Pet preparedness: How to pack an emergency kit for your pet

Pet emergency

The best laid plans can change in and instant. Preparing for unexpected situations will ensure fur friends have all the essentials they need for their wellbeing. Check out these tips on how to create an emergency kit for pets.

Container or backpack – Decide on how you are going to store the pet essentials. If you’re home or region is prone to flooding, high moisture or wet conditions, a waterproof container may be a good option. For easy transport in an emergency, a backpack always works well. Consider all the items that you may want to carry during an emergency, and decide on the most suitable option for you and your pet. Continue reading “Pet preparedness: How to pack an emergency kit for your pet”

The power of a review

Taking the time to share a review not only provides insight into the personality of the sitter or home and pet owner but also benefits the wider pet sitting community. A review can recognise effort, provide constructive feedback, or help others understand the expectations and responsibilities involved in a house and pet sitting assignment.

Here are just a few reasons why leaving a review benefits more than just those being reviewed. Continue reading “The power of a review”

The three Cs of pet medication

Giving pet medication

The three Cs of pet medication

We love our pet pals, and we want them to live long and healthy lives. Sometimes, that means that they need medication. While it can be a challenging process for both pets and pet parents, it is necessary.

The three Cs of pet medication will help you get through. Just remember calm, confidence, and a little compassion go a long way when administering medication for a pet pal.

Here are some tips to help you safely get your pet to have the medication they need.

Educate yourself:Take time to understand the medication required for your pet. Clarify with your vet the dosage, how often to administer medication, and any side effects.

Hide the evidence:The simplest way to make sure your pet swallows their medication is to hide it in food. Mix pills and liquid medication with canned foods. Hand-feeding your fur kid can also ensure the medication is swallowed.

Get the technique right:If your vet advises that medication be taken on an empty stomach, you’ll need to practice your technique. In a recent article, Dr Catherine Tiplady suggests: ‘gently open your dog’s mouth by holding one hand above their muzzle. Tilt their nose upwards and place the tablet toward the back of the mouth, then close their mouth and gently rub or blow on their nose.’ You can also purchase pill dispensers to help the process along.

Remain calm and confident:Pets can sense when their owners are nervous or anxious, which could make them more resistant to taking medication. Make sure your pet is in a safe and comfortable place. Stay calm and confident during the process, and speak to your pet in a soothing, familiar voice to help keep them relaxed.

Take responsibility:Ensure one person in the household takes responsibility for administering your pet’s medication. This will avoid double-ups and can be monitored.

Praise your pet:Make sure to reward your pet for good behaviour and praise them for their cooperation. Positive reinforcement will make the process easier next time.

Be consistent:Follow the instructions provided to you by your vet. Remain consistent in administering the medication at the same time, and in the same manner to help establish a routine for your pet. Consistency can help reduce stress and make the process more manageable.

Show compassion:You know your pet better than anyone else. Consider how you can engage with your pet to ensure the process isn’t too stressful. Consider how they may be feeling, if they are in pain, or if they simply need a break.

If you’re having trouble administering medication for your pet pal, contact your vet for advice. They may be able to provide additional tips or alternative medications that are easier to administer.

Garden tips for the green paw

Pet Garden Safety

Garden tips for the green paw

If you like spending time in the garden, there’s a chance your pet pal might also consider themselves a green paw. Here are tips on garden maintenance to help you spruce up the green life and keep your fur friend safe and happy.

Know your garden: Become familiar with the different varieties of plants and flowers growing in your garden. Many common garden plants, such as lilies, azaleas, and tulips, can be toxic to dogs and cats if ingested. If in doubt, pull it out or create boundaries for your pet.

Garden boundaries: Flowering plants, bushes and trees are beautiful when in bloom. If you’d rather your pet stay away from these flowering beauties, create fencing or other barriers to ensure your pet stays away.

Fertilisers: Our plants need good food to grow and thrive, and fertilisers are commonly used to help this process. Consider using pet-friendly organic fertilisers and pesticides that don’t pose a risk to our pet pals when they’re wandering through the foliage.

Train and praise: Just as you might use the backyard to teach your dog to ‘sit’, take the opportunity to teach them boundaries. Train them to stay aware of certain areas in the yard, praise them and reinforce good behaviour with treats.

