Sitting Grand Parents get once in a lifetime opportunity

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My husband and I are experiencing a once in a lifetime opportunity right now, THANKS TO HOUSECARERS.COM!

I answered one of your notices, available in Solana Beach, CA, since our Son and his family live there (at the time, we were in Mexico). It just happened to be the next door neighbor (exactly the house next door) to our Son!! The owners of the house were as delighted as we were, to know someone with a vested interest in the area would be caring for their lovely home.

It has enabled my husband and I to spend three months (the entire summer) experiencing special events with our only Grandchild and the family (her 6th grade graduation, birthday, equestrian shows, etc.). Since Solana Beach is a very expensive area (and we are living on our retirement) we never could have afforded the rent for three months on our own. The other plus was meeting the homeowners, Tom and Nancy --they are such nice people and we have a great deal in common. How can we thank you enough!!

Gracias!!
Marji (Globetrotters2)

View Profile for housesitters Globetrotters2

Sitter found for Tokoroa Sth Waikato New Zealand sit

0 comments
Hi there, A short note to let you know that we have found a sitter for our home , and to thank you and your service for a job well done !! We have given your link to several globe hopping ( well family visits )friends who are interested in your service .A well organised and managed site , and one that we sorely needed to have at this time . Rufus 33

Mature couple , non smokers require sitter/s for comfortable 3 bed house,open plan lounge dining kitchen , log fire sky t.v. spa off private deck .Backs onto farm .Handy to town, which has many facilities including ciema complex indoor heated swimming centre, Tennis and squash courts ,Excellent golf course. 40 mins Taopo Rotorua, 45mins Hamilton 60 mins Tauranga,90 mins Whakatane and approaches to East coast.We have a burmese cat called Cissy who loves lots of cuddles. I nearly forgot the ski fields of Whakapapa and Turoa . Our home is very comfortable with plenty of off street parking, even for a campervan.

August 24, 2006 For a period of: 2 months

Tokoroa Sth Waikato NZ

House sitters get holiday in the beautiful city of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui Bay of Plenty New Zealand

0 comments
Yes, thank you, I have found yet another great house sitter! We will most certainly use your service again, so far I have had three great sitters all from overseas - we are in NZ.

Patti (patzhrex)

We need a housesitter that will take care of our home as we would ourselves and loves cats. We have two that require not only feeding but pats and cuddles and like being talked to. This is a short house sit but would be fine for someone wanting to have a holiday in the beautiful city of Tauranga and Mount Maunganui.
Tauranga and Mount Maunganui Bay of Plenty New Zealand NZ

Fremantle WA Australia homeowner finds competant sitters

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"We thank you for the use of your site, wonderful
way to get competant sitters without disclosing too many details."
UserName: leslien1

House Fremantle very close to main centre,aprox walk time 7 mins. Federation home was built 1908 and has been totally restored,high ceilings,polished jarrah floors throughout.A second story addition added with magnificent views to Rottnest and Garden Island.Double lockup offstreet parking. Required to look after small lawn,gardens and two lovable cats

Sitters davetes05 mind some magnificent homes

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Hi Ian and Staff,

Just a short mail for you, we have been with you for a short period and we have had several homesits, to which we are truly grateful, this system works well for both parties and we will continue to use homecarers for sometime.

The people we have homecared for have been charming and very pleasant, and some magnificent homes so once again thankyou, kind regards David n Theresa.

View profile for sitters davetes05

Sitter found Melbourne VIC Australia Inner Eastern Suburbs Bentleigh

0 comments
"Thank you very much for providing this service. I found a house sitter easily and am very happy to use this service again. "

Homeowner member: chriscat

Melbourne VIC Inner Eastern Suburbs Bentleigh 5 weeks

Hi, We are going overseas and need a sitter for our house/garden and 2 indoor cats. Some minor gardening is also required, although we don't expect too much, as it is winter. The home is short walking distance to transport and shops and a short drive to the beach. The area is a family orientated friendly neighborhood. The house is a period weatherboard, has 3 bedrooms, 1 is used as an office and the other as our babies room. It has a large sit-in kitchen and cosy loungeroom, 1 bathroom and laundry/toilet.The house has ducted heating and a dishwasher, broadband internet and is in close driving distance to 2 major shopping centres (Southland and Chadstone). We require sitting for 5 weeks. If you are interested, please contact me

Keep Your Pets Cool This Summer

1 comments
By Ian White

You know that summer is hot. You also know when you need to get out of the sun and cool down. Listening to your own body is easy, but your four-legged friends can’t talk to you. It’s your job to protect them from the heat – and all of the consequences of summer – by providing everything that they need to stay cool.

When temperatures climb and your pets are panting the afternoons away, follow these tips to keep them safe and happy even on the hottest of days.

-If possible, let your animals come inside during the worst heat every day. Early afternoon is the hottest time of day for any living thing: letting your cats or dogs soak up some air conditioning for a few hours every day will keep them cool and stop your worrying.

-Make sure that your pets have access to shady spots at all times. Trees are the best sources of protection from the sun. If that isn’t possible, make sure that your pet can get under a covered area, such as a patio or porch.

-Keep the pet’s water supply cool and fresh. The water will heat up as the day passes, so either change the dish often or invest in an auto-watering system. Many models attach to your outdoor water faucet: as your pet depletes the water supply, the system adds more without overflowing or making a mess.

-Never leave your animal in a car, even for just a few minutes. The temperature inside the vehicle quickly rises to the point where any living thing inside will either die or become very, very sick. Even if you park in the shade and leave the windows down an inch or two, you’re still putting your beloved pet at risk. You should leave your dog at home where he can stay in the shade or inside and have plenty of access to fresh, cool water.

-Don’t expect your pets to be playful or overly active on hot days. They don’t need to overexert themselves any more than you do. Like humans, pets can suffer from heat exhaustion or heat strokes.

-Some pets love to swim. Provide these animals with a kid’s wading pool so that they can cool off whenever they get too hot. You can also take your dog with you on trips to the lake or other body of water. If he loves to swim, the cool water will be great. The time he gets to spend with his human masters only makes the experience better for everybody.

-You might be tempted to shave off all of your pet’s hair, but this isn’t a good idea. The hair protects your animal’s skin from the sun. The hair also helps channel cool air to your pet’s skin, which helps him stay cooler. Instead of buzzing everything, trim the hair to a shorter length. A professional groomer can do this inexpensively and properly.


-If your pet seems sick or otherwise abnormal, call your veterinarian immediately. If your cat or dog is dehydrated or is suffering from heat exhaustion, he’ll need quick treatment to get well again.

Copyright © 2006, Ian White Access 2000 Pty Ltd

Author Ian White is founder of pet-sitters.biz Pet Sitting directory. Find a local Pet Sitter to care for your pets while you are away

House sitter found for 11.5 month Cabool Missouri housesit, rural area close to parks and canoeable streams

0 comments
I have located a housesitter. Thank you for your service. Suspend "ChinaBound"

Sincerely Sharon (ChinaBound)

Single adult or couple wanted. No smoking inside the home. Pet care for 2 dogs and 3 cats. Small country home on 66 acre farm. Yard and garden care required. Pasture is leased to a 3rd party, so "farm care" not required. Scenic rural area close to parks and canoeable streams. Approximately 1 hour drive to large lakes.

Animal Lover found for 2 golden retrievers, 2 cats and lovebird Tico northeast of Philadelphia

0 comments
Hello, thank you for your excellent service you are providing, I had a hard time to choose. I found a desirable person, we exchange a lot of mail and photos and she sound wonderful for my animals and housesitting.

You can take my add off the site and I am sure I will use it again. Highly recomend it to anyone ho needs it. Keep up the good work and God Bless Marjarie (marjarie2)

Walking and feeding 2 golden retrievers,age 2 and 8,changing cat litter and feed 2 cats one black and one calico 4 years old and clean cage for lovebird Tico,feed him and take him out of cage for play once a day.I have some plants inside and out that need watering 1x week.New Hope is picturesque town with cafes,river walk and entertainment we have tennis courts and pool on the premises,bikes and large deck in the back with grill and picnic table.Doylestown is historical town about 10 miles with museum,library, big parks, restaurants and theatres. Philadelphia offers history,nightlife and lot of good restaurants as well as cultural events.

September 1, 2006 For a period of: 18 days

New Hope Philadelphia,Doylestown Bucks County

Dream come true for Sitter mocha38

0 comments
I just wanted to take the time to say Thank You for your site...

I was chosen, for the house sit in North Van on your site.

I begin the house sit in September for 3 and a half months, and it is a dream, because I am to start a practicum in that time. To be honest it is a dream come true.

I just wanted to thank you for your site!

I have recommended your site to many people, and know that I will use it again in the future.


