible things about Rover, they have a very basic background check for their employees. i signed up personally to check it out. The questionnaire is about 10 questions and congratulations you are now a Rover Walker/sitter. I would be pissed off if someone did that in my house, she was obviously doing all her friends laundry, also and not just that but using the careetc without permission is ridiculous. She's a thief imo. My house is my sanctuary I get touchy about it. I wouldn't write her a bad review or get her fired, but I wouldn't use her again. I only use personal friends as dog sitters and I pay them better than I would a boarding place.
I suspect she was running a side gig of doing laundry for profit. The only thing I would do in the future is tell your sitter that you do not allow any other business to be run from your home without express permission and you don’t need to offer any excuses. Let’s say your sitter sells Tupperware and they need to make some calls or dash off an order. That’s harmless enough but if the sitter bakes wedding cakes and would need your oven that’s something entirely different. So no running a doggy daycare in your garage while you’re gone. No distributing drugs. No quite a lot of other things, right? It’s a shame you have to spell it out for them. Make sure you’re insured well.
Better yet, use a boarding kennel. Ask neighbors to keep an eye out for weird stuff going on. Put lamps on timers, have mail held and, used to, have the newspaper held when you're gone.
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I find it super weird that more people aren't weirded out by this. They used her car without asking. Like how are people so calm? There's also no justifying doing any laundry without permission, let alone 14 loads. Petsitting does not entitle someone free run if the home. Especially a stranger's home.
Should have reported her. I feel like a lot of people ignored the fact that the 9 loads were done on chunky/max setting Wich means she PACKED those machines. She should have asked and should have picked up after herself when she left. That doesn't just speak for the quality of the pet care that was probably provided, that also speaks for what her job means to her..
To the English person that thought this was fine and this was normal back home...no its not most off us Brits were brought up to use manners and ASK 1st it is rude to not..the sitter isn't answering calls that is wrong also wrong .As fir the car nice of ya ta fill it but did you have permission to drive it? I would NOT be using sitter again ,totally agree to change locks on doors too ...check everything when you get home
Using the vehicle without permission is unacceptable. For most people, even those not particularly fond of their cars, it’s the top 2-5 most expensive thing they own, and often vital to their daily lives. People know this, so to do that is completely unacceptable and just by itself grounds for a bad review and never bringing them back.
I think you are right to be concerned. It isn't a matter of plumbing or money, it's a matter of basic trustworthy behavior. And lack of communication on her part. I'm biased maybe because I've just been through an unpleasant dog sitting experience with someone who I have used before and thought I could trust. So I sympathize and hope your dear pups are well and happy.
I am a pet sitter and while I will clean up after myself it is never good to do anything personal in a client's home without permission. Not only that, but when a client reaches out to discuss anything you want to respond and fix the situation. This is their home and you are a guest, not only that but if you do something upsetting to a client it directly affects your livelihood. The pet sitter is in the wrong here, she should have discussed doing laundry prior amd then only done a minimal amount of personal laundry. Always leave your client's house in better condition than when you arrive.
Utter bs that the pet sitter pulled this nonsense and TOTAL bs that the answers here are so waffling. Smh. Call Rover, call the pet sitter, and threaten to sue. Seriously.
Did anyone read where she said when she got home her doors were left open she had trash in her recyclable bin that she had to clean out and all the other things that this person did I would absolutely report her.... The laundry enough would be to report her do you know how much water and electric cost for somebody to be doing that many loads of laundry I don't even need to do that much laundry in a month for a family of three!!!
He is waay too nice… also not picking up the phone when the owner calls is just plain rude. I would report her and leave a bad review; she is going to do the same with other people and thats just not right.
As someone who pet-sitted/ house sat for someone, and did so respectfully, that I ultimately ended renting her house, (a few years later, when she got engaged and wasn't ready to sell), this sounds soooo strange. I never pulled any shenanigans. I cared for her pups as if they were my own and her house the same. Which is probably why she offered me the house rental deal of a lifetime. (And, I have since done the same.) I HOPE the sitter wasn't taking advantage of the situation. Because I get the feeling from the OP that if the sitter had ASKED "Would you mind if..." they would have! AND would have given permission with requests for consideration of the older plumbing vs the new appliances, with their blessing.
