Homesitter reviews

"I’ve always loved to travel and when I turned 40 I made a promise to myself to visit a new country every year. As a homesitter, I will still get to travel around the UK visiting lots of new places and different counties rather than different countries, having adventures and meeting new people and their pets. Homesitting really offers the opportunity to truly switch off from ones day to day usual routine. She comments, ‘When you are home, you can never really relax, as there’s always things going on and something to do. Whereas when you are home and pet sitting, there lots of time outside of the duties of caring for the home and pets, if present. I’ve time to catch up on reading, enjoy lovely walks and wandering around a new area."
Ms J W, Kent, homesitter since September 2022. Testimonial received 10th January 2023

"Maureen says, “This Christmas we will have been homesitting for 23 years. We love it and in fact wish we had started sooner. We are passionate about travelling and love to explore different places. It also really helps us financially as we are on a basic pension. “We’ve stayed in lovely places in Dorset, Southport, Cheshire and recently in Malvern in Worcestershire. There we looked after a huge old property with 25 different rooms – we had to keep the place secure, regularly check the rooms, turn on the heating and run the showers to prevent legionnaires disease and to keep the place in good working order. "
Mr & Mrs A, Lancashire, homesitters since October 2001. Testimonial received 3rd January 2023

"I love to travel and really enjoy staying in the country getting lots of fresh air and taking long walks – it’s like a free Airbnb, but with a dog! I’ve stayed in some lovely homes and all the clients have been delightful and very accommodating, always making sure I have everything I need."
Miss P W, Middlesex, homesitter since October 2018. Testimonial received 26th March 2020

"There is never a dull moment and I enjoy every minute. This job takes you everywhere. I often get to visit somewhere new. I am interested in historical places and find all sorts of interesting places to visit - particularly through my National Trust membership. Even after 10 years, I still get surprised by some of the grand places I stay in. I home sit regularly at a palatial property with grounds and its own lake right next door to one of King Henry VIII’s hunting lodges. One of the advantages of the job is the flexibility. I can pick and choose when I work and how much work I take on and fit it around spending time with my family and friends. I am so enthusiastic about the experiences I have had that my sister has become a homesitter too. I think the ideal homesitter needs to love animals, come with an open mind and be confident. However, once you have done one assignment, it all comes quite naturally.”"
Mr G, Surrey, homesitter since February 2007. Testimonial received 7th March 2019

"Homesitters offer a wonderful service and it was very nice knowing that while we were away fellow homesitters were there looking after everything. Being a homesitter myself I know that they have an extremely thorough vetting service, so knew they were someone really trustworthy."
Mrs K, Kent, homesitter since November 1996.

"I wanted to find a role that would be challenging and responsible. Having been a police officer I am use to dealing with people and situations. I also wanted to do something that would take me out and about exploring new places too. I love the variety the role offers. I have stayed in lots of different types of homes including farmhouses in the Surrey and Sussex countryside, multi-million pound homes in London, as well as average semi-detached homes. "
Mr H, Sussex, homesitter since January 2013. Testimonial received 5th February 2019

"I enjoy the flexibility of home and pet sitting, I can work when I choose rather than committing to a permanent job and it provides a nice supplement to my pension. It gives me my animal fix without the responsibility of owning a dog. It is also a flexible role which makes it much easier to take holidays and to visit my grandchildren. "
Mrs H, Cornwall, homesitter since June 2014. Testimonial received 2nd January 2019

"Home and pet sitting is an amazing experience and we get so much out of it. We enjoy our regular assignments but we also love the buzz of receiving a call offering us a new assignment. It’s exciting every time we go to a new home and get to look after new animals and explore new areas. The clients are so welcoming and we find that they want us to enjoy their home and make use of all the facilities, it’s almost as if we’re on holiday. People sometimes ask us why we don’t homesit privately but we like to have the back up of Homesitters Ltd, it’s good to know that they’re there should something go wrong. The staff in the head office are lovely and very accommodating. Homesitters is a very nice company to work for and we would thoroughly recommend them. "
Mr & Mrs G, Kent, homesitters since June 2012. Testimonial received 22nd November 2018

"We feel very well looked after with Homesitters Ltd, they take a genuine interest in us, the clients and the clients’ pets. We are supported by them and if we ever had a problem on an assignment they would be there to help. One of our most memorable assignments was in Devon. We stayed in a gorgeous big country house near the sea and looked after two Deerhounds who were lots of fun. We took our bikes and often cycled to the beach for lunch and took the dogs for long walks – we got a lot of exercise and the house and area were so picturesque, it was idyllic."
Mr & Mrs R, Wiltshire, homesitters since December 2012. Testimonial received 3rd September 2018

"Home sitting is such a rewarding job and I have full confidence in the Homesitters team – they know me well and my preferences and skills so always give me assignments I enjoy. I hope to continue working with the company for a good many more years."
Mr N, Lancashire, homesitter since September 2000. Testimonial received 15th August 2018

"Home and pet sitting is a fantastic hobby, we receive a remuneration and expenses which is useful, but the main benefit is having the chance to visit different places, spend time with dogs and cats and the exercise we get taking the dogs for walks. We also get to stay in some very special places. We recently did an assignment in a huge old rectory in the Cotswold countryside with stunning views. Sitting on the sofa with a dog either side of me resting their heads in my lap was just idyllic. Most of the houses we stay in have beautiful gardens which are usually maintained by professional gardeners so we’re able to appreciate them without doing any of the work! Some of the homes also have swimming pools or cinema rooms which can be a real treat."
Mr & Mrs L, Oxfordshire, homesitters since August 2010. Testimonial received 4th June 2018