Thank you,
Trace (mocha38)

So many new friendships formed for Sitter AlnMaggie

0 comments
Once again I am in touch to highly compliment you on the service you offer. We have just completed a wonderful six weeks at Leith, Tasmania & were fortunate yet again to have great people to sit for & as with all our previous sits will remain in touch & so many new friendships have been formed.

I have given your site to so many people & have nothing but praise for your organization.

Regards
Margaret & Alan (AlnMaggie)

View Profile for Sitter AlnMaggie

Kiwilover finds house sitter for Arlington, VA District of Columbia

0 comments
We are first-time users (homeowners) and have been bowled over by the response, the great-sounding people, the concern for privacy, etc etc. A terrific resource -- thanks! We found a lovely person for our current house sit and will be back often in future. Kiwilover 3 blocks from orange line.. Kiwilover

Nonsmoking, non-heavy partying, common sense single or couple. We have no pets but need yard watered and mail forwarded (with forwarding stamp). Amenities: Airconditioning, attached garage, sunroom, deck, piano, once-a-week cleaner, burglar/fire alarm. No TV reception as yet but we do have TV/VCR/DVD sets.

Encinitas California housesit: 55-plus community, on a 3-par golf course. Very serene, quiet area. with Jack Russell terrier

0 comments
No complaints here! I'm absolutely amazed at the quality and quantity of applicants. I couldn't be more pleased!

UserName: blouheron

September 28, 2006 For a period of: 6 weeks
You are looking for a Housesitter for your house in City/Town: Encinitas California

Encinitas is a beautiful coastal city. I live in a 55-plus community, on a 3-par golf course. Very serene, quiet area. I have a Jack Russell terrier who will need to be cared for. Otherwise, you'll feel like you're on a wonderful vacation.

Impeccable matching for Housesit Sacramento Ca area,Carmichael, close to American River

0 comments
Ian, your service on this web site is impeccable!
I have found a local couple to house/petsit for August 06 and a lovely lady to sit for our 07'Jan trip. We've met the local couple, and will meet our sitter for 07' in Oct. Seem like very nice people, all of them.Thank you for this valuable service. Celeste, Sacramento, Ca celesterarick56

/6//07 thru 2/4/07-in Sacramento Ca area,Carmichael, close to American River, Bike Trail, across from a park. Need housesitter/petsitter for male Sheltie&female tuxedo cat. House on 1/2 acre, pool,hot tub,xrcise rm. Tidy adults & animal lovers only.

Success!! Sitter found for old golden lab in gated community Orio Valley Arizona

0 comments
I have found a terrific house sitter so I am no longer in need. Please remove my posting from your list.
Thanks!! I am so pleased with this website and service.

Sincerely,
Mary (marymacmary)

Your House is available from: June 28, 2006 For a period of: 2.25 mos, (10 weeks)
You are looking for a Housesitter for your house in City/Town: Oro Valley Arizona
Rancho Vistoso Area

I have a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom home in a gated community with a clubhouse that features 2 swimming pools, a library, a workout room, billiard room etc. The only reason I need a house sitter is because I have a lovely, old golden lab that is unable to travel while my son and I leave for 10 weeks this summer.

Feedback from Maryland homeowner of beautiful waterfront home

0 comments
I am very impressed with Housecarers.com, and will use it again and again.
Thanks for your excellent site.... Jamie1waterfront

Housesit below filled:
I have a beautiful waterfront home on a creek located in the Eastern Shore of MD outside of St. Micheals. I wish to have a reliable person or couple, with refs. to pet sit my dog Sadie, who is wonderfully behaved and obedient, and my 2 very friendly cats for the period approx from Aug. 10 thru Sept. 3 with wiggle room. My home is located on the water with water access to the creek, with kayaks for your use. This area is also superior for bike riding. I have a beautiful 2 bedrom 2 bath home with a/c, ultra-cable and bird-watching to offer. This is a non-paying job. My home is situated on a small cove with plenty of privacy. My dog requires a short walk every day. My cats require little. While I am travelling I wish to have someone at my home, versus a come&go pet sitter. So I will call you periodically from Europe

Rocky Point New York homeowner reports in

0 comments
This service was wonderful. The 2 women that came here were just fantastic. I can't say enough. I will use this service again and have told all my friends and relatives too. Thanks housecarers. Wendylyn

we have 1 chocolate lab and 3 cats. Cats have a door. we have a lovely house on the sound with a stair case to the beach. need a sitter from may 12th ----- may 27th easy animals

GladToHelp enjoys sitting a B&B in Vermont - then gets a full time gig

0 comments
received your site on the recommendation from a friend of mine who lives in Ireland. I signed up November 2005, and the next month had secured a wonderful house sit in a B&B in Vermont.

It was closed for the winter, but the owners had left their cat here, while they wintered in Florida. I've settled into the area (near Bennington) and the people are all so warm and friendly. They find it incredible to hear how I came to move here, and I always make very clear to them the name of your website/service. Hopefully, a few of them will join in too!

The owner's returned in early May, and have offered me full-time employment, which I have gladly accepted.

Thank you for a wonderful experience - as I'm a midwestern girl (Illinois), I've always wanted to see New England, and now I'm living here.

I recommend you highly to all I meet.

Cindy "GladToHelp"

View profile for house sitter member gladtohelp

Travel Tips and Traps for the unwary

0 comments
We have created a new blog devoted to travel tips. This includes traps for the unwary from seasoned travellers. Be safe, be healthy and enjoy your holiday armed with this information.

Current articles posted by our writers include

Travel Scams And The Unsuspecting Traveler

Navigating the World of Airline Security

Travelling Abroad

Road Trip on a Budget


Travel Tips - Staying Healthy



View them all at:
Travel Tips Blog

Springdawn enjoys Hawaii housesits

0 comments
Thanks so much for renewing my membership. I look forward to
another happy year as a member of Housecarers.com. So far
I've secured two wonderful housesits in Hawaii from your site.
It has really made al the difference in my life. You offer a great
service... Springdawn
View profile for house sitter Springdawn

4-5 months housesit St. Croix Us Virgin Islands filled

0 comments
Thank you for your website I found i had a choice of wonderful people. I found a great couple for my house. Thanks ... kamani74

ST. CROIX US VIRGIN ISLANDS. Either a couple or single person to housit, care for orchid and plant collection and one sweet kitty. Instructions on plant care included. Located in Alexander Hamilton's home town, 4 blocks from a beautiful harbor, sea views, walk to everything, including transportation acess. Beaches everywhere, clear tropical seas. Especially suitable for artist type (artist colony here). House is small west indian cottage renovated. One bedroom, studio area, 1/2 acre landscaped yard full of fruit trees. some upkeep needed to keep neat. Utilities reasonable, Yard is fenced. Please only neat, responsible people need apply.

House sitters found for 6 week housesit Whakatane Bay of Plenty New Zealand

0 comments
I have been blown away by all the replys and the range of people interested.
We did get a local couple to look after our farm, they have been in for their training.

I am sorry I did not reply to the people sooner, no excuse, but planning for the trip was so intense. I am a Maintenance Planner, so its my thin to go overboard with pre planning.

Keep up the good work ... Hokonui

We have a small farm block cattle need feeding each day and watering 2 cats and a dog (all very friendly) 20m to Whakatane

Virginia housesit with 2.5 acres, Pool, Jacuzzi and Boxer filled

0 comments
Your service is wonderful. I got so many responses and found someone to be here to house sit. Everything was very easy and straight forward. Thanks again. -gg-
UserName: gerigeis

August 10, 2006 For a period of: 4 weeks Clifton Virginia Fairfax County

We are on 21/2 acres outside of Clifton, Va. We have a pool, jacuzzi and lawn to be looked after plus one gorgeous Boxer, Rex Kalibur. Plants would need to be watered, in and out, water added to the pool and jacuzzi, when needed, lawn to be mowed on ride on tractor. It is a four bedroom, large Colonial, house. No need to do anything inside except enjoy.

Tips to Keep your Dog Safe

0 comments
Here is a useful tip sheet on keeping your dog safe:-

Tips to Keep your Dog Safe

New Reply All facility added to Homeowners Message area

0 comments
To make it easier to respond to all applicants for a housesit we have added a "Reply to ALL Applicants" Link from the Homeowner Message Inbox. (The link appears at the top of the page)

If you select this link a message will be sent to all sitter candidates who have applied since the date you posted your latest housesit. (Many homeowners return to use our service - so have posted a number of housesits)

At the confirmation page you can choose to exclude sending messages to particular house sitter members by including their usernames in the exclude box. (eg you may not want to send to the succesfull applicant).

You can still send indvidual messages by selecting each message and responding to it.

Many House Sitters are reporting putting time into applying for House Sits, and get discouraged when they don't get a reply.

