Category: Pet & Home Owners

Do pets love TV as much as we do?

Pets and TVHave you ever noticed that the soft, almost inaudible click signalling the TV powering up is enough to summons your pawesome pet pal from wherever they may be? Are your pet’s eyes transfixed on the screen as you watch the latest episode of Neighbours together?

In an age of digital entertainment, where streaming services are entrenched in everyday TV viewing and binge-watching is a cultural phenomenon, it’s not just humans who are attracted to the glowing screen. Furry friends across the country – and the world – are snuggling up on the couch with their humans to watch along for entertainment and stimulation. Continue reading “Do pets love TV as much as we do?”

How to organise a last minute pet sit

Last Minute pet care

 

If one of your goals this year is to live in the moment and travel more, then there’s sure to be times when you need to organise a pet sitter for fido or kitty at very short notice. Here’s how to best approach finding your ideal pet sitter for a last minute getaway.

  1. Write an outline for your position

More detail is usually better than less, especially when organising a pet sitter at short notice. Include photos, care requirements and consider the way you phrase your expectations. If there are special pet care requirements or home maintenance, list these details in the position listing. Continue reading “How to organise a last minute pet sit”

Consider adopting a new fur-family member

Adopt a pet

While its strongly advised to never give a pet as a surprise gift to a friend or relative, adopting a fur-friend into your home could be your festive wish this year. If you’re considering welcoming a dog, kitty or other pet into your home this year, there’s many reasons to consider adoption.

According to RSPCA, over 19,000 dogs, more than 35,000 cats and over 40,000 other animals were received by RSPCA shelters and sites nationally during 2021/22. Of the animals they rescue, Pet Rescue recorded 85% pet adoptions in the same period with Victorians taking over Queenslanders for the highest rate of pet adoptions. Continue reading “Consider adopting a new fur-family member”

Pet-Friendly Resolutions for the New Year

Pet New Year

The New Year is a time when we tend to make promises to ourselves and others about making the most of every day. This year, add a pet’s perspective to your New Year’s resolutions for a fur-friendly 2023.

Here are just some of the resolutions you might like to consider for this year, but the options are endless and can be designed specifically to suit you, your fur kids and your lifestyle. Continue reading “Pet-Friendly Resolutions for the New Year”

Avoid decoration disasters this Christmas

Pet 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”

Setting the sleeping scene

pets sleeping

Do you like to snuggle up with a furry friend in bed or prefer a paw-free night’s sleep? The experts say that there are significant mental health and well-being benefits to cuddling up with a furry friend each night.

Of course, this sleeping arrangement doesn’t suit everyone and while a cuddly companion does bring comfort and reduce stress, they have also been found to disrupt our sleep.

In a survey of Mindahome pet sitters, 22% say that the pets they cared for wanted to sleep alongside them.

It’s understandable that pet parents and their fur kids get into certain habits, however, sleeping arrangements should always be discussed with a pet sitter before taking on the position.

Here are some of the questions pet sitters and owners should cover before a sit to ensure a stress-free experience – for pet sitter and pet!

  • Where does the pet sleep during the day and at night?
  • Do they like their own bedding or are they free to sleep on the couch, rugs and bed?
  • At night do they sleep in the bed or on the floor?
  • If they like to sleep in the bed, do they cuddle up close or prefer to have some space?
  • Are they toilet trained, or do they need to be let out at night?
  • Is the pet up to date with the flea and tick treatments?
  • How often should I change the pet/human bedding?

For pet sitters who prefer their own space at night, it’s best to include this preference as part of your profile. Alternatively, make it a point for discussion during initial conversations with pet owners.

For pet owners looking for their ideal pet sitter to keep their fur-kids company while they’re away, browse sitter profiles online. Pet sitters can also browse pet sitting positions online to find a furry friend to cuddle.

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

housesitter list

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”

Timing house and pet sits

If the last two years have taught us anything, it’s that preparation and adaptability are key. Home and pet owners can be looking to engage a pet sitter for a few days, several weeks, a couple of months and even more.

While the consensus among house sitters may be for homeowners to give at least one month’s notice for an upcoming sit, last-minute sits can be fruitful for both house sitters and homeowners.

Let’s unpack the various circumstances to see how best these can work for our animal-loving community. Continue reading “Timing house and pet sits”