The only part that bothers me about this pet sitter is the fact that she left the back door unlocked and left the garage door open with the chemicals in there. I would be a little bothered about the laundry issue and would have told her that things like that need to be discussed beforehand. If she had asked the woman if she can do her laundry, I'm sure it wouldn't have been a big deal, even with 9 loads. But the open doors really bother me. I would report that to the agency because that's terribly careless and a potential hazard to the animals.
Her using the car without permission doesn't bother you?
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Not acceptable at all! I would ask her why she did so many loads and why she was distracted to leave the door open! You would be doing a great favor for her next client, hopefully she would realize that she’s being watched when in a client’s house! Any client! Everyone is hooked up electronically!
I don't get it, if you haven't discussed this she shouldn't do as she pleases with your stuff, period.
That is gross!!! I would report her and never use her again. I would not trust her with my most precious animals. I used to be a dog sitter-not sleep over though. I hope you have cameras recording her. What if she has before bugs? Sorry, my washing machine is for my clothes only!
The "are you American" comment is so smug and obnoxious ..... "yeah uhm....we are just much nicer and more civilized and reasonable in the U.K and Europe in general. You REALLY overreacted when that woman stole your car with zero permission to use the house vehicles... AND caused an issue that could have killed the cat had they gotten into the chemicals thanks to you" Attention condescending losers from Europe.....you're not better than anyone. And people from the UK? Ya know that gun free utopia where you are always calling Americans "uncivilized" and "barbaric"... hey..... what's that "EPEDEMIC" you are currently going through? (Your governments words... not mine) .... oh YEAH.....now I remember. You've declared a NATIONAL EMERGENCY..... for a "KNIFE CRIME EPEDEMIC"........ so you ultra civilized much better people gave in all your guns.... wow. How noble. Hey what did you do next? Ohhh.... oh. You...you started brutally stabbing your mates and watching the life slowly leave their eyes?
You are repeating yourself. As an American I'm embarrassed by people like you . You're defensive about being American, use all caps & spell epidemic wrong while cradling your precious gun with your soft little hands.
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The view from a former petsitter who also did overnights. In some houses I did have access to laundry. But this was explicitly discussed with the owners before hand. On a week of petsitting I would one max two uses of the laundry machine, I tried to avoid the dryer but I used once in a while , mostly during the winter. I understand that sometime you use them, but you also need a sense of respect for somebody else's home, so they can build trust with you. Best solution is to discuss everything you can think of in advance. Better too much than two little.
I would definitely report her. She did a lot more than her own laundry. She used her car, left doors open or unlocked! WTF? Nope.
I have now read the whole article and do not understand why OP didn't mention the washer and dryer in their tour of the home with the pet sitter or in the Word document they left for the pet sitter. What about towels the sitter would need to use when showering/bathing or if the dog or cat threw up or needed to be dried off after a walk in the rain (some dog owners don't have doggy raincoats or they do and the dog hates them)? Or if the toilet backed up (this happened to me back in May of 2018, it was a whole sh*t show [no pun intended, nor was it literally sh*t, thank goodness!] I got a very big tip from the client in addition to my regular fee)? I have all that information on my form, because I don't want to assume everyone would be chill with it. I has been on my form since 10 years ago, so most of the duration of my 11 year "career" as a pet sitter (I don't consider it a career, just a job. An awesome job! But just a job. I love being my own boss!). As I said (I think I said this), I am VERY thorough! My personal ethics and integrity prevent me from being anything else.
I have not read the whole article (but will go back and do so after I comment this) but wanted to come to the comments and say that not all pet sitters (I hope) do this! I am a pet sitter of 11 years and I do laundry at my cilents homes as well as any linens I used while staying there (hand towels, bath towels, sheets, normal stuff). Depending on how long the client is away, 2-3 loads maximum. I do not bring extra clothes from home to the clients house to wash just because I wouldn't have to pay for it (I'm renting and have to put money in the washer or dryer in my building). That is incredibly unethical and bizarre! I am not affiliated with any pet sitting organizations in my home province of British Columbia, Canada, I am self employed and even if I was affiliated with an organization, I could not ever do that because I have decent integrity and personal ethics. I have spoken to a few clients about doing laundry while l am at their home and they are totally chill with it. I am trustworthy (not bragging, stating a fact) and they know that.
