Are you a pet-sitting nosey parker?

It isn't illegal to have cameras in your own home that maybe filming people who don't know they're there, providing they're not in rooms that are expected to be private eg bathrooms, toilets and bedrooms.

StripeyGran

Oreo

StripeyGran

Slightly creepy. Are the cameras everywhere?

I once tried out some perfume, naughty I suppose.

It’s not illegal to have cameras, and very useful in case Burglar Bill pops in.

Do you argue with your own shadow I wonder?

I did not comment on legality.

I made a light hearted comment.

It's fair to know if you are being filmed I think.

Do you argue with your own shadow I wonder?

I had to double check whose post that was!
It sounded so much like a poster who used to be on GN I was !!

Never mind.

I wouldn't snoop in someone else's house, and wouldn't be happy if someone did so in mine. I know people who would do so without a second thought, though. They are the sort who pore over Estate Agent details when they have no intention of moving, and always manage to go upstairs by waiting until someone else is using the downstairs loo and declaring an urgent need to go.

They see nothing wrong with any of that, but it makes me deeply uncomfortable. Last time we sold a house was in the days when you had to go into the EE to get a brochure, register an interest in a particular area and price range/property type or look at the ads in the local paper, so only the nosiest of parkers would do it with any regularity unless they were looking to buy. Nowadays, the thought of having photos of my home online for people to comment on is horrible, as I've heard too many stickybeaks comment on other people's homes based on photos intended for interested buyers.

I don't understand why people do it, and I realise my reactions are extreme, but I find it very sinister.

So, if you have a camera set up to keep an eye on the dog to make sure it's all right if you go out, you should turn it off if you have a pet/house sitter when you go away?

So do pet sitters live in the house then, or just visit? And is that different to a house sitter?

I wouldn't want to be filmed if I was staying in someones house.

Desdemona

So do pet sitters live in the house then, or just visit? And is that different to a house sitter?

I wouldn't want to be filmed if I was staying in someones house.

Yes they do. This is the point I was making.
It is an arrangement based on trust, possibly best done through a reputable agency.

Allira

So, if you have a camera set up to keep an eye on the dog to make sure it's all right if you go out, you should turn it off if you have a pet/house sitter when you go away?

I don't have cameras at all, but if I did I would tell the sitter of my imaginary dog that they were there, if they were a friend. I don't think it's right to film a friend without their knowledge.

Maybe if I were using a professional service and strangers would be in my house I would feel differently, but I doubt I would do that in any case. I would take the dog with me if possible, and if not, and if neither of my children could have him (eg because of a family wedding that they were also attending), I would put him in a kennel.

I've dog sat for friends and I wouldn't have dreamt of having a nose around. We slept in their house on several occasions and just used the designated bedroom and ensuite and relaxed in their conservatory. Even though we weren't being paid I felt we were in a position of trust. Other times I have had the keys to a friend's home but just fed the dog, played with it and exercised it not going anywhere but the kitchen and garden.

Generally I would only go into rooms that the pets are in, but I have opened a door to a laundry or utility room to ensure no water leaks.

When sitting cats, I do like to sit down and either read a book or watch tv for 30 minutes or so, just so the cats can visit me, even if they don't come to sit on my lap, they will know I am there for a little visit. But no, I don't go nosing around!

But if you're pet and house sitting you have to use several rooms. Obviously not the house-owner's bedroom.

StripeyGran

Desdemona

So do pet sitters live in the house then, or just visit? And is that different to a house sitter?

I wouldn't want to be filmed if I was staying in someones house.

Yes they do. This is the point I was making.
It is an arrangement based on trust, possibly best done through a reputable agency.

Yes, DD does this. Sometimes people are away for a few days, sometimes two or three weeks. She is on the books of an agency but gets repeat bookings so sometimes gets to know the animals.

We recently pet sat for an acquaintance.
We were informed that security cameras are installed both inside and outside of the home.
I forgot, but as we simply fed all the animals and minded our own business, it made no difference.
For everyone here saying it is creepy etc; we have cameras installed inside and outside of our home.
Once you have been robbed and suffer through the fear, police involvement, court, anxiety and depression and financial loss, security cameras can be a bit of reassurance.
Anyone who enters our home with our consent is informed cameras are there. Signs are also posted on our perimeter fencing.

MaryTheBookeeper did you tell them the system was on?
I wouldn't switch it on if I had people "living in".

No, not really my thing. ‘Curiosity killed the cat’, so to speak. I have a relative that is nosey, I heard them going through my bathroom cabinet.
I draw the line at internal cameras though, I wouldn’t be comfortable in someone else house if that had cameras, tbh. Would make me feel guilty, even though I wasn’t doing anything wrong.

I was assuming that pet sitters in this context were neighbours who popped in to feed the cat or collect the dog to take for a walk when the owners were out. House sitting is very different, and of course a house sitter would have to use more than one room. Spoaching around bedrooms other than the one they are using would be beyond the pale for me in that situation, but obviously they would need to use the kitchen, bathroom and sitting room, as well as the room they are sleeping in. It's not a service I can imagine using, really - far too stressful

A friend or neighbour popping in to feed or walk animals shouldn't need to go upstairs at all, unless the only loo is up there and they are caught short. My children both use professional dog-walking services, and that was all discussed when they came to discuss terms. They have keys and let themselves in, call for the dog, take him out for the agreed length of time, and bring him home again. They go in the kitchen to make sure the dog has enough water left, and then leave. Neither of my children have cameras other than ring doorbells that show arrival and departure if they check. They wouldn't give someone a key to their homes and access to their dogs if they mistrusted them enough to feel that necessary.

A friend or neighbour popping in to feed or walk animals shouldn't need to go upstairs at all, unless the only loo is up there and they are caught short
Years ago I had to feed some pet rats which were in a child's bedroom, I went to put the full bowl back in the cage, the rat leapt up to get to the food, I dropped the bowl in a panic and food went all over the bedroom floor. Then I had to hunt for the vacuum cleaner. So yes, that time I did have to do a search, open cupboards etc.

We have a ring doorbell and also cameras by the cat flap( into kitchen where dishes/food are), living room, and top of the stairs/landing. Our cat sitters know they are there and on when we are away and that we like to look at them to check up on our 4 cats.

They stay to give cats a bit of attention and if they can’t find one know they can go anywhere in the house to look for them.

They are lovely and we trust them completely and bring them a present back each holiday. (We obviously pay them too) I think it’s called mutual respect!

Absolutely not. I regularly feed my neighbours’ cats. I do exactly as they request, leaving fresh food and water. One neighbour is particularly anxious about her cats, so I send her updates and photos.

It has never occurred to me that our neighbours would “snoop” when looking after pets. I’ve had to go into their bedroom to close a window (I messaged first) but apart from that just where I need to go to feed the cat. I do however stand in front of their wonderful art works and drool, is that acceptable?

MawB2

Callistemon

discrete security cameras

Do you mean concealed or separate security cameras, OP?

I suspect OP meant discreet - don’t you?

Really?? You comment on someone’s spelling??

A neighbour looked after our cat a number of years ago.. I am sure she had a good nosey round but got caught out because while inspecting our pantry she spotted and took a particular spread. She confessed when we returned because she had not been able to find a replacement jar of this particular spread.

I don't think the spelling was commented on, surely it was querying what was meant, as discrete and discreet are two entirely different words with totally different meanings.

I'm pet sitting at the moment but it's too hot to go for a walk.

Perhaps OP has found spell check in the intervening period of time?

StripeyGran

Perhaps OP has found spell check in the intervening period of time?

Neither is a wrong spelling, though?

Just completely different words,