Tidy up: Make sure you tidy up shovels, garden forks, sprays and other garden maintenance items to ensure your pet doesn’t come in contact with sharp edges or toxic liquids.

If you are concerned your pet may have ingested something harmful while in the garden, seek advice from your vet immediately.

Browse online profiles of live-in house and pet sitters across the country who have experience in garden maintenance and animal care.

How to organise a last minute pet sit

Last Minute pet care

If one of your goals this year is to live in the moment and travel more, then there’s sure to be times when you need to organise a pet sitter for fido or kitty at very short notice. Here’s how to best approach finding your ideal pet sitter for a last minute getaway.

Write an outline for your position

More detail is usually better than less, especially when organising a pet sitter at short notice. Include photos, care requirements and consider the way you phrase your expectations. If there are special pet care requirements or home maintenance, list these details in the position listing.

List your position online

Home and pet owners can list positions for free on the Mindahome platform and can be connected with experienced, animal loving house and pet sitters right across the country.

Reach out to your networks

When time is of the essence, another way to attract attention from potential home and pet sitters is to reach out to past sitters to check their availability. If they are not available, they may be able to make a recommendation. Via the Mindahome platform, home and pet owners can also reach out to sitters who they feel may suit their requirements directly.

Review testimonials and previous reviews

Always review and request previous testimonials or references from house and pet sitters, particularly when organising a last minute pet sit. Via Mindahome’s review system, homeowners can leave reviews on a sitter’s profile, which provide a snapshot on the suitability of the sitter for your needs.

Set up a virtual interview

When time is short, use technology to your advantage! Organise a virtual chat with potential house and pet sitters via platforms such as Skype, Microsoft Teams or Google Meet. A conversation about the pet and home care requirements, as well as learning more about the pet sitter and their experience, will help you feel more at ease.

Introduce the sitter to your home and pets

If time allows, arrange for the home and pet sitter to stay at your home for at least one day prior to you leaving. This will ensure that any questions can be resolved before you leave and you, your pet and the sitter are comfortable with the arrangement.

Organising pet care at the last minute can be stressful and challenging. However, by following the above steps, all that’s left is for you and your fur-friend to enjoy a stress free holiday.

Getting the most out of pet sitting for the year ahead

setting goals

House and pet sitting can be a great way to travel, live close to work, explore new suburbs before settling down, and much, much more. Here are ways to make the most of a house and pet sitting lifestyle to achieve your goals in life.

Travel

Carpe Diem – seize the day! We’ve heard it before, but this year could be your year to take action to live life and enjoy every moment. Travel can broaden your life experience, expand social networks, and simply allow you to enjoy new experiences.

Of course, travel can be costly, so house and pet sitting presents a unique opportunity to not only save money on accommodation, but also embrace a different type of holiday. Staying for free at homes across the country as a pet sitter lets you save money, which can then be put towards attractions or experiences you’ve longed to enjoy.

There’s also the benefit of having all the conveniences of home on a house sit, such as a full kitchen, living spaces and, in some cases, the use of a car and utilities. With careful planning, house and pet sitting can save thousands of dollars on accommodation, food and transport.

Living close to school or work or remote

Cutting down transport time between home and work or school offers significant lifestyle benefits. If you’re spending less time commuting, you can reallocate your time to spending quality moments with friends and family.

As workplaces navigate ways to reimagine the way people work and a report revealing most managers believe that workers can be equally productive at home or in the office, house and pet sitting can offer the flexibility to support any work style.

Whether it’s in the suburbs, city or the remote countryside, there are house and pet sitting positions dotted across Australia that often include the use of internet to make working from home fuss free, or a short commute possible.

Increase your savings

Avoiding the seemingly endless rent pit, many Aussies are turning to house and pet sitting to save money. Mindahome house and pet sitters are using the money they save on rent to build up a deposit to buy a home or for other little luxuries.

Mindahome house and pet sitters have reported saving upwards of $10,000 per year by avoiding paying rent. It’s a significant saving to help build a nest egg, while enjoying unique living experiences.

Enjoying the companionship of pets

On the Mindahome house and pet sitting platform, 98% of positions involve the care of a pet. As an animal loving community, there’s no doubt that the unconditional love of a fur-friend is second to none.

