SW France
LA and Miss Stella
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"Now JR copy John!"
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2013 house sits now in the memory box; January in Vegas, February New York, March Snoqualmie WA, April Vancouver Island BC, June Seattle WA, July and August San Francisco and LA October back to LA then across the pond to Spain where I'm sitting writing this blog looking out over the Med Bruno asleep at my feet. Our 2013 pet care included 19 dogs, 9 cats, four horses, two rabbits, birds and fishes a veritable menagerie, all these pets have owners many now our friends … an amazing year!!
As John and I travel engaging any and everyone into conversation about our house sitting travel lifestyle there's two, actually three questions I get asked all the time
“Where do you find your assignments?” “Can anyone do it?” and “How do you get started?”
First question is easy to answer www.housesittingperfected.com existing clients, recommendations, word of mouth, housesitters network and www.trustedhousesitters.com of course. We've been combined (sitter/home owner) members since Andy and Rachel started. Trusted really is like a large family growing all the time but still retaining a personal ethos a very special organization to be part of. With listings in over 50 countries it's the largest house sitting website in the world and growing by the day as more and more home owners become aware of this win win concept of home and pet care. Opportunities are wide and varied there is something for every kind of sitter whether looking for a city centre apartment, family home in the suburbs, ocean front living, quiet seclusion of the country, working farm even the odd castle or two, from a weekend assignment to a year in one of your wish list locations. Registering is easy the website contains all the information you need to get started on your own adventure …..
Second two part question is a little more complex, first ask yourself WHY you want to house sit a free holiday it's not more travel with purpose, a chosen travel lifestyle if you'll looking for relaxation, kicking back, freedom to indulge in whatever pleasure you fancy, take a cruise pet and house sitting isn't for you!
No experience? Start locally, friends, family, work colleagues, let them know you'll look after pets and homes when they go on vacation, take weekend breaks chances are someone will be going away soon and may never have thought of going the sitter route THE best pet care option in the world, no the universe!! Volunteer with an animal shelter, rescue organisation anything that gives you animal involvement kudos and favourable references.
Registering with www.trustedhousesitters.com
Finally it's not about oodles of house sitting experience John and I have sitters all the way from New Zealand in our lovely BC home and this is their very first assignment. For us gender, age, house sitting experience or home location is not our first consideration it's simply do we feel comfortable with them? Are they right for our needs and home? If they tick all the boxes they're our chosen sitters.
2014 is shaping up to be an even bigger house sitting adventure with many more assignment opportunities around the corner and across the globe and I really should be keeping this all to myself after all you could just be our next competition but then I never could keep a good thing to myself!!
As John and I travel engaging any and everyone into conversation about our house sitting travel lifestyle there's two, actually three questions I get asked all the time
“Where do you find your assignments?” “Can anyone do it?” and “How do you get started?”
First question is easy to answer www.housesittingperfected.com existing clients, recommendations, word of mouth, housesitters network and www.trustedhousesitters.com of course. We've been combined (sitter/home owner) members since Andy and Rachel started. Trusted really is like a large family growing all the time but still retaining a personal ethos a very special organization to be part of. With listings in over 50 countries it's the largest house sitting website in the world and growing by the day as more and more home owners become aware of this win win concept of home and pet care. Opportunities are wide and varied there is something for every kind of sitter whether looking for a city centre apartment, family home in the suburbs, ocean front living, quiet seclusion of the country, working farm even the odd castle or two, from a weekend assignment to a year in one of your wish list locations. Registering is easy the website contains all the information you need to get started on your own adventure …..
Second two part question is a little more complex, first ask yourself WHY you want to house sit a free holiday it's not more travel with purpose, a chosen travel lifestyle if you'll looking for relaxation, kicking back, freedom to indulge in whatever pleasure you fancy, take a cruise pet and house sitting isn't for you!
- Personal attributes you'll need:
- totally trustworthy, reliable and dependable
- professional and comfortable with responsibility
- adaptable, at ease in any environment
- good communicator
- people person
- animal lover – all animals not just your own! 80% of sits have pets
- a sense of humour
- practical and organised
- respectful of others personal possessions
- flexible
- unflappable
- financially independent
- have a back up plan – there are no guarantees in life house sitting is no exception!
No experience? Start locally, friends, family, work colleagues, let them know you'll look after pets and homes when they go on vacation, take weekend breaks chances are someone will be going away soon and may never have thought of going the sitter route THE best pet care option in the world, no the universe!! Volunteer with an animal shelter, rescue organisation anything that gives you animal involvement kudos and favourable references.
Registering with www.trustedhousesitters.com
- Create a personal profile market yourself just as you would for any job highlight any special skills/experience (don't make it a personal life history lesson)
- Express your genuine love for animals
- Browse through other profiles as a guide
- Provide good character/previous employment/landlord references
- photographs are very important especially ones that show your personality do a “Selfie”post a video profile make it appealing and interesting.
Finally it's not about oodles of house sitting experience John and I have sitters all the way from New Zealand in our lovely BC home and this is their very first assignment. For us gender, age, house sitting experience or home location is not our first consideration it's simply do we feel comfortable with them? Are they right for our needs and home? If they tick all the boxes they're our chosen sitters.
2014 is shaping up to be an even bigger house sitting adventure with many more assignment opportunities around the corner and across the globe and I really should be keeping this all to myself after all you could just be our next competition but then I never could keep a good thing to myself!!