We would appreciate if you could kindly respond to any applications you have received. To make it easy you can use the the reply all link from your messages inbox, so you can respond to all house sitter candidates.

To reply to house sitters individualy first click on the message link from your message inbox.

If you have found a house sitter, or no longer need a house sitter we would appreciate you using reply all from your message box, to let the sitters know; then clicking the suspend button to remove your ad.

This means house sitters won't have to wade through house sit postings that are filled or no longer available.

OR you may want to send out a message to all candidates, letting them know that you are still considering applications.

Thankyou Ian ... Housecarers Membership Services

Adelaide homeowner saves 400.00 on cat and dog boarding

0 comments
This is a great service. I advertised my house with only 3 weeks noticed and all who replied seemed excellent. I have chosen a couple from your list and look forward to them staying. Thanks for relieving my headache! and saving me about $400 on cat and dog boarding! Alison (alison00)

I am looking for a sitter to look after 2 pets. Twiggy is an 8 y.o low maintenance dog who is happy having a short walk once daily, and a cat, Omar who is happy with his food bowl topped up daily. Our house is comfortable and clean with ducted heating throughout and a handy 5 mins. drive from Adelaide CBD.

Your House is available from: May 23, 2006 For a period of: 11 days
Adelaide South Australia

House sitters chezcraig1 booked out till Jan 07

0 comments
Just wanted to let you know, your site is terrific, well laid out and easy to use. We have been gaining sitting times from your site and now we are completely booked up to 2nd January '07. Thanks

--
Cheryl Craig UserName = chezcraig1


View profile for house sitters chezcraig1

It's a small world - and getting smaller

0 comments
Dear Housecarers.com.............just wanted you to know that not only were we successful in arranging a house sitter for our home within a 12 hour period of time, it happened to be the mother and father of our neighbor accross the street from us. Thanks for a great & helpful site. tnbarney

Solana Beach, North of San Diego California 3 month house sit filled June 18, 2006

0 comments
We have filled our house sitting needs thanks to your site. Please remove our ad at this time. We will definitely use your site in the future because we travel a lot.

Thanks again. username tnbarney

Requirements would only be maintenance of house, collecting mail, watering of front and back yards and feeding of cat.

Kuinya from Victor Harbour appreciated the ability to remain anonymous until we had decided on the sitters

0 comments
Have just used the site to find housesitters and had a very good response within 24 hours - thank you - we have now deactivated the ad - we will certainly use the site in the future. We really appreciated the ability to remain anonymous until we had decided on the sitters.

Many thanks for your great service... kuinya

August 16, 2006 For a period of: 7 weeks
looking for a Housesitter for your house in City/Town: Victor Harbor

We are looking for either a couple or a single sitter who would be interested in living on our wildlife shelter and assisting on the shelter while the owners take a break separately. There are two of us who own and run the shelter, we do not plan to go away together so that there would always be one of us here who will also be working on the shelter. We would like to take about 2 weeks off each. We also have some teaching committments to meet and a one day meeting to attend in that time. We have a self contained one bedroom cabin on the property which is used as holiday rental. The cabin would be available at no cost for you to use so that you are independent and have privacy. The work is not heavy but animals need feeding and enclosures cleaned morning and night - about 2 hours morning and night. The property is set in beautiful rural surroundings - 2 minutes from the beach - Victor Harbor and surrounding areas are very pleasant. No experience necessary - just a love of animals.

Pet Depression and Separation Anxiety

0 comments
Pets develop emotional bonds to their human owners and when separated from them, pets may suffer from depression and separation anxiety. There are times when it becomes necessary to be separated from a pet such as when having to be hospitalized or taking a vacation. As much as we may hate being away from a beloved pet, it may actually be a more stressful experience for the animal.

Read Entire article ... Pet Depression and Separation Anxiety

Monash Canberra ACT Australia housesit filled

0 comments
Hi

Yes we had several replies any of which we could have chosen. We are very pleased with the lady we have chosen. I will promote your site to my friends.

Thanks Ros User Name rosmerleg

August 2, 2006 For a period of: 6-7 weeks

We are going away from 2 August until at least 16 September or maybe a week or so later. We have a poodle and two young cats. Garden will need minimal care at that time of year. Most importantly house sitter must be an animal lover. A couple or mature single preferred.

House sitter found for gorgeous town,Dunsborough, on the coast of SW West Australia

0 comments
Just confirming that we have found a house sitter – thanking you for your help. Please can you remove us from your files.

Regards Kathy (User Name cocosarge)

June 2, 2006 For a period of: 8 weeks

Dunsborough is a gorgeous town on the coast of SW West Australia. We have a 5 acre property 5 minutes out of the town of Dunsborough. We have a dog (very loving German Short haired pointer) and a pink and grey galah that need looking after and loving while we are away for 8 weeks. We have a fully heated 15 metre lap pool on the property and lovely low maintenance gardens. The house has 4 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms + study with a large living kitchen central zone. The property is very peaceful and surrounded by native bush and wild birds - it is a little piece of paradise. This area has lots of wonderful beaches and great walking tracks, fantastic wineries and restaurants and a large expanse of virgin bush around the cape. The climate is warm in summer and mild winters.

Ashland Oregon House sit, with lakes and rivers nearby, filled

0 comments
We have found a housesitter for May 25-June 17, thanks to you. Darrel and Phyllis will be housesitting for us. Thank you very much. We will use your service again.
Carol (Ashland, OR)User Name Doodle

May 29, 2006 For a period of: 3 weeks

We live on 3 acres just outside of Ashland and need a caring, conscientious caretaker for our 9- month-old dog, Dude, a Goldendoodle; 2 cats; 9 chickens; and birds. We have a comfortable home and beautiful view and are 9 minutes from Ashland's plays, restaurants, and attractions. There are lakes and rivers nearby. There may be minimal gardening chores.

Travelling with Your Pet

0 comments
Here is a helpfull article - tips and checklist it you decide to travel with your pet.


Travelling with your Pet

Yeppoon Sunhhine Coast Queensland house sit filled

0 comments
We seem to have found the ideal house-sitters for our needs. Thank you so much for your excellent service. This is the second time we have used your site and are very impressed Thank you Jean UserName = aljean

We have a comfortable fully airconditioned 3 bedroom modern lowset brick home with salt water swimming pool. The time we wish to be away can be very hot, therefore anyone who does not like the heat should not apply. We also have a loveable very friendly female border collie dog, who needs her daily walk and lots of TLC. Our requirements are that you should maintain our home and garden,ie mowing grass and watering plants. the garden is easily maintained with sprinkler systems. (Although water restrictions apply at the moment) We would also require our swimming pool to be maintained. Therefore we would prefer someone who is experienced in this regard. We also would prefer non smokers. Yeppoon is a small town on the coast about 40 klms from Rockhampton. Ferries to Great Keppel Island are about 5 klms away. Byfield National Park is to the north about 30 klms. Our home is not far from the beach, or shops. It is a quiet area and we have good neighbours. There is room in the garage to park a car.

Sitter Countryspace seeks clarification

0 comments
Wow, this is wonderful, so many sits and so many wonderful places, I can hardly get my head around it all, what a wonderful life I will be leading.

I have found a sit up until mid November, 2006 and have changed my resume to let people know, but would like to stay open to book sits for the future is this the way to go or do i UNSCRIBE for a certain period and then re activate. Wonderful, all the places sound great Jan (countryspace)


Hi Jan (countryspace)

Great news about your sit. Better to leave your profile active and just update your availability date so you are ready for the next one. Many homeowners look well ahead.

regards
Ian


View profile for sitter countryspace

House sitters wunjuli pays off some bills and see more of Australia

0 comments
I just wanted to say what an wonderful service this site provides for those choosing to save money while taking care of other peoples homes/pets and or property.

Since registering some months ago and upgrading to Gold membership my partner and I have been able to relocate ourselves from Melbourne Victoria to a four month house/pet stint in Deception Bay,QLD which will be finishing in early April.

As a result of this particular housesitting job we have been able to pay off a few debts and boost our savings account not to mention meet some lovely people and see more of this great country.

We have secured ourselves another house/pet minding job further north in Hervey Bay which is a truly beautiful region as we discovered when we drove up to meet with the couple who placed the advertisement in Housecarers.com.

I would like to offer up a heartfelt Thank You to Housecarers for making it possible for us to see more of Australia while saving money for our own place, without you this wouldn't have been possible. 10/10 from us! Thank You. "wunjuli"


View profile for House Sitters wunjuli

Water Views taken - Long Beach Island, a resort area at the New Jersey seashore

2 comments
This is to let you know that we have confirmed an arrangement with a sitter whom we reached through your service. Should we now remove our post?
I am still receiving inquiries. Thank you for your help. vmjk23

I have removed your post for you. If you need it again simply login and click the activate button, or post a new ad. Ian housecars

Housesit:
Our home is on Long Beach Island, a resort area at the New Jersey seashore, a few steps to the ocean. The ocean in September is wonderful. The chief requirement is loving care for our two dogs, a cockapoo and a cocker(field)spaniel. House has all amenities and wonderful bay views.

