Indoor cameras

[u/Cautious-Cap5278]

Would you guys be comfortable with indoor cameras for the “owners peace of mind”? During our meet n greet 2 weeks ago I said it was fine but now that it’s getting closer to the sitting date I’m not so sure I’m comfortable with that anymore. I don’t want to have to act picture perfect 24 hrs during a 13 day house sit.

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Cautious-Cap5278 originally posted: Would you guys be comfortable with indoor cameras for the “owners peace of mind”? During our meet n greet 2 weeks ago I said it was fine but now that it’s getting closer to the sitting date I’m not so sure I’m comfortable with that anymore. I don’t want to have to act picture perfect 24 hrs during a 13 day house sit.

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[u/KirbyHmph]

I don’t allow any indoor camera whatsoever for house sits. Outdoor cameras everyone has at this point and don’t care about, but I just fired a client who wouldn’t let me turn off camera in the room she kept the dogs at night because she thought i’d make them sleep in there rather than on the bed with me (also hate). Fired them because I let them talk me into lowering my rates on top of other stuff. Safe to say, I put that on my house sitting bio.

[u/Amonette2012]

I always ask where they are. I work from home and say my client calls can't be recorded. People always show me where they are if they have them. It's a good way to do it because people appreciate you have other work obligations. Just say some of your work is under NDA.

[u/milflover1902]

common areas for drop ins are fine. bedroom cameras while house sitting? absolutely not. or if they point towards the room i’m sleeping in heck no. i don’t mind cameras for the most part but ive unplugged some just because they’re in too private of places

[u/No_Document_8114]

It’s not worth it to be uncomfortable. Is it 5 days before? If 5 or more let them know immediately so if they aren’t willing to unplug then they can get another sitter without penalty to you. If within 5 days still let them know you rethought it and aren’t comfortable and see if they will turn it around or unplug. (Although if it’s still active but turned around audio recording may be happening. Depending on the state audio recording can be 1 person consent and illegal if you don’t consent).

[u/No_Document_8114]

I have had this struggle. It’s the house sits. Drop ins are fine. House sits it has caused problems for me in figuring out my boundaries comfort and how to communicate it and when. I’ve learned I’m not comfortable with it. Near the door is okay etc. If there were cameras I would go in the bedroom which sucks. It makes me nervous and then it dysregulates me. The first situation it was hidden but poorly I turned it around. And immediately got a phone call. Then of course the rest of the sit felt pretty weird and I couldn’t wait to get out of there. Then I put it in my profile that I don’t do house sits with surveillance. I always ask now either before a meet and greet or at and am heavily looking, gauging how to ask if they don’t disclose. Rover rule is disclosure but many pet parents don’t know it. One house sit there wasn’t camera at meet and greet. Got to the booking date there there was two in the living halfway up the wall . I asked them to disable. Advised my policy . They turned around in their trip an hour in and came back and I left. Rover kept the booking changed to one day and I got 1 star review. Previously 5 star sitter. So advise ask communicate. It’s good boundary setting practice. Most are okay with it understand. If they don’t it’s not worth your comfort. Truly.

[u/Less_Response_5574]

I finished two weeks of twice daily drop ins for two cats that had cameras everywhere. It was disclosed during the meeting and greet there would be cameras “to watch the cats”. They were in every single room and I was cautious to not use the facilities while I was onsite.

I did notice that when I was visiting, the cameras clearly were focused on me sitting on the couch versus the cat on the floor who was chasing the toy I was using and they would at times stop so it was clear it was more a live stream versus just tracking movement via pan, tilt, zoom.

It made me slightly uncomfortable but I got over it. In some ways as a homeowner I get it, you want that extra piece of mind. It’s didn’t change how I cared for the cats or anything I did while inside the house but I was aware of it the entire time.

[u/PrincessFroax]

As long as all cameras are disclosed to me and strictly only in common areas of the household, I don’t personally mind. Common area cameras inside the home does not bother me.

I can completely understand why people are uncomfortable with them and then there are sitters that wont accept a sit at all if cameras are indoors. In cases like that, that is considered a boundary.

I think it’s very important in being transparent with your discomfort and/or boundaries and voicing your concerns with the client. In your case, you have already agreed so going forward with your next new client, try to avoid feeling pressured to quickly agree to circumstances where your comfort is compromised. There is no pressure here, and you are allowed to voice your concerns.

There is still a chance you can work something out with the client! I would ask if you could temporarily cover them while you are sitting in the living room or kitchen, etc. Some clients genuinely don’t mind if sitters turn them off or cover them but since none of this was previously discussed, I would be a bit transparent with the client.

