It’s not just cats and dogs, home and pet sitters look after a variety of pets

Posted on 2 May, 2023

One of the main benefits of becoming a home and pet sitter is spending time with pets. Most commonly these are cats and dogs, but our homesitters could be looking after virtually any type of animal including horses, sheep, llamas, snakes, pot-bellied pigs, chickens and rabbits.

Paula and Gavin Rose from Dorset joined Homesitters in 2012 and have been lucky enough to look after many pets including most recently an Egyptian Arab horse called Alfie. The couple are both in their 50s and decided to become homesitters when they no longer needed to work full time and wanted to try something new.

Paula explains, “We wanted a lifestyle change - we were keen to visit different parts of the country and meet new people and we researched different ways in which we could do this. Then we discovered homesitting and it sounded perfect. We love animals and are keen walkers, and the role incorporated the travel and new experiences that we wanted.”

One of their recent assignments was for clients who live in a large Tudor style house in Warwickshire. They have used homesitters for 15 assignments to care of their different pets when they are away. As well as Alfie the Egyptian Arab, they have a Shetland pony called Rupert, a Havanese dog called Theo and a cat called Noddy. They also have a pond with Koi carp which they need a homesitter to also keep an eye on.

Alfie is a special horse. He was bred by the owners from another horse they owned called Ellie. Arabian horses are considered one of the fastest horse breeds. They have extreme endurance and can travel long distances at a fast pace. The average Arabian horse can gallop at speeds of 35 miles per hour[i].

They are also one of the world’s most recognisable breeds with an elegant dished face, tail held high and floating paces. It is arguably one of the oldest breeds still in existence too, with archaeological evidence of Middle Eastern horses resembling modern Arabians dating back 4,500 years[ii].

Alfie is typical of his breed. He is a gorgeous chestnut colour, beautiful looking and incredibly intelligent. He can even open field gates and close them if they are not secured correctly.

His owners also believe he can tell the time as he knows exactly when 8am and 4pm feed time is, which means routine is essential on a daily basis and is something homesitters have to stick to. Furthermore, he’s described as the kindest most loving horse too, who loves his ears tickled and under his chin scratched.

They also say he is a real character. When tacking up he will automatically do a few yoga stretches once his saddle has been placed on. He is very sharp to ride, enjoys his work very much and gets excited when first going out on a hack.

The benefit for clients like the above, with a menagerie of pets in employing homesitters is they employ one person or couple to live-in their home to look after all their different pets which is cost-effective and means their dog, cat and horses can all stay in their home environment.

For dogs and cats especially this is preferable to a kennel or cattery, plus there is someone living there for the horses rather than just popping in to the feed them. While sitting for their client in Warwickshire, Paula and Gavin give daily walks to Theo, feed all the animals per the client’s instructions and give them all lots of love and attention.

For Alfie and Rupert, the Rose’s provide two feeds a day, top up their water, check the enclosure is all intact, and check they are in good form (i.e. not gone lame). The Roses really enjoy assignments like this because they love animals and being out in the countryside.

They tend to do around 12 assignments a year which can vary in length from three or four days to a month at a time.

While the couple’s own home is a small bungalow, the places they stay are often far grander. Paula and Gavin prefer to be in the country rather than the town and many of the homes they stay in have land or woodland around them, where they enjoy walking. The houses sometimes have swimming pools, table football or pool tables so there is always something to do regardless of the weather.

Paula recalls one of her favourite homes, “It was like staying in a National Trust property, the gardens were very well kept and beautifully laid out, there were ponds and statues. It was such a pleasure to be able to step out of the house straight into that beautiful setting.”

Homesitters are recruiting, so if you love animals and would enjoy taking on assignments where you just might get to take care of a gorgeous horse like Alfie or any number of different dog breeds and other pets, then contact us here.


[i] https://horseracingsense.com/horse-breeds-race-fastest

[ii] www.horseandhound.co.uk/features/the-arabian-horse-785610

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