Discover Homesitting as the perfect ‘dog fix’ solution

Posted on 5 September, 2023

Image by Animal Rescue from Pixabay

The pandemic fuelled a rise in dog ownership, but research by UK Pet Food[i] suggests there has been a drop in overall pet ownership, with the UK’s dog and cat populations decreasing by 6%. Despite this drop, there are still around 12 million dog owning households!

Dogs are often referred to as man’s best friend and for good reason. Their unwavering loyalty, boundless energy and enthusiasm have earned them a special place in our hearts. Pets, especially dogs and cats are also good for mental wellbeing.

The survey also found that half of British owners say that animals support their wellbeing, with the percentage rising to almost 60% among older pet parents[ii].

Other research suggests older pet owners have lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels and lower levels of triglyceride (the main constituent of body fats in humans), than their non-pet-owners[iii].

Owning a dog also requires physical input too such as walking and playing which improves cardiovascular health, building stamina, and improving bone and muscle strength[iv].

There is also a wealth of social benefits with dog owners being 60% more likely than non-pet owners to meet people in their local areas[v].

But if you don’t want the commitment of owning a dog there is another way to get a regular ‘dog fix’ and that’s by becoming a homesitter! The role involves looking after someone else’s home while they are away; ensuring it’s secure and not a target for an opportunistic burglar, but it also comes with the bonus of taking care of any pets.

Most of our assignments involve looking after a dog or cat, so homesitting can offer a unique opportunity to be around dogs, enjoying walks, playtime, and snuggles without the responsibility of full-time ownership!

Becoming a homesitter gives people the change to explore new towns, cities and villages. This change of scenery is refreshing for people as they explore unfamiliar parks, woods and other dog-friendly spots. It can also be great for making social connections, with homesitters often having repeat clients. They not only get to know the dog well, they meet people locally and the clients too.

From a client’s perspective their dogs thrive on the attention and care provided by homesitters. They are happier to be taken care of in their own home rather than being sent to kennels, plus the homesitter and dog often become firm friends and form strong bonds over time, with the dog greeting them like family friends each time.

For homesitters, Malcolm Horsup and his wife Sue from Colchester in Essex who started homesitting when they retired in 2013 one of the big attractions for them was the opportunity to look after lots of dogs. Whilst the couple have never owned a dog together, Sue had owned a couple of Dobermans in the past.

Malcolm says, “We would love a dog of our own, but we travel too much. However, since becoming homesitters, we get our ‘dog fix’ every winter and all the assignments we do involve looking after dogs. We’ve had German Shepherds, Labradors and three Italian Spinoni, one of which was a former show dog.”

They take on around 10 assignments per year and have stayed in some fantastic homes. These have included mansions with swimming pools and gyms and Grade 1 listed houses dating back to the 12th century, as well as typical family homes. They have also looked after other animals including 11 chickens.

If, like the Horsup’s, you would love a dog of your own but don’t want the commitment, becoming a homesitter could be the next best thing! As well as spending time with dogs it’s a great way to see the UK, plus homesitters receive a small remuneration, a food allowance and mileage, as well as make savings on their own utility bills!

We are currently recruiting so check out our website to find out more about the role and how to apply. https://www.homesitters.co.uk/become-a-sitter/


[i] https://globalpetindustry.com/article/exclusive-uk-households-owning-pet-drops-12-million-2023

[ii] https://globalpetindustry.com/article/exclusive-uk-households-owning-pet-drops-12-million-2023

[iii] www.ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside/about-us/news/articles/2019/do-pets-keep-us-young/

[iv] www.ageuk.org.uk/northtyneside/about-us/news/articles/2019/do-pets-keep-us-young/

[v] www.health.harvard.edu/blog/pets-can-help-their-humans-create-friendships-find-social-support-201505067981

Tags:

Share this: