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Home sitting and pet sitting during the holidays: Ideal for expats with travel plans

Expatriates, like locals, are always on the lookout for the best travel solutions during holidays. Many are familiar with options like WWOOFing, where one lives with a host and helps out for a few hours in exchange for accommodation, and Couchsurfing, which offers a place to stay without the work commitment. Both models involve staying with hosts, sharing their space, and enjoying social interactions without exchanging money.

However, homesitting, or housesitting, presents a different arrangement. You can travel knowing someone responsible is caring for your home and pets. Alternatively, you could be the one house and pet sitting for others, whether they're locals or fellow expatriates. In either scenario, no money is involved. Housesitters aren't paid; instead, they enjoy free accommodation while completing their assignments. This setup gives travelers peace of mind, knowing their homes and pets are well looked after.

As the holiday season nears, advertisements for housesitters and those needing sitters increase. It's crucial to find someone reliable, whether you're offering your services or looking for a sitter, to ensure a stress-free holiday experience.

How do you find a trustworthy home or petsitter for the holiday season?

Unlike a security agent or property guard, a homesitter is neither a security professional nor an expert in guarding, roles that involve paid services. The home/pet sitter works for free but enjoys free lodging. Becoming a homesitter requires no specific qualifications. The same logic applies to pet sitters: they are not dog trainers or kennel masters. However, their main tasks, much like the home sitter's, require certain skills.

The qualities of a good homesitter

If you are considering a homesitter to ensure peace of mind during the holidays, or if you're interested in taking on the role during your stay in a foreign country, it's important to understand the primary responsibilities involved. A home sitter's main duties include guarding tasks, which often extend to pet sitting if the homeowner has pets. The essential purpose of homesitting is to maintain a presence that deters prowlers and burglars. This includes responsibilities like collecting the mail, opening shutters during the day and closing them at night, watering plants, and maintaining the lawn.

A good homesitter essentially needs common sense, vigilance, discretion, and courtesy towards neighbors. They should live as though they were the owners yet respect the boundaries set in their agreement with the actual owner鈥攆or instance, refraining from hosting noisy parties. Familiarity with the specifics of the dwelling, such as gas and electricity systems, is crucial. A basic understanding of DIY is beneficial, although homesitters are generally not expected to perform minor repairs, which are reserved for professionals. Above all, a homesitter must never forget their primary mission: to ensure the house is watched over carefully.

The qualities of a good petsitter

While the roles of a homesitter and a petsitter might appear similar at first glance, the responsibilities of a petsitter are more comparable to those of a babysitter. Taking care of a pet means temporarily stepping into its owner's shoes. A petsitter's responsibilities are comprehensive: they must feed the animal, walk it, play with it, maintain its hygiene, provide care as needed, clean its litter (for cats, rodents, etc.), keep it company, and show affection. This role goes beyond merely petting the animal occasionally.

To ensure you leave for your holiday with peace of mind, choosing a petsitter who is genuinely passionate about animals is crucial. They should be familiar with your pet's specific needs and know how to handle various situations. Experience, vigilance, wisdom, responsibility, and observation skills are essential qualities to look for. Additionally, human qualities such as empathy, calmness, affection, and respect for the animal are vital. A good petsitter respects your pet's routine and adapts to it rather than imposing their own rules. Considering pets can find owner absences stressful, the petsitter's role is to provide comfort and affection, elevating their duties beyond mere surveillance.

Applying as a home/petsitter as an expat: What you need to know

Are you looking for a cost-effective way to travel during the holidays? Many expats have discovered that serving as a home and/or petsitter in various countries is an excellent strategy to save on one of their most significant expenses: lodging. This activity doesn't require any specific qualifications, making it accessible to everyone. However, it's important to note that you must have a valid residence permit for the country where you plan to expatriate and work as a sitter.

What should you pay attention to as a home/pet sitter?

As a home or petsitter, your primary duty is to maintain a presence in the dwelling you are tasked with guarding, meaning you must physically be there. This is an important consideration, especially if you were hoping to explore during your stay. While you may travel between regions based on your assignments, you must stay present in the home you are responsible for.

The absence of remuneration does not eliminate the need for a contract. Both you and the homeowner will sign an agreement that outlines your duties, rights, and restrictions. For instance, the owner may prohibit you from hosting end-of-year parties or even having friends over for coffee.

It's also important to regularly update the homeowner. Sending news and photos is more than a thoughtful gesture; it's a sign of professionalism. The homeowner will specify how often they wish to receive updates鈥攂e sure not to overwhelm them with messages while they are on vacation.

Being a competent home or petsitter requires preparation and suitability. Don't take on the role if you're uncomfortable with animals or lack the skills to maintain a property.

At the end of your contract, don't just disappear. Consider leaving a thoughtful gesture for the homeowner, such as restocking some basic groceries, leaving a thank-you note, and ensuring the place is clean and tidy.

To find home or petsitting opportunities, check dedicated websites. Note that registration may be required to apply for positions.

Useful links:

Finding home/pet sitting assignments:

Country-specific websites:

Australia: ; ;

Canada: ;