Pet Business World - Bereaved pet-owners turn to house-sitting

Posted on 2 July, 2019

Pet companionship

More than than a quarter of respondents to a survey by the Co-op found their pet’s death as difficult as the death of a family member, and a third thought it was on a level with the loss of a friend. Nearly half of the bereaved owners were still mourning after two months, and 16% were struggling a year later.

One way to deal with this is to become a home and pet sitter – looking after people’s homes and pets when they go away, according to Homesitters Ltd. According to the results of a survey by the company, when asked why they don’t have a pet of their own, nearly a fifth of home-sitters said it was too upsetting when they died or they were taking time out after losing their dog or cat before considering a replacement.

For 63% of home-sitters, looking after pets was the main reason they chose the role and for just over 70% looking after animals was thing they enjoyed most. Other highlights of the job include time away from the usual routine, staying in different places and exploring the UK.

BEST OF BOTH WORLDS

Alan Irvine, chairman of Homesitters, said: “Home-sitting can give animal lovers the chance to spend time caring for dogs and cats without the commitment of having one or the prospect of future heartbreak when they die. Many of our homesitters say it’s the best of both worlds and looking after animals was the big draw of the role.”

For older people especially who don’t want to take on another pet in their retirement or perhaps live somewhere that doesn’t allow pets it’s the ideal choice of flexible employment. Seventy-seven per cent of the company’s home-sitters are aged 55 to 74 years old and 65% say home and pet-sitting contributes financially towards their retirement.

Yolande and Clive Noble, from Telford in Shropshire, have been homesitting for 15 years. The couple were previously pet owners and their pets have included dogs, cats, mice and chinchillas, however, when their last two dogs died they didn’t want the upset of having to go through that again, so home and pet sitting provides them with the ideal way to spend time with animals, particularly dogs.

Clive said: “Being a homesitter is a change from the hum-drum and gets us out and about, staying in new places. We also get our dog fix. We idolise the dogs we look after and over the years have met so many wonderful dogs.

“We also enjoy exploring local villages and towns when we’re on assignment - it’s just like a holiday with the bonus of getting paid!”


To read the original story on Pet Business World, please click here.

To find out more on become a homesitter, please click here or call 01296 630 730.

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