People are no longer asking friends and neighbours to pop in to feed and walk their pets while they are away.
They are turning to house and pet sitters to do it instead. And some people have been able to make a full-time career out of it, travelling all over the country looking after cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, tropical fish and even chickens.
Peace of mind for pet owners
Having a house and pet sitter to look after their home while they are away is like having a human burglar deterrent. It ensures a person's home is secure for however long they are away. It also means they don't have to put their precious pets into kennels or rely on a friend or neighbour popping in to feed their animals.
A house and pet sitter will ensure that canine companions and feline friends get all the care and attention they need while their owners aren't there.
The perks of house and pet sitting
For pet and house sitters, pet sitting websites like BorrowMyDoggy have made it easier to find a variety of pet sitting jobs. One month you might be staying in a modest mid-terrace house feeding three cats, and the next you could find yourself living in a £10million Kensington home feeding treats to a pampered Pomeranian.
For many people who do it full-time, house and pet sitting is a great way to save money. But it isn't suitable for everyone. While there are considerable perks, you still have to treat it like a job, be flexible and always have a backup plan for those times you have no sitting gig to go to. You also need a strong stomach – picking up dog poop and cleaning up wee, faeces and vomit is part of the job. You must also love animals of course!
Could it be a career for you?
