Why homesitting is the ideal job for retirees who want to keep busy

Posted on 2 April, 2018

Homesitters Martin and Kristine Bell

The Department of Work and Pensions[i] reported last year that the number of people working beyond their 65th birthday has more than quadrupled in the last 20 years.

This is certainly our experience. We have seen growing numbers of people in their 50s, 60s and 70s wanting to become homesitters in recent years.

Home and pet sitting involves staying in people’s homes to keep them safe and secure when clients go on holiday and looking after their pets. This flexible employment is increasingly appealing to retired people – particularly animal lovers with a keen sense of adventure.

Looking after pets keeps people active and fit and for those who enjoy travel, home and pet sitting affords them many opportunities to stay in wonderful homes throughout the UK.

Many of our homesitters love animals but don’t want a pet of their own as it restricts what they can do when retired. However, spending time with other people’s pets ensures they get their ‘animal fix.’ Often our homesitters have regular clients and build close bonds with their pets, which can be very rewarding.

The role also comes with responsibility. People tell us it gives them a sense of purpose in retirement, but also time to relax, to explore new areas, go walking and pursue other hobbies.

A bonus for homesitters is they receive a small income to supplement their pension, plus they save on their own utility bills when staying in other people’s homes.

Martin and Kristine Bell from Nottinghamshire became homesitters when they retired. Martin retired at the age of 60 from a career in industry and legal secretary, Kristine decided to retire at the same time, so they could spend more time together.

In 2016, the couple lost their beloved West Highland Terrier and while they love animals, they decided not to get another dog. Becoming homesitters seemed like a good compromise – allowing them them to spend time with animals without all the commitments of being a dog owner.

The couple also wanted to keep busy during their retirement, to get out and meet new people and visit new places.

The Bells thoroughly enjoy their homesitting lifestyle. They spend the evenings reading or doing crosswords and Sudoku puzzles and Kristine enjoys knitting.

Martin says, “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 and experience other people’s pets and lifestyles and not have to pay lots of money to do it?”

Interested in becoming a homesitter? Please click here to find out more.


[i] https://www.autoenrolment.co.uk/news/people-working-beyond-retirement-age

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