Aquarium Holiday services?

[VickiandKev]

Hi All,

Just wanted to get a general consensus about an idea myself and my partner had.

We are both vet students and finding it difficult to keep part time jobs whilst studying as the course is full time and very intense. We both need a part time job to fund our hobby and also bills and all the other rubbish that comes with renting in London!

We have been on summer break and wanted to take our dogs away for a couple of days to Wales and also to visit family up there but couldn't because we have the fish so had to go for just a day! (yep we spent the best part of it driving!!!).

I know there are holiday food ect but they are not great and can really mess up your tank. Anyway we wanted to ask if people would be interested in someone coming round to their house while they were on holiday to look after their fish, do water changes, feed and just generally look after them. We could also extend this to other pets (we do own a few other pets as well :re

This way we wouldn't need to work all the hours part time jobs require but we could raise some pocket money for our hobby.

We would really appreciate any opinions or ideas.

Thanks for reading.

Vicki&Kev

 

[PlecoLad-UK]

hi guys, i think the idea is good as a student myself, and quick and fun cash is appreciated, the problem is, i dont know many people who would feel happy with people they meet on the internet coming into their homes (no offence to you two obviously) to feed their fish. If it works then the very best of luck but im not too sure it will be the most sustainable of ventures.

 

[macvsog23]

Just a few points to be aware of
If some fug wit with two discus and several big incompatible fish in his tank asks you to feed them and care for them when he is away, Lets say he dumped 30 fish in his tank just before his holiday?
I can think of a 100 situations were your going to have “fun”
What you must understand is that 99% of people who have a fish tank are as capable of keeping fish as a fishmonger is.
Sadly they will not shoulder any blame or responsibility but blame you.

 

[Jo Crane]

I would not like to have the keys a strangers house whilst they are away the liability is too big

 

[lealea]

I have someone come and look after our fish dogs and cat usually for no more then 10 days but they know everything about the animals and have all contact details if something goes wrong us, vet etc. They actually live in my house and I pay them nothing but the house is full of food and drink, they can use internet, foxtel and our car. They get a holiday at our house and we have peace of mind our family is happy. We have had the same person now for nearly 10 years. It is a great idea. lealea

 

[macvsog23]

The friend staying is fine I get Mr G to feed my fish and do water changes ect.
But doing it for a fee brings all problems
After all it is a contract and has a legal obligation to it.
I would give it a miss

 

[GrubbyGirl]

You'll need police checks to give people confidence that you're ok and that will need to be done yearly. You'll need to have various different insurances. Insurance in case you cause any damage in their house, insurance to cover you if you get hurt on their property (the dog bites you!), public liability insurance in case anything you do causes injury to someone else.

You'll also need insurance to cover any claims against you if you go and kill valuable fish in your care, because trust me if an owner leaves his valuable breeding group of Zebras in your care and they are dead when they come home, you will be expected to pay for them!

What you can't do is just think it's a good idea and do it......you have to be business like or you're going to get yourself into big trouble.

 

[Tener ds]

You'll need police checks to give people confidence that you're ok and that will need to be done yearly. You'll need to have various different insurances. Insurance in case you cause any damage in their house, insurance to cover you if you get hurt on their property (the dog bites you!), public liability insurance in case anything you do causes injury to someone else.

You'll also need insurance to cover any claims against you if you go and kill valuable fish in your care, because trust me if an owner leaves his valuable breeding group of Zebras in your care and they are dead when they come home, you will be expected to pay for them!

What you can't do is just think it's a good idea and do it......you have to be business like or you're going to get yourself into big trouble.

+1 on this.

 

[JackGillett]

+2 on this

 

[SilverDub]

Great idea but you will not get insurance to cover this kind of loss. Also having read your situation and going back to the fish importing service you suggest in a differant thread I really wouldnt go down the importing fish route.

 

[ryannxs]

going away on the 19th for a week, may be interested

 

[VickiandKev]

going away on the 19th for a week, may be interested

19th of sep? Where abouts in london are you?

Thats kl, did you want to meet. I was thinking you could come to ours (so we can prove where we live) or we could come to yours with some bill statements. We can chat and tell you a bit about our experience so you feel more comfortable with us. What tank/tanks do you have? and what fish?

thanks

kev&vicki