Travel Live Learn

Dog Friendly Travel in Spain: A Pawesome 2024 Guide

Dog Friendly Travel in Spain: A Pawesome 2024 Guide

As passionate pet parents, we know the guilt of leaving our furry friends behind when we set off on a holiday. It tugs at our heartstrings every time. But what if we told you that dog friendly travel in Spain is more than just a dream?

Spain is one of our very favourite destinations! And, it has emerged as a hotspot for those of us wanting to embark on memorable journeys with our four-legged pals. So, let’s dive deep into the world of canine-approved Spanish getaways!

 

Why choose Spain for your pet-inclusive vacation?

We’ve always believed that holidays are better when shared with our loyal companions. Some of our best memories are in Byron Bay, Australia, and Margate, UK, when we could take our little London dog Westie with us!

A recent survey by Statista reveals we’re not alone in this sentiment. Did you know that 56% of UK travellers prefer holidays with their pets? And the reason is clear: it makes the holiday even more special.

Thanks to Spain-Holiday and Holidu’s recent insights, we’ve uncovered some of Spain’s top destinations that roll out the red carpet for our dogs.

 

Holiday Homes: A Perfect Stay for You and Your Pooch

If you’re all about comfort and convenience when travelling with your pet, holiday homes in Spain should be on your radar. With 27% of these homes being pet-friendly, Spain is leading the way compared with its European neighbours like Greece and Portugal. Particularly, if you’re heading to the north, Castilla y León proudly boasts 41% of pet-accommodating holiday rentals.

 

Spanish Beach Holidays with Your Loyal Companion

Dreaming of sunbathing alongside your pup? Spain’s costas are a paradise for dog lovers.

The Costa del Azahar shines as a top pick with nearly half of its holiday rentals being pet-friendly. Imagine strolling along Blue Flag beaches in lovely towns like Peñiscola and Benicassim with your furry mate! But the list doesn’t end there; Costa Brava and Costa del Maresme are also buzzing with pet-friendly spots, making beach getaways a breeze.

 

Sunny Escapes Tailored for Your Pet

Winter blues? Escape to Spain’s sun-drenched coasts with your pet! Top recommendations for autumn/winter 2023, and coming into 2024 are Calpe, Benidorm, and Javea on the Costa Blanca. Not only are these destinations pet-accommodating, but they also promise Spain’s mildest winter climates.

 

Affordable Adventures with Your Four-Legged Friend

Looking for a budget-friendly holiday without compromising on the fun? Torrevieja offers fantastic deals, especially during autumn and winter. With a variety of pet-friendly accommodations, you and your dog can enjoy Spain without burning a hole in your pocket.

However, if luxury is what you’re after, Barcelona, Javea, and Palma de Mallorca are the ritzy options to consider.

map of Spain

 

Dog friendly travel in Spain is more than a trend – it’s a movement we’re wholeheartedly embracing. As we pack our bags (and doggy treats), we hope you’ll join us on this delightful journey through Spain’s pet-loving landscapes.

Got any other tips, or questions? Please let us know in the comments below :)

 

 

 

 

House sitting tips – how to become a PAID house sitter [complete guide!]

House sitting tips – how to become a PAID house sitter [complete guide!]

Finally decided to become a PAID house sitter and turn your passion into a fully fledged business? Transitioning from free house sitting to making it a paid job involves building a reputation, marketing your services, and setting clear expectations with homeowners.

But fear not, we’ve pulled together years of experience and knowledge from our house sitting community on YouTube and Facebook. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you make the transition.

How to become a PAID house sitter: complete guide!

 

Step 1: Gain experience and build a reputation

If you’re reading this post, we appreciate that you want to get paid. BUT, for anyone new to this, one of the simplest way to start is by house sitting for free.

The reason we suggest this, is because most people who are inspired to turn this into a business have started this way. Also, to create a legit business, you do need legit experience.

Keep in mind though, you can house sit for ‘free’, but not necessarily in return for nothing!

 

Our story began in London when we had two desires: to spend more time with pets (we desperately missed being able to have one of our own); and to see new neighbourhoods.