I ran out of space and have more to say. I felt the need to comment and say again that not all pet sitters are like this. I am annoyed that this a-hole woman did this. It gives decent pet sitters a bad name. Wow! Not a good wow either. When I do laundry at a pet sit (and in my apartment building) I always (unless I wasn't paying attention and didn't select it) wash my clothes on cold water. As far as I know, none of my clients have such high tech washers or dryers that notify the homeowner when someone is using the machine. I have a form I have made that I send the clients (by email) that they can fill out with instructions for their pet/s and home, which includes info on the washer and dryer (if they aren't complicated - I'm pretty tech savvy, but some super modern machines confuse me) and I also get a tour of the clients home when it is the first time I am sitting for them, where they show me the hot water shut off and anything quirky about the house or pets.
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9 Loads of laundry! WTH? I would have to wash the bedding on both beds, and every face, hand, bath, and dish towel we own, and every article of clothing we own (we are just two people with 3 pets) TWICE to maybe get to 9 loads of laundry! I would absolutely report that person to Rover and also leave a review stating everything wrong she did. There is no way just 1 person needs to do 9 loads of laundry in a week.
You posted your issue, went through all these comments, blew off every suggestion including anon's whose suggestion was straight to the point yet VERY diplomatic, but you blew it off, by replying that you're not the passive-aggressive type; then posted a final statement of how you would handle the situation which is basically very passive-aggressive and won't get to the point of finding out why she did 9 loads and of what. You're basically going to beat around the bush, make up a plumbing issue, suggest 3-4 loads and still not get the answers you want. That is passive-aggressive. You are an adult. You paid an 'employee'. Ask the question you want the answer to, like anon suggested. Period.
Wow, you need to compute the cost per load, write it down on a PostIt, then eat the paper. You are unbelievably petty, along with all the others who chimed in. Apparently, you were under the impression you were hiring a slave?
I'm sorry, but that amount of laundry is EXCESSIVE! It's not the cost, it's the principle. She should have asked permission. What if there was a leak she was unaware of? Not to mention, she could've started a fire by not cleaning the lint trap. Using your CAR is even WORSE! I'd definitely tell Rover to warn others. She decided to take advantage all around, and it's just WRONG!
Unacceptable. First off, totally gross using your machines for her own laundry. You have to pay the electric and water bill for her laundry? More than 1 or 2 loads is a total flake . Plus, time consuming and neglecting her job watching your pets. You should confront her and ket her know that each load costs $2 per load.
It's simple. When you see the opportunity to talk about technology. Talk about your phone, how it even notifies you when laundry is done. She'll get the point.
I would deduct the water, electricity, and wear and tear (price of appliance is p, expected number of loads before it burns out in the typical 3 years is l, number of loads is d, then costs = d*p/l) costs from her pay. Then again, I would just board my dog and never let a stranger stay in my house for any reason.
As a pet sitter, all my clients make laundry available to me. I don't abuse this privilege but I often wash bedding and rags used while sitting so everything is clean when the owner returns. It sounds like this didn't set you back financially so make sure you mention it next time if it's a big deal for you. Nothing you say now will change that it already happened. I'd let it go.
Of course bring it up in a nice way but I'd think if you are having a house/pet sitter for any length of time the washer and dryer is something that shouldnt even be mentioned thats like asking them not to use the shower. 9 times is a bit much in 3 days but you have no idea what might be happening. I pet sat for my aunt and uncle once and their pup had diarrhea one morning in her kennel so of course I'm going to wash the blankets (I sprayed them down with the garden hose before putting them in the washer). Dog got wet playing one day, towel to dry doggie. Maybe they are allergic to laundry soaps and needed to rewash the bedding with hypoallergenic soap. Its not fair to make assumptions about this person without being in the situation at the time. Also a little side note to me thats a little invasion of privacy to be monitoring the washing machine. If your gonna be that freaky about a washing machine then you should have brought it up. Putting it in the review is unnecessary
Why do we need washing machines connected to Wi-Fi? i don't even want to know how many loads I do let alone I'd anyone else is using it! And I've two washers and dryers that seem to be on permanently
Because people buy ginormous houses and can't hear the machine stop from the other side of the house behind closed doors.
