The experiential benefits of house sitting in rural and regional Australia

A sittersRunning a farm or rural property isn’t for the faint hearted. Around 50% Australian farmers are self employed owner managers and are likely to work more than 49 hours a week managing the demands of a rural property, which leaves little opportunity to take time off for a holiday.

But home owners in regional Australia are increasingly turning to house and pet sitters to look after their properties while they take some well earned time away.

With experience and practical know-how, house sitters like Satya and Ishtar, can offer rural home owners peace of mind when they choose to travel. Continue reading “The experiential benefits of house sitting in rural and regional Australia”

Top 5 ways home owners can attract their ideal sitter

Image_7Developing a house and pet sit position advertisement should be carefully developed to make sure that you attract the right candidates to your position.

Experience and a love of animals are great criteria, but detailing some of the duties that are required of a house and pet sitter in your advertisement will give sitters a better understanding of what is expected of them and if they’re up for the job.

Here we’ve listed the tried and true ways that home and pet owners can develop a cracking house and pet sit advertisement to hone in on the right sitter. Continue reading “Top 5 ways home owners can attract their ideal sitter”

10 Steps to finding the Perfect Pet Sitter

Image_6Finding the right pet sitter for your furry, scaly or feathery friend will ensure that your pet is comfortable and stress-free while you’re away.

Here are some steps to follow to guide you to finding their right pet sitter for your pet.

1. Give yourself time: Post your position well in advance of the sit period, if possible, to give you time to gather applications and review their experience and references

2. Be specific: Be specific about your pet sitting requirements to make sure you attract the right sitter. Mention routines and medication requirements, if relevant, to let the sitter know what to expect

3. Do your research: Many house and pet sitters come with testimonials, police checks and references. Take some time to contact references and read through testimonials to give you an idea of what to expect from your pet sitter Continue reading “10 Steps to finding the Perfect Pet Sitter”

How a mother and daughter duo saw Australia as house and pet sitters

adrienne_poppyKiwi born Adrienne and her daughter, Poppy, wanted to see Australia and have many adventures along the way. So they sold their house, car and all their possessions and began house and pet sitting their way around the country.

Here are some of their stories…

I came across Mindahome.com.au on one of my searches for different ways to travel around Australia and thought that house and pet sitting would be perfect for us.

We both love pets, but Poppy definitely has a way with all animals. Nothing beats the love and attention of a gentle child companion with all the time in the world to play. The pets that we’ve cared for are relaxed and in their own environment so it makes it easier for them to trust us and let us into their world. Continue reading “How a mother and daughter duo saw Australia as house and pet sitters”

7 answers to the most frequently asked questions about house and pet sitting

We get many of the same questions about house and pet sitting. So we thought we would tackle the questions head on to give you a clear idea of what is involved in being a house and pet sitter or being the home and pet owner.

1. How do I get started as a house and pet sitter?

Start by registering with a reputable house and pet sitting service. Be sure that you look at the costs associated with registering and compare with others to make sure you are getting the best deal.

Next, you have to create a profile. List some of the things you can do for the home and pet owner, such as garden maintenance and administering medication to pets.

Home owners also appreciate sitters who are flexible. They may want you to visit them before the sit to get used to the quirks of the home or pets. Continue reading “7 answers to the most frequently asked questions about house and pet sitting”

House and Pet Sitting: A Simple Definition

Knowing what house and pet sitting involves is the key to being successful at it.

As a general definition, house and pet sitting is…

…caring for the home, property and pets or animals of others in a respectful manner that is considerate of the values and lifestyle of the owner, while benefiting from free accommodation and flexible living arrangements.

To be a house and pet sitter, you have to have a love of animals. Pet owners entrust their treasured pets to you while they are away and expect that you will give them one-on-one attention and care, especially if they require medication or special treatment. Continue reading “House and Pet Sitting: A Simple Definition”

The #1 trait that house and pet sitters can offer your pet

be2House and pet sitters are special people. They understand that the bond between animals and humans is strong and one that makes separation, even for short periods, difficult.

So unlike some other pet care options, house and pet sitters bring compassion to your home and treat your pets and animals as if they were their own. Continue reading “The #1 trait that house and pet sitters can offer your pet”

House and pet sitting to enjoy the company of animals

012Animal lovers across the globe will attest to the many rewards of pet ownership, but for some, owning their own Rex, Rocky, Misty or Puss, just isn’t an option.

Sometimes apartment rules, limited space or just time pressures prevent even the most devout animals lovers from owning a pet of their own.

House and pet sitting is a way to enjoy the company of animals if owning one just doesn’t suit your lifestyle.

As Australia becomes more urbanised, more people are restricted by smaller backyards and living in apartments, where they realise owning a pet is not suitable or fair for the animal. Continue reading “House and pet sitting to enjoy the company of animals”

Our animal companions

Ad2We all know that Australia is a nation of pet lovers with more than 60% of Australian households owning at least one pet. Australia also has one of the highest levels of pet ownership per capita in the world!

Our four legged, furry, fluffy, feathery and reptilian pets are companions that share just as much love as human members of the family in most cases. And it has been proven that above companionship, pets also provide psychological and physiological benefits to owners.

The roles animals play in our lives changes as we progress through different life stages but at each time our pets play an important role in comforting us, helping us to combat challenges we face in our lives or just be there as the ever stoic friend. Continue reading “Our animal companions”