"The best way of spending the evening is having a dog on your knee or by your feet to stroke while you’re reading, it gives us a great feeling of contentment – and the dog too!” We’re just ordinary people doing ordinary things and getting the maximum benefit from our retirement. You’d be surprised how many people aren’t aware that home and pet sitting is a job and we’d recommend it to anyone who’s retired. Where else would you get the opportunity to stay in different homes in new places and experience other people’s pets and lifestyles and not have to pay lots of money to do it? We like the fact that we’re employed by Homesitters – rather than being contracted out by an agency. We wouldn’t want to work through an agency where you just see a picture of the place you’re going on a website and have no support. We know that we can contact Homesitters at any time as they have a 24/7 support service. We find it reassuring that if there was an emergency, Homesitters could find someone else to take over the assignment and there’s insurance cover should anything go wrong. "
Mr & Mrs B, Nottinghamshire, homesitters since September 2016. Testimonial received 16th April 2018

"Most people that use Homesitters are proud homeowners with beautiful homes and for us, it was the chance to visit new parts of the country and stay in delightful surroundings. It suited us perfectly and kept us busy and active."
Mr B, Kent, homesitter since September 2003. Testimonial received 9th March 2018

"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. "
Mr & Mrs H, Essex, homesitters since May 2013. Testimonial received 27th January 2018

"Since we were taken on by Homesitters we haven’t looked back! We’ve done a lot of homesits in London, as Banbury has good transport links to London. When we get to London we have no difficulty getting around – in fact in many parts of town it’s an advantage not having a car as it can be difficult to park. We’ve stayed in some fantastic places from a beautiful modern townhouse in Richmond right next to the river where we looked after five cats who were such fun to look after, to a large period house full of antique furniture, old master paintings and suits of armour where we cared for dogs. Homesitters is always supportive and calls us regularly when we’re on assignment to check that we’re ok. The company is very flexible and doesn’t pressurise us to take on assignments that aren’t right for us. They are extremely efficient, right down to sending us our payslips and payment on time – and they’re very nice to deal with, we’d thoroughly recommend them to anyone else considering home and pet sitting. "
Mrs J, Oxfordshire, homesitter since July 2016. Testimonial received 23rd November 2017

"Our favourite thing about home and pet sitting is the animals – we get all of the joy without any of the long-term responsibility! I did wonder whether the dogs might pine for their owners when they leave, but once they realise that we know where their food is they’re happy!"
Mrs S, Lincolnshire, homesitter since July 2016. Testimonial received 16th October 2017

"It is with sadness that I have to resign from Homesitters as a homesitter, but due to *circumstances* it is not possible for me to carry on being a sitter. I just want to thank you all for the time I have been with you for all the help and support you gave me while I was employed by you. The staff have always been very friendly keeping in touch and support whenever needed. You are a great company to work for and I wish you all the best for the future. Thank you"
Mrs P, Kent, homesitter from September 2008 to July 2016. Testimonial received 12th July 2018

"Last week of our three week sit. Found a mouse in the kitchen last night, badgers have torn up the lawn, electricity keeps cutting out and the decorators have washed out their brushes in an upstairs sink which has caused an overflow of white liquid to settle on the outside patio. But so far this morning I've seen a muntjac, green woodpecker and two foxes feeding. The ups and downs of home-sitting ...."
Mrs L A, Kent, homesitter since October 2010. Testimonial received 5th March 2018

"I’m currently on a sit in idyllic rural Oxfordshire. When I retired I needed to find part time employment, work that was varied, interesting and at a time and hours to suit. I also like dogs, having had 2 myself at one stage. Working for Homesitters enables me to meet different people, care for their pets and home whist they are away. It is a responsible position and a trusted one, made all the more easier with the support and advice that Homesitters Head Office give. It is reassuring, when on a sit, to know that help and support is there, just a phone call away, 24hrs a day, every day. The occasional phone call from Head Office checking that everything is ok whilst I’m homesitting is also appreciated. I stay in some very nice properties and get to look after a variety of pets in some idyllic locations. Home and pet sitting gives me the option and flexibility to choose when and where I work, at a time to suit myself, and it gives me a position of responsibility and trust. I would certainly recommend working for Homesitters Ltd to anyone who is retired and looking for part time work."
Mr R U, Wiltshire, homesitter since October 2014. Testimonial received 14th February 2018

"Home and pet sitting is really fun but it is also purposeful. It provides a real break from the routine and a chance to get fit walking the dogs. We can do it as much or as little as we like, combining all our interests together and the animals are the best part of all."
Mr and Mrs S, West Sussex, homesitters since January 2012. Testimonial received 9th January 2018

"Homesitters has added another dimension to my life, giving purpose, variety, as well as helping out financially…it is an ethical, well run company."
Mrs P W, Berks

"I wish I’d started doing this when I first retired a few years ago…"
Mrs N B, Herts

"We have looked after many different breeds of dogs now which has been fascinating – we love playing with dogs. We’ve also looked after race horses, emus and even a pig that lived in the kitchen that we had to tuck up in a blanket before bed. We’ve really had some great experiences"
Mr and Mrs C, Gloucestershire, homesitters since January 2003

"We wish we’d become homesitters earlier than we did! We’ve loved every minute!"
Mr and Mrs J C, W. Sussex

"When carrying out assignments for Homesitters, I have a sense of adventure in finding the clients location. Once there discovering new walks and footpaths never travelled before, with the bonus of having dogs in my keep, romping along with me is very satisfying experience indeed!"
Mr R H, Kent, homesitter since February 1997