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It feels oddly classist. Not intentionally or malignantly on the OP's part just a wild separation. Like a strange poverty literacy test. Didn't clean the lint trap. If you've only had access to laundromats you'd never know lint traps exist. Weird stuff in the recycling bin: recycling isn't something you can do when you're destitute except maybe collecting cans or something. I'm sure you can figure out the unlocked garage too. Super interesting just probably not in the way OP intended. Shows how those kind of things we take for granted can throw a big divider wall up.
Recycling is mandatory in most parts of the US and therefore cheaper because the fines for putting nonrecylcable things in the recycling bins or recyclables in the trash can be huge ($500 for a first offense here) and if your garbage fees come as a utility bill or part of your taxes garbage and recycling are both a part of the same bill and nonnegociable or in some areas the recycling is "free" (just a part of regular property taxes) where as garbage is pay to throw and you have to purchase special bags from the town for all of your non-recyclable garbage.
Load More Replies... On the surface it does sound a bit petty but reading through it, I get ops point. I have a family of four and even when the kids were small, didn't often need to do 3 loads a day. For a dog sitter to do so at a clients home isn't what I would consider to be reasonable.
Agreed. I mean a load or 2 would be fine but 9 in 3 days? No that's too much. Also the sitter should have at least asked beforehand.
Load More Replies... Fire her. She damaged your home, took advantage of your appliances, and left the back door open, fercryinoutloud! How is this rocket science? Report this to the agency you use, and NEVER permit her anywhere near your house again. ................................... Also, change your locks NOW. She's already proven that she can't be trusted.
It could well be that she's moonlighting as a maid and therefore is doing other peoples' laundry at your house for pay. I had a scenario like that once and had to confront the woman that I was not someone else's laundromat (third party employer's laundromat)
It doesn't matter. The OP hired her to take care of the pets, NOT damage the house, use her machines, and leave the back door open so anyone could just wander in and clean her out.
Load More Replies... I presently work for Rover. You paid for a service. She drove your car which is BS, left your backdoor UNLOCKED, BS. Left garage door open so pets could go in also BS. If a client tells me it's ok to use washer then I will or I can act like an adult and ask if it's ok. What if the next person she sits for she does cause a fire from the lint trap on the dryer? Or crashes their car? She's ungrateful and doesn't deserve a job like this. And she's not answering your calls or texts because she knows what she did was wrong. Let Rover know all of what she did. Not petty whatsoever
Why do so many people seem to not know how incredibly important it is to clean the lint trap? It only takes a few minutes to clean. How do they not know how much of a fire risk it is? Also, clean your dryer vents out regularly too! And the outside vent flap thingy. This is your home people! Do you have a secret death wish? Clean your dryer lint screen and vent!
Load More Replies... I wouldn’t care about the laundry but the food in the recycling bin & giving the car a flat [using my car without permission in general] would convince me not to hire again.
Driving my car without permission would be it for me. She wouldn't be coming back and she wouldn't get a good review.
Load More Replies... As an In-home pet sitter myself, THIS IS ENTIRELY OUT OF LINE!!!! I don't use the washer/dryer or even the dishwasher without permission! (That last one is mainly due to some not having one or having a counter unit that gets hooked up to the sink-some people don't like me doing that myself) I don't check mail unless asked to, I don't eat their food without permission, AND I SURE AS HELL DONT TAKE THEIR CAR unless given permission for an emergency with their animal. IMHO- LEAVE THE REVIEW! LEAVE A SCATHING REVIEW!!! STATE EVERYTHING THEY DID! I do what I can to leave the place as good as or better than they left it! What you had wasn't a sitter... It was an entitled person!!!
You added she used your car? That was definitely crossing boundaries and SHOULD be reported to ROVER
Agree. That's theft. If she had had an accident, insurance would not have paid out as it was used without permission.
Load More Replies... 2-3 loads, no problem. 9 loads on high volume, problem. Using my car=extreme problem and I wouldn't care if it was filled back up first. That's an entire insurance risk nightmare. To be fair, these things should absolutely be covered before you leave. I used to watch houses over summertime, including the pets and it was great, but yeah it was expected that I clean up everything and not blow $100 in water and electricity. Live and learn, I guess.
