Rural Alentejo farmhouse with donkeys, dog and co looking for sitter with driving licence

About this assignment

We live on our 25 ha farm in the beautiful Serra de Sao Mamede Natural Park full time for over 25 years now and love to get away for a holiday sometimes... With two donkeys, a dog, two cats and a dozen hens we need someone to take care of our place and live in our house whilst we are away.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

The main responsiblilties are looking after our animals. Young Nakita is a 6 months old Spanish Mastin puppy, we think... We got her from a rescue shelter earlier this year and she is simply a darling.
Oscar and Jericho, our two donkeys like their cuddles and their straw twice a day even more. They live on a big paddock and have their open stable where they get fed morning and evening and spend the night.
The hens need feeding in the morning and let out the pen to free range all day, feeding in the evening and locking up! Cleaning the pen and chicken house is part of the job. And then there are our two cats that just love the food-bowl to be full and some company on the sofa... that´s it.

What are the good features of the property and location

We are in a beautiful area of Europe and Portugal, very rural, lots of nature and history, signposted walks, rivers and lakes. Our farm is very much off the beaten track, quite isolated in our valley, 3 km from the next village with a local bar and a couple of shops. We have a little car that can be used for shopping trips or to visit the nearby little towns and villages. Our house is well equipped, mains electricity, running water, telephone and wifi internet, not super fast but quite consistent.

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

The sitter has to be independant, with own transport or driving license. There is basically no public transport. You have to like your own company and enjoy being with animals. Ideally you would love walking and be good on rough ground, the foot paths round the house are quite hilly.
Our two donkeys are very friendly but you have to feel comfortable being around big animals, getting into the paddock for feeding or brushing them and if necessary, clean their hooves.
The Alto Alentejo is very hot in the summer and can be quite cold or rainy in the winter. We are a German/English (58/70) couple, live in this area for many years and look very much forward to find a responsable person who enjoys living in our house whilst we get a break.

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

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