Unfortunately, some rental agreements don’t allow pets, leaving a big paw shaped hole in the hearts of many fur-pal devotees. That’s where house and pet sitting can come into play to provide a dose of four-legged friendliness, even for a short time, to get back the pawsome spring in your step.

Live like a local

With Australians facing significant competition in the property purchase and rental markets, making an informed decision about the place you’re considering settling down could save you years of regret down the track.

House and pet sit in suburbs you might like to rent or buy in to experience closeness to shops, cafes, restaurants, recreational facilities and more. By living like a local, you’ll discover how the suburb or city suits the way you live, and you can make an informed decision about whether it could suit a long term stay for you.

Enjoying ‘me time’

With data revealing that young people are staying at home with their parents for longer, house and pet sitting could be the short term, rent free break you need to have some time for yourself when the, at times, chaos of parents of siblings under the one roof gets too much. Use house and pet sitting for short term or longer breaks for time to study or space to stretch out when the family home feels crowded.

House and pet sitting can be a way to travel, save money, or time for self-care. Sign up as a house and pet sitter and make the most of the lifestyle and new experiences.

Setting and keeping New Year resolutions

setting goals

As we waved goodbye to 2023, many of us had already set goals to achieve and dreams to live for in 2024. Making new year resolutions are easy. Here are some tips to help you keep them.

Set realistic goals

One of the most common pitfalls in making a new year’s resolution is setting unrealistic goals. An easy way to ensure you achieve your goals this year is breaking down bigger aspirations into smaller goals – it will prove more rewarding and help keep you on track to ‘reel in the bigger fish’.

Create a plan

Achieving your goals requires planning. Consider the steps needed to achieve your goal and set out a roadmap that includes a timeline. For example, if a goal is to secure more house and pet sits this year, break this down into smaller goals such as updating your online profile, securing a home owner testimonial after each position, reach out to one previous home owner to build trust and new opportunities. If your goal is to save $5,000 in one year, break this down further to plan how this can be achieved. For instance, choosing a house and pet sitter’s lifestyle rather than renting could be one way to build up savings.

Set reminders

If reminders help you stay on top of things, set up calendar reminders on your phone, computer, in a printed calendar or notebook. Reminders will help keep you on track and accountable.

Track your progress

Based on your timeline to achieve smaller goals, regularly review and reevaluate your goals to track your progress. You may be well ahead of your initial timeline, and at times, you might need to readjust the timeframe or goal.

Be kind to yourself

There are times when we may not achieve all that we had hoped in the timeframe we had allocated – and that’s ok. Stay true to your initial goal and rework, readjust, reevaluate and reframe your aspirations to remain positive rather than being hard on yourself. There are different ways to approach different challenges, and you are the best person to identify the best path to finish your journey.

Whatever your goals and whatever your journey, setting goals are the first step towards achieving the things in life that make you happy. Setting clear and realistic goals, planning and cutting yourself a break now and then will set you on the right path for this year and into the future.

Yummy DIY festive treats for your pet pals

Pet treats

While its strongly advised to never give a pet as a surprise gift to a friend or relative, adopting a fur-friend into your home could be your festive wish this year. If you’re considering welcoming a doggo, kitty or other pet into your home this year, there’s many reasons to consider adoption.

According to RSPCA, over 19,000 dogs, more than 35,000 cats and over 40,000 other animals were received by RSPCA shelters and sites nationally during 2021/22. Of the animals they rescue, Pet Rescue recorded 85% pet adoptions in the same period with Victorians taking over Queenslanders for the highest rate of pet adoptions.

There are many deserving pets that are looking for a place to call home however there are some things to consider before you dive into the role of a new pet parent or welcome a new fur-kid to your home.

Lifestyle:How will your pet fit into your lifestyle? Consider how your pet will be cared for if you have to travel. There are animal-loving pet sitters available across the country to help you on that front. Also think about exercising the pet. Are you able to go on daily walks with your dog or provide stimulating activities for your kitty or guinea pig?
Costs: Depending on the size and breed of the pet, consider the costs to feed and provide shelter.
Space: Is there ample room in your home our outdoors for your pet to have their own space to retreat to with toys, food and water when they need some time on their own?
Security and Safety:Is your home set up to ensure your pet can’t get out if frightened? Research microchipping and an ID tag for your pet to ensure they are returned home, if they accidently get lost.

