EXPERIENCED SITTERS EXCEPTIONAL REVIEWS
ID: orvName: | Debbie and Francis |
Status: | Couple |
Age group: | 36 to 45 |
Profession: | Writer and former teacher |
Years active: | 8 years |
Preferred locations: | QLD Far North Queensland and Torres Strait, Mackay-Isaac-Whitsunday, Townsville and North West |
Current bookings: |
26 Feb 30 May 25 Jul 29 Oct
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Reply rating: |
More information about this house sitter
EXPERIENCED HOUSE/PET SITTERS WITH EXCEPTIONAL REFERENCES BASED IN COASTAL NQ
A reliable 16-year track record of happy home owners for your peace of mind. (Please see references below)
Dear home owner,
A warm hello to you and thank you for reading our profile. A little bit about us.
Our names are Debbie and Francis, a semi retired couple living as active homebodies in Coastal North Queensland (mostly from Townsville to Cairns) - 16 years full-time nationwide and 11 years now as LOCALS.
Probably the most important thing to know about us is that we genuinely care. We are trustworthy, reliable, switched on – and use common sense. Francis is the original animal whisperer (seriously), a cleaning nut ...AND has a green thumb.
We are non smokers, healthy, fit, kind and considerate. We have no pets or dependent children and have our own transport.
Our point of difference
1- Our focus is you!
Because we are locals for so long we are NOT out of town tourists using your home as a base to explore (been there, done that). Our focus is your assignment, keeping a daily presence all day and every night for security, maintaining your property and providing constant company to your fur kids, including daily walks and playtime.
This is important and frequently overlooked.
2- Our exceptional (and very popular!) communications
We email you a detailed weekly update report - quite comprehensive and itemised with all the week's activities including very funny and entertaining stories, anecdotes and observations.
Recently started in 2025 we have a popular YouTube channel (over 150,000 views and more than 200 subscribers worldwide in just two months) where we upload weekly very funny images (both photos and videos) of your pet(s) fun walks, playtime and silly antics with us - so you always know what's going on in the home front and can continue to enjoy your time away with peace of mind. Happy faces paint the picture!
3- Our real bond with your pets
Both Debbie and I are lifetime animal lovers and have always enjoyed making sure we build a real relationship that is meaningful with the puppies, kitties and other animals we walk with, play with and hang out with every day. This is important to us and a big reason for what we do. We don't have pets -- your pet is our pet.
4- Our home owner mindset and connection with you
We understand you: we were proud home owners for 20 years (sold our beloved home in NSW in 2010) so we have your point of view. Therefore, we ensure you will be pleased - just as we would like to be.
We only provide our services to people we meet IN PERSON to confirm beforehand they are at ease and completely trust us. We also make it a point to be there on their return to greet home owners with a smile and again confirm they are satisfied in the handover of their very happy-faced pet(s), welcoming clean home and timely maintained gardens. Everything is exactly as they had left it - just chat with our very happy home owners.
We are both easily contactable all the time. And we contact you immediately should anything out of the ordinary were to happen - which it never has in our 16-year experience.
If you are in Coastal NQ we can meet you by video call via FaceTime, Whatsapp or Skype - but we are more than happy, and keen, to drive to meet you IN PERSON, for a deep understanding of all your needs and expectations.
Please see our most recent house/pet sit REVIEWS and chat with our happy home owners. We have 16 years worth of exceptional housesit references available for you (contact details upon request).
Our referees are our greatest asset. They are happy to share their experiences and attest to our word.
Also, we provide clean, up to date police checks.
In the true spirit of house sitting, our service is FREE - a truly fair, win-win exchange.
Also, we collect your snail mail every day and stow it to safety.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Debbie and Francis
OUR EXCEPTIONAL REFERENCES -
REVIEW 1-- SARA & ASHLEY
Dec 2025 & Jan 2026 (two months)
"Francis was great with weekly email updates on the house and animals. The house was immaculate on our return almost like no one had lived in it and the animals were all happy and healthy. Thank you for making our holidays stress free in regards to not having to worry about our home while away. Highly recommend Francis for your next house sit."
House care - 5 stars
Garden care - 5 stars
Pet care - 5 stars
Communication - 5 stars
REVIEW 2-- WILHELM & CES
April - Sept 2025 (6 months!!)
“Francis and Debbie house sat for us for approximately 6 months from April to September 2025. When we returned, everything was ship shape as we left it. The dogs were well looked after and we were sent regular reports/videos/photographs regarding both the pets and our garden. Francis provided receipts for anything he had to purchase. All in all, we we very happy with Francis’ house sitting.”