Erlanger, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio housesit filled

0 comments
i have secured a house sitter thru your site and need to remve my ad so others do not respond. BTW - VERY please with the response and info on your site! Love it and will continue to use it when I need a house sitter!!!
Thanks! ... User Name seekershar

We have suspended your ad for you. You can do this at any time by logging on and clicking the suspend button. Next time you need a sitter simply login and click the post house sit ad button to update your ad... Ian, Housecarers

House sit filled:


Looking for a responsible non-smoker to care for our two cats and do general yard maintenance (mowing) and light houskeeping (vacuuming excessing cat hair!) while we are away. We have a small, unassuming, two bedroom bungalow in Erlanger, Kentucky, just across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio. Our two cats are indoor cats, one requires copious amounts of affection, the other demands to be left alone. We do NOT have a land line telephone so having your own cell is a plus.

Antarghosha lines up the house sits.

0 comments
I am very pleased to say that as of July 9th I will be housesitting north of Los Angles and that I was offered an overlapping housesit near San Francisco.

I am still open for housesits prior to my July 9th assignment but keep me on the list. I will keep you posted and am I ever grateful for your organization. I would like to come and housesit in Australia and New Zeland next year, for the current assignment runs through March of 2007!

View House Sitter profile for Antarghosha

Can you spell 'disintermediation'

0 comments
Thanks very much for the excellent service. I posted yesterday, and was connected with someone faster than you can spell 'disintermediation' - this is how the internet is supposed to work! Cheers, Richard

In economics, disintermediation is the removal of intermediaries in a supply chain: "cutting out the middleman". Instead of going through traditional distribution channels, which had some type of intermediate (such as a distributor, wholesaler, broker, or agent), companies may now deal with every customer directly, for example via the Internet. One important factor is a drop in the cost of servicing customers directly. ack: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Disintermediation

Home Owner Privacy Protected

0 comments
What a great service!

Thank you for helping me find a suitable housesitter without once putting my privacy at risk. And de-activating when a housesitter is found is so easy!! thanking you
home owner member .. louNraz

3 month Housesit Hampton Park VIC Australia

small 3 bedroom brick home with master bedroom incl queen size (low bed as mattress is on a futon base) gym and study. Dining table is "asian style" so not suited for anyone with problems sitting low & getting themselves back up. Fully renovated- modern living. Ducted Heating, Split System Air Conditioner, TV/VCR/DVD/Surround Sound/Stereo, 1 bathroom, outdoor entertainment area covered and can be made fully enclosed, fixed BBQ, lots of onsite parking (driveway is long and double half the way to fit two cars side by side). Landscaped front and back, low maintenance- just requires weeding as watering is on timer. No need to mow lawns as that is arranged. 6 min walk to shops, high/primary schools closer. 1 min walk to bus stop, Hallam train station just 10 mins drive away. Close to fwy entrance/exit- just 30 mins to city. We have 2 cats and a fish tank which will all need feeding. Our cats will need love- i would prefer if you are a cat lover, or at least happy to give them pats occasionally. They are indoor/outdoor but stay in during night. No dogs sorry, my husband is allergic to dogs so we cant have their scent in our home for our return. We would want to meet you first as we love our home and our pets so want to ensure they are in good care. You would be required to pay utilities. References and Police Check required

Possums - does it the easy way.

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Thank you for the opportunity to use your website. "Kurisu" has agreed to house sit for us for an extended period. We found the whole experience a lot easier than expected. Thanks again.... possums

I have a 5 yr old brick and tile villa house in a quiet street at Largs Bay with small front and rear garden easily maintained. There are three indoor cats and no dogs. Public transport in the form of buses and trains are within 3 minutes walk and the beach is about 15 minute walk away. Port Adelaide is about 5 minutes by car, a little more by bus. I am looking for a quiet, mature & responsible single female person to look after my house and cats while I take a caravan holiday interstate. I have a tentative departure date of the 19th April, 2006 but this is widely negotiable. If I can find the right person, and the holidays go well, these arrangements may be ongoing.

Largs Bay Adelaide South Australia

Top match for Sunshine Coast housesit.

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Today we found a housesitter for our house.
They are "Poolwood" and will sit for us from 6th july till 12th october 2006.
Would you be so kind to remove us from your excellent system?
Your service is the most efficient available and in our view the best.
In particular the excellent up to date computer program, thank you for that.

Kind regards
Vic UserName = Shantor

We are looking for a reliable retired couple 55 years plus to look after our 1.1/2year old Jack Russell (no barker),2 cats and 2 birds. Our house is a clean comfortable low set home,with reverse cycle airconditioning,overlooking a 1 hectare lake, very private on small acreage , 8 km out of town.

Cooroibah Sunshine Coast Queensland Australia

House sitter louies lines up the sits

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Ian,
I am still on my original housesit (7 months) in WA and am now looking for a shorter stay in Queensland. I have been offered a number of options, but have not finalised anything yet. If I'd wanted shorter ones, I'm sure I could have had many others by now. I think the service is fantastic and well worth the money to be put in touch with homeowners. Keep it up!
Thanks
Louise (louies)

View housesitter profile for louies

New Friends through house sitting.

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have recently completed a house sit in Levittown for two delightful people. The have two terrific dogs which I grew quite attached to. The neighbors quickly became friends and were great company. I completely enjoyed house sitting for them and taking care of their dogs and would gladly do so again.

Just because the term of the house sit is over does not mean we have stopped talking. They call from time to time to see how I am, or to just say hello. What a great way to meet friends. ... housesitter michellewilson88
View house sitters profile

New blog resource Library : Home and Pet Lovers Articles and Tips

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We have created a new blog of relevant and practical advice articles for home owners and pet lovers.

A variety of articles to make your home environment a happy and content place to live - and tips on pet care, feeding, exercise, home maintenance, home improvement and more. In other words - helping make the life of the home owner easier, simpler and just plain happy. Can we motivate you, can we inspire you ... I hope so.

New original articles are regularly posted by our writing team.

Pet and Home Lovers Articles and Tips Blog

You can also access this from your members area after login.

Preparing Your Home for Storm Season

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Tornadoes, severe thunderstorms, high winds, and hail can all do tremendous damage to your biggest investment, your home. While violent weather can erupt at any time, the most severe and damaging storms often arrive between March and August, with the height of the storm season usually occurring throughout the spring months (March through May).

This guide will help you prepare your home, your belongings, and your family to avoid the negative effects of severe weather:

Before Storm Season

1. First, visit your insurance provider and go over your policy to make sure that you have appropriate insurance coverage for your home, property, and belongings in case of storm damage. If you are in a flood prone area, remember that flood insurance is not a staple in homeowner's insurance policies.

2. Trim, or have a professional trim, any trees, bushes, or large plants that are near your home to avoid damage. Strong winds can bend trees, causing them to hit your home, which may damage siding, windows, doors, or the roof. It doesn't take a tornado to cause serious damage or injury. Falling limbs can also be problematic, so have any that are damaged, unstable, or those that overhang your home or garage removed.

3. If possible, replace the glass in your home with wind and impact resistant glass. If replacing the glass is not currently feasible, learn about safety film that can be used to cover glass to help prevent shattering. It is also prudent to install storm shutters. Shutters will protect your windows but more importantly will protect the interior of your home and especially your family, from glass that may shatter during severe weather.

4. Sliding glass doors are especially dangerous, and do not forget about skylights. If you cannot employ any of the above protective methods before severe weather arrives, cover large areas of glass with plywood, a tarp, or winterizing plastic for some temporary protection.

5. Purchase a non-electric radio, preferably one that has access to the NOAA weather band for up to the minute weather information, or at least a radio that can clearly receive a local station. Make sure fresh batteries are available at all times, or purchase an emergency radio that is powered by solar energy or one that features a hand crank to charge it up when needed.

6. Make sure at least one working flashlight with fresh batteries is also available, since the power may go out and you may be left without electricity for several hours. Using candles during violent weather is not advised, in case of gas leaks. A flashlight is also helpful for getting someone else's attention should you need to be rescued. Look for a flashlight or radio that includes a personal alarm or siren for this purpose.

7. If your electric service is frequently interrupted during severe weather, consider purchasing a generator. You may also want to purchase or put together a survival kit. There are many different types of generators and survival kits available in assorted price ranges.

