We look after your home and pets as if they were our own
Are you looking for a responsible and experienced house/pet sitter? Look no further. We are Paul and Sandra, a caring and reliable Gen X couple offering house and pet-sitting services.
Who are we?
We used to live in our own beautiful home in inner-city Sydney, Australia until September 2016, when we farewelled our corporate careers to build our own (location-independent) business and travel the world – seeking out new adventures, learning about different cultures and experiencing life after children.
We now live a minimalist lifestyle, having sold or given away most of our possessions to charities, friends and family. Travelling with carry-on backpacks not only gives us great flexibility but enables us to move from place to place with ease.
Why do we house-sit?
We both used to have our own pets when we were younger: Paul had two scatty but adorable Dalmatians, Spot and Tammy, whom he puppy-trained as well, and two red-eared turtles named Ernie and Bert. Sandra had a moggy rescue cat with beautiful green eyes called Lluna, who lived a long and happy life.
Currently, as we are travelling, we don’t have any pets, sadly. But we try to stay at short-term rental accommodations (or do house sits) that do, give us the chance for plays and cuddles with our hosts’ furry children.
How much does it cost?
Our house and pet-sitting services are FREE OF CHARGE.
We are flexible and tailor each engagement based on your specific needs. To give us all peace of mind, we use a questionnaire/house sitting agreement that covers all essential questions we and you may have and captures the specifics of each house/pet sitting engagement.
If you are interested in our services, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. We would be very happy to arrange a video call (via Skype, Facetime or other means) to speak to you in person.
We’ve been officially house and pet-sitting since 2017. We find most of our house sits through house sitting websites such as
- Aussie House Sitters (when we are in Australia)
- Kiwi House sitters (when we are in New Zealand),
- House Sitting Canada (When we are in Canada)
- House Sitting UK (When we are in the United Kingdom), and
- Trusted Housesitters (when we are in other parts of the world).
Though we also (continue to) house and pet sit for friends and family, and we often do repeat house sits.
Month | Year | Duration (days) | Location | Experience |
---|---|---|---|---|
Oct | 2023 | 8 | Te Onepu, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Looked after a lifestyle property with 100+ free-range geese, chickens and ducks, as well as 8 sheep |
Oct | 2023 | 15 | Waipukurau, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Looked after the home and one 3 year old English Bull Terrier named Candy |
Sep | 2023 | 10 | Helensville, Auckland, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after a lifestyle property with two dogs (Border Collie, 11 years old and Dalmatian, 8 months old), three cats, four chickens, two cows, three alpacas and 10 sheep |
Jun | 2023 | 24 | Hornsby, NSW, Australia | Looked after the home and one 7 year old cat named Bootsy |
Jun | 2023 | 12 | Northbridge, NSW, Australia | Repeat sit: Looked after the home, garden and pool |
May | 2023 | 7 | Birkenhead, Auckland, New Zealand | Looked after the home and one 1 year old Cavoodle named Poppy |
May | 2023 | 3 | Helensville, Auckland, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after a lifestyle property with four dogs (two Border Collies, a Doberman and a Dalmatian puppy), three cats, four chickens, two cows and 11 sheep |
Jan | 2023 | 5 | Dee Why, NSW, Australia | Looked after the home and one 4 year old Border Collie Cross named Billy |
Jan | 2023 | 18 | Northbridge, NSW, Australia | Looked after the home, garden and pool |
Dec | 2022 | 22 | Brisbane, QLD, Australia | Looked after the home, one 2 year old Blue Staffy named Diggity and a small aquarium of fish |
Nov | 2022 | 10 | Randwick, NSW, Australia | Looked after the home and one 3 year old Golden Retriever named Action |
Jul | 2022 | 88 | Bluff Hill, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after the home and one 12 year old cat named Tigger |
Apr | 2022 | 3 | Havelock North, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after the home and one 2 year old Weimaraner named Moose |
Feb | 2022 | 28 | Warkworth, Auckland, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after a 4.9 hectare/12.2 acre farm with home, garden, one working dog (Big Boy/6 year old mixed breed) and 45+ sheep |
Oct | 2021 | 5 | Havelock North, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Looked after the home and one 18 month old Weimaraner named Moose |
