Support Centre – Sample sitter listings

Two likely lads (Conrad, 23 and Laine, 25) are looking for a house sitting assignment in Europe this coming summer (July-September 2005).

Why I want to house sit
We are responsible earnest young men who want to be immersed in any European culture for a month or so this coming summer break. Help! Save us from our studies (we're both training to be doctors at Brigham Young University in Hawaii, the USA). We're very keen to experience some ye olde time European history and culture. We speak a little bit of Spanish already if that helps (hola!).

My experience
We house sat for family members and family friends in apartments and houses in and around New York all last summer. They can provide phone or email references upon request. Those jobs involved all the usual requirements (just being there, forwarding mail and messages, plant maintenance). We cared for a number of cats, one dog and a rabbit. All survived!

What I can bring to the assignment
We're house trained (house proud even), with our own cat at home (Mum will step in and mind her for us). Our hobbies include cleaning, dog grooming and mail redirection (just kidding). But we do like gardening and learning new languages. References available from these two charming young men.

Canadian author wants to winter in your coastal retreat!

Gentle man (32) who is not quite between jobs but is trying to find the book inside of him would like to house sit anywhere on the Eastern seaboard of the USA or Canada.

Why I want to house sit
I'm writing a book that is set on board a ship and on several windblown islands so I need to be close to my source of inspiration - the sea! All offers considered but the further north the better. I like the cold weather (really).

My experience
Recently, I've been a caretaker at a fishing retreat over the winter months so I know the basics in maintaining a property through the winter season. For most of 2002 I was a caretaker on a remote ranch in Dakota, enjoying the companionship of two wire-haired German pointers and a whole coral of Apalucian wild horses.

What I can bring to the assignment
I have no pets of my own but am genuinely fond of all animals. I need an online internet service to work but can set one up at your place for the right sitting assignment. References and police check available on request. Please don't hesitate to contact Graham McGillicuddy.

Retired couple (New Zealanders) 'smelling the roses'

Charlie (67) and Maureen (64) are a husband and wife team of farming stock who are very keen to see something of the world while we still can! We'd consider a house sitting position anywhere in the world. Email us and if all goes well we'll be on our way to your place to look after it as if it were our own.

Why I want to house sit
We have been working hard all our lives (it seems!) on our family dairy farm in New Zealand's South Island. Now that our daughters have taken over the business we're keen to learn how to smell the roses again. House sitting assignments offer us all the comforts of home but with a whole different view out the window!

My experience
We've had over 12 dogs in the past 20 years and maybe twice that many cats sharing our happy household so we would find caring for your pets second nature. We're home owners ourselves so we know what all your concerns as home owners are likely to be.

What I can bring to the assignment
We're extremely steady with a slow and comfortable domestic routine. We're prepared to do some light grounds maintenance (mowing and watering lawns, raking leaves, gardening, pruning, clipping hedges, composting, vegetable growing) as part of the deal.

Mother and daughter looking for longterm housesit in Midlands area (UK)

Jo (40) and daughter Merophie (10) could be the perfect housesitters for you! We're currently living in the Midlands and want to stay in the Derby area. Any suitable housesitting offer (over six months) considered.

Why I want to house sit
House sitting works for us as it allows us the financial freedom to enjoy some of the funner things in life. We work and go to school in the Derby area so your house needs to be within commuting (driving) distance of the centre of town.

My experience
We've been house sitting around the Midlands for most of the past three years. We're house sitting at the moment till June 2005 so cannot begin another assignment till 15 June or later. Cheers!

What I can bring to the assignment
I'm a landscape gardener so could do a part-exchange of services for free rent. We have a very well-behaved and friendly cat who'd like to stay with us but this is negotiable. We are clean and tidy and like to live the quiet life. We're definitely non-smoking and non-drinking. Off street car parking would be a bonus.

Family renovating in Melbourne's renovating Oct-Dec 2005

Hello, we're the Braithwaites. Our family (Christine, Colin and six kids) is not quite Australia's answer to the Brady Bunch - but close!

Why I want to house sit
All eight of us need somewhere to stay this coming Oct-Dec while our house is being renovated. If you can help with a house sitting position anywhere in Melbourne or surrounds (within 30 minutes drive from Kangaroo Ground) for some or all of that period please get in touch.

My experience
We've never house sat before but think we're up to the job. Come and see our place first and see how amazingly tidy and organised (and huge!) it is.

What I can bring to the assignment
We're prepared to pay a security bond to insure against any damages to your property. We'll be careful we promise! We have our own business (locksmithing and home security) so could provide you with free advice and a discounted new security system. Your pets and garden will be our top priority while we're house sitting for you. We don't have any of our own animals.

Guten tag! Reliable Australian couple want to housesit anywhere in German-speaking Europe May-Oct

Now is the time for this Australian couple (Jayne and Dougie, both 35) with baby Reiner (six months) to begin the long journey into another language.

Why I want to house sit
Please help us on our quest to learn German (or Austrian, or Swiss) from within the country. In return we'll mind your house as if it were our own! All pets and house sitting opportunities within the language zone considered. Sorry but we need to be back at home base in the UK by the start of winter so any position would need to be over by mid to late October.

My experience
We've house sat for friends in Aussie as part of a 'swap' deal where they mind our dogs one month, we mind theirs the next. It worked out well for us!

What I can bring to the assignment
We're both florists by trade so can pay special attention to your blooms and other plants. References from our current estate agent available. Jayne and Dougie look forward to hearing from you. Bis bald!

Professor and wife to study in London March to June 2006

We're both academics nearing retirement from our jobs as professor and lecturer at UCLA. We're looking for a house sit or house swap near the centre of London for three months in spring of next year (2006).

Why I want to house sit
We have been given a wonderful opportunity to study with some of the most respected minds in our field (robotics) in London from the beginning of March to the end of June. Ideally we'd like to house sit your flat in London (near any underground station but preferably no further out from the centre than zone 2) while you house sit for us in California (our Santa Monica flat is small but with sea views). But we are open to any offers of house sitting or a reduced rental arrangement over that period in London.

My experience
We've house sat for friends and family in the past. They can vouch for us - honest! We've also been enthusiastic house swappers for the past twenty years. Each time we've arranged to swap houses it's gone off without a hitch and we've made some great new friends.

What I can bring to the assignment
We can bring the wisdom of age and experience to your house sitting requirements. We're both good communicators and we're very amiable too. Just ask! Please email Martin or Cheryl with any possibilities.

It's a jungle out there!

Young(ish) couple, Will and Harriet, are trying to save a deposit to finally get on the property ladder. We'd consider any house sit in Toronto (or surrounds) over three months or longer in duration.

Why I want to house sit
We're desperate to make a move from rented accommodation into our own nest. Sound familiar? Maybe you can help us out while we help you out with our free house and pet sitting services. Dogs adore my husband and I'm very handy with the vacuum cleaner and squeegee mop.

My experience
We were once employed as caretakers at a castle in the Scottish highlands, where we had to do everything. I'm guessing that your house sit has to be more simple than that job!

What I can bring to the assignment
Come and interview us at our flat in the northern suburbs of Toronto. If you like us, we'll come and meet your house and animals. Hopefully, we can go from there. Thanking you in advance, Harriet.