House sitting often starts as a practical idea. For Hayley pet sitting started somewhere between the clouds and Sydney.
“I was on a flight back from visiting friends and family in the UK, wondering how on earth I was ever going to get onto the Sydney property ladder,” she says. “I don’t know what happened with the altitude, but it got my creativity flowing.”
Not long after landing, Hayley made a bold decision.
“I packed up my rental apartment, sold all my furniture, and listed my availability on Mindahome.”
Scary? “Yes,” she laughs. “I think people thought I was having some kind of mid-life crisis. But I’ve never looked back.”
“I packed up my rental apartment, sold all my furniture!
Hayley Mindahome pet sitter
Taking the leap into house sitting
Hayley began pet sitting in 2022. Having grown up with animals, including an Alsatian named Tara and plenty of farm animals at her family home in Northern Ireland, caring for pets felt natural.
“I may have started with the vision of saving for a house deposit,” Hayley explains, “but I continue because nothing beats this lifestyle. I love it.”
Working from home allows Hayley to spend real time with the animals she cares for and help them settle while their owners are away.
“I love that first home visit,” she says. “It’s such a lovely experience for them to wander over, all curious.”
Building trust with pets and owners
Clear communication is a big part of how building trust works for Hayley pet sitting.
“I send frequent updates while owners are away,” Hayley says. “Photos and videos really help give peace of mind.”
Sometimes those updates prompt a familiar reaction.
“Owners often joke their pets look so happy they’ve forgotten them,” she says. “Money can’t buy you that kind of warm fuzziness.”
Why Communication Matters
To capture these moments, Hayley created an Instagram account documenting her house sitting journey.
“It’s a place where owners can see updates and where I can store my favourite memories,” she explains. “I love seeing repeat animals come back each year, along with all the new ones.”
You can follow Hayley’s pet sitting adventures on Instagram here @hayley_pet_patrol and see Hayley’s Mindahome pet sitter profile here Mindahome Pet Sitter
While house sitting has allowed Hayley to explore different parts of Sydney, the highlights are often the quiet moments.
“Cuddling up with the animals at night,” she says. “Just being in their company and seeing their personalities come out.”
“I think people thought I was having some kind of mid-life crisis. But I’ve never looked back.”
Hayley, Mindahome Pet Sitter
A bulldog named Norman
When asked about her most memorable sit, Hayley doesn’t hesitate.
“Norman the bulldog.”
“What an interesting breed bulldogs are,” she laughs. “He’s stubborn, food-obsessed, and my spirit animal.”
But one moment stands out.
“I jokingly sang him a goodnight song and he yawned and fell asleep,” Hayley says.
“That’s a memory I’ll never forget.”
More than just a place to stay
For Hayley, pet sitting and house sitting is about more than caring for pets or having somewhere to stay.
“It’s about trust and connection,” she says. “Being welcomed into an animal’s world while their owners are away.”
“Every sit reminds me why I started.”