Milton Monk leads a full life in retirement through home and pet sitting.

Posted on 19 June, 2019

Milton Monk, from Worcestershire, and a mere 73, has been home and pet sitting through Homesitters Ltd since 2016.

After a career in Sales and Marketing, at 58 he then had his own successful pub and restaurant.He retired in 2007 and took off on an 'Adult Gap Year' – which actually extended the best part of a decade!Milton travelled around Europe in his motorhome and when he decided to stay in one place for a while, he would do some housesitting.This was unpaid, but it provided the opportunity to explore different places and make more new friends.

When Milton finally returned to the UK, his sister told him about the nationwide home and pet sitting company – Homesitters Ltd and the fact that their employees received remuneration.As Milton had come to enjoy a somewhat nomadic lifestyle, and is a keen traveller he applied to Homesitters and was accepted.

Talking about the role, Milton explains, “I really enjoy the variety of visiting different places.It’s great fun looking after the pets with all their individual needs and personalities – it’s never dull!I have a regular client with two typical Labradors.They managed to discover a Christmas Pudding and ate the lot – fortunately their cast iron stomachs meant there were no ill effects.”

Milton is an active member of The University of The Third Age (U3A) and various walking groups when he's at home, so when he’s away, he likes to find local walking groups to join and always finds them most welcoming.He also plays Badminton, Golf and swims.He loves all sports and has a Season Ticket to watch Worcester Warriors (Premiership Rugby).His other passion is the Inland Waterways and narrow boating.

Milton values being able to fit his assignments around his personal interests and enjoys taking on a variety of short and long home sits.A recent six week undertaking, near his home, was for just three days each week and because it was only local he was able to carry on with his social life. If a home sit is near family and friends it gives him the chance to see them too.

As well as domestic home sits, Milton has also completed several commercial property sits, staying in vacant Care Homes in a Caretaker role, which gives him the chance to visit towns he wouldn't have seen before.

Milton says, “I'm comfortable with my own company, but I do appreciate the failsafe system of checking in every day that Homesitters have in place for solo sitters.I occasionally forget, and it escalates very quickly if they haven't heard from you as they do like to know all is well.”

“Homesitters is a lovely company to work for, they’re a great team and the staff are very professional and involve the homesitters in various things at Head Office such as Charity Days.I find the preliminary meetings with new clients extremely useful as they allow both parties to check they are happy with the arrangements, and we have the final say on whether to take the assignment on.”

“The clients also appreciate the fact that I'm fully insured through Homesitters, should anything go awry; I imagine that’s one of the main reasons they choose the company over a private arrangement.”

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