Jun | 2021 | 137 | Bluff Hill, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after the home and one 11 year old cat named Tigger |
Apr | 2021 | 12 | Eskdale, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Looked after the home, a Golden Retriever/Border Collie cross named Willow, a tabby cat named Sugar and two budgies |
Mar | 2021 | 15 | Bluff Hill, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Looked after the home and one 11 year old cat named Tigger |
Mar | 2021 | 12 | Waipawa, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand | Looked after a 1.9 hectare/4.8 acre farm with home, garden, and one cat named Kevin, eight working dogs (from puppy to 10+ years old), eight chickens and six guinea fowl keets |
Feb | 2021 | 28 | Warkworth, Auckland, New Zealand | Looked after a 4.9 hectare/12.2 acre farm with home, garden, two working dogs (Sam/13 year old Labrador Cross and Big Boy/5 year old mixed breed) and 45+ sheep |
Jan | 2021 | 10 | Narrow Neck, Auckland, New Zealand | Looked after the home, garden, two 8 month old cats named Luna and Jake, and five chickens |
Dec | 2020 | 10 | Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after the home and a 3 1/2 year old fox red labrador named Nina |
Dec | 2020 | 5 | Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand | Looked after the home and a 3 1/2 year old fox red labrador named Nina |
Jul | 2020 | 10 | Hope, Tasman, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after the home, an 18 month old German Short-haired Pointer named Dexter (for 3 days) and three chickens |
Mar | 2020 | 6 | Ashburton, Canterbury, New Zealand | Looked after the home (with basic gardening) and a 10 year old Jack Russell/Fox Terrier Cross named Tilly |
Jan | 2020 | 10 | London, United Kingdom | Looked after the home, and two dogs named Riff Raff (4 year old Cockapoo) and Heather (11 month old Romanian rescue puppy) |
Dec | 2019 | 7 | Munich, Germany | Looked after the home, and two rescue cats named Fini and Flori |
Nov | 2019 | 6 | Prangins, Switzerland | Looked after the home, a German Shepherd named Rolo and a German Short-haired Pointer named Zara |
Feb | 2019 | 15 | Hope, Tasman, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after a lifestyle property with three dogs (two Border Collies and a Doberman), four cats, five chickens, two cows and a horse |
Feb | 2019 | 2 | Hope, Tasman, New Zealand | Repeat sit: Looked after the home and a 14-week old puppy named Dexter (German Short-haired Pointer) |
Jan | 2019 | 29 | Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand | Looked after a property with a sizable garden requiring daily maintenance over the Summer |
Dec | 2018 | 19 | Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand | Looked after the home (with basic gardening), two dogs named Rusty (Australian Terrier Cross) and Lucy (Fox Terrier Cross), and a tabby cat called Nonu |
Oct | 2018 | 17 | Hope, Tasman, New Zealand | Looked after a lifestyle property with three dogs named Jackson, Abbey (both Border Collies) and Ruby (Doberman), four cats named Angel, Stevie, Furby and Daisy, five chickens and two cows |
Jul | 2018 | 34 | Hope, Tasman, New Zealand | Looked after the home (with basic gardening) |
May | 2018 | 22 | Swannanoa, Canterbury, New Zealand | Looked after a 2.7 hectare/6.7 acre farm and home, a German Shepherd named Dora, 17 sheep (growing to 21 as several lambs were born under our watch), countless chickens, turkeys, ducks, guinea fowls, and numerous other birds in five aviaries (including peacocks, cockatiels and finches) |
May | 2018 | 15 | Christchurch, Canterbury, New Zealand | Looked after the home, two Samoyeds named Tashi and Shaila, and two Birman cats named Simba and Coffee |
Dec | 2017 | 27 | Massey, Auckland, New Zealand | Looked after the home (with basic gardening) and a 10 month old Jack Russell puppy named Ollie |
Dec | 2017 | 7 | Tokoroa, Waikato, New Zealand | Looked after the home, a Maltese named Zara, and two cats named Shadow and Panda |
Nov | 2017 | 15 | Flatbush, Auckland, New Zealand | Looked after the home, a cat named Furby and a Beagle named Bella |
Nov | 2017 | 12 | Ruakaka, Northland, New Zealand | Looked after the home (with basic gardening) and a Siberian Husky named Mia |
As first-time users of Kiwi Housesitters, we felt very fortunate to have Paul and Sandra looking after our precious pooch and of course our house. Poppy was taken on regular walks and was given a heap of attention and care. We could not have asked for more. Paul also sent us regular updates and photos, which were much appreciated. Both Paul and Sandra were great to deal with - very open and friendly. We'd love to have them house-sit again. House was left very clean and tidy.
