Oh, puppies, aren’t they adorable? Who could ever resist those wiggling tails, fluffy faces and wet kisses? Well, if you have never had a pet before you might not want dogs to lick your face. But, that being said, if your Host Family has pets, you might have to get used to living with animals during your stay abroad. Whether the family has a dog, cat, rabbit, or something more unusual, it is important to understand what your role is, what responsibilities you may have, and how to stay safe and comfortable around animals. Let’s find out together how to navigate life with pets in your Host Family’s home.

Are Au Pairs Responsible for Host Family Pets?

Technically, no. Your main responsibility as an Au Pair is childcare. This means that you are not automatically responsible for feeding, cleaning, grooming, walking or training the family’s pets. However, if pet care is part of the kid’s duties, and you are supervising the children you may help with for example:

• Reminding the children to feed the pets
• Joining the children on a walk with the dog
• Helping the children to clean up after the pet

What tasks Au Pairs should NOT do

• Paying vet bills
• Handling medical issues of the pets
• Training or disciplining the pet
• Taking full responsibility of the pet

What to Discuss Before Accepting a Family With Pets

Here are some examples of questions you can ask the Host Family during the interview, before making a decision:

• What kind of pets do they have and how many?
• How often are they around the children?
• Do the children have pet-related tasks?
• Are there any pet-related tasks I will have?
• Do any of the pets have special needs or behavioral issues?
• Is the pet calm around strangers or children?

What If You’ve Never Had Pets Before?

If you are unsure how you feel about living with animals, take your time to think before accepting a Host Family with pets. Ask yourself:

• Do I feel comfortable around animals?
• Am I afraid of any pets?
• Am I willing to live with a pet in the same home?
• Do I have any known allergies?

If you have friends with pets, maybe spend some extra time with them before you make your decision - real-life experience might help you with that.

Tips for Living With Host Family Pets

Respect their space

Sometimes you just can’t handle a pet’s cuteness. I get it - you just want to snuggle and pet your animals all day long. But  animals have boundaries just like people. If a pet hides, sleeps, or walks away, don’t force cuddles. Let the animal approach you first, especially in the first days of your stay.

Observe their behavior

Yes, the life of an Au Pair can be stressful. Screaming kids, a beeping dishwasher and the mailman trying to deliver a package usually take up most of your attention. However, pets can be curious and quick. Keep food, cleaning products, and small objects out of their reach. If you supervise the children, make sure they do the same.

Keep the kids safe

Your Host Kids want to pet their favorite furry friends just as much as you do. But depending on how young they are you have to be extra careful. We wouldn’t want the kids to get hurt, would we? Teach or remind them:

• Not to disturb sleeping animals
• Not to pull tails, ears, or fur
• To wash hands after touching pets

What If You’re Allergic or Afraid of Animals?

If living with pets affects your health or emotional well-being, you are not required to do so.

• Politely decline the match
• Ask for a pet-free environment (e.g. that pets are not allowed in your room)
• Discuss alternatives with the family

Should Pet Care Be in the Contract?

Yes, if the Host Family expects you to do tasks like these:

• Walk the dog regularly
• Clean a litter box
• Feed the pet daily
• Do any caretaking independently

Sammy-Jo