Best skills: Pets well cared for, Followed instructions, Home neat and clean, Maintained garden, Resourceful
REVIEW 3-- HEATHER
Nov 2025 (one month)
"Five stars for Francis. It was very obvious from the first meeting that my 2 little dogs were going to love him. From all the photos and videos I received I'm sure this was a 2-way relationship. Francis worked like a Trojan in my yard and scooped up every palm frond and leaf into neat bundles. My pool was sparkling. Everything was in perfect order upon my arrival home. The 2 dogs were exercised regularly and thoroughly enjoyed these outings. Francis is an experienced house sitter and genuine lover of animals. I have no hesitation in welcoming him back or recommending him for any position. I am sure my little girls will always remember him. Many thanks Francis."
House care - 5 stars
Garden care - 5 stars
Pet care - 5 stars
Communication - 5 stars
REVIEW 4-- JODIE & IAN (two Qld police officers)
Oct 2025 (one month)
“We would not hesitate in recommending Francis and Debbie as sitters. Before the sit Francis came over for a meet and greet and took extensive notes regarding each of our furbabies and things within our home. Francis left the house and yard in pristine condition upon our arrival home. Francis took special care of the furkids and took them on several adventures which he provided us with videos and photos. At the end of each week we were provided with a thorough email of weekly activities. Francis maintained excellent communication throughout the whole sit and spoilt the furbabies with extra treats and special dinners. We appreciate both Francis and Debbie so much and thank them so incredibly much for everything they did to make us feel at ease leaving our precious furbabies and home. We are hoping to have Francis and Debbie sit again, however they are high in demand.”
Best skills: Pets well cared for, Home neat and clean, Maintained garden, Punctual.
REVIEW 5-- BEV & BRUCE
Nov 2024 (one month)
“Francis was excellent in every respect. He and Debbie are very good communicators and have set very high standards for housesitting. The house, plants and yard were in a wonderfully clean and well-cared for condition upon our return. We got to meet Francis before and on the final day of this sit position and found him to be very thorough and meticulous with his duties. It has been a great pleasure to have him house-sit and we would thoroughly recommend him for any position that they choose. It would be lovely to have them come and sit for us again if the opportunity arises. Bev and Bruce Edwards”
REVIEW 6-- DR. PAUL (Emergency Room MD)
Sep 2021 - June 2022 (9 months!!)
“I have to admit, I was nervous about having strangers look after my home and two small dogs whilst I was away for an extended time. I’d never done this before and didn’t know the ins and outs of it. What would happen if they left the house in a mess? they neglected the dogs? they upset the neighbours?….I couldn’t simply fly back and resolve matters.
I was a nervous wreck sifting through all the applicants, and then I came across Francis and Debbie. They were very experienced and had wonderful references.
Their approach was very calming and reassuring, and from day one it felt like I had a close family friend watching all the things important in my life.
I’ve looked forward to my regular fortnightly email report from Francis; he’s sent videos of the dogs on their daily walks and weekly market visits, he’s shown how he’s been training them and how happy they’ve been with him. They’ll miss him greatly, I’m sure.
Any money spent on the home/dogs was itemised, any cleaning done was photographed, any snail mail was kept and I was notified in case it needed to be forwarded. They even looked for a book in the house I desperately needed and sent it to me straight away.
I couldn’t have hoped for a better couple to whom I could entrust the well-being of my pets and the security of my home. Happy pets, spotless house, calm nerves, who could ask for more?!
Should I need such services again, I think I have them on speed dial.
Thank you both once more and hope to see you again in the near future.
Dr Paul, MD”
REVIEW 7-- KATE
“Debbie and Francis house sat and looked after my 2 Maltese x Shih-Tzu dogs and did a fantastic job!! Not only did they spoiled my doggos with twice daily walks, beach visits and delicious food, they tidied my garden and did up one of the garden beds so that it looks better than it ever has before! They also kept the house in tip top shape and it was just as I had left it when I returned. They would send me an update on all aspects of the sit every two weeks but my favourite part was them sending me photos of the pups, who always looked happy and healthy throughout my overseas trip.
I would definitely have them sit again and would even consider having them move in full time as they looked after the house, yard and dogs better than I do! Please don’t hesitate or contact me if you have any questions about these amazing people house and pet sitting for you - trust me, you won’t be disappointed.”