Totally pleased with Paul and Sandra, they went above and beyond any expectations, very organised from the first meet and greet to the end waiting for us due to travel delays on our end. Our dog Billy could not have been in better hands. Paul and Sandra accommodated his routine into their stay and he was clearly looked after. They left a clean apartment and a happy dog. Most recommended for any house and pet stay!
Thank you Paul and Sandra for a very professional house sit. I would definitely recommend you to anyone else and hopefully, our paths may cross again!.
Paul and Sandra are great housesitters. They were professional and organised from the start, communication was easy, they responded promptly to texts/emails and kept all arranged times to meet/talk. They took great care of our home and pets. They gave my dogs the required medications, fed, walked and were affectionate. They are clearly experienced and enjoy looking after animals. The house was very clean and tidy when we returned, the lawns were cared for and gardening is done that wasn't specified, but really appreciated. We would happily recommend Paul and Sandra as housesitters. They were our first housesitters and have set a very high standard!
Paul and Sandra are dream house sitters and Moose minders. I cannot recommend them more highly. Right from the get-go they were well-organised and had a comprehensive information sheet for me to complete which was excellent as they knew all they needed to know about Moose and the house even before they arrived. They are both such lovely friendly fit people ( needed with a large dog), responsible, reliable, and excellent communicators and to top it off they left the house so spic and span it was a joy to return to. Moose was super happy and relaxed and we would definitely call on them again to care for him.
Paul and Sandra looked after our lab Nina and home for a reasonable period of time over the holidays and we couldn't have been happier. At our first meeting they were very approachable and very thorough with their information-seeking - which meant we felt super comfortable with them as pet sitters. They were superb with their communication before and during the house sit and Paul was very helpful in dropping us off to and from the airport and helping to organise another couple of jobs. The house was immaculate and Nina was very well cared for. We also appreciated the photos and updates that were sent from time to time. Would highly recommend Paul and Sandra and would 100% book them again!
Paul and Sandra were fabulous house sitters. I often think how lucky I am to meet such nice people and have them look after the dogs. Riff Raff and Heather were fit and happy on my return from Indonesia and the house was spotless. Paul and Sandra live a very minimalist life so there's no issue of clutter, which is more than I can say for myself. There're extremely tidy. They kept in touch every day, as requested, sometimes even sending details of the distance and route walked, and didn't bat an eyelid over Heather's ongoing house training issues, which we are working on daily. I'd love to have them back and hope they will sit for me again.
Paul and Sandra were extremely easy to work with and very detailed in the information requested pre-stay which is great. We also returned to a spotless house. Would highly recommend for a house stay.
We were thrilled to have Paul and Sandra house-sit for us for the month of February. They were completely trustworthy, respectful and great to deal with. They attended to our flock of 55 sheep and two working dogs, along with our garden, collecting mail etc. Communication was very very good, they were flexible with any requests we had and nothing seemed to be too much trouble. It was great to come home to an immaculate house. We would highly recommend them and hope we will cross paths again in the future.
From the point of first contact, Paul and Sandra's experience, professionalism, and commitment to their role were evident. Communication was always prompt and efficient, involving a questionnaire that detailed any information either side might require. While they were housesitting, our 18month old Staffy girl was beautifully taken care of, with plentiful walks and attention. The house was cleaner than when we left it. This was our first time using Aussie House Sitters and not only did it go off perfectly, but I highly recommend Paul and Sandra and would not hesitate to use them again. Thank you both!
