Home can be anywhere!

House Sitting is very popular in countries where it is expensive to employ people to take care of their homes and animals while they are away. The fees charged by pet kennels and catteries can be exorbitant. Many people looking for House Sitters live in UK, Europe, USA, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. As they don´t have to pay for House Sitters – in exchange for free lodging we are very happy to look after their home and animals according to the requirements. House Sitting has become the solution over the last few years; it is “en vogue” especially for mature travellers :-).

Starting with TrustedHouseSitters as this community seemed to be one of the biggest in Europe. There are also dedicated House Sitter websites for countries like Australia, Aussie House Sitters and several Facebook groups in which House owners look for experienced House Sitters.

PET CARE – how WE care:

We love animals! Sometimes it appears to us that some special 4 legged friends “called” us for a special reason. We seem to be the “translators” for some of our furry friends and after our stay something big changes in their lives…

Pet care for us does mean, that we have to have experience with the type of animal we’re are looking after! We never think that pet care is easy and that all that it involves is feeding our hosts pets!

Sometimes we need to clean a cats litter tray several times a day to keep them happy and healthy and we take it seriously! Sometimes we have to help a dog to learn new things that are important for theirs and other people’s safety. Sometimes Susanne helps horses and humans to become friends.

We always take the full responsibility for the animals!

Here is the story of one dog that I looked after and that could not run of leash, attacking other dogs and people. My neighbour Don wrote what he could see happened while I worked with Lily:

My neighbour’s animals consisted of two chickens, one cat and one dog. Lily the dog was a Labrador Husky cross who it would seem was mistreated at some time as a young pup and had not been socialised with people or dogs. The reason I came to this conclusion was the she was terrified of strangers and other dogs and would shy away from them, tail between her legs, barking and snapping in fear. Over a long period of time I had gained her trust and she would enjoy me stroking and patting her.

The day Susanne arrived Lily took an instant like to her and related to her as if she had known her for some time, which my neighbour noted had never happened before with a stranger. Over the next four weeks Susanne not only fed and cared for Lily at home but also walked her, took her to the beach and took her when she visited people. At the end of this time Lily had changed from a shy, scared dog to one that could be taken to the dog section of the beach and would interact with people and dogs in a friendly and happy manner. It was truly a transformation! I know that the cat also was very different, in a positive way, by the time she left Australia.

Susanne and I spend time together and I found her to be not only to be amazing with animals but also an open, honest and caring person. I enjoyed her friendship and was sorry to see her return to Germany.  Don Madden, AUSTRALIA