- I spent 5 weeks staying in properties throughout the East Coast without spending a dime by taking good care of strangers’ pets.
- I acquired my gigs with Trusted Housesitters, a world house-sitting platform that is $129 a yr.
- Taking care of individuals’s animals was enjoyable, and I acquired free lodging whereas I traveled.
Two years in the past, I grew to become an empty nester and wished to begin touring. My journey listing was lengthy, however my funds was tight with a child in school.
So, I began searching for methods to discover the world with out paying hundreds of {dollars} for lodging.
The reply got here to me when a number of avid vacationers in my on-line teams steered I attempt Trusted Housesitters, a world house-sitting and pet-sitting platform.
Joining appeared like an excellent journey hack to remain almost wherever without spending a dime.
First, I purchased a one-year membership to Trusted Housesitters
At first, I used to be skeptical about Trusted Housesitters, but it surely appeared fairly easy as soon as I seemed into it.
Petsitters and pet homeowners pay for memberships. Sitters apply to for sits and homeowners approve or deny them.
I discovered house-sits of all ranges — from penthouses to houseboats to log cabins to tiny properties — with durations starting from one night time to a number of weeks.
Most listings I noticed concerned caring for dogs or cats and generally livestock, which is nice when you’re an animal lover like me.
After researching, I agreed to a background verify and joined on the lowest-tier sitter value of $129 a yr, which allowed me to e book limitless house-sits worldwide.
I began building my profile by pet-sitting native small dogs
Once I used to be vetted and added some character references, I created a profile web page and utilized to native pet-sits.
I’d learn within the Trusted Housesitters neighborhood discussion board that it is best to begin regionally and get some good opinions below your belt earlier than you attempt to journey far.
I used to be selective and utilized solely to properties that seemed clear and had five-star opinions. I additionally seemed for small dogs I may simply management on a leash.
If a pet proprietor was , they’d arrange a FaceTime or telephone name with me. Now that I’ve finished over 20 profitable sits, homeowners usually skip this step and e book me primarily based on my utility alone.
Eventually, I pet-sit from Texas to Maine whereas staying in beautiful locations without spending a dime
After building up my profile, I set a aim to drive up the East Coast doing back-to-back sits.
I used to be in Houston, however Maine was my ultimate vacation spot, so I utilized for a weeklong sit at a newly constructed fashionable home watching two cats in Freeport.
Once that was booked, I started making use of for sits with adjoining dates between my start line and the higher a part of the East Coast.
Eventually, my sits had been booked and my five-week journey was in place.
Getting to Maine was half the enjoyable of my journey, which I deliberate across the pets’ schedules.
My first cease was caring for 2 candy dogs in Asheville, a picturesque mountain city in North Carolina.
I used to be there for every week, exploring the city with the dogs in tow. I even visited the Great Smoky Mountain National Park close by.
As with any pets I watch, the dogs saved their regular mealtime and walk routine. I despatched the homeowners each day updates, only a fast textual content with a photograph of their pet.
Next, I stayed at a 25-acre Virginia farm that bordered the Appalachian Trail and cared for a senior canine.
Then, I headed to a New Jersey house to look at a Jack Russell Terrier. While there, I took the prepare to New York City to see some old school buddies.
Eventually, I began caring for animals apart from dogs and cats.
In Vermont, I fortunately discovered the best way to watch over chickens — I allow them to out and in of their coop and gathered recent eggs every morning.
I’ve had an excellent expertise pet-sitting, and I plan to maintain doing it
I’ve met unimaginable folks and stayed in distinctive abodes, starting from log cabins to waterfront properties to a mansion with 10 loos.
I additionally acquired to take care of pigs, donkeys, and goats, which I’d by no means have gotten to do in any other case.
Pet-sitting has saved me hundreds of {dollars} in journey prices, and I believe it is a win for all concerned. The pets do not should be boarded, and the homeowners can loosen up understanding somebody’s watching over their home and animals.
I’m thrilled I found Trusted Housesitters, and I plan to make use of it effectively into my retirement years.
