Press Release - Summer Holidays Spark Extra Demands for Homesitters

Posted on 1 May, 2016

summer holiday

Summer marks the busiest season for Homesitters Ltd, the UK’s leading home and pet sitting company. The company has experienced a 40% increase in growth over the past 12 month period and is now looking for new homesitters to join them to meet this increased demand.

Currently, the company employs around 1,000 homesitters across the UK but would like to sign up greater numbers of retired people in their 50s, 60s and 70s, who would enjoy the opportunity to look after people’s homes and pets when they go away.

Animal lovers in particular are welcome, as many assignments involve looking after cats, dogs and rabbits or sometimes more exotic animals such as llamas, snakes or even pot-bellied pigs. All homesitters are carefully matched with clients, taking into account their preferences, personalities, skills and experiences.

Alan Irvine, Chairman of Homesitters comments: “This year we have seen a major increase in client demand. We are also entering our busiest time for bookings so we are on a recruitment drive. Becoming a homesitter is a highly rewarding role. It provides the opportunity to travel and to stay in fabulous homes in rural, urban and coastal locations. The role is ideally suited to retirees who tend to have more time on their hands.

“Many of our homesitters were former pet owners and miss their pets so looking after animals is a huge attraction of the job. People also enjoy the flexibility the role offers and they fit in assignments around family commitments, hobbies and travel plans.”

“Our homesitters receive a modest daily remuneration to supplement a pension or other income and travel expenses are also paid. We want to encourage anyone who thinks this would suit them to get in touch,” adds Mr Irvine.

Jim and Ros Slaughter, a retired couple from Chichester in their early 60s, have been home and pet sitting for the last three years through Homesitters Ltd. Before retiring, Ros was head of sports at a local college in Chichester where she had worked for 29 years and Jim lectured in hospitality at the same college.

Jim explained, “We wanted to do something fun and active but still purposeful in our retirement. Getting a part time job or setting up a business didn’t appeal because we didn’t want to be tied into a routine anymore. We wanted the freedom to travel extensively, visit new places and meet new people.”

The Slaughters have six or seven regular clients who invite them back four or five times a year. They love dogs and have looked after a huge variety of breeds including Alsatians, Pugs, Westies, Scotties, Basset Hounds, Labradors and even Samoyed dogs.

Ros said, “The pets are everything to us. We love staying in grand houses and we have some fabulous clients who are really interesting and lovely. Home and pet sitting provides a real break from the routine and a chance to get fit walking the dogs.”

The Slaughters also like flexibility and fit in their assignments around travel plans and visiting their holiday home in Spain, where they spend 10 to 12 weeks a year.

The role can equally be enjoyed by single people. Ellen Hart, a sixty five year old former orthopaedic nurse from Ascot in Berkshire became a homesitter when she retired three years ago.

Ellen said, “I have stayed in gorgeous properties ranging from beautiful townhouses to characterful thatched cottages and met some lovely people. A real highlight is going back to the same clients as it’s like a home from home, you know where everything is and the animals are so happy to see you again. Some clients even leave little treats for me such as chocolates, special teas or nice cheeses – one lady even made me a ‘pamper bag’ which was really thoughtful.”

Homesitters Ltd would like to hear from people interested in joining them. For more information and details on how to apply please visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

Ends

About Homesitters Ltd

Homesitters Ltd was established in 1980 and is now one of the UK’s leading nationwide live-in home and pet sitting companies, available throughout the year. It has looked after 70,000 bookings and has around 1,000 employees throughout England, Scotland and Wales.

All homesitters are meticulously vetted and are conscientious, sensible and responsible homeowners. Many have been pet owners and have experience looking after all different types of animals. It’s tantamount to the outstanding reputation and professionalism of the company that 70% of new clients re-book with Homesitters within two years and many have been clients since the 1980s.

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