For 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.
The lovely house sitter Sue engaged was experienced with dogs and walked them down to the creek everyday and she fed the resident butcher birds. The house sitter even nursed a kestrel back to health after a strong storm on the property. The kestrel then became a regular friendly visitor for Sue after her house sitter had left and when whistled to, would even fly over to the kitchen and sit on the roof of the veranda.
For some house and pet sitters, the chance to experience life in a rural setting is a great opportunity for a holiday.
Ken and Judith house and pet sat in a lovely home on 25 acres of undulating country where they cared for a horse, eight young steers and a Dalmatian.
Ken and Judith enjoyed the farm stay for the peace and quiet which was a contrast to their home where the increasing traffic noise was not pleasant.
So whether you’re city folk wanting to escape the rat race for a while to experience something different, or a home owner of a rural property looking to leave your animals and home in experienced hands to get away, house and pet sitting can work out to be beneficial for everyone involved.
Read Ken and Judith’s full story below
We are currently house/pet sitting near Wyee in NSW in a lovely, huge, home on 25 acres of undulating country. We have an old horse, 8 young steers and a spoilt Dalmatian to look after and a few plants but they are not a lot of trouble. We are enjoying the relative peace and quiet as opposed to our own home where the increasing traffic noise is not pleasant.
This year, we have been to – Tumbarumba in the Snowy Mountains Dec/Jan, where we experienced their hottest summers for decades and looked after sheep, goats, ducks, chooks, cats, dogs, fish and a big garden; we had 8 days in Mackay caring for 2 staffys who were no trouble at all; 3 weeks on acreage near Yeppoon caring for a cat, chooks and garden in a lovely home; currently we are in Wyee; and the last one for the year will be at Nanango, Qld where we will care for 8 horses, 2 dogs, 3 cats and some guinea fowl!!
So you see we have had a pretty full year and I have attended local craft markets in between where I sell my hand-knitted garments which I make whilst travelling and house-sitting.
Ken and Judith