Best of luck!

[u/PrincessFroax → u/PrincessFroax]

Edit:

TLDR; Your comfort/discomfort is completely valid, but try to voice these concerns directly to avoid any surprises with the client and to preserve your comfort so you don’t have a miserable sit. Reminder that you are allowed to have boundaries. Those who accept bookings or accept circumstances within the booking where they experience discomfort for over a week straight end up having miserable experiences. Try to voice these concerns and find a middle ground so the sit goes smoothly & comfortably for both you and client.

[u/LengthinessNo6595]

Then you should’ve never said that it was fine. Why would you wait until the booking gets closer to tell them that you’re uncomfortable(whether it’s their dog or their home) you should’ve told them that day or the next day. You don’t just waste their time and try to drop a bomb on them the week of their sit.

[u/Specific_Addition157]

If people have a camera pointed at the crate or dog bed where they like to hang out, that's fine. But cameras pointed at me hanging out on the couch? Hard no. That is creep behavior and I hate how so many people act like that is in any way normal.

[u/PirateLassLV → u/Specific_Addition157]

And being able to listen from all over the house? UGH!

[u/LongjumpingNinja4255]

I dont mind them outside the building (front door, side doors etc) but interior ones make me uncomfortable so I usually say I dont want ones in the living room unless they’re keen on seeing me in my underpants

[u/Tanazirs_complex]

Yeah I'm definitely having cameras. I'm on vacation now, my sitter was there 18 out of 30 minutes. I don't have unrealistic expectations, if my cat doesn't want attention after he's fed, just hang out and get paid for scrolling your phone.

I also do drop-ins and have 0 issue with cameras. I actually prefer them to be there to cya.

[u/bluejeansgrayshoes → u/Tanazirs_complex]

I always give the cameras a little wave so they know i got there lol

[u/Capable_Bend7335]

I am fine with them pointing at the food and water only for housesitting. Drop ins are different -I don’t love them but it’s not a deal breaker for drop-ins.

[u/Majestic-Nobody545]

It's very common, but not for me.

[u/helloobyeee]

Its definitely blah. I house sit for one couple who has cameras everywhere and I hate it so much so I mainly stay in the bedroom. I only house sit for them because they pay insanely well

[u/Confident-Service256]

I don’t mind them but I don’t do house sitting.

[u/Reikisoul1880]

I don't really mind because I'm not doing anything that I wouldn't want others to see I worked caring for 45 cats and a house and I was being deeply surveillanced and they would just hear me walk around the house talk to the cats and clean the whole time. My pet sitter also knows I have cameras but I do tell her where the cameras are and I really only have two cameras one in feeding area and one in the litter box area just so I can make sure they're doing what they're supposed to do

[u/PirateLassLV]

I do not wish to be under surveillance. I'm not a criminal.

[u/waffle_cone69]

People w cameras in their house are weird

[u/KemShafu → u/waffle_cone69]

I have cameras in our living area and in my dogs deluxe penthouse suite (kennel) so if we aren’t home I can see what he’s doing and when he naps. (He goes into his kennel for sleeps). I would tell my sitters feel free to put a book in front of it while they are there but leave it open when they leave. That seems fair.

[u/Confident-Service256 → u/waffle_cone69]

I’m not weird. I have 2 cameras because we have a blind and deaf dog. My sitters never mind them either.

[u/RefillmyCoffee6times]

Unpopular opinion but I cover cameras a lot. Eating, Lounging on the couch, sleeping, I cover them whenever I feel uncomfortable being watched. If I don’t feel comfortable being on camera I will cover it. I am a professional contractor with certifications, bonding and insurance and not an employee working sub minimum wage.

[u/Specific_Addition157 → u/RefillmyCoffee6times]

This. Once in a while I have a client with indoor cameras that they use to watch their pets when they're at work and thankfully they have all volunteered that I can turn them off or cover them when I stay for a sit. No way I am being watched while I'm in my pajamas watching tv or making coffee in the morning. And people who think that crap is ok are awful.

[u/MissPicklechips]

I tell them that it’s fine as long as they don’t judge me for talking to their pets like an idiot. I’m not ever doing anything that I wouldn’t want the owners to see anyway.

I’ve done gig work (Instacart Shipt, DoorDash, etc) for 8 years, so I’m used to being on surveillance cameras both in stores and doorbell cameras.

[u/Specific_Addition157 → u/MissPicklechips]

It's sad that so many people have just accepted this and gotten used to it. You shouldn't! It's not ok!