When Storms are Predicted


1. Move vulnerable items to a safe location. Put your car inside the garage, move patio furniture, lawn equipment, bicycles, and other items such as barbeque grills into the garage or shed. Anything that cannot be moved to another location should be tied down to avoid causing damage or injury if thrown by strong wind.

2. Close awnings to avoid updrafts of air that could tear them away from your home and cause them to break windows, slam against your house, or cause injury. Close the garage door to protect your vehicle and other items enclosed within.

3. Unplug your appliances and electronic equipment before the storm hits, if you have warning. Surge protectors only work to prevent or reduce damage caused by power spikes and surges; they cannot prevent damage from lightning.

4. Unplug your phone. Unplug the phone line from the jack and unplug the power base from the electrical outlet. Stay off land based phones during storms, especially phones with cords. If you have plenty of warning before the storm, charge your cell phone before the storm arrives. You may need access to emergency services, or you may just want to alert family members and friends that you are safe.

5. Move to a safe location in your home (see "Preparing a Safe Zone" below). The basement or an interior room on the lowest floor of the home is the best choice. Stay away from doors, windows, and anything that conducts electricity.

Preparing a Safe Zone

Consider constructing a safe room or a storm cellar. There are various plans and kits available to help you prepare a safe location for your family during severe weather threats.

You can also transform an existing space in your home into a modestly safe zone for your family on your own. One of the first steps is to choose an area that does not have windows, or to replace windows with safety glass. Even if you cannot replace all the glass in your home, it should be affordable to do in a single room.

The safe zone should be on the lowest floor, and should be protected by interior walls. There should be enough space for the entire family including pets. Let neighbors or extended family members know where the safe zone is located, in case of emergency. If severe damage occurs, they will know where to find you.

Make sure the room has something that can be used for cover. Supply the room with a heavy table or at least a mattress to hide under to protect against debris. This is a good area to store sleeping bags and heavy blankets, which can also be used for cover, and may be needed after a storm.

Store your emergency items in this room, and develop a family plan for reaching the safe zone in case of severe weather. Keep bottled water, non-perishable snacks, medicines, and a first aid kit or survival kit in this space as well.

Copyright © 2006 Ian White

3.5 month housesit in Tauranga Bay of Plenty New Zealand filled

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We have found an experienced house sitting couple through your site within a few days of going on. Thanks very much. franmac

Someone/couple non smokers to look after comfortable house and large section on a kiwifruit orchard. No animals to look after. Orchard is independantly managed. Rural location but only about 7kms to Tauranga's southern suburbs. Easy access to everything else the bay of Plenty has to offer.

HouseCarers.com in the Press - AARP Magazine, World's Largest Circulation Magazine

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AARP Magazine, World's Largest Circulation Magazine

A great article following the experiences of one of our house sitter members in France... Imagine staying in some of the loveliest locations on earth—and all you have to do is feed the cats

Read story “Follow Your Dreams (for Next to Nothing)”

Feeback from sitter member MeganPO

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Hi, Ian

I just wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for good service. It's not very often I do this but I believe that I should give credit when due.
My husband and I started housesitting in August 2005 and a friend recommended Housecarers.

I find the service to be user friendly, informative and the email alerts very useful.

We recently accepted a 3 month assignment through your website which has now changed to a very long term assignment ( it could potentially go on for years).
Joining your website has been one of my best investments.

Thanks for the great service... MeganPO

View profile for house sitter MeganPO

Mummsy finds dog and home sitter for Rural Tasmanian home

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Hi there,

We have been successful in finding the right sitter for our house and dog through your service. We want to thank you for an efficient system, it was easy to use and hassle free. We can go on our trip now with peace of mind.

Regards,
Mummsy (Kay)

We need someone to mind our young dog in her own home environment while we are in New Zealand. She is friendly de-sexed and very lovable. She would require a walk each day (weather permitting). Scottsdale is in rural Tasmania 1 hr east of Launceston. Beautiful scenery, golf course, RSL Club, large shopping centre, restaurants etc etc. The house has two double bedrooms, recently renovated kitchen, warm and cosy with reverse cycle aircons and wood fire. Our car would be at the disposal of sitters (should you fly here and need a car). References and or Police Clearance would be required.

Kelley fills her year with housesits

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Many thanks for your housecarers site. I now have three house sits for this year. Four weeks in Brisbane and then home for two weeks, then two separate sits in South Australia. You provide a great service, and I will be re-activating my site later in the year for 2007.
Regards
Eva ... (kelley)

AlnMaggie enrich their lives through house sitting

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"Just a short email to say how pleased we are with HouseCarers & the fun we have had House sitting over the last couple of years. We have been up & down the Queensland coast to Victoria & have meet the most amazing people in our journeys - we have stayed in contact with the people we have sat for & now regard them as our friends.

The professional was in which you carry out your business is to complemented & we have & will continue to recommend you to many of our friends who find the lifestyle we are leading one to be envied.

Best wishes & thanks for a job well done"
Alan & Margaret ... AlnMaggie

View house sitter profile for AlnMaggie

Sitter selected for Tauranga Bay of Plenty New Zealand Housesit

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Thanks for your service. Your site provided us with a continued supply of interested housesitters and we were able to select the best couple for our circumstances. Well done and thanks! ..lpclark

We require housesitters (we prefer a couple) to take care of our home, large section, cat, goldfish and two dogs while we are in Europe for 4 weeks in July/August 2006. You need to be sufficiently fit to mow our lawns and walk the dogs who are energetic. A car can be provided for day trips or to take the dogs to more distant parks and the beach. We live within walking distance of estuary walks, parks and the bus route, and within a short driving distance of shopping facilities and supermarkets. Our neighbourhood is friendly and our home, though dated, is comfortable and warm. The successful candidates would need to be able to stay with us for 4 - 5 days prior to our departure on 17 July so that you can become familiar with the dogs, their medication and their routine, and allow them to be comfortable with you.

Byron Bay NSW Australia housesit filled

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I selected housesitters willbemaybe - so i thought i ought to tell you.
A great service! annabelle ... a55006600

I need someone( or a couple) to housesit my beachside house and look after our Sheltie called Woody. It is a 2 bedroom cottage in a suburban setting in an area which is much sought after. I would require the dog to be exercised/fed/played with/brushed the fish to be fed, the garden to be weeded/pruned, the house to be cleaned, the pot plants to be watered.

Auckland licking Staffie finds a minder

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We have had a number of responses to our ad. We have selected Ian and Jude of Birkdale, North Shore City. We are lucky to have found them and they are lucky to have found us! Our dog Ben met them and was happy in their company. I have no doubt that Ben, Ian and Jude will live happily together for five weeks.
.. jean35

Dog lover needed to look after Ben, a seven year old Staffie X neutered male dog. He needs a daily walk,loves contact with people and is likely to lick you from head to toe! We keep him on a lead as he is not so keen on other dogs - people are his thing! He has his own bed room and is used to being spoilt. If we could take him to France we would! Our 1922 three bedroom character house is in Northcote Point and has an indoor/outdoor flow. It is handy to buses and the ferry and is ten minutes drive to the city when the traffic is flowing freely. It has a lovely garden but we don't need any gardening done.

6 Week Glasshouse Mountains QLD Aus housesit filled

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Thank you for our advertisement this last week or so. We have found housesitters who seem just what we wanted. (ibujenny)
view profile of sitters ibujenny

Barbara.. User Name barter

We have a lovely old cottage near Maleny and the Glasshouse Mountains. Walking distance to train., shops, and doctor. All amenities, non smokers please. We have a big dog, who is more like a big sook, loves everyone, would need to be walked to the nearby park. Australia Zoo nearby, beach 15 minutes.

From rain drenched shores of Coal Harbour ~ Vancouver, Canada

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Hello Ian,

Friendly greetings from me on the ```` rain drenched shores of Coal Harbour ~ Vancouver, Canada ````

To you across the world in that land of warm sunshine... I'm green with envy.... when I check your weather charts!

I'm starting to forget what the sun looks and feels like...

We are breaking 'records' here for the month of January!!!!

Truly got spoiled.... this past November/December; waking up every morning to clear blue skies & warm sunshine.

Ah! Sigh! "Desert Living" in Tucson, Arizona ~ A wonderful 'acreage' Home/Dog Sit (Sweet loveable 'Denny' stole my heart!!... ImpeccableReferences

View profile for house sitter ImpeccableReferences

homecarerspetpampers make great use of the photo gallery

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Registered sitters homecarerspetpampers have taken full advantage of the photo gallery feature to upload pics of pets from their previous housesits


View profile and photo gallery of sitters homecarerspetpampers

Lisbon Bound Sacremento family find their match

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Your site is just wonderful. We found several sitters that matched up well and have now arranged with one of them. Thank you so much!! ... lisbonbound

Hello We are looking for a female house sitter or married couple to care for our 2 cats and fairly large very modern house. Non-smokers only!!We do have cable network(and TV), fireplace, huge oak trees, spa, and all appliances. We have raised bed gardens and lots of potted deck plants and live in a lovely suburban neighborhood.

