Pet loving couple

More information about this house sitter

We are Alison and Lance, non-smoking, self employed owners of a desktop publishing business and we would love the opportunity look after your pets!

We stumbled into pet sitting when my elderly mother went into aged care and we needed a place to stay in the ACT when we wanted to visit.

Typically we’ll start off with a zoom or teams meeting but if we’re in the same city/close by, we’re more than happy to come and meet you (and your pets) face to face. We’re happy to do in person handovers, including staying the night before you leave or conversely, we’re happy to pick up the key from a neighbour, a lockbox or from under the mat after you have gone.

Our pet/ house sitting philosophy:

Your pet is our pet while you’re away. This means we’ll love them as much as you do and follow any routines you have for them. Don’t feel like you’re asking too much - we’re happy to do what needs to be done for your pet’s health and safety and for your peace of mind. Just make sure you tell us any boundaries you want observed - for example, some of our charges have been allowed on furniture/beds, others have not. This also means we’re happy to send updates and photos while you’re away.

Your house will be respected. It will be as clean - if not cleaner - as when you handed it over to us. We don’t want you to get back from your travels to a pile of cleaning and washing. It’s important that you provide us with any specialist or specific cleaning products you’d like us to use on your home, otherwise we will use the cleaning products we have to hand. All you have to deal with is the existential crisis that accompanies a return to work or normal day to day life.

If we break it, we buy it. Or in this case replace it. While we will take the utmost care of your house, normal wear and tear happens, as do accidents. If we break something we’re not going to try to cover it up, we will consult with you to discuss a mutually agreeable remedy.

If we use it, we’ll replace it. We normally have everything we need for ourselves (food, spices, washing powder, dishwasher tablets etc) but if we use something in your pantry because it’s late and we’ve not had a chance to get to the supermarket, we’ll replace it - if not the exact brand, a close approximation. If you’ve left us money to buy pet food, treats etc, receipts will be provided along with any change.

We’ll always ask for this information. The phone number of your vet, your electrician, your plumber and any emergency contacts (if you have people nearby). We’ll ask where your fuse box is, what night the bins go out, where your water shut off is and if you have any specific instructions about solar panels or settings you want us to use (or avoid) on, say, your washing machine or dishwasher.

Us and gardening. We’re not green thumbs by any measure but we can follow instructions and keep your garden alive - we just need some details from you.

If you’re still reading and we sound like the type of sitters you’re looking for then please get in touch.

**We’re currently booked until 2 December 2024 and, if they become available, will book further opportunities. Read more...