I do not. I prefer to keep it as an exchange of services that benefits us both.
You get: free pet care, house care, and home security.
I get: free accommodation, power, Wi-Fi, water, streaming, etc.
Your pets get: to stay in familiar surroundings instead of being sent to a strange location while you're away.
An exchange of services is a win for all of us.
I provide whatever care you desire for your pets. This can include any or all of feeding, walking, grooming, cuddles, administering medication (if needed), maintaining routines, etc. I tailor my care to your pets’ needs and your requirements.
My preferred method of keeping you updated is WhatsApp, but I am also happy to use Messenger, email, or text. Please note I cannot send photos via text. I send as many or as few updates as you ask for.
Some homeowners want several updates a day, others want a few a week, and one said, only contact us if there's an emergency - we'll see you in three weeks. Updates can include written notes, photos, and/or short videos of your pets so you know they’re happy, healthy, and well cared for.
I have experience with pets requiring medication, special diets, or mobility support. I will follow your instructions carefully and maintain consistency in their care. We’ll discuss everything in detail before you leave.
This is entirely up to you. I maintain your pet's regular schedule and living conditions as much as I can. If they are used to sleeping on the bed and being allowed on the couch, then they can do that. If they are not allowed on the bed or couch, then I will abide by that.
I'm sorry, but no. I am happy to run your dogs off leash in a legally designated off leash area, but I will not run them off leash in an on leash area. And no, we cannot come to an agreement that I will run them off leash if you pay the fine. It's still my name that will go on the fine. I will not break the law on anyone's behalf.
Pretty much. I have cared for dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, fish, chickens, ducks, guinea pigs, eels, iguanas, and even lions and tigers (true story). I havne't cared for snakes (yuet) but I have removed them from chicken coops several times. If you have less common pets, I’m happy to learn your care routines in advance so I can confidently look after them.
I'm a full-time siter, so I treat each house as my home, and look after it as such. I've seen an increasing number of people who use house sitting for free accommodation when they're travelling, and get snippy when the homeowner expects them to do housework such as vacuuming, dusting, and other cleaning. Of course I do that! One of my repeat homeowners jokes that her windows only get cleaned once a year - when I'm there. And, of course, I'll also water the plants, collect the mail, and keep the property secure. Also, I've seen some sitters complain that the homeowners (who left super early in the morning) left them a load of dishes to put away, and even docked them one star on their review of the home owner. Seriously??? If you're catching a red eye, of course I can put away the dishes when they finish washing afyer you leave.
I treat your home with the same care as I would treat my own. I lock doors and windows, follow your security procedures, and ensure the property looks lived-in by collecting mail, taking bins in and out, and maintaining a regular presence.
If you have a guest room, I do prefer staying in there, but if only the master bedroom is available, then that is fine too.
Of course not. I'm a stranger coming into your home, so please do whatever makes you feel safe. I heard about one sitter who accidentally broke a vase when she was cleaning - it turned out to be a 200-year-old family heirloom worth $15,000! If you have anything like that, please ... do lock it away!
Outside, sure. Inside, absolutely not. And fair warning - you really do not want to see me walking au naturel from the bedroom to the bathroom first thing in the morning. You won't unsee that 😂
The "official" house sitting websites usually have a blanket "no visitors" policy (for me and for you). I'm more flexible. My first concern is always the wellbeing of the pets in my care. It often eases their anxiety of their owners being away (For those who suffer from it) if someone they know comes for a visit. On one of my sits, the owner's sister lived next door, and she and her 4-year-old would often pop in to visit the dog. On another sit, on a three hectare property with a horse arena, there were people arriving weekly with horses on trailers to either practice in the arena, or go riding over the back paddocks. In late 2025, on a 3rd-time five-week repeat sit, the homeowner's son stayed in the guest wing on the weekends. I feel it's all about give and take, and an honest discussion with the homeowner.
