Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Sitter available
Kiwis on tour-experienced & reliable
New Zealand
Testimonials
They have 10 testimonials (view below)
Pet experience
Dog(s), Cat(s), Chicken(s), Bird(s), Fish, Rabbit(s), Rodent(s), Pig(s), Farm animal(s) – We are open to looking after other animals.
Police check
They have a police check
Availability
From: 20 Mar 2024
Until: 10 Apr 2025
Occupation
Event Manager
References
They don't have referees/references
About this sitter
Colin and I are looking for new experiences. We are in a position to travel and explore the world. We would like to experience new countries. Our ideal is to house sit our way around the world, and experience communities while living locally. We like the idea of travelling slowly and getting to know a place.
Why they want to house sit
We are not in a hurry with our travels, and felt that if we do some house sitting it would give us a different experience. We both love animals and would care for your home as it was ours. We have done a reasonable amount of travel over the years and are excited with this new adventure. We own our own property, but with grown up sons having left home it is time to explore the world.
Their experience
We have now completed eleven 'assignments', and made wonderful friends. We love to meet people and have been AirBnB hosts in Auckland. We have had dogs for most of our married life (and kids!) and would love to care for your pets while you are away. Our Rocky is a rescue dog, and required a lot of hard work to restore his faith in humans! We can bring our experience with his anxiety, together with looking after a disabled dog (in Cyprus) and a caring approach, to look after your animals. We have now looked after 15 dogs, 20+ cats, together with rabbits, geese, ducks, sheep, pigs and chickens.
What can they bring to the assignment
We can bring our love of animals and our attention to detail while looking after your home. Until very recently we have had chickens in our garden. We are very proud of our home and garden and would love to share yours. Colin is an Automotive Engineer and I do Event Management. We are adaptable, love meeting new people and care about the environment we are staying in.
Last updated:
17 Feb 2025
Available to house sit
Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain, United Kingdom
Availability dates
From: 20 Mar 2024
Until: 10 Apr 2025
Do they charge?
They don't charge for house sitting services
Personal details
Age: 46-55 years old
Family status:
Couple
Membership
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References
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Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/owners/sitter_listing/37067
Testimonials
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED...Perfect Sitters
Shona and Colin were Absolutely Fantastic, Brilliant, Wonderful I wish they could move in they were so good. Pets Adored them and we got updates and pictures sent regularly Gardens were looked after and house was immaculate Please move in... Truly fantastic sitters Anybody would love them. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
christina and Jon, United Kingdom, 29 Jun 2019
Kiwis on the move!
Shona and Colin are the most amazing people who went over backwards to look after my house and animals. We had a very sad thing happen just after they arrived, one of my dogs went missing (we think she fell into the river) and we spent 5hrs searching for her everywhere, we were all very distraught but Shona and Colin where amazingly supportive and I had to leave them the next day with flyers to put up everywhere. We sadly never found my dog again, but they stayed the whole time I was away and waited by the phone. All very tragic and without them I don't know what I would have done. Came home to 2 very happy and well looked after dogs and cats. The house was immaculate, and Colin had ploughed the veggie garden and strimmed the long grass. A fun loving and generous couple, conscientious and trustworthy. I could trust them 100%. Thankyou Shona and Colin for everything and I hope you can come back one day. X
Sarah, France, 4 Jun 2019
Shona and Colin Smith - SUPERB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Never had people look after my pets and apartment before. Had no idea what to expect. Got everything tidy and food/cat litter in for 3 weeks. When Shona and Colin arrived the one thing I had not expected was for one of my cats to fall ill and die. I was a mess! But Shona helped me at the vet whilst Colin helped burying poor Buster. In addition they looked after my other two cats and also kept my apartment clean and tidy. They are two wonderful people and I cannot recommend them highly enough. They kept in touch with me throughout, even though at the time I didn't have WiFi (situation since rectified).
Alan, Bulgaria, 7 May 2019
Fantastic house sitters
Shona and Colin were great house sitters. They were flexible- adjusting their week to come a week early for us, and staying an extra day so we could stay longer. They were reliable. They looked after our animals like they were their own- really caring for them and going beyond- clearing up cat poo and giving the cat a wormer. The dog was well walked and even groomed and cut. They were up for lambing if it came to it, which it didnt luckily but they were well up for it so we felt confident to leave them in their care. They kept in touch just the right amount, so we felt happy all was ok but not too much so we could really enjoy our holiday. They had a lovely meal prepared for our return home. We also spent a couple days before and an day after our trip with Shona and Colin and really enjoyed their company. They are interesting and good fun, caring people. I wholeheartedly recommend them as some of our very best house and pet sitters. We will stay in touch as we felt they became good friends and hope to welcome them back to our home as house sitters or as visitors.
erica, France, 20 Mar 2019
Excellent house sitters - highly recomended
Shona & Colin were excellent house/cat sitters. We entrusted them with our apartment and cat, Benson, for over 2 weeks in Jan/Feb 2019 and they were the perfect house sitters. The cat loved them and vice versa and they were very good at letting us know how things were while we were away. The house was kept clean and tidy and they looked after everything responsibly an thoroughly. They are very trustworthy and we have no hesitation in recommending them. Graham & Sandra
Graham, United Kingdom, 13 Feb 2019
Two new friends, not only catsitters :)
Shona and Colin stayed with us in January 2019. They immediately seemed a very friendly couple and totally easy going people. They know how to make the best out of their sitting experience. We felt relaxed in leaving our Misu and our house under their custody. They adapted to the situation and to our environment and stayed in contact with us every day. When we returned everything was clean, tidy and in great conditions as per our instructions. Misu had a relaxed time too in their company. We 'clicked' with them from the very beginning and by the end we consider them as friends. We recommend them wholeheartedly, they are very nice people who took real care of our cat and our house with a genuine heart.
Sara, Malta, 23 Jan 2019
Excellent sitters
Shona and Colin have been fantastic house sitters during our recent trip over Christmas 2018. We arrived home to two very happy, well-cared for dogs who obviously had been loved in our absence. The house was spotless and a meal was ready for our arrival. These two have been fun to get to know, responsible and adaptable during challenging weather situations and a sit with special demands. We liked them from the get go and hope to remain friends after their departure. It's not often in life you meet kindred spirits but if you get the chance to engage their services you will not be disappointed.
julie, Cyprus, 7 Jan 2019
Shona and Colin
Shona and Colin looked after my GSP and condo in North Vancouver for more than 3 weeks in Sept./Oct. 2018. They are wonderful people and definitely animal lovers. My dog Skye was obviously happy and healthy when I returned and my home was spotless and they had dinner ready for me on my return. I can also provide positive feedback from a number of my neighbours who enjoyed meeting Shona and Colin and saw them often when they were out walking Skye!!
Liane, Canada, 25 Nov 2018
Best house sitters!
Shona and Colin were a joy to have in our house. They are friendly and flexible, handy, and careful with the house and garden. They were easy to communicate with, and gave us updates when needed about things that were going on. The dog and cat loved them, as did our neighbors. They are a great couple, and it was fun to get to know them a bit on their travels. Be sure to jump at the opportunity to have them house sit for you!
Sarah, United States, 20 Aug 2018
Amazing!
Had the best experience ever While I traveled for 5 weeks Shona and Colin stayed with my cats and tended to my house. I can't say enough great things about them. They went above and beyond, and are an amazing couple. I highly recommend them.
Katie, United States, 27 Jul 2018