Author: Susan

Live a More Comfortable Life as a Pet Sitter

Pet sitter with dog

When you become a pet sitter you unlock some of the secrets to leading a happy and stress-free life. Don’t believe us? We surveyed our members to find out a few of the reasons they choose to pet sit.

Some of the results may surprise you, some may not. But it’s the little everyday benefits of the pet sitting lifestyle that prove there is much to be gained by choosing a life that focusses on caring for other people’s pets.

Save for a Home Faster

A survey of our members found that 27% said that they chose the lifestyle to save on rent and almost 30% said that house and pet sitting helped them save for their own home. Housing prices in Australia’s capital cities remain at an all-time high and out of reach for many young Aussies. Of the members surveyed, 64% said that they saved up to $5,000 by pet sitting. That’s a hefty sum that you can put towards a home of your own. Continue reading “Live a More Comfortable Life as a Pet Sitter”

Free Things To Do Around Australia

Travel and House Sit

There are loads of things to do in Australia’s major cities and they don’t have to cost you a fortune. So pack up your things and head out to your favourite place to experience more of what our beautiful country has to offer. To make your holiday budget go even further, register as a pet sitter and stay in homes across Australia for free!

Melbourne, VIC

Melbourne draws you in with its amazing sense of culture and lively eclectic atmosphere. If you’re looking to get a sense of Melbourne’s heart, head to Federation Square and sit and take in the people and the buildings, and even watch the big screens for some down-time. Flinders Street Station is nearby, so be sure to stop by, especially when the sun is setting to watch how the light dances across this iconic Melbourne structure. If you’re into art, head to the National Gallery of Victoria and ACMI (The Australian Centre for the Moving Image) for some awesome exhibits. Or if wildlife is more your interest, the St Kilda penguins are a must see and they return to their burrows along the St Kilda break wall every evening of the year just after sunset. Visit Melbourne’s array of markets and take advantage of the free tram zone around the city. Be sure to check out the many pet sitting positions available around Victoria, so you can stay for free and get to live like a local.

Hobart, TAS

Walk through Salamanca Markets, visit the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery or head up to the top of Mt Wellington to get a bird’s eye view of Hobart. A house and pet sit in Tasmania will help you appreciate the natural beauties of the state. Continue reading “Free Things To Do Around Australia”

Tips to Find Your Ideal Pet Sitter

Pet Rabbit

It’s a big decision to leave your furry BFF in someone else’s care for a few days, a week, or perhaps even months on end. So, finding the perfect pet sitter who understands your pet’s routine, health needs and unique personality is important in reducing your pet’s – and your – anxiety while you’re apart. Here are a few tips to help you attract your perfect pet sitter:

  1. Focus on the Details

When posting your position, add as much detail as possible about your pet. This could include their daily walk schedule, regular medicines they need, special diets, or even the amount of exercise they need depending on their age, mobility and stamina. These finer details will help pet sitters understand what is required from your position, and, could also attract sitters who have previous experience in caring for a pet with similar needs to yours.

  1. Know Your Pet

Does your pet bounce around all day and need someone to take them out for walks twice a day to expend energy? Or do they prefer to plod around your home and take regular naps? Know your pet’s personality and consider this when choosing a pet sitter. Some pet sitters work from home, are semi-retired, are full-time travellers, or choose to pet sit to live closer to work. Talk openly to your pet sitter candidates to make sure their lifestyle also suits your pet’s needs. Continue reading “Tips to Find Your Ideal Pet Sitter”

12 Ideas for Christmas Savings!

Save Extra money for Christmas

Come January, many of us may find that the festive season has stretched our wallets a little further than we would have liked. With gifts and more to buy for family, friends and fur-pals, we can understand that some of us can get carried away with the gift-giving spirit.

But if you don’t want to be paying off a hefty credit card bill for most of next year, then consider some of these ideas to save this Christmas and keep your new savings for yourself.

  1. Budget

It’s best to start off the gift-giving season with a budget. Know how much you want to spend on each gift and maybe even have a chat with friends and family to set and gift budget for each family member. The trick is to stick to your budget and to not stray with small purchases along the way. Continue reading “12 Ideas for Christmas Savings!”

Why Pet Sitting is a Win for You

Pet Sitting is a win for everyone

It’s well known that Australia is a pet loving nation. Aussies are also renowned for their genuine willingness to lend a helping hand when needed. Combine the two and that’s ultimately the pet sitting arrangement.

When pet-parents want their fur-kid cared for by someone they know will treat them like their own little fur-kid, a live-in pet sitter is the natural choice. And pet sitters enjoy staying somewhere comfortable without the huge price tag. It’s a win/win for all! Continue reading “Why Pet Sitting is a Win for You”

Pet Sitting To Purchase

Buying a home for the first time in Australia’s major metropolitan cities continues to be top of the  wish list for many young Aussies. For some, saving that first deposit is the biggest hurdle. But with upwards of $10,000 of savings per year up for grabs as a house and pet sitter, you’d be crazy not to give it a try.

So if you’re planning to plunge into a mortgage for your dream home, you’d better make sure it’s the right one for you. That’s where pet sitting comes in. Continue reading “Pet Sitting To Purchase”

Travel Solo as a Sitter

Solo Traveller, pet sittingIf you thrive on following the road less travelled and you enjoy making new friends, then house and pet sitting could be your calling.

For many who choose to travel on their own, pet sitting is a great way to save money and to try life in someone else’s shoes for a while.

In Australia, house and pet sitting is more attractive than ever, with close to 40% of sitters choosing to explore the country while staying free in other people’s homes and caring for pets. Continue reading “Travel Solo as a Sitter”

Pet Sitters Perfect for Rural Stays

Pet Sitting FarmsLiving on acreage with multiple animals that have special care, means that getting up and heading away for a holiday isn’t always straight forward.

Pet parent and animal specialist, Christie Hall, runs a successful horse therapy business, The Therapist with Hooves, from her home in Richmond in NSW.

Along with the human members of the family, Christie’s family extends to include five horses, one sheep, two cats, a dog and one fish. Continue reading “Pet Sitters Perfect for Rural Stays”

Pets Encourage Healthy Habits

Healthy Habits The winter blues are sure to have hit many of us. You may feel more sluggish, a bit lethargic and less motivated.

If you’re keen to get back into an exercise routine, getting that extra push you need to get started may just be disguised as a bundle of fur. That’s right, your fur-friend could be your key to becoming more motivated to get back into healthy habits.

Owning a pet or pet sitting can offer so many health benefits. Animals are known to be great stress relievers, proven to reduce blood pressure and make us more socially resilient. Continue reading “Pets Encourage Healthy Habits”

Canine Flu and Your Pet

Canine FluWe’ve turned to Pet Problems Solved to seek advice on how to deal with canine flu. The canine flu is caused by two different viruses that can only be transferred between dogs. Unfortunately, much like the flu that many humans have experienced this winter, our dogs simply need to suffer through the symptoms as well.

The symptoms of the canine flu range from nothing at all, or could be in the form of a cough, fever, lethargy, or refusing food. Once you’ve identified that your canine friend has the flu, you can really only go about managing their symptoms. Continue reading “Canine Flu and Your Pet”