Pet Sitting for Fun Travel and Lodging
Some animal lovers will give you the run of their house when they go on vacation — if you will care for their pets while they are away
When I was 12, my friend Kim’s parents asked me to watch their dachshund over a long weekend. It felt like a dream come true — having their house to myself and time with their adorable little dog. I fully embraced my new role as pet sitter.
Decades later, now an empty nester, I have expanded my travels beyond the neighborhood but kept dogs, cats and even farm animals in the picture.
An online women’s travel group I belonged to often mentioned a pet-sitting service where travelers stay free in someone’s home in exchange for watching the homeowner’s pets — a wonderful way to travel solo. Homes were available around the world.
A Relaxing Staycation for Pets
Angela Laws, head of charity partnerships for TrustedHousesitters, the largest international pet-sitting platform, said it’s a win for travelers, homeowners and pets alike. “Pet owners can travel with peace of mind, knowing their pets are safe in familiar surroundings,” she says. “Home is often the best place for rescue animals or those who simply can’t be boarded.”
“With the company of pets, traveling solo doesn’t get lonely, it’s a joy.”
After her beloved springer spaniel died, Laws said that pet and house sitting became the perfect alternative to full-time pet ownership. She has used it to travel all over the globe without paying for lodgings and says, “I love to give pets the best staycation possible, and then lovingly hand them back.”
Obviously, you must love animals to make this work; if you would rather not pick up after someone else’s dog or are allergic to cats, TrustedHousesitters has pet-free house sitting listings, as do other platforms such as House Sitters America and MindMyHouse.
I joined TrustedHousesitters for $129, completed a background check and studied the profiles of the most successful sitters, who always included several photos of themselves with animals.
I searched the company’s online forum to see what pet owners look for — they like when an applicant mentions their animals by name, for example — and learn how to spot red flags in listings, like cluttered countertops, unmade beds or pets that can’t be left alone.
There were thousands of house sits listed across the United States, where I wanted to travel, featuring everything from dogs and birds to, memorably, nine frogs in Maine that needed daily misting and a steady diet of crickets.
Maeve Sell, who has completed 74 sits — including 18 international — sends pet owners regular updates with pictures and video while they’re gone and says staying in someone’s home is her favorite way to travel.
“With the company of pets, traveling solo doesn’t get lonely, it’s a joy,” Sell says. “It’s slow travel that lets you settle into an area and experience a different lifestyle and has made extended stays affordable.”
Be Kind to People and Pets
She also goes the extra mile for every homeowner. “My mother always had food waiting for us, no matter the hour — it felt so loving and nurturing. Now I do the same for my pet owners, leaving a snack, meal or some provisions for them when they return.”
Sell makes a point to leave their homes tidy and welcoming, with fresh linens on the bed and clean towels ready to use.
“One of our favorites was a family who adores our pups — they even made a cupcake for our dog’s birthday.”
Homeowner Karen Schuppert says pet sitting has been a game changer in their lives. “As my husband and I approached retirement, we wanted to travel more but we have two dogs to care for as well.”
She has had several great pet sitters. “One of our favorites was a family who adores our pups — they even made a cupcake for our dog’s birthday. We’ve enlarged and framed some of the fabulous images they took of our pets.”
Unique Vacation Experiences
Another favorite was a couple from Germany. “They brought their guitars,” Schuppert says, “and sang to our deaf dog.”
Travel by way of pet sitting has led to memorable experiences I’d never find on a typical itinerary. On one trip, I cared for 10 animals on a mini-farm — including donkeys, pigs and a goat — after the owner showed me how to distribute their daily hay and pellets.
Another time, I stayed with three chickens — Thelma, Louise and Pearl — who hilariously charged around the yard all day long and laid the most beautiful golden eggs.
In total, I’ve cared for over 70 animals, all while exploring new towns, cities and nearby national parks in my free time. I time my outings around the pets’ daily schedules and sometimes bring a dog along with me for a hike.
No two homes — or pets — are alike. There are cabins, studio apartments, penthouses, houseboats, off-the-grid ranches and everything in between. The duration of a sit can be from one night to several months. And many times, homeowners will strike up a rapport with their sitter and invite them back.
Extended Relationships
Karen Ethridge, a sitter who’s embraced a nomadic lifestyle for the last several years with her husband, appreciates the variety. “While I love to travel, staying in traditional accommodations can become monotonous,” she says. “I much prefer staying in a home with a well-equipped kitchen and, of course, furry companions.”
Since I started pet sitting three years ago, I’ve saved thousands of dollars in lodging, but the best part is always the four-legged companions.
As Laws says, “I’ve had many repeat sits, and the moment a pet remembers you never stops being magical.”
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