Paul and Sandra are the best house sitters ever! We can't thank them enough for all their enthusiasm and loving care of our wee dog Tilly. We are sure Tilly will miss them. They went above and beyond to look after our dog to the highest standard possible. We appreciated your thoroughness, both are very organised and very easy to communicate with enabling you to leave your property and pets knowing that they are in good hands. They stay in regular contact with you while on the sit giving you updates on how everything is going back home. Their house sit agreement which they have developed is an excellent way for them to learn as much as they can about your property, neighbourhood and services as well as important knowledge about your animals' routines. Thank you so much.
Paul and Sandra were absolutely incredible! We met via Skype months before and then met in person about a week or two before the house sit. They were very thorough on their questions before house sitting which was very helpful for us since it was our first time having a house sitter. They house-sat for about 3.5 weeks. They stayed at our house the night before and even drove us to the airport the next day which was amazing! They kept us updated on how our little puppy Ollie was doing and sent us some pictures. They messaged us about once a week as requested which was very nice. They watered our garden twice a day and even weeded (which wasn't requested but was a nice surprise). We came home to a beautiful and clean house and a very happy puppy. They took Ollie out every day to various parks around the city, which he loved. Even when we had last-minute flight changes and needed to have them stay a couple of extra days, they were very happy to do so and even picked us up from the airport. I would highly recommend Paul and Sandra as house sitters! We hope that we can keep in touch so that they can do it again 🙂
Paul and Sandra were brilliant house sitters. We couldn't have asked for more. They took great care of our home and we had daily updates about the dogs. The dogs missed them when they left. They even cooked us dinner for our return home and ensured that they were able to stay incase our travel arrangements were delayed. I would 100% recommend them to look after your home and your pets! Thank you both.
Paul and Sandra were extremely easy to work with and very detailed in the information requested pre-stay which is great. We also returned to a spotless house. Would highly recommend for a house stay.
Sandra and Paul were awesome sitters, They looked after our big house and our four rather spoilt pets. They kept in touch regularly with updates about dog walks etc. When we got home the house was cleaner than I had left it and there was a yummy pie in the fridge that Paul had made us for dinner. I would thoroughly recommend Sandra and Paul to housesit in any situation as they are a very capable couple. We wish them happy travels.
Paul & Sandra were truly the dream house sitters for us, they were everything we were hoping for and more. Our animals were in great condition and very happy when we arrived home, it was very obvious they had been well cared for. Our home was a delight to walk into as absolutely everything was done (Thankyou both) from floors to surfaces, laundry you name it, I could not fault a thing. If you are looking for a couple to care for your home and animals while you holiday then please give serious consideration to Paul & Sandra because I think you would be hard-pressed to find anyone that would do a better job, their communication is excellent and in addition, they are an extremely likeable couple. We are hoping that they will be available and happy to sit for us again down the track
Paul and Sandra are fabulous house sitters! They are passionate about caring for animals and the home they are sitting in. Great communication from first contact. Everything was perfect when we arrived home. Would love them to house-sit for us again if the opportunity arises.
Thank you for being my housesitters. I am not sure I could have had better. I finished my job on Monday and drove home for a busy catch up week in Dunedin. I am thrilled that my garden has been so well looked after. I am looking forward to spending some time in the garden tomorrow, and hopefully finding more homes for the brassicas that have exploded this week. You have realised that the garden is a constant job to be done, and I am amazed to se it so weed free. you have worked hard, thank you. All the best with your onward travels and housesits. Please feel free to add me to your list of referees, I would recommend you to all. Take care and thanks again.
We are currently looking for house sits in Europe in 2024 – in the Schengen area March-May, outside of Schengen June-August. If you are planning to go away during that time (or know of someone who does) please contact us.
Current bookings
When | Duration (days) | Location | Experience |
---|---|---|---|
November 2023 | 14 | Waitoki, Auckland, New Zealand | Looking after a lifestyle property with one cat, one dog, five chickens, and a few sheep and cows |
December 2023 | 21 | Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand | Looking after the home and one cat |
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