Not to mention leaving a door unlocked. So her friends can come and go as they please? That's the breach, leaving the property unsecured.
Load More Replies... It's a bit hard for me to be objective because I was in a similar position to the petsitter – at one point I was in a very tough financial position and my washer broke and I could not afford to replace it and I had been doing laundry by hand for MONTHS. My best friend asked me to look after their house and pets for a week and I asked her if I could use her washer. I even said that i had bedding to wash and offered to pay her back for the water. So I get being in a difficult position and i also get being embarrassed to ask. But the fact of the matter is it was my best friend and I did ask permission, and this petsitter did a lot of laundry. Tbh though I'd be more worried about the garbage and doors than about the laundry.
This is an insightful comment. A pet sitter most likely isn't in a strong financial position and the most important thing is that the pets are treated well. I would ask that the lint be cleaned, better recycling sorting, and the doors be checked, etc ... but otherwise not worry about. A little bit of charity and kindness to make a huge difference to someone struggling financially. The only concern I have is using the car, which I think crosses the line, at least for me, because of liability issues.
Load More Replies... WTF is this "Europe" comment? In which European country that seems like basic hospitality??!?!?
None that I know of. But I really only know Scandinavia, to be frank, and the difference between different countries in Europe is enormous.
Load More Replies... I'll bet this lady is a real hustler. While you were paying her to watch your dog, she was probably using your appliances to do laundry for other people at charge.
I get that the laundry is excessive and she should have asked, but I'm even more appalled at the fact that she has been driving her car. Am I the only one that this would be a bigger deal to?
What would have me very angry about the laundry, is not emptying the lint trap, that’s dangerous and that’s reckless, and very immature, and using your vehicle, that is an absolute no-no, and to come home and find your home unlocked and your cat being able to get out into the garage I have two cats they are not allowed outside nor are they allowed in my garage, yeah I would leave her a very very bad review on rover, she doesn’t deserve to be a pet sitter she takes advantage of her clients!
I had a terrible experience w Rover. When I reported the incident I was told they DO NOT vet their caregivers so it’s a gamble. I would not use them again and look Locally which I did and found a wonderful young man who actually wants to work for money. He’s actually better w my dogs than I am! Report her so no one else goes thru this.
If it was just the laundry, I'd say not a big deal, just a little odd, and not hire that person again. However, given everything else in her update upon her return, it sounds like this person is really taking advantage of her client's home(s). I'd be curious how she was so highly reviewed if she behaves like this at others houses. I'd definitely report her on the app, and probably change my locks. Glad the pets were okay!
As one comment mentioned, I bet she is doing laundry for other people as a source of income. In your dog sitters mind it is "the perfect crime" because she is making money on your machines and thinks you have no clue. Just my thoughts. (That's a lot of laundry for one person)
I'm a dog sitter. This is theft. No way would I take advantage of my clients like that.
I've heard horrible things about Rover, they have a very basic background check for their employees. i signed up personally to check it out. The questionnaire is about 10 questions and congratulations you are now a Rover Walker/sitter. I would be pissed off if someone did that in my house, she was obviously doing all her friends laundry, also and not just that but using the careetc without permission is ridiculous. She's a thief imo. My house is my sanctuary I get touchy about it. I wouldn't write her a bad review or get her fired, but I wouldn't use her again. I only use personal friends as dog sitters and I pay them better than I would a boarding place.
I suspect she was running a side gig of doing laundry for profit. The only thing I would do in the future is tell your sitter that you do not allow any other business to be run from your home without express permission and you don’t need to offer any excuses. Let’s say your sitter sells Tupperware and they need to make some calls or dash off an order. That’s harmless enough but if the sitter bakes wedding cakes and would need your oven that’s something entirely different. So no running a doggy daycare in your garage while you’re gone. No distributing drugs. No quite a lot of other things, right? It’s a shame you have to spell it out for them. Make sure you’re insured well.
Better yet, use a boarding kennel. Ask neighbors to keep an eye out for weird stuff going on. Put lamps on timers, have mail held and, used to, have the newspaper held when you're gone.
