Pet owners are complaining of one cost associated with their animals that has blown out of proportion.
Sydneysider Amy Indrawan was quoted $3,000 (about $1,900 USD) for her french bulldog and beagle to get “pet boarded” while she went on a three-week holiday.
“I find now pet boarding places are charging more than childcare in some instances,” she said.
The average cost of childcare feeds was between $30 to $50 ($20-30 USD) a day after the government rebate, according to the latest data from the Australian Competition and Consumer and Commission.
Meanwhile, pet boarding for dogs can cost in excess of $100 (about $64 USD) per day over the Christmas period.
Ms Indrawan said she was quoted a day rate but then she had to pay extra money for the dog to be walked, or for it to be cuddled or taken for a swim.
“Once you add up all the add ons it is really expensive,” she said.
“I shopped around at some of the pet boarding places and the costs have gone up so much.
“I couldn’t afford it and honestly it’s like paying for a holiday for the pets on top of the holiday I booked for myself.”
With her trip fast-approaching, Ms Indrawan said she checked on Airtasker and was able to find someone to mind her pets at their home for just $700 ($445 USD).
“People were offering to pet sit my dogs at their own home while some were willing to pet sit at my house or even just check in, take them walks and feed them,” she said.
“I’ve used Airtasker on three different occasions and all three times I have found someone reliable and trustworthy to look after my fur babies and what I love most is I can determine how much I am willing to pay for pet minding.”
Pet sitter Nadiana Albistur has been offering up her services on Airtasker for three years and said she has noticed a rise in people looking for people to care for their pets as the holidays approach.
“It’s starting to get busy with people wanting to go away on holidays,” she said.
“They want their pet to have company while they’re out. It’s so unaffordable to send pets to boarding places. I think it’s why people go to Airtasker.”
There has been a massive uptick (52 per cent) in the number of Airtasker users looking for pet sitting services over the past six months, according to the company’s latest data.
The busiest month for pet minding tasks were posted in the January school holidays.
