Ruth

More information about this house sitter

Available to house-pet sit: QLD & NSW 22 - 26 February 2025. From 8 October 2025 any State or Territory.

Note: If owners expect me to live in a filthy house, don’t accept my application or message me. I will walk out if I arrive & find you disrespect sitters/me. Yet expect us to take good care of your animals while you holiday. You’ll have to find another sitter at short notice if you’re one of these owners. Maybe even cancel your trip. Shouldn’t need to be said but I’ve been burnt, compromised too many times. *Was not supported by a different site (AHS) even when shown photographic evidence of poo & pee of 7 dogs in ‘dog toilet’ bathroom I was expected by dirty abuser liars - Jo & Craig, Paringa SA - to use as my bathroom for 5 weeks! Mindahome also haven’t followed up on complaint against abusers of myself & their dog Gav & Kirsty, Mannum SA. They mistreated & neglected their dog to such extent I had to pay for her veterinary care.

I plan to travel Australia possibly for the next 7 years in my camper van. House-pet sitting or paid jobs I find along the way. Happy to go wherever the roads take me.

I travelled a lot in Australia & overseas when I was younger. Not so much recently. Last trip overseas was to NZ in Nov-Dec 2023 to help my friend in Central Otago.

I'm 68, have good health, am average fitness & strength. I can do most (labour intensive) jobs around the house. Except if looking for specific skills e.g. carpenter, painter. Happy to learn what is needed to care for your pets - dogs, cats, farm animals.

I don't currently have any pets. I was brought up with german shepherds & have had a staffy & blue heeler in the past.

I've completed house-pet sits for owners at 20 places in Qld, NSW, Vic & South Aust. Learnt a lot more about different breeds of dogs, all types of animals & birds.

I enjoy spending time with other people’s pets even more than I anticipated when I set out on this journey 3 years ago. Lot of unconditional love. Quality time for all of us. I find it very therapeutic being with all these different, special beings who are loved by their owners. Some have been rescues. It's a privilege to be welcomed into different homes all over Australia.

First sit was in Townsville. I cared for Teneille & Rodney's 2 dogs - blue heeler & german shepherd - 2 cats, 7 goats, 6 chickens & a parrot for 2 weeks on 5 acre property.
Then I cared for Craig's 2 cats & 4 birds for 4 months in Wingham.
I cared for Matt's blue heeler, cat & chickens for 3 months in Woodburn on NSW South Coast on his 60 acre property in 2022. I completed a 3 month 1 week 2nd return sit for Matt in 2023 & 3 month 3rd return sit in 2024. I’m booked for a 3 month 1 week 4th return sit in 2025. I think being asked to return for sits is a good recommendation.
Debbie & Bill's 2 dogs - staffy & x-breed rescue - for 3 weeks at Ingleburn in Sydney.
Shelley & Trent's jack russell, miniature foxie & fish for 2 weeks in Brisbane.
Bec & Stephen's 3 golden retrievers & 4 belted galloways for a week at Fisherman's Pocket near Gympie Qld.
Margherita's 3 dogs - maremma, mastiffX & Heinz mix - 14 chickens, 17 guinea fowls, 25 geese, 2 goats & horse for 3 weeks on her 200 acre property at Yarrowyck NSW.
Kathy & Matt's jack russell for 9 weeks in Mudgee.
Dione & Craig's 4 dogs - english springer spaniel, maltese & 2 x 8 month old bellamy english cocker spaniel pups - 3 horses, 1 a dressage horse needing special attention & rugging, gardens for 4 weeks on their 20 acre property in Manar NSW.
Sam & Paul's toy poodle for 3 weeks in Kyneton.
Tanya & Phil's blue heelerX & pomeranianX for 2 weeks in Melbourne.
Dianne & Tony's 2 dachshunds for a week in Adelaide.
Jo & Craig's 7 cavoodles for 5 weeks in Paringa SA.
Gordon's staffy for 4 days in Reynella SA.
Cass & Ray's pomeranian, intensive garden care for 3 weeks in Mt Barker SA.
Samara’s blue heelerX for 4 days in Enfield SA.
Anna’s kelpie, dalmatian & 9 chickens on her 70 acre property in Hartley SA.
Jackie’s german shepherd, red heeler, german shepherdX & horse at her organic orchard in Wirrabara SA.
Gav & Kirsty’s german shepherdX & 9 chickens on their 8 acre property in Mannum SA.
Liz & Barry’s 2 cats for a month in Sussex Inlet NSW.

I've also been a house-pet sitter for random friends. I house-pet sat my friends' rural 25 acre property twice, when they went to Portugal for 3 months, cared for their 2 cats. I also house-sat a friend's Unit for 7 weeks in Brisbane & cared for her cat & property in Central Otago NZ.

I can ride horses well. I learnt when I was 4. I lived on a farm with all sorts of animals. I've worked at Riding for Disabled in the past.

I've also helped a Wildlife Carer, predominantly caring for Joeys, but other wildlife too.

Also worked in a commercial dairy wayback.

I have a small off road motorbike, registered for on road, on the back of my van. So I can get around any larger properties that may need looking after. Whether on my bike or a trail bike or quad. Or on horseback. Walking too.

I'm fairly flexible about what type of place or pets I'd be happy to mind. Not snakes.

I like both country & city life. I'd prefer longer housesitting jobs. 1 month or more. So I can settle into the house sit with your animals if you have any, into their routine, area & community. I generally can be flexible with starting & leaving dates. Even less than a month sit could be fine if I'm already around your area or going to be, or in between sits or paid work. I have done short 4 days, 2 & 3 weeks house-pet sits. Also many months. Length of time, dates available will slightly depend on where I am, how far I'd have to travel, if I might have another destination already locked in after the dates you need someone. That type of thing.

Happy to answer any questions anyone wants to ask. On Mindahome website or over the phone.

Thanks, Ruth. Read more...