Of course, there are many, many benefits to adopting a pet pal.

Health and wellbeing:As we all know, pet provide companionship, and the drive to get out and be active to keep our minds and bodies healthy. Pets are known to increase social connections, reduce stress and improve our moods. Not only are these benefits for humans adopting pets, but also for pets who are getting their second chance at life.
Microchipped and desexed:Often when you adopt a pet from a shelter, they are already microchipped and desexed by the rescue group.
Matured in behaviour:Adopting a pet from a shelter means that they have been around other animals and generally are more socially mature and may also have toilet training complete or underway.

There are many rescue groups across Australia that can help connect you with a pet pal that is looking for their forever home. This festive season, consider pet adoption for a new or additional fur-kid to benefit you and your

Consider adopting a new fur-family member

Adopt a pet

While its strongly advised to never give a pet as a surprise gift to a friend or relative, adopting a fur-friend into your home could be your festive wish this year. If you’re considering welcoming a dog, kitty or other pet into your home this year, there’s many reasons to consider adoption.

Lifestyle: How will your pet fit into your lifestyle? Consider how your pet will be cared for if you have to travel. There are animal-loving pet sitters available across the country to help you on that front. Also think about exercising the pet. Are you able to go on daily walks with your dog or provide stimulating activities for your kitty or guinea pig?
Costs: Depending on the size and breed of the pet, consider the costs to feed and provide shelter.
Space: Is there ample room in your home our outdoors for your pet to have their own space to retreat to with toys, food and water when they need some time on their own?
Security and Safety: Is your home set up to ensure your pet can’t get out if frightened? Research micro-chipping and an ID tag for your pet to ensure they are returned home, if they accidentally get lost.

Of course, there are many, many benefits to adopting a pet pal.

Health and wellbeing: As we all know, pet provide companionship, and the drive to get out and be active to keep our minds and bodies healthy. Pets are known to increase social connections, reduce stress and improve our moods. Not only are these benefits for humans adopting pets, but also for pets who are getting their second chance at life.
Micro-chipped and desexed: Often when you adopt a pet from a shelter, they are already micro-chipped and desexed by the rescue group.
Matured in behaviour: Adopting a pet from a shelter means that they have been around other animals and generally are more socially mature and may also have toilet training complete or underway.

An Australian white Christmas for nature lovers

If you want to experience the joy of a white Christmas this year without breaking the bank, here are some out-of-the-box ideas to help you get your wish right here in Australia.

Bright, white filled skies

The Australian Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, with its large white wings and distinctive yellow crest, is an iconic white presence in Australia. Witness the spectacular sight and sound of these birds in large flocks. Some of the best places to get up close with a Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo are along the River Murray in South Australia, and in the Adelaide plains including Adelaide and the Mount Lofty Ranges. These large, mostly white birds are also a tourist attraction in Lorne in Victoria which lies along the Great Ocean Road. It is also a hotspot where these beautiful birds gather and willingly pose for selfies with visitors..

White sandy beaches

Australia boasts some of the whitest beaches, perfect for experiencing the essence of a white Christmas. Lucky Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park, Western Australia, is renowned for having the country’s whitest sand. National Geographic lists Hellfire Bay in Cape Le Grand National Park (WA), Whitehaven Beach (QLD), Hyams Beach in Jervis Bay (NSW), and Squeaky Beach in Wilsons Promontory National Park (VIC) among the beaches with the whitest sand. Relaxing on the white sandy coastline of an Australian beach is an unparalleled way to enjoy a white Christmas Down Under

Snow-capped mountains

While we won’t be seeing the snow-capped landscapes of the northern hemisphere, there may be a chance that you can catch a glimpse of snow-capped mountains in our land down under. In February 2023, some alpine regions of Victoria and New South Wales endured cold blasts towards the end of the summer season, and while a rarity, it may be worth checking in to online snow cams to monitor local conditions.

To find a place to call home close to one of the many places you could experience a white Christmas in Australia, head to Mindahome.com.au for a list of house and pet sitting positions available.

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