Thread: Home & pet sitting services

Would say be honest about your animals and ensure they get on with the sitter

Was renting a room a few years ago when working away from home for an extended period. The land lady decided to go on a 6 week holiday and found someone to house sit and look after the dog while away. I was a Monday to Friday resident so could not assist

The dog was a one person animal and did not like other dogs. No proper hand over for the dog and house sitter told it was friendly when it was cranky and also hated all other dogs

House sitter wrangles the dog to the park for the daily walk. Let’s it off the lead and it goes for the nearest dog. Other dog owner managed to pull it off their dog but vet was required

The house sitter only stayed as found other work locally but was very unhappy using the house only as a base. Dog was given no attention

Originally Posted by Fattima

My neighbours have someone doing this for them at the moment. Looking after their house and chooks. They are a retired couple who travel around doing house sitting, can get their details if you like.

My friend also has someone doing this at the moment, he is due back from OS this week, so I can ask him if they were any good at looking after a house and 4 smallish dogs.

Originally Posted by RANDLOVER

My friend also has someone doing this at the moment, he is due back from OS this week, so I can ask him if they were any good at looking after a house and 4 smallish dogs.

My mate reckons the lady was great kept the house clean and tidy, pro'ly better than he does himself, but the bloke didn't lift a finger, as the small dogs can disappear in the lawn.

We rely heavily on 'reciprical arrangements' with neighbours mostly ... but for longer periods we have used paid services. One has been great. Came twice a day, brings in mail, feeds and plays with/walks dog, even waters veggies in the rare event there is something worth saving. Fees reasonable when compared to kennel ... our dog was blind (died a few years back) - so it was much better to have someone come to her.

Ealier in her life we went away for a month, had a different visiting service - came home and found the dog 5kgs heavier than when we left (no joke). Had been overfed and given foods we did not specify (beef bones). Took a year to get back to a healthy weight.

Lesson - try before you commit to a long duration arrangement. Make sure its a good fit and there is trust. If you are travelling remotely - document an advanced care/end-of-life plan and give to your vet and sitter so the decisions re treatment remian yours.

Originally Posted by p38arover

We do it but only for guide dogs (we are up to dog no. 64 or 65). We have a lab with us now for a month while the carers are in Japan skiing. The dog is owned by Guide Dogs NSW/ACT but he's a court dog (does support for kids and witnesses in his local** court.)

**Local as in local, not local as in the Local Court - Local Court of New South Wales

One of the previous court dogs we had caused a bit of a ruckus at court one day - a miscreant thought she was drug detection dog and went off!

This the dog mentioned above: Log in to Facebook | Facebook

He also does some work (not with us) helping a lass with cerebral palsy to walk without falling over. I can't show that story.