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Imagine waking up in the quaint English countryside, greeted by the gentle nudge of a friendly dog eager for its morning walk. Or perhaps, picture yourself in a cozy apartment in a historic city, where a curious cat curls up beside you as you sip your morning tea.
These are the delightful scenes that unfolded during my first experiences with Trusted Housesitters in the UK – a unique platform that connects pet owners with traveling sitters like myself for mutually beneficial stays.
Dog Walking in Eastleigh, Southampton
My journey began in the Bishopstoke area of Eastleigh, just outside Southampton – a serene pocket of Hampshire. Here, I had the pleasure of staying in a secluded home nestled amidst lush greenery. The homeowner entrusted me with the care of her cuddly pooch, Monty.
From leisurely walks along the river or through the forest to outings to explore the nearby coastal attractions, each moment was enriched by Monty’s lovable nature. As a pet lover, the opportunity to explore the countryside through his playful lens was a great introduction to the world of Trusted Housesitters.
City Charm at a Winchester Feline Haven
Transitioning from forested suburbia to Winchester’s historical streets was a delightful contrast. Here, I found myself in a stylish apartment within walking distance of Winchester’s high street and iconic cathedral. Our charge for the week? A curious cat named Louie with a penchant for perching on window sills and keeping watch over the quaint city garden below.
Navigating Winchester’s cobblestone lanes highlighted how pet sitting as a means of holiday accommodation can also open doors to authentic cultural immersion. We were able to explore this new place, not as tourists, but as residents, coming back to our home away from home where a delightful purring kitty welcomed us back after a day of adventure.
A Unique Way to Travel
Have a passion for animals? For anyone considering pet sitting as a way to enrich their travels, I can attest that it’s a fantastic choice. It provides an experience that means so much more than just free accommodation. There’s just something special and magical about having new furry friends while on holiday. A reminder that wherever we wander, a shared love for pets can truly make anywhere feel like home.
How Trusted Housesitters Works
Trusted Housesitters is a unique platform that brings together pet owners and sitters from around the world, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement where sitters can stay in homes for free in exchange for looking after pets. It’s an ideal solution for pet owners who want to travel without worrying about their furry companions and for travelers on a budget seeking authentic, home-like accommodations.
Unlike traditional house-sitting services, where sitters are paid for their work, Trusted Housesitters operates on a “free accommodation for care” model. This makes it appealing to those who love animals and enjoy slow, meaningful travel. The absence of money exchange helps to foster a community focused on trust, goodwill, and shared love for pets.
For sitters, the appeal lies in the opportunity to travel without accommodation costs while enjoying the company of pets. For pet owners, Trusted Housesitters provides peace of mind, knowing their pets are being well cared for in the comfort of their own homes.
If you’ve never used it before, it’s really simple to understand. Pet owners create a profile and listing that includes details about their home, pets, and the dates they need a sitter. Sitters then apply for the position, and homeowners can review each applicant’s profile, which includes their experience, reviews from past sits, and any relevant qualifications like veterinary experience or pet first aid training.
Homeowners can also message applicants to discuss details before making a decision. Once a homeowner has selected a sitter, both parties can finalize the details, arrange for key handovers, and discuss any specific needs for the home or pets. Filters and alerts make it easy to find sits based on location, type of pet, or the duration of the stay. That said, the more flexible you can be in your travel plans, the better, as you’ll be more likely to find a sit that suits you.
The platform operates on a membership basis, which means both sitters and pet owners pay a nominal annual fee to use the service. There are different membership tiers, which include benefits like free video calls, insurance-backed guarantees, and a 24/7 vet advice line.
Read More: Behind the Scenes of Workaway: Lessons Learned Volunteering on an Italian Farm
Why You Should Do It
For homeowners, the benefits of using a platform like this when you travel is that your pets remain in a familiar environment, avoiding the stress of boarding. Your home will also be occupied, reducing the risk of break-ins or property issues.
For sitters, the main draw is obviously free accommodation in homes around the world, often in prime locations. However, beyond this, housesitting gives you the chance to live like a local, exploring areas away from traditional tourist paths. You’ll also get the joy of spending time with animals, particularly if you miss having your own pets around when you travel.
After our recent foray into the world of Trusted Housesitters, we can say that we’ll definitely be using it again. Because for us, it proved to be more than just a way to travel cheaply; it provided a new way to explore, discovering a more authentic side to the destinations we visited, all while enjoying some lovely puppy and kitty cuddles along the way!
* Get 25% off NEW Trusted Housesitters annual memberships with my code 5STAR25.
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Author Bio: Janine Avery is a lover of travel, adventure, wine, and good food. She is passionate about wildlife and conservation and was raised by a menagerie of scientists, botanists, researchers, biologists, and creatives. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, she loves traveling with her husband and toddler, taking her audiences on adventures both locally and throughout the globe. She is also the first to confess that she’s been badly bitten by the travel bug.
Janine Avery was born and bred in Cape Town, South Africa, and says there is nowhere she would rather call home. She is a lover of all things nature and loves to explore new places, enjoying any form of travel from basic tenting to lazing in luxury lodges. She also loves to dabble in digital marketing, spreading messages on social media, and taking audiences on a journey through her travel stories.
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