Load More Replies... I find it super weird that more people aren't weirded out by this. They used her car without asking. Like how are people so calm? There's also no justifying doing any laundry without permission, let alone 14 loads. Petsitting does not entitle someone free run if the home. Especially a stranger's home.
Should have reported her. I feel like a lot of people ignored the fact that the 9 loads were done on chunky/max setting Wich means she PACKED those machines. She should have asked and should have picked up after herself when she left. That doesn't just speak for the quality of the pet care that was probably provided, that also speaks for what her job means to her..
To the English person that thought this was fine and this was normal back home...no its not most off us Brits were brought up to use manners and ASK 1st it is rude to not..the sitter isn't answering calls that is wrong also wrong .As fir the car nice of ya ta fill it but did you have permission to drive it? I would NOT be using sitter again ,totally agree to change locks on doors too ...check everything when you get home
Using the vehicle without permission is unacceptable. For most people, even those not particularly fond of their cars, it’s the top 2-5 most expensive thing they own, and often vital to their daily lives. People know this, so to do that is completely unacceptable and just by itself grounds for a bad review and never bringing them back.
I think you are right to be concerned. It isn't a matter of plumbing or money, it's a matter of basic trustworthy behavior. And lack of communication on her part. I'm biased maybe because I've just been through an unpleasant dog sitting experience with someone who I have used before and thought I could trust. So I sympathize and hope your dear pups are well and happy.
I am a pet sitter and while I will clean up after myself it is never good to do anything personal in a client's home without permission. Not only that, but when a client reaches out to discuss anything you want to respond and fix the situation. This is their home and you are a guest, not only that but if you do something upsetting to a client it directly affects your livelihood. The pet sitter is in the wrong here, she should have discussed doing laundry prior amd then only done a minimal amount of personal laundry. Always leave your client's house in better condition than when you arrive.
Utter bs that the pet sitter pulled this nonsense and TOTAL bs that the answers here are so waffling. Smh. Call Rover, call the pet sitter, and threaten to sue. Seriously.
Did anyone read where she said when she got home her doors were left open she had trash in her recyclable bin that she had to clean out and all the other things that this person did I would absolutely report her.... The laundry enough would be to report her do you know how much water and electric cost for somebody to be doing that many loads of laundry I don't even need to do that much laundry in a month for a family of three!!!
He is waay too nice… also not picking up the phone when the owner calls is just plain rude. I would report her and leave a bad review; she is going to do the same with other people and thats just not right.
As someone who pet-sitted/ house sat for someone, and did so respectfully, that I ultimately ended renting her house, (a few years later, when she got engaged and wasn't ready to sell), this sounds soooo strange. I never pulled any shenanigans. I cared for her pups as if they were my own and her house the same. Which is probably why she offered me the house rental deal of a lifetime. (And, I have since done the same.) I HOPE the sitter wasn't taking advantage of the situation. Because I get the feeling from the OP that if the sitter had ASKED "Would you mind if..." they would have! AND would have given permission with requests for consideration of the older plumbing vs the new appliances, with their blessing.
The only part that bothers me about this pet sitter is the fact that she left the back door unlocked and left the garage door open with the chemicals in there. I would be a little bothered about the laundry issue and would have told her that things like that need to be discussed beforehand. If she had asked the woman if she can do her laundry, I'm sure it wouldn't have been a big deal, even with 9 loads. But the open doors really bother me. I would report that to the agency because that's terribly careless and a potential hazard to the animals.
Her using the car without permission doesn't bother you?
Load More Replies... Not acceptable at all! I would ask her why she did so many loads and why she was distracted to leave the door open! You would be doing a great favor for her next client, hopefully she would realize that she’s being watched when in a client’s house! Any client! Everyone is hooked up electronically!
I don't get it, if you haven't discussed this she shouldn't do as she pleases with your stuff, period.
That is gross!!! I would report her and never use her again. I would not trust her with my most precious animals. I used to be a dog sitter-not sleep over though. I hope you have cameras recording her. What if she has before bugs? Sorry, my washing machine is for my clothes only!
