This is a perfect If you’re an animal lover who likes to travel, then Gemma Clough has just the job for you
Two weeks in Bordeaux, swimming pool, a car included – it had to be the ideal holiday. But this was no vacation. I was looking after a stranger’s cat in exchange for free accommodation. I’d heard about house sitting for a while and decided to sign up three years ago. I’ve always struggled with anxiety and often had panic attacks many times a week. Travelling, even though I really wanted to do it, felt off limits. I live alone and am self-employed, so I am more flexible then most of my friends and family which makes house sitting fit in with my life perfectly. As a potential house sitter, the first step is finding a destination and dates that work for you and the owner. This is the fun part on Trusted House Sitters.You can search the world for your ideal destination, homes, and dates easily on the site. Multiple sits are added everyday – France, Germany, Spain, America, Australia… the list rolls on. Sits can range from a day or two to several months, and housing may be luxury homes, apartments or even farmhouses with horses and sheep. Many places require pet and plant care or other types of property maintenance, but many simply require that you occupy the property and take in the post
Places I’ve been… Bergerac, Paris, Amsterdam, Malaga, Garrucha in Spain, New York, Zurich, Toulouse, Barcelona, London (many times). All have been amazing in their own way. I try to do longer sits so I can explore more and get used to a good routine with the animals I’m sitting for. I also pet sit locally for which I am paid, so that helps with the costs of travelling. There are several house-sitting sites to choose from, so there are good options for everyone. Ultimately, success in house sitting comes down to the effort put into it. House sitting lets me travel, see new places, meet great people and take care of cute animals. But it’s not all rainbows and butterflies. House
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sitting comes with challenges and hard work. Some animals are challenging, some places are not what you expect, you have the responsibility of looking after something important and you are out of your safe routine at home. It worked for me, but that doesn’t mean it works for everyone.