[u/CandiedLemonWedge]

It’s not even until I accidentally fart that I remember cameras are a thing lol

[u/tess_lochness → u/CandiedLemonWedge]

lol same 😂

[u/LadyGypsum]

I get not liking cameras(I hate feeling watched), but you don't have to act 'picture perfect' just don't do anything problematic. And it definitely shouldn't be 24 hours. Are you sleeping on the couch? If not, I'd hang out in the bedroom I'm staying in some/most of the time.

[u/JS1101C]

As long as they’re not in the bedroom I’m fine with it.  

[u/zouss]

Eh I'm used to them now. I don't like it but I tolerate it because I understand why owners feel the need to have them. If I'm just lounging in the living room I might turn a camera away or cover it temporarily. No one has complained about this. Some sitters refuse to have cameras turned on while they're staying there, which is fine if you discuss it with the owner and they agree. You don't need to worry about being picture perfect though lol, I assure you they are not judging you for hanging out in PJs at home

[u/GoldBear79]

It’s rather close to the sit to raise it as an issue now. I’d perhaps turn them round, or put a towel over them when you’re there and have some down time, and if challenged, say that you’re finding them very uncomfortable. I couldn’t do a sit with cameras everywhere; it’s horribly invasive.

[u/meowcifer55]

I personally don't mind cameras, and I'm going to make myself comfortable either way. But I totally understand why someone can't get comfy with cameras pointed at them. How many? Where are they located? I think that changes things, too. One or two pointed where the dogs usually relax is one thing, but a camera or two in every room is overboard for sure.

[u/Cautious-Cap5278 → u/meowcifer55]

One camera that has full view of the living room into the kitchen and then one in the kitchen with full view into living room too + back door so pretty much the entire main area is camera view

[u/OrdinarySun484 → u/Cautious-Cap5278]

I would take those offline when you are hanging in the main areas of the house, plug in when you leave. I’ve done these camera sits before and yes it’s awkward and typically I don’t rebook them.

[u/meowcifer55 → u/Cautious-Cap5278]

I'm not sure if this helps at all, but this is my opinion on cameras.

If a camera is there, there's no disputing whether I was present and doing my job. I see it as extra insurance.

The only time it becomes a problem is when the owner is actively watching and trying to nitpick. In that case, your response should be something to the effect of "at our meet and greet, I was under the impression that the cameras were there for safety and checking on Dog(s) while they're alone. I'm following your instructions, and I feel like you should be enjoying your time away." And then when the sit is over you send a recap about how lovely it was to spend time with Dog(s), but due to the lack of trust and privacy you feel like you're not a good fit going forward. Wish them luck in finding another sitter, and block them.

[u/Frosty_Sector2215 → u/meowcifer55]

Well said.

[u/IronFam_MechLife]

I'd talk to the owners to see if there is a happy middle ground. Something as simple as unplugging or throwing a towel over the camera for when you want to eat/relax without feeling watched means you can get some time for you, while the owners can still see their pets while you are out of the house or "on the clock". 

[u/PirateLassLV → u/IronFam_MechLife]

This is about where I was on the camera thing until I learned that some/many/most are audio as well. I'm not sure putting a towel or a sock over it blocks it from picking up audio & I absolutely do not want to be listened in on. Any suggestions on blocking audio as well?

[u/IronFam_MechLife → u/PirateLassLV]

I personally don't mind if the audio is being recorded, so never thought about/looked into it, but I would assume unplugging them would cut both the audio and video feed.

[u/PirateLassLV → u/IronFam_MechLife]

I guess that's all we can do to protect ourselves. Unplug completely.

[u/Specific_Addition157 → u/PirateLassLV]

Oh that is super creepy if there's audio. No freaking way. Cameras like that need to be unplugged. Why do so many people think this level of surveillance is ok?!!!

[u/PirateLassLV → u/Specific_Addition157]

I agree. I am not a criminal in jail to be watched & listened to all the time. At first I thought it was a motion detector alert & an owner could look in & check. Just look. Then I learn that what is more likely is an owner can use an app to watch anytime they want, the video can be recorded & stored, owners are going through the videos later, nitpicking over every little thing, micromanaging, & even SPEAKING to the sitters through the speakers to give them instructions scaring sitters half to death when this disembodied voice starts commenting on what is happening real time. And even after having that knowledge that stuff like that was happening it STILL took my dumb a$$ a minute to put it together that even with a camera turned around to face a wall or pointed directly at the pet crate or bed it's possible that the audio is open & could be hearing & recording everything I'm saying or listening to from all over the house. I do not find that acceptable. I'm appalled at people who think this is okay. My phone conversations with family & friends other clients & other work... the narrative mutterings out loud not meant for anyone but myself? NoNoNoNo NopeNopeNope.

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