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AMA
Original poster

I am a professional house/pet sitter AMA

28 replies

CrockyBetter · 30/07/2020 13:00

I spend the majority of the year in other peoples homes caring for their pets. Sometimes, though not often, I housesit in homes without pets!

Any questions?

OP posts:
Bhbunny · 30/07/2020 15:16

Have you ever came across anything that’s changed your opinion of homeowners, accidentally you or otherwise Wink

PiggyPokkyFool · 30/07/2020 15:21

Do you get paid? My friend di it and didn't get paid but people would leave her nice things to eat.

Spied · 30/07/2020 15:23

Have you ever looked in their bedroom drawers, jewellery box or tried on their make-up/ perfumes?

Original poster
CrockyBetter · 30/07/2020 15:28

Hi! Hmm. I can't think of anything off the top of my head. Oh, the sex shed... lovely retired couple, in their late 60s, went on a cruise for a month. Very normal 3 bedroom 1950s semi detached home in a normal quiet neighbourhood. I was looking after their two yorkshire terriers and had been told if they ran out of dog food, to look in the "outhouse" as there was more in there. In the garden were two outbuildings. One was stone built and the other a wooden shed. I wasn't sure which was the outhouse so tried the brick building first and got the shock of my life... a sex swing hanging from the ceiling, numerous paraphernalia on hooks including whips and handcuffs... I retreated and found the dog food in the wooden shed! The funniest part was, the door to the sex room had a novelty sign on it saying "caution: man at work"

OP posts:
Original poster
CrockyBetter · 30/07/2020 15:32

Yes, I get paid. I charge a standard fee of £20 per day plus extras like 1x hourly dog walk £5. It's not much but I don't tend to have to buy much food during my stay as I'm usually left a bit, I don't own or rent a property so no mortgage etc. No utility bills. When I don't have a house to sit, I stay in my caravan on my parents land.

No, never looked in personal spaces.

OP posts:
DragonLegs · 30/07/2020 18:19

Where do you sleep when you stay? Do you only sit for people you know or others too?

HollowTalk · 30/07/2020 18:21

Has lockdown affected your work?

HollowTalk · 30/07/2020 18:22

That's a very low sum, OP. Are you doing it while you work at something else?

Original poster
CrockyBetter · 30/07/2020 18:37

I sit for anybody. I have a facebook page and I advertise on various websites. I will happily travel anywhere if I think its worth it. I won't travel 200 miles for just 1 night but have been 350 miles away for 5 weeks before.

It is a low amount, but it's basically getting paid to live in someone else's house. My outgoings are very low as I don't have a proper home, just a caravan on my parents land. I could do 14 nights for £280 and only spend say £50 during that time.

Yes lockdown has massively affected my work unfortunately.

I sleep in whichever bed I'm told to sleep in! Guest rooms, master bedroom, kids rooms, sofa bed. I once put a tent up in a garden for 4 nights!

OP posts:
MrDarcysMa · 30/07/2020 18:40

What's your long term plan financially, for retirement? Do you have any savings or pension you'll be able to draw upon?

Scruffyoak · 30/07/2020 18:41

Has anyone ever turnt up to a house while you were there? Such as distant relatives etc

happyfeet245 · 30/07/2020 18:43

How long have you been doing this job? Do you not miss sleeping in your own bed in your own surroundings? How old are you?

Cluckycluck · 30/07/2020 18:47

Have you done pet sitting for any unusual pets?

Original poster
CrockyBetter · 30/07/2020 19:10

My financial future is all sorted.

I started doing occasional sitting about 5 years ago. Over the last 3 years I've really built up my profile. Before lockdown I was sitting for approximately 40 weeks of the year.

My "own" bed and surroundings are a small caravan. I don't miss having a "normal" home at all. It's so much fun staying in new places, meeting new people and animals. I'm 33.

Only time anybody has turned up unexpected was a nephew turned up unexpectedly and expected to stay as he often turned up univited.

Most unusual pet was somebody had a pet eagal owl.

OP posts:
houseofrabbits · 30/07/2020 19:21

What animals do you have experience looking after? What is your favourite pet?

Original poster
CrockyBetter · 30/07/2020 19:42

Majority are dogs (either just dogs or with other amimals). I've looked after cats on their own. I've looked after the following animals but with dogs too so not just these on their own..

Dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, geese, ducks, pigeons, small rodents like hamsters.

I sit 3 or 4 times a year for a family with 2 donkeys, 1 shetland pony and 3 alpacas on top of dogs. One house had 5 goats.

My favourite is dogs. I love chickens too

OP posts:
happyfeet245 · 30/07/2020 23:40

@CrockyBetter

My financial future is all sorted.

I started doing occasional sitting about 5 years ago. Over the last 3 years I've really built up my profile. Before lockdown I was sitting for approximately 40 weeks of the year.

My "own" bed and surroundings are a small caravan. I don't miss having a "normal" home at all. It's so much fun staying in new places, meeting new people and animals. I'm 33.

Only time anybody has turned up unexpected was a nephew turned up unexpectedly and expected to stay as he often turned up univited.

Most unusual pet was somebody had a pet eagal owl.

Sounds like the holiday😂
happyfeet245 · 30/07/2020 23:50

Assuming you're single how do you ever gorm new relationships when you're never in one place long enough? How do you keep up with friends? Are you allowed to have friends to stay with you?

Original poster
CrockyBetter · 31/07/2020 06:57

@happyfeet245 the holiday is my favourite film and where I got the idea from!

I am very much a loner and don't have any friends. That sounds sad but I'm fine with it. I have a sister, 2 brothers and my parents plus nieces and nephews. That's all I need. My sister has stayed with me a few times.

OP posts:
AnotherMarshmallow · 05/08/2020 17:49

What else do you do while sitting? Do you have any hobbies you can take with you? Do you get out and explore the local area?

Mags5Bia · 09/08/2020 19:48

Has an animal ever died on your watch?

TW2013 · 09/08/2020 20:07

@CrockyBetter how does it all work with house insurance etc? Do you do other jobs around the house? I worried more about the plants when I went away than the cats 😳. To be fair the cats are in good health, they always have food and water accessible and have each other. The plants are very thirsty. Do you ever find the house is really messy? We spend ages cleaning for the cat sitter before we go away!

Tippexy · 09/08/2020 20:16

How is your financial future all sorted?

scattercushion17 · 09/08/2020 20:20

How did you fall into it?

How does it work with house insurance?

Sounds interesting :)

Parkandride · 09/08/2020 20:24

Are houses ever dirty or somewhere you really don't want to stay in?

No housing costs sounds amazing