Townsville winters are lovely!

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I have found someone. It's a great service thankyou! Elaine

care for 2 indoor cats, keep garden tidy, enjoy house and pool (Townsville winters are lovely!) .. Townsville Queensland Australia 6 weeks June 2006.. elaine51

Desertriver gets quick results - housesit El Cajon California

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Hi to House Carers - I just listed our profile yesterday re looking for a housesitter(s) for three months while we are gone. Within one day, I have received three excellent canidates, one of which I believe we will go with. Thank you very much for you excellent website... Pat .. desertriver

Need house / pet / yard sitter for above period. Would like retired couple. Have one acre of land, four dogs (three little ones inside, they have doggy-door), one large dog outside. Lots of plants, fish pond and a couple outside cats of which you'll probably never see, just feed daily. Very easy maintenance considering above. 38-year old son lives on back part of the property in his own home and he can take care of any problems the sitters might have. Very quiet neighborhood in the foothills. Prefer couple to stay here while we travel


desertriver

SeeNewZealand is enjoying the interaction

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HI! Just wanted to say this is a fun process so far! This is the first time we have ever sought a housesitter. There was an article in AARP magazine that mentioned your website so that engendered some trust in the idea of cyber-meeting through your site. In just a day, I received 6 replies, and all of them sound like really interesting people! Even a couple from New Zealand answered, which was really exciting since that is where we are headed for the vacation that is creating a need for a housesitter. I replied to each of them and am confident that among them there is one who will turn out to be the best match for us. Thanks for creating your website.
SeeNewZealand

Great use of a personal website by rainbowsitters

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Here is a good example of using a personal website to add a bit more
information about your house sitting experiences and background. You can
link to your website from your profile page. Your Internet provider normaly provides
free web site space and tools to build personal web sites as park of your monthly deal.

Click here to visit Rainbow Sitters Web site

Housecarers Profile for rainbow sitters

Mountain Creek Mooloolaba QLD Aus Housesit filled

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Please suspend our add for a house-sit for; hvhines An agreement has been entered into and good faith will prevail until closer to the actual day of sitting. Thank you for your great site.
Herb and Vivi ... hvvines

General housekeeping of 3 bedroom lowset,brick house,A/C and gas heating,DLUG,no pool,minimal lawns established gardens.All usual telecommunication items are installed.The house is located close to the beaches and shopping centres, a bus service is available nearby etc.We are in a single residential neighbourhood. I have a bird avairy w/9 small birds.(5 cokateils and 4other small parrots). Daily attention to birds will be required

Eradicate Fleas from your pet organically

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Here is an interesting approach to ridding your pets of fleas this season.

Win the War against Fleas on your pet:

Housesitter found - Timber pines-gated golf community hernando county Florida Housesit filled

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We found a great match for our house sit. Time: less then 3 days.We have a lot in common, both Vietnam vets with two tours each Thanks once more for this great service.It allows us more travel freedom.
Regards. Buffybudd4

Gated senior golf community. Country Club with one 18 hole chamption ship course. Two 18 hole excutive courses. one 9 hole pitch and putt. Two Country Club Pools. Performing Arts Center. Great Club Resturant.And more. Pet sitting. We have two small Norwitch Terriors. Male: Buddy 7 years. Female: Buffy 6 years. They love everyone and want to be near you all the time.Walk twice a day weather permitting. Full instruction on feeding and vet care if needed The home is three br, two baths double car garage.Large screened porch and large patio. We have a house cleaning lady every two weeks and our lawn is mowed and trimed every week. We will continue to pay both contracts plus elec-phone- water and waste collection. We can discuss your golf cost. You will have the use of golf cart with trackage paid for. One of the bedrooms is a computer room and office with fax-scanner and printer. Ultra lite DSL (fast) you would be welcome to use.We have LD service as much as you want to call in the USA. Have a Oddsey van and corolla. Will discuss usage. Thats about it. Interested ??

Home in a Village near Cantebury Kent finds a house sitter.

0 comments
We would like to thank you for the opportunity to seek a housesitter.
The standard was so high it made our task very difficult.

However finally we have chosen and so we should be grateful if you would withdraw our name from the active list.

Thanks and Kind Regards ... maidofkent

In a delightful village, own church and pub ( good grub/good company ) in the countryside off the A 257 between Canterbury & Sandwich. Ideal walking/fishing, shooting, bird spotting area. Sunday pub walks etc. A very loveable welsh springer looks for an equally loving person to look after him for approx nineteen days in February 2006. Accommodation is centrally heated with additional log fires.

Bribie island - calm water & surf beach housesit filled

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We are pleased to let you know that we had numerous suitable replies to our
ad & have settled on one from a lady in the UK. Thank you for your service
& no longer require the ad.

House sitter/s required from 23rd April - 8th June. Situated at Sandstone Pt on Pumicestone Passage directly opposite Bribie Is. Easy access to calm water & surf beach. Fishing & swimming 200 metres from door. Comfortable 2 bedroom duplex with air-conditioning & access to pool. Must love one spoilt cat. Small garden to water - no mowing involved.... canadababy

Timetraveller Gets Change of Scenery

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This is a wonderful service - I joined on 18th Jan and have now (Feb 2) negotiated a housesit for Canadababy near Brisbane which I have accepted. I have suspended membership for a while, but will re-activate my membership again later in the year... timetraveller

View housesitter profile for timetraveler

Bunderberg QLD 4 week housesit filled

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"Hi We have had success in getting someone to house sit for us thanks to your organization. Thankyou Gloria - "bundyrest"

Roodepoort Transvaal Home Owner gets abundent supply of house sitters

0 comments
Hi there - just wanted to send you another quick note to say thanks for
such a super website! Through your site, I've found not one, but a
few, house/pet-sitters (especially animal lovers!) to choose from and
I'm really pleased!

Just sorry I didn't discover you earlier as in the
past its been a mission for me to beg and plead with friends and family!
Now, thanks to HouseCarers, I don't have that problem anymore!

Kind regards
MarleneC Roodepoort Transvaal

The2ofUs Loved their Manhattan Beach, CA housesit

0 comments
We had our first housesit in December and it was very successful. We responded to a request by a homeowner in Manhattan Beach, CA through the housecarers website and ultimately were chosed to housesit for them and care for their two siberian huskies while the spent the Christmas holidays in England. We enjoyed the experience and will be going back to care for their home and their dogs in April while they take their family on spring break.

Profile for housesitter The2ofUs

House Carers are tops! Toowoomba QLD Aus 12 week housesit filled

0 comments
While my uninitiated friends agonize over where to find a house sitter, I am happily receiving MORE THAN ONE offer from willing house carers.

Needless to say I am passing on this site to all my travelling friends.

I have found the House Carers service very quick, an excellent way of making contact with sitters, and those whom we have been fortunate to have sit for us have been the most delightful people.We keep in contact and have acquired some new friends.
I would recommend House Carers to any person who wishes to be away from home for a length of time.

Enid Username eeniev
Toowoomba QLD Aus 2 week housesit
Care of house and water garden. Would probably help if you were interested in gardening!! No pets to care for. Check water trough for 2 horses which live in surrounding paddock.

Feedback from Sitter Paragon

0 comments
I just want to tell you what a wonderful user friendly site this is. I really appreciate how easy it is to look up and change information. I wish all sites were this well done.

View Sitter Paragon's Profie

Snowrunner fills Sheffield Yorkshire Housesit

0 comments
"Just to confirm that we have now arranged a house sitter. Please with draw our advert. Thank you for the services of the Housecarers website. It works so efficiently, we will happily recommend it to our friends. ... Snowrunner"

House sitter required for semi-detached house in the South western suburbs of Sheffield, England. Must be happy to care for an energetic Border Collie and the house plants. The property is within 10 minutes bus ride of the city centre and 10 minutes ride from the Peak National Park.

Wellington NZ Christmas Housesit filled

0 comments
"Thanks for your assistance in finding us a house sitter for the Christmas
holidays - we have made a successful match and reached a mutually suitable
arrangement."

Paddyholidays

House sitter required for lovely modern sunny house in Haitaitai over the Christmas period from 23 December to 9 January as we are going on holidays to Australia. We have an elderly dog called Paddy who requires limited walks and company. Our house has 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, living room, separate modern kitchen, and sea views. It is close to town on a bus route. We would prefer a couple or single person.

