Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Sitter available
Exp. house/pet sitters, self funded retirees, 8 references, non smokers, home in Portugal
Portugal
Testimonials
They have 6 testimonials (view below)
Pet experience
Dog(s), Cat(s), Horse/Donkey(s), Chicken(s), Bird(s), Fish, Rabbit(s), Tortoise/Turtle(s), Guinea pig(s), Pig(s), Goat(s), Farm animal(s), Other animal(s) – Experienced with domestic animals, nurtured wild animals
Police check
They don't have a police check
Availability
From: 28 May 2025
Until: 31 Oct 2026
(see their busy times below)
Occupation
Self Funded Retirees
References
They have referees/references (view below)
About this sitter
House sitting and pet care have given us so much from travel to meeting other homeowners & hearing about their journeys. Best of all the unconditional love the animals have given us
This is our housesitting journey so far and the pets we have cared for:-
CONFIRMED Paris 14th Dec to 15th Jan 2025
COMPLETED:-
1st June to 30th September 2025 Dartmouth UK please refer to reference below
10th April to 15th May 2024 Valencia, Spain for two rescue dogs Mr. Logan A Staffie and Ms Trufa a Chow who required medication
A reference on this site
10th December 2023 to 28th January 2024 The island of Faial, The Azores for one dog Ms Martinha and 5 cats. 2 cats required medication and several trips to the Vets due to ongoing problems
A reference on this site
October 3rd to 18th 2023 a house/ pet sitting assignment in rural Spain ( near Antiequera ) Mr Dexter English Springer loving with a beautiful nature plus 2 house cats and 3 outdoor cats . One indoor cat Ms Mimmie required 2 injections a day over 3 days and ongoing medication - a brave girl
A reference is on this site
April 14th to end June 2023 (2.5 months) Vanantu South Pacific .Large estate on 2 acres of beachfront land with the responsibility for 2 rescue dogs. One German Shepherd Ms Millie 13 years ( on medication ) and a Staffordshire mix Ms Havannah 9 years. We also had the added responsibility to oversee 5 days per week one Gardner and two housemaids
A reference is on this site
From October to December 2022 we were in Ithaki Island Greece a 10-week housesit for 1 rescue dog and 16 cats! Up to 23 some days, all fed twice a day including 6 housecats. What a great experience this was. Cuddles 24/7
We have a reference ( not on this site) however can email on request
April to June 2022, Next adventure Dusseldorf, Germany a 10-week house/ dog sit 3-year-old French bulldog called Mr. Sylvester required medication morning and night for a heart condition.
We have a reference ( not on this site) however can email on request
Our first house sit Island Of Tasmania Australia was a real experience 3 years from 2018 to 2021 We set up a BnB called The Great House Buckland Tasmania for UK Owners and maintained a 9.8 score on booking.com with over 80 plus reviews. The BnB was within a 6-bedroom estate majestically located on a 200-acre rural property. We were able to turn our hands to all aspects of this estate. We nurtured & fed many wild animals that got to know us
We have a reference (not on this site ) however can email on request.
From there we established our home in the Algarve 2021 Portugal and were able to continue what we love housesitting and pet care
We look forward to being of continued service in 2025 and beyond
Why they want to house sit
Authentic travel opportunities, the love and care of animals. New experiences
Their experience
Yes, completed 8 house/pet sits todate From The Island Of Tasmania Australia (3 years), Dusseldorf Germany ( 2.5 months) Ithaki Island Greece ( 3 months) Vanuatu South Pacific (2.5 months) Spain rural (18 days) The Azores (7 weeks) April & May 2024 Valencia Spain ( 5 weeks)
To Devon UK June to October 2024 ( 4 months)
CONFIRMED Paris 14th Dec to 15th Jan 2025
5 references on Mind My House, 3 external references happy to forward on
Able to administer medication ie tablets and injections
What can they bring to the assignment
Firstly our love of animals.We maintain good communications with the Owners while they are away to ensure " their piece of mind" Most importantly quality time for your pets & property as we have no commitments and are financially independent We are not vocational tourists that would have a need to be out every day & night We are homeowners of 2 properties. Primary home, resident of Portugal We have both been pet owners i.e. dogs and cats for over a period of 35 years
Last updated:
30 Dec 2024
Available to house sit
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Cambodia, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Middle East, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates
Availability dates
From: 28 May 2025
Until: 31 Oct 2026
They have indicated that they are busy at the following times:
1 Nov 2024 to 31 May 2025
Do they charge?