REVIEW 8-- KAREN
Dec 2023 & Jan 2024 (2 months)
“Francis was amazing! He sat for us while we were OS for two months, which included getting things cyclone-prepped for the impending landfall of TC Kirrily. However, it was really our beloved spoodle Wally we were most concerned about. Francis quickly adopted him as his own so much so I suspect Wally was disappointed when we returned home. (lol) Francis kept us in touch with our pooch through regular photo updates where Wally was clearly wearing his 'happy face' and having a great time. I'm delighted to report that Wally now walks on the lead without the usual tug of war - thank you so much Francis. Francis's care and attention was clearly evident in both the house and garden which were spick when we returned - including yard clean up post cyclone. Big thanks! Grab him if he's available!”
Email received 5 Feb 2024
Hi Francis and Debbie
Thanks again for your terrific job housesitting for us. I do appreciate coming back to house and garden in order, particularly the yard clean-up post cyclone Kirrily. But most of all, of course, it was so reassuring to come back to a pup who clearly had a ball while we were away.
Thank you for caring for Wally so well, including seeing to his haircut which I'm sure he appreciated in this heat. We loved the photos and videos you sent of Wally while we were away.
Best news of all is that Wally is now much more fun to walk as we are no longer playing tug of war with him on the lead. Huge thanks. I do need to catch up with you for some additional tips to ensure we maintain your good work. (I have a couple of specific questions)
I hope your current house gig is going well. If you have a morning off this week or next, Wally and I would love to meet you down at the Strand around 8am. My shout for coffee!
Kind regards
Karen
REVIEW 9-- JEN & MIGUEL
Dec 2024 - Jan 2025 (two months)
“Debbie and Francis house sat and looked after our 2 guinea pigs for 2 months while we were overseas. The communication was excellent! They would send us a report on all aspects of the sit every week, including photos and videos from Paco and Nacho! Francis did a great job with the lawn, even the weed was removed! They also kept the house in great shape and it was just as we had left it when we returned. I would definitely have them sit again.”
REVIEW 10-- MASS & MARY
2018 - 2026 multiple times every year! (8 years)
“Francis & Debbie looked after our newly renovated Queenslander with garden, two medium size dogs and fish pond for several weeks. They both made an immense effort meeting with us prior to departure to receive a detailed handover about our pets needs and home arrangements. While we were away, Francis provided us with weekly reports and photos on the wellbeing of our fur babies. He update us on the weather, activities undertaken with Jasmine and Toby and shared funny stories about them. The garden received much needed attention and looked fabulous when returning back home. The house was returned clean and well looked after. They both seemed to have developed their own unique relationship with Toby and Jasmine and did not mind getting close to them. They both ensured they were safe and exercised every day mornings as well afternoons. We appreciate their commitment, and experienced housesitting skills and felt that our dogs and home were in good hands with Francis and Debbie. We are happy with the house sitters and wish them both many more exciting endeavours and are happy to recommend their service to future home owners.”
REVIEW 11-- BOB & TERESA
“To Whom It May concern,
We had Francis and Debbie look after our house while we were on holidays for 3 months last year. Upon our return we found the house in pristine condition, the gardens well groomed and the pool crystal clear. They are very thorough with their house sitting duties as evidenced by the checklist we went through before leaving, the regular email reports during our absence and the handover upon our return. We found them to be very honest and reliable and I would have no problem recommending them to others who require house minders.
Kind Regards,
Bob and Teresa”
REVIEW 12-- DAVID & DONNA
Sep - Dec 2023 (3 months)
“Debbie and Francis looked after our three aviaries of birds and our property for three months. They did a wonderful job. We were ecstatic to come home today to find our birds healthy, grass green, mowed and whipper-snipped, and the house sparkling. Would definitely recommend them. Exceptional service.
Best skills: pets well cared for, followed instructions, home neat and clean, maintained garden, punctual, resourceful.”
REVIEW 13-- CHRIS & COLLEEN
“We are so grateful to have had your support as first-time users of house sitters. We were quite apprehensive about using the service, but upon meeting you both, and spending such a short amount of time, we were reassured it was the right decision. More than anything else was the fact that our dog Bella was so comfortable with you, and you made the whole process seem effortless.
While we were away we did not worry about anything at all because the preparation had been so thorough, and coming back home to a happy pup and a beautiful clean home was just the icing on the cake.
We would enthusiastically recommend you to any property owners, looking for someone they can trust, to care for pets and home. Thank you for your generous attention, and for helping us out so that we could enjoy a fantastic time away.”
We look forward to hearing from you.
Kind regards,
Debbie and Francis
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