6 week housesit for historic town near Lincolnshire Wolds English Home filled

0 comments
Once again your website has been invaluable. Within the space of a few days we able to find a wonderful couple who are going to housesit our home in England for 6 weeks.
Thank you so much for providing this website.
Homeowner - atlcollie2

We have a lovely, large detached (non-smoking) home located in a small historical village at the edge of the Lincolnshire Wolds. Louth, a historic market town is close as is the beautiful city of Lincoln. We have central heating & double glazed windows so the house is warm and cozy. There is a wood burning fireplace in the lounge, dishwasher, washer & tumble dryer, large fridge/freezer, high speed wi-fi internet access, televisions/DVD players (one with Skyplus in the lounge). Many bells and whistles. There is also an attached granny flat w/separate bath/shower/kitchen and lounge. This is virtually a maintenance free assignment. Just a few indoor plants that need to be watered occasionally! We have no bus service in our village so a car is recommended. This is a non salaried position. We can be somewhat flexible on the dates

House Sitting Enables Modern Day Nomads to Travel

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November 25, 2005 -- Alys Henderson and Majella Gillen are modern day nomads. “Home” is wherever they are currently house sitting. However, it wasn’t necessarily the experience of different cultures and areas that attracted this pair to house sitting, it was the opportunity to be around different animals.

“We have had no fixed abode since March of 2003. The idea of changing environments and having a variety of pets to look after is what attracted us to house sitting. We love change and experiencing new things -- and we also adore animals. The Canberra and Blue Mountains fires, although not directly affecting us, reminded us to not become tied to possessions. We sold the majority of our belongings and rented out our home and started out sitting only in Sydney for the first two years while we both worked. Then we decided to see more of Australia and sit nationally so here we are in Kings Canyon at a Park Rangers house. We will eventually start sitting internationally.”

When asked which sits have been their favorite, they were quick to reply. “Our favorite sits are with dogs. We have come to love two poodles in Chipping Norton, a Westie in Alexandria and a pug in Newton. But, we have looked after many lovely animals and fondly remember them all. All of our sits have included pets, except for one. Pet types include: dogs, cats, a duck, chickens, fish, birds, guinea pig, a possum and a worm farm.”

“We always enjoy the interaction with animals the most. Whether it is talking to a possum and watching her eat a banana or cuddling a pussycat or walking and talking to a dog. Animals are not aware that their owners are going to be gone for so long, as they have no concept of the time. So, although the pets miss them, they usually just enjoy having someone around to fuss over them. The homeowners usually pine more than the animals.”

Alys Henderson and Majella Gillen are very busy. Their schedule is booked through July 2006, with only a few short gaps in between. Their stays range from one week to four months. “There are sits for periods like six months, or a year. But, we don’t enjoy that type of house sitting because you are locked into a place for a long time. We avoid the very long-terms ones because we thrive on change.”

When asked about the process of becoming a house sitter, they were quick to point out how simple it is to make connections. “It was very easy to become a sitter. The HouseCarers.com website makes it very easy to receive information from homeowners because we get an automatic email whenever a new homeowner advertises their need for a sitter. We can then choose to contact them by logging into the site. We get a lot of requests to sit and cannot do them all. We often give out the site’s details to homeowners looking for other sitters.”

Henderson and Gillen housesit approximately 11 months out of the year. “If we have gaps, we either go camping, go on a holiday, stay with friends or rent a room in Sydney. Our moves are down pat and we take only a few minutes to feel “at home” in any house. We do not feel the need to be anywhere permanently to feel at home. In fact, after about six weeks, we are looking forward to the next move.”

View the sitter profile for RainbowSitters

Contact:
Ian White
Sydney, N.S.W.
Access 2000 Pty. Ltd.
http://www.HouseCarers.com

# # #

5 month housesit in Fremantle Western Australia filled

0 comments
"Thank you for your excellent service. We had no trouble finding a House Sitter from your fast and informative responses. " Peter and Robyn (Charlie214)

Sitter required for older style, 2 bedroom Fremantle cottage. Ongoing garden maintenance and mail forwarding would be required. Quiet location opposite park, pets (husband and dog) will be on holidays with me so nothing extra to care for.

Great Tips for applying for housesits from sitters TOMARtwo

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Here are some great tips from sitters TOMARtwo - when applying for housesits.

“It is easy to make yourself available to be a sitter, but then in order to get someone to accept you-- to care for their home and pets--the essence lies in creating a feeling of trustworthiness. Before you even apply for a sit, do your homework. Know exactly what is being asked of you, and what is being offered in return. Research the area you will be visiting and take into consideration how you will adapt to the environment. If there are animals to be cared for, know exactly what you are taking on. If there is a breed of dog that you are unfamiliar with, read as much as you need to feel comfortable with the situation.”

Read Entire Press Release featuring sitters TOMARtwo

Sitter Profile for TOMARtwo

Newlywed Retirees Are Leading Active Lives House Sitting

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Newlywed Retirees Are Leading Active Lives House Sitting

Tony and Margaret Steele-Rijkelijkhuizen have only been married a little less than three years, yet these retirees are not sitting at home twiddling their thumbs. Before their marriage, both Tony and Margaret led very active lives, and they saw no reason why retirement should slow them down. As house sitters, the Steele-Rijkelijkhuizen’s are traveling the world. They recently returned back to their home in the Netherlands from a house sit in Greece.

“We stayed in Naplion, which is located to the southwest of Athens. We were there in September, which was not at the height of summer, but nevertheless, it was still quite hot and dry. We had plenty of opportunity to explore the surrounding countryside, which is steeped in ancient Greek history. We found Greece a wonderful place to visit. It offers something for everyone. Mediterranean climate, beautiful countryside, and a wealth of ancient Greek historical monuments to visits. Plus, of course, a huge Greek warm welcome everywhere we would go.”

Tony and Margaret Steel-Rijkelijkhuizen arrived at their house sit in Greece a few days early. This enabled them to become comfortable with the property and the pets they would be sitting for prior to the owners departure. When asked about house sitting in general and tips for future house sitters, they were quick to point out how it is important that a feeling of trustworthiness is felt between both the house sitters and the home owners.

“It is easy to make yourself available to be a sitter, but then in order to get someone to accept you-- to care for their home and pets--the essence lies in creating a feeling of trustworthiness. Before you even apply for a sit, do your homework. Know exactly what is being asked of you, and what is being offered in return. Research the area you will be visiting and take into consideration how you will adapt to the environment. If there are animals to be cared for, know exactly what you are taking on. If there is a breed of dog that you are unfamiliar with, read as much as you need to feel comfortable with the situation.”

Greece is not the last country this couple will be visiting. “Greece was our first assignment out of our known environment. We have previously sat for families in England and Holland. We are currently pursuing further assignments in France, Italy and the USA,” Tony reports. “Margaret’s children live in various locations in the USA and house sitting might offer the opportunity to spend more time in the USA, perhaps near her children. We are planning as far ahead as next Christmas time.”

Tony and Margaret Steel- Rijkelijkhuize are enrolled in the catalog of house sitters at HouseCarers.com. They report how happy they are to have found a way to stay active and travel the world as retirees-- without having to dip heavily into their retirement fund. They are just one of the many couples who house sit through HouseCarers.

Sitter Profile for Tony and Margaret

Contact:
Ian White
Sydney, N.S.W.
Access 2000 Pty. Ltd.
http://www.housecarers.com

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Piemonte, Italy homeowner is going through the sitter applications

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I recently activated my ad on your site and have received an excellent response from house-sitters. We now have the onerous job of selecting one of the applicants. I think your site is very comprehensive and is excellent for anyone that is looking for sitters for the first time.....Thank you.

4 to 6 months
We have a three bedroom home in the hills of the Langhe. The area is famous for its wines, hazel nuts and the white truffles of Alba. We are looking for someone to stay at our home for 4-6 months. We would like people that are pleased to take care of the gardening and who could also do some general repairs etc. A car is necessary

Oakland California House sit filled

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Thanks much for a terrific service. We had about 10 responses
to an ad and found someone whom we like very much and are
lucky to have found, all in about 4 days. Homeowner mbkasma

Fraud Alert

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Unfortunately fraudsters are contacting house sitter members with
fraudulent proposals.

The foreign fraudsters offer to pay salaries for house/pet sitting. They send fake, but convincing looking money orders/ checks /cheques for around 5,000.00

The fraudsters usually say they are outside your country of origin. Recent ones say UK and Canada and need to settle a debt in your country.

They ask the victim to immediately deposit the money, keeping 1500.00 for themselves and forwarding the balance to settle a debt in the victims country.

They become more and more frantic with their email follow-ups.

Many of the fraudsters use a Yahoo email address.
Please immediately forward the entire email including headers to abuse@yahoo.com
If they are registered with us please report through the feedback form and
we will take action. We scutinize the registrations but sometimes they only
become apparent when they start their communciations.

