Author: Susan

House and Pet Sitting: A Simple Definition

Knowing what house and pet sitting involves is the key to being successful at it.

As a general definition, house and pet sitting is…

…caring for the home, property and pets or animals of others in a respectful manner that is considerate of the values and lifestyle of the owner, while benefiting from free accommodation and flexible living arrangements.

To be a house and pet sitter, you have to have a love of animals. Pet owners entrust their treasured pets to you while they are away and expect that you will give them one-on-one attention and care, especially if they require medication or special treatment. Continue reading “House and Pet Sitting: A Simple Definition”

The #1 trait that house and pet sitters can offer your pet

be2House and pet sitters are special people. They understand that the bond between animals and humans is strong and one that makes separation, even for short periods, difficult.

So unlike some other pet care options, house and pet sitters bring compassion to your home and treat your pets and animals as if they were their own. Continue reading “The #1 trait that house and pet sitters can offer your pet”

House and pet sitting to enjoy the company of animals

012Animal lovers across the globe will attest to the many rewards of pet ownership, but for some, owning their own Rex, Rocky, Misty or Puss, just isn’t an option.

Sometimes apartment rules, limited space or just time pressures prevent even the most devout animals lovers from owning a pet of their own.

House and pet sitting is a way to enjoy the company of animals if owning one just doesn’t suit your lifestyle.

As Australia becomes more urbanised, more people are restricted by smaller backyards and living in apartments, where they realise owning a pet is not suitable or fair for the animal. Continue reading “House and pet sitting to enjoy the company of animals”

Our animal companions

Ad2We all know that Australia is a nation of pet lovers with more than 60% of Australian households owning at least one pet. Australia also has one of the highest levels of pet ownership per capita in the world!

Our four legged, furry, fluffy, feathery and reptilian pets are companions that share just as much love as human members of the family in most cases. And it has been proven that above companionship, pets also provide psychological and physiological benefits to owners.

The roles animals play in our lives changes as we progress through different life stages but at each time our pets play an important role in comforting us, helping us to combat challenges we face in our lives or just be there as the ever stoic friend. Continue reading “Our animal companions”

Home security during a house and pet sit

22bMany home insurance companies prefer that you have a house and pet sitter in your home while you’re away because it makes the house look ‘lived in’.

With many house and pet sitters providing police checks and testimonials from previous positions, you have the peace of mind that they will be trustworthy, but there may be a few added checks you may want to do prior to leaving:

  1. Inform your insurance company of the period you will be away and mention that you will have a house and pet sitter staying in your home
  2. Advise neighbours that you will be on holidays and perhaps even introduce them to the house sitter so they recognise the face staying at your house
  3. Generally, the cost of utilities and internet, etc are covered by the home owner, however on some occasions home owners negotiate a bond with house and pet sitters, that is returned at the completion of the sit Continue reading “Home security during a house and pet sit”

Finding the right pet sitter for your four legged friend

cat2bThe Mindahome house and pet sitting service is all about connecting home owners with the right house and pet sitters and it’s always good to hear about stories where a perfect match was made.

Danielle’s feline friend, Miss Ivy, didn’t like being alone and her health and emotional well being had suffered from a previous stay in a cattery. So Danielle signed up for a house and pet sitter and found, what she describes, as ‘an Ivy Angel’.

For the four weeks that Danielle and her family were away, they received regular text messages about how Miss Ivy was coping and when Danielle returned, they came home to a happy cat and immaculate home. Continue reading “Finding the right pet sitter for your four legged friend”

Everyone needs some time to get away

Farm lifeFor people who live on rural or semi-rural properties, it can sometimes be difficult to entrust the care of cattle, sheep or other pets to someone else while they get away for a while. But when Sue planned to travel for a few weeks, there was no question that having a house and pet sitter was a win/win situation for everyone.

With no immediate neighbours and two dogs, a fish pond, some wild birds and a half acre garden to care for, Sue needed someone who could immerse themselves in the way of the property and respect the environment and surrounds. Continue reading “Everyone needs some time to get away”

House and pet sitting in prime holiday destinations

A1Many Aussies are realising just how cost effective it is to travel as a house and pet sitter, as many recent articles have mentioned.

Rent free holiday accommodation during peak season is unique to a house and pet sitting holiday and it means more cash in your pocket to have more fun on your holiday.

For David and Glenys, staying on the Sunshine Coast instead of experiencing a cold winter back home, was the ideal way to spend their holiday. Mooloolaba was another of their favourite house and pet sitting holiday destinations where they spent many days swimming in the surf and enjoying the shops and restaurants. Continue reading “House and pet sitting in prime holiday destinations”

Beat the Winter Blues

hot_chocolate2If you don’t want to spend your whole winter curled up in your doona, hot chocolate in hand and watching endless re-runs on the TV, then set yourself a goal to experience something new or to get out of your comfort zone this winter.

A great way to immerse yourself in a community is to visit a place as a house sitter and live like a local for a short while.

You can even wander around towns that you’ve already visited to see how mother nature transforms the surrounding environment. With fewer crowds and some time to explore, you’re sure to uncover a few hidden secrets that you overlooked in the height of peak season.

Or you may just want a change of scenery while you’re still working nine to five. Then find a house and pet sitting position close by. You may see your town or city in a different way from a nearby suburb. Continue reading “Beat the Winter Blues”