I do respect your privacy and security, but as a full-time house sitter if I was never allowed guests, I would never be able to have friends or family over for lunch or dinner. I will not invite visitors into your home while you’re away without your permission, and if I do have guests, they are always as respectful as I am. But if you would prefer no one other then me comes into the house, please let me know.
I have a few essential requirements. Number 1 is unlimited broadband Wi-Fi due to the fact I work remotely. All other requirements are listed on the House-Sitting Agreement I send you once we've agreed on a sit. Nothing prima donna (even if my list makes me sound like one 😂). Just things based on horrors I've encountered on other sits - like an oven so filthy it set off the smoke alarms when I tried to use it and Y-fronts full of holes and skid marks (yes, really!) hanging of the bathroom door handle!
I always request your preferred vet’s contact details, along with an emergency contacts for you (i.e. a friend or family member or a neighbour). If an emergency arises, I’ll act promptly, follow your instructions, and keep you informed.
I always request contact details for tradesperson such as your plumber, electrician, and (in Australia), snake catcher! If an emergency arises, I’ll act promptly, follow your instructions, and keep you informed. If you're out of contact (like the time a water pipe burst down the side of the house while the homeowners were at no Burning Man with no Wi-Fi or cell reception), I will deal with the emergency and update you & request reimbursement when you are back in civilization.
Unlike the increasing number of "woo-hoo free accommodation" housesitters, I will not ask a bunch of random strangers in a Facebook group what I should do if something happens. I will contact you and ask you what you would like me to do.
If, however, that is not possible, I'm grown up enough to handle things on my own. Like the time a water pipe burst down the side of the house in New Orleans, and the owners were at Burning Man - where there is no cell phone or Wi-Fi reception. I found a business card for a plumber on their fridge and called him. If there hadn't been a card on the friedge, I would have googled plumbers in the Bywater.
Any vet bills will be your responsibility, unless they are a result of an error on my part. Please note any injuries caused by factors such as a dog jumping out of a car window after the pet owner told me to leave it fully down or a dog escaping from a harness and running on the road after the pet owner failed to tell me they do that will be the pet owner's responsibility. Thankfully, in both those situations, neither dog was injured (despite me driving at 60kph in the first scenario).
Any house repairs will depend on who is at fault. If a washing machine is faulty and floods the laundry, that's on you. If the washing machine drains into the sink and I have put the plug in the sink to soak something and it overflows, that's on me.
I take my sitting commitments seriously and will not cancel unless it’s an emergency. In the unlikely event something happens, I’ll try to help you find a suitable replacement sitter to ensure your pets and home are cared for. So far the only sits I have cancelled in the last 20 years were due to (1) the city I was supposed to sit in going into lockdown during covid, and (2) having to cancel 3 x sits I was really looking forward to in June - August 2025 due to requiring breast cancer surgery, radiotherapy, and recovery. (I'm fine now - they caught it early and got it all!)
Life happens and plans change. If life throws you a nasty curve ball, please do not fret about me - concentrate on your own dilemma and resolution. I’m resilient, I'm an adult, and I have a contingency fund to cover emergency accommodation.
I once had a three-week sit cancelled at two days notice when the homeowner was rushed into hospital with double pneumonia. Another sit was cancelled at a week’s notice when the homeowner broke their leg, and another was cancelled when the homeowner was diagnosed with a serious medical issue. I’ve never failed to secure replacement sits for the cancelled ones.
For the remainder of 2026 I am only house-sitting in Australia, and mostly Queensland or Northern NSW . You can see my availability on the Calendar page.
The minimum sit I'll usually take is two weeks, but I prefer longer sits. The longer, the better!
Absolutely. A meet-and-greet (in person or via video call) helps us both feel confident. You’ll have the chance to introduce me to your pets, show me around your home, and ask questions before making a decision. Because I tend to travel around quite a bit, an in person meet-and-greet may not be logistically possible, but I've found video chats are almost as good. Also, if you have a spare room I'm happy to stay the night before to settle your pets in with me while you're still there.