Response rating:
Preferred locations
Sydney, Central Coast, Hunter Valley, North Coast, South Coast, Rural/Regional NSW, SA, VIC
Additional Info
References available, Police check available, Non smoker, Experience with Domestic Animals, Experience with Farm Animals
About
Hello my name is Sara :) I am very happy to be here on Happy House Sitters. I have been caring for homes and pets since October 2017, and have enjoyed many wonderful times in these years. I have also made some wonderful friendships with home owners, and been asked to return to house sit many times. I appreciate this greatly!
Laughter, care, kindness, well-being, and happiness are such important things in life. Travel is a wonderful thing! It is therefore my great pleasure to help home and pet owners to travel and relax, knowing that home and pets are being given lots of care and attention, and being well looked after while they are away.
I adore cats, and grew up with them. I really enjoy getting to know their personalities, chatting with them, and having their company. If they like to sit on laps, then I am even happier! I also like dogs, and particularly those who are relaxed and like quiet company.
For each house sit, I look after the home, pets, and gardens as if they were my own. I provide high levels of wonderful care, and enjoy creating a gentle and happy environment. I highly value the trust that homeowners place in me with each house-sitting position, and am attentive and adaptable, with a wealth of experience. I have a mature and responsible attitude, and enjoy maintaining high standards of assistance.
Owners have commented that their pets seem to gravitate towards me, and are happy to approach me, and often want to sit close to me - or on me! - soon after we are introduced :) This is also often the case with pets who are timid, and who usually don't easily approach new people. I find this is wonderful!
It is lovely to meet new home owners and to care for their home and pets, from cats to dogs, horses, chickens, and fish! Pets bring such happiness and joy!
I am an experienced gardener and am also good ,with ride on mowers. I have plenty of experience with house sitting in rural locations, and am comfortable with farm animals as well, thanks to having a little hobby farm in the Adelaide Hills for several years. I am a good handy-person, and am also happy in more remote areas.
Regarding house sitting locations, it's important to have great internet and mobile coverage. I prefer longer house sits between 2 weeks to several months. I particularly enjoy house sits in peaceful locations and love to have gardens and nature around.
I mentor, guide, and assist clients with phone and online consultations. I also have books that I am gradually preparing for publication. I have been assisting clients for more than 3o years, and have a background in yoga, bodywork, writing, and journalism. I find that my work and writing integrate very well with house sitting and caring for pets and homes. All home owners where I have house sat have been very supportive and happy with this. This is a great blessing, as the remote work enables me to continue to travel and to house and pet sit, so the two match together very well :)
I am so grateful that house sitting also enables me to spend time close to my daughter, who moved to Melbourne early in 2023. It has been lovely to see her. She also is a gentle soul and loves nature, so she has been so happy to meet from time to time..
Some additional background:-
I was born in England, and came to live in Australia in 1995, and have lived in Melbourne, the Adelaide Hills, and the Illawarra in NSW. When the children were young, we enjoyed many family camping trips around Australia, and had a small hobby farm in the Adelaide Hills. This is where we learnt many wonderful new things, including caring for sheep, agisting cows and horses, and garden and bush care.
After this time, I ran a romantic bed and breakfast Cottage in the Adelaide Hills for several years, and enjoyed meeting many new people and keeping the cottage sparkling, bright, and welcoming.
I then started to develop plans to travel and house sit in the south-east of Australia. I spoke to my young adult children about this, and they both encouraged me, and so I began this new journey in October 2017. I have enjoyed so many wonderful times meeting home owners, and caring for their homes, pets, and gardens, with more than 50 house sits, so far.
During the times of lockdown, my house sitting developed into 2 longer-term rentals, and my house sitting journey began again in May 2022.
House sitting and looking after pets continue to bring me many wonderful experiences! I truly enjoy the lifestyle, as it enables me to travel, explore, and meet many new people. I am so grateful that house sitting has presented me with this wonderful path, and I feel truly blessed!