The spirit of Housecarers.com is rent free accommodation in exchange for house sitting. View all direct emails offering up-front salaries and payment with suspicion.

Many legitimate homeowners don't register with us. We give you the option of displaying your email link to allow homeowners to contact you directly. Many homeowners simply want to contact directly those who interest them and dont wish to register. Just look out for the fraudsters.

The fraudsters wont give you a phone number - as they are hiding behind their anonymity. You should be able to phone a legitimate home owner.

All housesitter email links are encrypted to prevent harvesting by spambots. However scammers can still manually send an email. However they will soon give up - due to the effort required to email directly - and the zero returns they will get from
our aware members.

We cooperate fully with law enforcement in all countries. If we work together we can
soon put an end to their sick game.

Fortunately none of our members have reported being victims - though one came close.

Here is a variation on the fraud above - where a fraudster posts attractive photos of a too good to be true arrangement, including offers of payment for housesitting in cities such as London

Variation on Fraud

Brisbane Homeower PommieJohn gives thumbs up to housesitters jensenwarner

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Helen and John (jensenwarner) are a marvelous couple and we highly recommend them as "house sitters". Our house and gardens were looking great when we returned, our vegie garden was well tended.

Sitter profile:
http://www.housecarers.com/sitter.cfm/jensenwarner.htm

Daisy, our Border Collie was very happy with both Helen and John and kept them busy.
we would love to have them both back in the future. Regards Margaret and John (PommieJohn)

House Sitter CELESTE, South Africa shares her Australian house sitting experiences

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I want to tell you about the house sitting assignment that I got through your agency in Australia.

Hilary & John from Cobargo, a small village on the SaPphire Coast in South-Eastern Australia, accepted me as their house sitter. I was there for 6 weeks while they went visiting family and friends in the UK.

They welcomed me with the heartiest hospitality that you can ever imagine. They have a beautiful newly built house which was very housewife friendly. I looked after their two dogs and tended the garden. Giving me the opportunity to live in that part of Australia was a very wonderful experience for which I will be grateful for ever.
They also left me a vehicle which I used to travel around the area, playing tennis in the neighbouring town, making friends all over, getting lots of invites to lunches and simply had a marvellous time.

I have a very good impression of Australians on the whole and would like to go there again some time in the future. Thanks for your help in this regard. I'm very happy to have found you and Hilary & John. Will be in touch when I plan to do house sitting again somewhere.
Regards
CELESTE SOUTH AFRICA

suzq86 fills her Inner West Sydney sit

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I would like to say that I am very pleased with the choices I have received from the site. For two years I have found exactly the type of people I am happy to leave in charge of my home and pets. Many thanks,Suzq86

We are going away on holidays and need someone to look after the house and grounds and two small dogs e.g., walks each day, feeding and brushing. The house is in a Sydney suburb, less than five minutes from public transport and all Sydney amenities

Press Release: " House Sitting Takes Retired Canadian Around the World"

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October 20, 2005 -- Brenda Marie Batty is a retiree who hails from Coal Harbor, which is in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Ms. Batty has found that house sitting is a service she can provide to home owners around the world, while allowing her to fulfill her travel dreams. House sitting is opening the doors to countries that Ms. Batty would never have had the opportunity to visit otherwise.

“I have been in about seven different countries, some of which were repeat visits. My favorite countries to house sit have been Greece, France and Italy,” Ms. Batty reports. “House sitting gives me the opportunity to travel further afield for a longer period of time -- to places I otherwise could not afford to stay in on my retired budget.”

Ms. Batty enjoys different cultures and lifestyles and she throws herself into the areas that she house sits in. “I even got into white washing steps and walls in Greece . . . I joined in with the island folk who were all in preparation for Easter’s arrival. I really felt like a local then! It was lots of fun, too.”

Ms. Batty began her house sitting adventures around 1999-2000, with her first sit being on the Greek Island of Hydra. “I enjoy travel on this level, meeting new people and becoming part of their communities.” This is Ms. Batty’s second year working with House Carers. “Two thumbs up for House Carers!” She reports that enrolling in a reputable house sitting registry is key. Ms. Batty has found that making connections with home owners is “very easy” and involves fairly little time.

When asked about the requirements of being a good house sitter, this experienced house sitter reports that maturity is key . . . along with flexibility. This could account for why many home owners are looking for retirees when they are doing a search for a house sitter. Retirees bring a level of maturity and a vast array of experience with them on a house sit. This is hard to beat. Home owners are comfortable with retiree house sitters. They can leave their homes confident that a senior house sitter can handle most any situation.

The boom in business travel, as well as many families which have multiple homes scattered around the world, can account for the vast need that is arising for competent house sitters. Home owners who find a good house sitter often ask the sitter back for future sits. This was confirmed by Ms. Batty who reports that she has made repeat sits. Sitters find they forge friendships with the home owners, as well as members of the community.

You can reach House Carers via the Internet. House Carers maintains an updated registry of house sitters and home owners from around the world. House Carers is bridging the gap between home owners and sitters. Home owners find a wonderful, dependable house sitter, and sitters are able to travel the world. This is a win-win situation for everyone involved.

Contact:
Ian White
Sydney, N.S.W.
Access 2000 Pty. Ltd.
http://www.housecarers.com

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Long Term North Queensand housesit filled

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We have found some suitable housesitters for the period of time we need for next year. Please remove our ad from the website for now. We found your website very helpful and will no doubt use it again when time comes.
Thank you
Vicki Username: lovecats

We have a modern brick home on 5 acres in the country (about 20kms out of Mackay). Our pets include 2 cats and 1 Jack Russell dog, therefore we prefer housesitters with no pets of there own. Our home is fully air-conditioned with a personal computer available if required. Mackay is a jump off point to the beautiful Whitsunday Islands and Great Barrier Reef.

Press Release: House Sitting Opens a Door to the Past for Retirees

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Frank and Jane Robinson of Deception Bay (on the northern outskirts of Brisbane) have found a way to connect with their heritage through house sitting. Relative newcomers to house sitting, the Robinson’s were wanting to find a way to visit Jane’s homeland of Scotland without the financial worry.

Read complete press Release "House Sitting Opens a Door to the Past for Retirees"

Alaska Housesit filled

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"We live in a beautiful area of alaska surrounded by mountians. "

"Thank you for the great website! I wanted to inform you that we have found a housesitter already and no longer need our ad posted. We appreciate the help. Wonderful site!" Sincerely, Laura

Retirees Find House Sitting Opens the Door to a New World

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Recent press releases highlighting the travels of retiree house sitters are showing that becoming a senior is not a ticket to boredom, or a sedentary lifestyle. Retirees from around the world are finding HouseCarers.com to be the key that opens the door to unique, authentic and free travel to destinations that they had once only dreamed about.

Read complete article "Retirees Find House Sitting Opens the Door to a New World"

House Sitting Tips from cameraontheroad.com

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Here are some interesting tips and obervations from cameraontheroad.com

Know Before You Go: House Sitters and House Traders
Going and Planning for the Road
By Lorelle VanFossen
You want a long vacation, but leaving your home seems like more work than taking the vacation. Having a home means taking care of the garden and lawn, feeding pets, checking the mail, paying the bills, hoping the roof won't leak, and worrying about storm damage and water leaks. Or is security a big concern, not wanting to leave the house empty and unattended for so long?


Read full article: "Know Before You Go: House Sitters and House Traders"

Great Photo Gallery by ArticDreamers spotted

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ArticDreamers make great use of the photo gallery - showing their hobbies and interest in animals. This sort of display and associated descriptions is sure to convince home owners.

Profile for ArticDreamers:

http://www.housecarers.com/sitter.cfm/arcticdreamers.htm

Wandering Brenda Marie back home.

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Good morning Ian,

I trust all is well with you and yours...

I have just returned from two months of wandering... in Madeira, Portugal & the English countryside...

Then a very interesting 3 wks 'Hotel/ Cat Sit' in lovely peaceful Lamalou-les-bains in South France....Where I was taking care of Pumpkin, Garfield & Tubby... (All with great personalities!!! :)
Plus, I kept an eye on the hotel business whilst Janice & Bernard (Very attentive host's) where away in Torquay, UK buying another Hotel.

Now catching up on missed/unattended e-mail
Whilst in France my host's computer "Crashed"... during a 5+ hour thunder/lighting storm!

I now see to my surprise.... you have presented me with a re-newed membership. So very kind of you! I continue to handout your web address when ever I meet (like) people who show interest in animals & this unique way of travel.

My sincere thanks for your kindness, wishing you continued success with www.housecarers.com.

Brenda Marie (ImpeccableReferences) (Now back home in Vancouver for a while...)
Profile:

http://www.housecarers.com/sitter.cfm/ImpeccableReferences.htm