The warning from my hosts, just before they embarked on their four-week European adventure, still echoed in my ears: their dog had a penchant for gobbling up discarded items, including illicit substances, during walks. With 22 five-star pet sitting reviews under my belt, I was on high alert, determined to uphold my reputation for vigilant care. One afternoon, as we prepared to cross a street in their Santa Cruz neighborhood, the dog swiftly snatched something indistinguishable from the pavement.
“Drop it!” I commanded, but it was too late. The dog chomped down, a cloud of white powder bursting from both sides of her mouth before she spat a small, crumpled foil packet onto the sidewalk. Panic surged, and my mind raced with visions of an urgent trip to the er vet. Back at the house, with rubber gloves on, I carefully unfurled the packet. Relief washed over me as I deciphered the faint words: “Non-dairy creamer.” The crisis was averted, and my commitment to providing exceptional In Home Pet Sitting was, once again, put to the test. Finding trusted pet sitters who go the extra mile is crucial for pet owners seeking peace of mind.
A dog with a bandana sitting attentively
The Allure of In-Home Pet Sitting: A Life of Travel and Care
As a full-time traveling house and pet sitter, I’ve had the privilege of caring for a diverse array of companions: 18 dogs, 14 cats, several gardens, three hermit crabs, two turtles, and even a sourdough starter. Most of these experiences have been wonderfully uneventful. My journeys have spanned over 6,000 miles along the picturesque West Coast, from the sun-drenched vineyards of San Luis Obispo, California, to the rugged, enchanting shores of San Juan Island, Washington, encompassing 23 towns in between. While I typically prefer extended stays, often a few weeks or more, I’ve occasionally accepted shorter two-night assignments for unique opportunities—like a stunning seaside home overlooking Agate Passage, where I cared for a 17-year-old Maine Coon named Salem, who mostly kept to himself.
My love for travel began early, sparked by a trip to Hawaii at age six and later, a high school excursion to the Soviet Union. In my twenties, I explored the US for three months in a Volkswagen bus, visiting numerous national parks. A decade later, I led teenagers on an academic tour through Italy and Greece. As a single, remote-working, empty-nester mom, the desire to travel freely resurfaced, but my budget was a significant constraint. Discovering house and pet sitting in exchange for accommodation became a true game-changer, unlocking a world of possibilities.
Finding Your First In-Home Pet Sitting Opportunities
After exploring various platforms, I invested $135 in an annual membership with TrustedHousesitters, a global community offering over 7,000 house and pet sitting opportunities. Within days, I secured my first weekend sit: two cats in a charming seaside town near Seattle. A video call with the homeowners confirmed the arrangements, and I arrived after they had departed, ready for my inaugural experience. This initial sit, while fine, wasn’t perfect. The cats were easy, and the garden was beautiful, but the house felt somewhat uninviting, and the guest room lacked warmth.
Since then, I’ve raised my standards considerably, now only applying to properties with abundant photos and glowing reviews from previous sitters. Asking thorough questions during introductory video calls has also become an indispensable part of my vetting process, ensuring a better match for both myself and the pet owners. This meticulous approach helps create a more harmonious experience for everyone involved, reinforcing the trust that is essential in the world of in home pet sitting.
A laptop screen showing the TrustedHousesitters website
The Financial Freedom and Unexpected Luxuries
As a freelance writer, I spent the following months traversing the Puget Sound area on short-term sits, steadily building my reputation through positive reviews from grateful pet owners and refining my packing and organizational skills. The more time I spent away from my own home, the harder it became to justify paying nearly $2,500 a month in rent. The decision became simple when I lost my job: I gave up my apartment, moved my belongings into storage, and embraced full-time nomadic pet sitting.
In the year since, I’ve saved nearly $30,000 in rent, enjoying stays in luxurious waterfront homes that would otherwise be entirely out of my reach. I’ve indulged in strolls along private beaches, cooked in professional chef’s kitchens, unwound in outdoor hot tubs, and enjoyed Swedish saunas (though I still avoid eye contact with in-home gyms). Comparable accommodations booked through services like Airbnb would likely have cost over $70,000, but through my services as an in home pet sitter, these experiences cost me nothing. While my annual expenses aren’t zero—I cover my own food and toiletries and have spent about $2,300 on “bridge stays” (hotels or Airbnbs) between sits—I’m spending significantly less than before, all while exploring incredible places. Compared to options like petco daycare, in-home care offers personalized attention and comfort for pets.
Building Connections and Enriching Experiences
The financial benefits, however, are just one aspect of this fulfilling lifestyle. Since embarking on my pet sitting journey, I’ve connected with countless kind and creative individuals: weavers, writers, musicians, painters, and tile artists, many of whom are retired and adventurously cruising the Mediterranean or cycling through the hills of France. These interactions have added immeasurable richness to my travels.
One particular couple, who have since become good friends, welcomed me to a sit with fresh negronis and a traditional Japanese hot pot dinner. They even curated several bottles of wine from their personal cellar for me and returned bearing thoughtful gifts at the end of my stay. I’ve pet sat for them on two separate occasions, and their energetic cattle dog, Wasabi, was a wonderful companion, often napping nearby while I worked for hours, until it was time for both of us to stretch our legs for a game of fetch. I’m looking forward to my third visit to their spectacular home overlooking the Salish Sea on Lummi Island, Washington. Knowing about healthy homemade chicken dog food recipes or how to handle minor injuries like how to heal a dog’s foot pad can also enhance the care provided.
A dog sitting on a couch with a view
Navigating the Challenges of a Nomadic Pet Sitter
Not every aspect of house and pet sitting is glamorous. The end-of-sit clean is often the least appealing task. As a perfectionist driven by the desire for a five-star review, I’ve learned the hard way to allocate ample time to restore the home to its original condition, if not better. This meticulous cleaning ensures that homeowners return to a spotless environment, reinforcing their trust and appreciation for the care provided to both their home and their beloved pets.
One memorable instance occurred at the end of a 10-day sit with a charming West Highland white terrier who would ring a bell to go outside. I had already logged 10,000 steps that morning, diligently cleaning, and with the homeowners not due back for at least an hour, I decided to finish up in leggings and a sports bra. That’s when the terrier started barking—something he hadn’t done during my entire visit. Rushing downstairs, I found myself face-to-face with the homeowners, whom I had never met before. It was an incredibly awkward introduction! In my embarrassment, I accidentally walked off with their mail key and had to FedEx it back the following week.
The Rewarding World of In-Home Pet Sitting
Despite the occasional awkward moment or demanding clean-up, the overwhelming pros of the house and pet sitting lifestyle far outweigh the cons. The access to luxurious homes, the significant reduction in living costs, and the constant stream of new experiences are all incredible perks. However, at its core, this lifestyle is about the profound satisfaction of building trust with animals, ensuring they avoid the stress of kennels, and providing their human companions with complete peace of mind while they are away. In home pet sitting isn’t for everyone, but for me, the ability to travel extensively while offering a service I genuinely believe in is truly a dream come true.