The "are you American" comment is so smug and obnoxious ..... "yeah uhm....we are just much nicer and more civilized and reasonable in the U.K and Europe in general. You REALLY overreacted when that woman stole your car with zero permission to use the house vehicles... AND caused an issue that could have killed the cat had they gotten into the chemicals thanks to you" Attention condescending losers from Europe.....you're not better than anyone. And people from the UK? Ya know that gun free utopia where you are always calling Americans "uncivilized" and "barbaric"... hey..... what's that "EPEDEMIC" you are currently going through? (Your governments words... not mine) .... oh YEAH.....now I remember. You've declared a NATIONAL EMERGENCY..... for a "KNIFE CRIME EPEDEMIC"........ so you ultra civilized much better people gave in all your guns.... wow. How noble. Hey what did you do next? Ohhh.... oh. You...you started brutally stabbing your mates and watching the life slowly leave their eyes?
You are repeating yourself. As an American I'm embarrassed by people like you . You're defensive about being American, use all caps & spell epidemic wrong while cradling your precious gun with your soft little hands.
Load More Replies... The view from a former petsitter who also did overnights. In some houses I did have access to laundry. But this was explicitly discussed with the owners before hand. On a week of petsitting I would one max two uses of the laundry machine, I tried to avoid the dryer but I used once in a while , mostly during the winter. I understand that sometime you use them, but you also need a sense of respect for somebody else's home, so they can build trust with you. Best solution is to discuss everything you can think of in advance. Better too much than two little.
I would definitely report her. She did a lot more than her own laundry. She used her car, left doors open or unlocked! WTF? Nope.
I have now read the whole article and do not understand why OP didn't mention the washer and dryer in their tour of the home with the pet sitter or in the Word document they left for the pet sitter. What about towels the sitter would need to use when showering/bathing or if the dog or cat threw up or needed to be dried off after a walk in the rain (some dog owners don't have doggy raincoats or they do and the dog hates them)? Or if the toilet backed up (this happened to me back in May of 2018, it was a whole sh*t show [no pun intended, nor was it literally sh*t, thank goodness!] I got a very big tip from the client in addition to my regular fee)? I have all that information on my form, because I don't want to assume everyone would be chill with it. I has been on my form since 10 years ago, so most of the duration of my 11 year "career" as a pet sitter (I don't consider it a career, just a job. An awesome job! But just a job. I love being my own boss!). As I said (I think I said this), I am VERY thorough! My personal ethics and integrity prevent me from being anything else.
I have not read the whole article (but will go back and do so after I comment this) but wanted to come to the comments and say that not all pet sitters (I hope) do this! I am a pet sitter of 11 years and I do laundry at my cilents homes as well as any linens I used while staying there (hand towels, bath towels, sheets, normal stuff). Depending on how long the client is away, 2-3 loads maximum. I do not bring extra clothes from home to the clients house to wash just because I wouldn't have to pay for it (I'm renting and have to put money in the washer or dryer in my building). That is incredibly unethical and bizarre! I am not affiliated with any pet sitting organizations in my home province of British Columbia, Canada, I am self employed and even if I was affiliated with an organization, I could not ever do that because I have decent integrity and personal ethics. I have spoken to a few clients about doing laundry while l am at their home and they are totally chill with it. I am trustworthy (not bragging, stating a fact) and they know that.
I ran out of space and have more to say. I felt the need to comment and say again that not all pet sitters are like this. I am annoyed that this a-hole woman did this. It gives decent pet sitters a bad name. Wow! Not a good wow either. When I do laundry at a pet sit (and in my apartment building) I always (unless I wasn't paying attention and didn't select it) wash my clothes on cold water. As far as I know, none of my clients have such high tech washers or dryers that notify the homeowner when someone is using the machine. I have a form I have made that I send the clients (by email) that they can fill out with instructions for their pet/s and home, which includes info on the washer and dryer (if they aren't complicated - I'm pretty tech savvy, but some super modern machines confuse me) and I also get a tour of the clients home when it is the first time I am sitting for them, where they show me the hot water shut off and anything quirky about the house or pets.
