Going to the Dogs: Is Pet Sitting for You?

June 16, 2023

As part of my nomadic life, I have recently added pet and house sitting to my portfolio. Years ago, my now ex-husband and I had considered it for our retirement plan. The idea reappeared on my nomad Facebook group (GoWithLess), and I have done a couple of sits for friends. It’s an excellent way to cut my overall costs, too.

You see, I am a nomad, but I don’t live in a van or RV. I drive a Honda CRV. It gets great mileage, has plenty of room to haul my gear, and has the all-important all-wheel drive. I’ve resisted the van life because I spend time visiting friends in the US, and I like the freedom of a smaller vehicle. And when I’m out of the country, I leave it parked at a relative’s house. All good.

The other day, a friend asked how the pet-sitting was going. I wasn’t really sure. That might make a good blog post!

There are a lot of pros:

• A no-cost place to stay. People also give permission to raid the fridge and freezer. Great for the overall budget!
• Good company. It’s nice to have canine and feline companions after being on the road or out of the country for weeks.
• Comfortable, spacious accommodations. For example, the place where I recently stayed has a gourmet kitchen and a gorgeous deck with a lush parklike backyard.
• I’m doing something to help others. After teaching, raising kids, and doing my share of volunteering over the years, I have a need to help others.
• Pet owners are oh-so-grateful for my services. Some dogs don’t do well in kennels, and it gives homeowners peace of mind to have the house occupied.

The downsides of house sitting and pet sitting:

• You can’t predict the pet’s temperament. Dogs, especially, can be nervous or sad that their owners are absent.
• You won’t know how noisy the neighborhood is until you get there.
• You have to get through the “adjustment phase” of each sit. So far, almost every first night has been challenging and has left me short on sleep.
• Depending on the pet(s), you may feel tied down. I have gotten used to the freedom to do whatever I want while I travel. Dog owners have asked me to limit my time away from home to as little as three hours. (Most allow longer periods away, though!)

If you’re considering house sitting/pet sitting as a means of budget travel, think about your preferences and comfort level.

• Do you enjoy animals? If you don’t, please don’t even think about doing this!
• Will you respect the pet owner’s wishes and adhere to routines?
• Are you confident, and do you feel comfortable taking care of the pets and homes of others? It’s a big responsibility!
• Will you be able to handle a pet emergency?

As of today, I plan to continue to pet sit for two or three months of the year while I am in the US. As a retired fifty-something teacher, people see me as a trustworthy candidate to care for their homes and pets. The reality is that more people are looking for pet sitters than there are pet sitters available. I regularly receive requests, and I’m learning to be picky.

I approach my budget as a yearly number, not monthly. By spending two or three months a year pet-sitting, I have more money to spend on international travel. For example, I’m planning to splurge on a trip to the Galapagos next year.

If you are interested, the site I use is TrustedHousesitters.com. (No, I’m not getting a kickback.) There is an annual fee for sitters and homeowners to use the site. All parties receive a background check and must provide identification. The premium plan gives sitters insurance, where you will get reimbursed for up to ten nights of hotel stays if a sit is canceled (up to $150 per night). There is also on-call veterinary support.

Some people think I’m crazy to sit for free, but I prefer it. If I were to establish my own business, that would involve setting up an LLC and getting bonded and insured. Then I would be paying taxes on the minimal income that I would make. To me, it wouldn’t be worth the fuss. My nomadic life is all about keeping it simple.