We’re often approached by our homeowner members for advice on what to include in house and pet sitting listings. Generally speaking, house and pet sitters would prefer more detail rather than less and careful phrasing is also appreciated. Continue reading “Choice words”
References provide prospective home and pet owners looking at your profile with a snapshot of your experience in home and animal care. The more positive recommendations you have to highlight what you can offer homeowners, the better your chances of winning a pet sitting position.
There are several types of references you can collect. References from employers are helpful, so are references from friends and colleagues. But positive references from home and pet owners who are happy with the care you provided for their household and fur- baby is the gold standard among the pet sitting community.
We understand that it’s not always easy to ask for a reference after a house and pet sit. Here are a few tips to help you get a reference to help you win more positions.
The moment the pet owner walks through the door after being away is probably not the best time to ask for a reference. A day or so after you finish the house and pet sitting position, email or call the owner to request a reference. Be prepared to give them some time to consider your request and while a polite follow-up email or call about a reference is ok, don’t be pushy to get an answer straight away.
Ultimately, you want a reference to be a shining example of how well you can provide home and animal care. To ensure you get positive mentions, list the things you did while the homeowner was away that proves above and beyond care for their home and pet. Of course, it is up to the home and pet owner to write the reference, but a gentle reminder of some of the things you managed while they were away will help them craft the content. You may like to list your punctuality, regular communication about the owner’s pet while they were away, attending to their pet’s medical needs, maintaining the property, pool, antiques – anything that you feel will showcase your efforts as a house and pet sitter.
Give the home and pet owner ample time to complete the reference but offer a due date. If the due date passes, follow-up with an email reminder, or if you know them well enough, a call. Avoid more than two follow-ups to ensure the last impression the pet owner has of you isn’t a negative one.
Once you have received the reference, don’t forget to show your appreciation of the pet owner’s time and effort. Send a thank you note and express how much you value their positive feedback.
Start your journey as a home and pet sitter by joining Mindahome’s community. Sign up for 12 months and stay in homes across Australia rent-free.
Taking a photo of our animal companions as their natural and true selves is something special that can be very hard to do. Pet photography requires time, patience and a love of animals, qualities which are all in abundance among the house and pet sitting community.
Whether you want to brush up on your photography skills or start drilling down into the technicalities of light, shutter speed and editing, we’ve found tips from some of the best in the business to help you along the way. Continue reading “How to take a perfect pet photo”
First impressions are instant and lasting. Whether it’s during a job interview, first date, or a pet sitting profile, the way you communicate who you are and what you can do could decide how far you get.
For over two years Kai has successfully secured regular pet sits via the Mindahome website. Kai attributes much of their success to crafting a profile that puts the needs of the pet and homeowner front and centre. Continue reading “Write a pet sitter profile that gets noticed”
We all know it’s coming – D-day for our return to work. For those of us who have spent weeks, if not months, at home enjoying the unwavering love and affection of pets, the time to begin our transition back to work and away from the day-long wagging tails of our fur-friends is on the horizon.
It is going to be hard, but spare a thought for our pet-pals. Until now, they have relished day-long attention on command. For some pets, their pet parents return to work could raise feelings of fear and anxiety. Continue reading “Helping your pet adjust to your return to work”
Three in five households enjoy the companionship and love of a pet-pal, making Australia one of the top animal-loving nations in the world.
With so much pet love going around, it is unsurprising that pets and their people are eager to get out and about and back to ‘normality’.
Picnics at the park, get-togethers and travel, are set to make a comeback as Australia sprints to meet its vaccination targets for a safe reopening, and there’s plenty to do with your fur-friend. Continue reading “Out and about with your pet”
Dedicated dog parks offer safe and stimulating environments for our pets to develop social skills, enjoy physical exercise and spend time with their much-loved human. Many parks across Perth include equipment and spaces that suit dogs of all breeds and sizes.
Here is a list of just some of the enclosed dog parks that you can visit to entertain both human and canine members of the family.
Annie’s Landing Enclosed Dog Park, Ellenbrook Continue reading “Perth’s dog friendly parks”
Your online pet sitting profile is your chance to make an impression. The information you include on your profile could be what decides whether you land your ideal pet sit – or not.
Mindahome co-founder, Sue Coombs, says that pet sitters who write their online profile as if it were a resume have a higher chance of success. Continue reading “How to make your profile stand out”
Renowned as the ‘City of Churches’, Adelaide also boasts some amazing dog parks that will keep every pooch and their people happy all day long. Here are just some of the dog-friendly parks we’ve found across town that offer open spaces, as well as options for play and exercise.
Open all year round North Adelaide dog park is fenced and offers an abundance of space for your dog to stretch their legs and more. Ideal for small and large dogs, this park has tunnels for pups to run through, and for those that love to play throw and retrieve games, this park offers open areas to run, jump and chase. Continue reading “Adelaide Dog Parks”
Stuck indoors? There is no better time to focus your attention on your pet-pal to enjoy some quality time together. While you may not have an abundance of space to run and play, sometimes it can be items that you have around the house that can provide hours of fun and entertainment for both you and your pet.
Hide-and-Seek: We all love a game of hide-and-seek, and our fur-friends are no different. Hide their favourite treats around the house and encourage them to sniff them out. Snuffle mats are perfect for indoor hide and seek. The mats are mentally stimulating and encourage your dog to use its sense of smell. Snuffle mats are easy to make at home too. Dogs’ Refuge Home has outlined just how simple it can be to make a snuffle mat at home – and your dog will love it!
Toys for stimulation: You can purchase pet toys that keep your fur pal entertained. Australian Dog Lover has listed some of their favourite boredom busters, including automatic ball launchers, chews and more. Australian Cat Lover also lists some super simple ways to enrich your feline friend’s environment with suitable cat toys.
Tug-of-war: For pets that have excess energy to release, a game of tug-of-war is another option. Your pet-pal needs to engage their whole body to play this game, and the game can improve their dental health.
Training time: If you’re stuck indoors, use the time to incorporate behaviour training into pooch play. Encourage good behaviours such as putting toys away, with treats as rewards. Always make the experience a positive one and enjoy some quality time with your pet.
Get crafty: Don’t forget, sometimes it is just having you around that brings the most joy to your pet. But, if you are willing to get crafty, then channel your creativity to turn everyday household items, such as the humble paper toilet roll, into an activity that delivers bundles of fun. Check out some of the homemade toys suggested by RSPCA SA for inspiration.
Pet sitters are animal lovers that provide personalised care and attention for your pet. Find your ideal pet sitter, or sign up to start enjoying all the benefits of animal companionship as a pet sitter.