Fresh, crisp morning air, peace and quiet and only the sounds of nature to wake you from your sleep – sure, there are certainly many drawcards to choosing a farm or rural house sit. But knowing the routines of farm life and animal care, are just some of the things that you should brush up on before you step off the beaten track. Continue reading “Hobby farm house sitting – what you need to know”
Category: House Sitters
Mastering the Art of House Sitting: Your Guide to Securing the Perfect Assignments
In today’s fast-paced world, house sitting has become an increasingly popular way to travel affordably and experience new destinations. With the advent of technology, the house-sitting landscape has evolved, making it easier than ever for both homeowners and sitters to connect. In this updated guide, we’ll explore the key factors and strategies that will help you win that coveted house-sitting position. Continue reading “Mastering the Art of House Sitting: Your Guide to Securing the Perfect Assignments”
Avoid decoration disasters this Christmas
‘Tis the season for bright lights, colourful tinsel, glittery baubles and trinkets. While festive decorations set the scene for merry celebrations, here are some pet safety tips to ensure all members of the family have a good time.
- Manage power cords – The number one tip for a pet-safe Christmas is to always keep power cords and power packs tidy and out of sight of your pet-pal. Lights will gain your pet’s attention and curiosity. Young pups and kittens may like to chew cords, so it’s best to take steps to hide cords, or eliminate the temptation all together.
Continue reading “Avoid decoration disasters this Christmas”
Pantry politeness
It’s a common question among our house and pet sitting community – what are the rules for pantry politeness? While there aren’t any hard and fast rules, per se, there is a sort of unwritten code that home and pet owners, along with pet sitters agree to that delivers a mutual understanding and respect for each other.
While it will differ for each home and pet sitting arrangement, here are a few things to consider to help determine whether you’re abiding by polite pantry procedure. Continue reading “Pantry politeness”
A considered list can be a valuable tool
Ask any pet sitter about their best asset going into a home and pet sit, and they will likely state ‘a list’. While ‘a list’ sounds like a run-of-the-mill requirement for a new pet sit, a good list is what will ensure both sitter and homeowner are prepared for any eventuality.
Mindahome member Kai takes a proactive approach to list-making and develops a list of questions for the homeowner to respond to before even stepping across the threshold. Continue reading “A considered list can be a valuable tool”
Choice words
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”
Paw-Rated Reviews
“The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” – Oscar Wilde.
We all like getting compliments or feedback on our efforts or how we can improve. It helps us grow in confidence, in skill and learn for the future. That’s why online reviews matter.
At Mindahome, we have introduced a review system where owners and sitters can leave reviews for each other. If the home and pet owner has invited a sitter to a position and the sitter has accepted, a review for each party can be included on the Mindahome website. Continue reading “Paw-Rated Reviews”
Pet Sitter Profile: Sonja and Albert
With over two years of house and pet sitting experience and backgrounds in cleaning and property maintenance, Sonja and Albert are ready and willing to take on your pet and home care needs. Read more about their favourite pet sits and tips for home and pet owners.
- What is your favourite pet to have cared for?
We don’t have any favourite pets. We love each one of them whilst we are on our sits. To us they are all special in different ways.
- What is the first question you ask home/pet owners before taking on a pet sit?
Farm Animal Care
You might be thinking about heading out to regional Australia later this year, particularly with the Australian Government considering giving young Aussie job seekers incentives to work on farms.
If farm life piques your interest and your scoping out the latest house and pet sits in rural parts of the country, brush up on your farm animal care to make sure you’re ready for every challenge.
Food, water, exercise and shelter for protection are the essentials for farm animal care. Unwrapped has included tips on their website about how to care for farm animals. Continue reading “Farm Animal Care”
Free Things To Do Around Australia
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”