Load More Replies... 9 Loads of laundry! WTH? I would have to wash the bedding on both beds, and every face, hand, bath, and dish towel we own, and every article of clothing we own (we are just two people with 3 pets) TWICE to maybe get to 9 loads of laundry! I would absolutely report that person to Rover and also leave a review stating everything wrong she did. There is no way just 1 person needs to do 9 loads of laundry in a week.
You posted your issue, went through all these comments, blew off every suggestion including anon's whose suggestion was straight to the point yet VERY diplomatic, but you blew it off, by replying that you're not the passive-aggressive type; then posted a final statement of how you would handle the situation which is basically very passive-aggressive and won't get to the point of finding out why she did 9 loads and of what. You're basically going to beat around the bush, make up a plumbing issue, suggest 3-4 loads and still not get the answers you want. That is passive-aggressive. You are an adult. You paid an 'employee'. Ask the question you want the answer to, like anon suggested. Period.
Wow, you need to compute the cost per load, write it down on a PostIt, then eat the paper. You are unbelievably petty, along with all the others who chimed in. Apparently, you were under the impression you were hiring a slave?
I'm sorry, but that amount of laundry is EXCESSIVE! It's not the cost, it's the principle. She should have asked permission. What if there was a leak she was unaware of? Not to mention, she could've started a fire by not cleaning the lint trap. Using your CAR is even WORSE! I'd definitely tell Rover to warn others. She decided to take advantage all around, and it's just WRONG!
Unacceptable. First off, totally gross using your machines for her own laundry. You have to pay the electric and water bill for her laundry? More than 1 or 2 loads is a total flake . Plus, time consuming and neglecting her job watching your pets. You should confront her and ket her know that each load costs $2 per load.
It's simple. When you see the opportunity to talk about technology. Talk about your phone, how it even notifies you when laundry is done. She'll get the point.
I would deduct the water, electricity, and wear and tear (price of appliance is p, expected number of loads before it burns out in the typical 3 years is l, number of loads is d, then costs = d*p/l) costs from her pay. Then again, I would just board my dog and never let a stranger stay in my house for any reason.
As a pet sitter, all my clients make laundry available to me. I don't abuse this privilege but I often wash bedding and rags used while sitting so everything is clean when the owner returns. It sounds like this didn't set you back financially so make sure you mention it next time if it's a big deal for you. Nothing you say now will change that it already happened. I'd let it go.
Of course bring it up in a nice way but I'd think if you are having a house/pet sitter for any length of time the washer and dryer is something that shouldnt even be mentioned thats like asking them not to use the shower. 9 times is a bit much in 3 days but you have no idea what might be happening. I pet sat for my aunt and uncle once and their pup had diarrhea one morning in her kennel so of course I'm going to wash the blankets (I sprayed them down with the garden hose before putting them in the washer). Dog got wet playing one day, towel to dry doggie. Maybe they are allergic to laundry soaps and needed to rewash the bedding with hypoallergenic soap. Its not fair to make assumptions about this person without being in the situation at the time. Also a little side note to me thats a little invasion of privacy to be monitoring the washing machine. If your gonna be that freaky about a washing machine then you should have brought it up. Putting it in the review is unnecessary
Why do we need washing machines connected to Wi-Fi? i don't even want to know how many loads I do let alone I'd anyone else is using it! And I've two washers and dryers that seem to be on permanently
Because people buy ginormous houses and can't hear the machine stop from the other side of the house behind closed doors.
Load More Replies... It feels oddly classist. Not intentionally or malignantly on the OP's part just a wild separation. Like a strange poverty literacy test. Didn't clean the lint trap. If you've only had access to laundromats you'd never know lint traps exist. Weird stuff in the recycling bin: recycling isn't something you can do when you're destitute except maybe collecting cans or something. I'm sure you can figure out the unlocked garage too. Super interesting just probably not in the way OP intended. Shows how those kind of things we take for granted can throw a big divider wall up.
Recycling is mandatory in most parts of the US and therefore cheaper because the fines for putting nonrecylcable things in the recycling bins or recyclables in the trash can be huge ($500 for a first offense here) and if your garbage fees come as a utility bill or part of your taxes garbage and recycling are both a part of the same bill and nonnegociable or in some areas the recycling is "free" (just a part of regular property taxes) where as garbage is pay to throw and you have to purchase special bags from the town for all of your non-recyclable garbage.
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