They don't charge for house sitting services
Personal details
Age: 56-65 years old
Family status:
Couple
Membership
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Where have they house sat before?
References
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Sitemap
MindMyHouse.com – https://www.mindmyhouse.com/owners/sitter_listing/50555
Testimonials
Great House Sitters
Leonie and Jeffrey house sat for us for 4 months and we could not have asked for better service! They kept our cottage spotless - indeed, embarrassingly far cleaner than we had left it. We have an attached holiday rental property with weekly changeovers. Jeffrey and Leonie made sure the housekeeping team had a regular supply of refreshments and they were on hand each week for any issue that might arise. They saw departing guests off and welcomed the new guests in and generally made sure that everything ran smoothly - all without being too intrusive. They are a great team, understand completely what is needed to look after an old house and are happy to adapt to whatever is required. Originally, our elderly cat, Darcy was part of the arrangement, but in the event, Darcy had gone to stay with our daughter. Leonie and Jeffrey were patently disappointed not to have a cantankerous, un-affectionate old moggie to look after and assured us that, should Darcy wish to return, they would be delighted to welcome her. They have a natural affinity with animals; our housekeeper’s labrador who attends each changeover is still devastated that they have left! The level of communication was excellent. Jeffrey kept us updated about anything in the neighbourhood that might be of interest or which might affect our property. His photographs over the period of our house and garden are superb. We were away from the beginning of June until the end of September and it was lovely not to have to miss the best months of the garden. In addition, Leonie and Jeffrey took in parcels for us, oversaw the delivery and installation of a new tumbler drier and helped locate a missing parcel. They made friends with our neighbours, several of whom have already hinted that it is a pity we are home… Overall, we cannot recommend Jeffrey and Leonie highly enough - anyone who gets them to house sit will be very fortunate indeed.
Vic, United Kingdom, 5 Oct 2024
Leonie and Jeff are increadable dog/house sitters. They traveled quite a distance to get to us, which was greatly appreciated. The emphasis is on the dogs and that is exactly what we wanted. They kept us informed every day about what the dogs were doing and where they went. Trufa was given her medication correctly and they even handled a plumbing problem at the apartment with perfect calm and efficiency. We came back to find our dogs healthy and happy, and our apartment was very clean. It makes a huge difference when you are away to know that your pets and your home are in safe hands. Very highly recommended 🌟.
Taryna, Spain, 20 May 2024
Beuatiful azores islands
It remains to be added that there was a need to go to the vet with 2 cats more than once and they had to take medication. All explanations were given and we felt at ease. They are great. By saying that Martinha didn't care, she didn't care about us, because she just wanted to chase Jeffrey. Once more, thank you
maria, Portugal, 29 Jan 2024
Beautiful azores Islands
Leonie and Jeffrey have just left us and we already miss them. Martinha, (dog), didn't eat and before the match she didn't care at all about following Jeffrey... A couple that we felt like family. Extremely friendly and even though our English was difficult, we understood each other. When we arrived, my animals were great, very organized at meal times and very calm. Every day I had news and photos of the animals...A beautiful soup arrived. The house is impeccable...I hope to see you again and my animals too.
maria, Portugal, 29 Jan 2024
Pet Loving Couple
Jeff and Leonie were a God-send! They did an outstanding job of looking after our pets and home. They are incredibly conscientious about providing a loving, safe environment for our pets. Our dog and cats loved them to bits, and it was very easy to see they were all very well taken care while we were away. We received regular pet updates and pet photos, and they looked happy and content. One of our cats needed medication and when we came home she was in great health due to the dedication that Leonie and Jeff gave Minnie every day. Above all, they are a warm, friendly, kind and considerate couple. We returned home to a clean house and a delicious welcome home meal, which was unexpected and delightful. We highly recommend them as first class pet sitters! Due to their love for pets, their devotion to taking care of them, and their love for fur babies, Jeff and Leonie are amongst our best pet sitters!
Paula, Spain, 23 Oct 2023
Leonie and Jeff da Zilva
Great sitters!
Ingrid, South Pacific, 3 Jul 2023