Enter, TrustedHousesitters, which subsequently took us around the world. Through this platform, we met amazing people, pets and saw wonderful places. We also met a lot of you who are in our awesome travel-curious community now!

 

By offering house sitting services in any way, shape or form that you can, you gain experience and build a solid reputation. This puts you in a great position to start charging for house sitting soon enough.

Top tip: if you are setting up a pet care business in one place (where you’re based), it is often easier to start charging right away. In fact, many pro house sitters we know actually utilise a joint model: they use a service like TrustedHousesitters and commit to ‘free’ sits for long-term stays, but charge for shorter stays nearer to where they live.

Collect references:

Whether you’re using TrustedHousesitters or sitting for friends and family, whatever you do, after each assignment, ask for references or testimonials that you can use to validate your services. Be sure to take photos (with permission, of course) and develop a portfolio showcasing your experience.

This might be on a website or blog you create. Or, remember you can create beautiful digital stories and showcases using tools like Adobe Spark. The Paris digital story here is an example of something I created like that.

 

Step 2: Create an online presence

You do not necessarily need to do this, especially if you’re building a business in a specific neighbourhood where word of mouth or local Facebook Groups, for example, are a great source of leads.

But, in general, building a website or a blog like this one you’re on now can be super helpful. This can also cover you for the future when your circumstances or needs may change – i.e. if you want to travel.

Your online presence – be it a blog, website, or showcase using something like Adobe Spark mentioned above, should highlight a few things. These include:

  • your services
  • your experience
  • testimonials
  • contact information
  • fees, if you think that’s relevant (as a pet owner, I would like to see these from someone I’m interested to do business with).

If you enjoy using social media, like Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok or YouTube, don’t be afraid to upskill and teach yourself how to promote your services on those channels. There are so many ways you can do this that don’t have to feel super weird. Do what is right for you. But do remember, you can’t sell a secret, and it’s never a bad idea to talk about yours services in order to grow your business.

Of course, you can also join house sitting sites (free and paid) to expand your digital footprint. Some include TrustedHousesitters and Rover.

There is a comprehensive list of sites and services featured in our training – grab it for just $2.50 here!

 

13 things house and pet sitters much know

 

Step 3: Set your rates

Research pricing. It is important that you investigate what other house sitters in your area are charging and set competitive rates. A great resource to do this is on Rover.com. On Rover, you can set yourself up for services in your area. People with more reviews do tend to charge higher rates (fair enough, I think), BUT you can gauge average price that might be reasonable to test.

I can give you a ball park however – in the UK, right now (2023-24) most house sitters charge between £30 to £60 per 24 hours. This does depend on the area they are servicing (i.e. it is no surprise you can charge more in London than in another town or village); and the demonstrable experience – you need to back up high fees with referees and testimonials.

Create a pricing structure:

Develop a clear pricing structure, considering factors like location, duration, and additional services (e.g., pet care, gardening).

Top tip: you can also offer various packages. This may vary depending on if you are offering a service in one neighbourhood, town or city, OR travelling to different locations.

If you’re in one place, you might offer packages that cater to different needs such as basic house sitting, house sitting with pet care, drop-in day visits (for pets with busy parents), dog walking, feeding etc. Please though, don’t overcommit yourself. We once engaged a sitter in Brisbane to look after our little London dog, but we were not away from home long before it became evident that she had taken on numerous ‘gigs’ that day via Pawshake, and sadly there wasn’t much evidence at all of her even staying the night. It’s not the money we care about – it is company for our little guy. It’s important to balance ethics and the right thing to do, with income. I get it… but there’s a living soul at stake here!

If you’re travelling: you can offer various packages, like daily/nightly rates, long-term (discounted) rates; as well as rates that might include extra services – but these will depend on the situation and what you feel comfortable with.

Whatever your situation or structure, be sure to consider your financial aims first, and then plan backwards from that. Otherwise, you run the risk of working a lot but for little to no profit. You want your business or side hustle to be sustainable and to reach a desired financial goal. This can be achieved, as long as you consider it up front.

Important to note: if you are turning house sitting into a business, manage home owners expectations up front. Share your fees, own your worth.

Great tips and more info here :)

 

 

Step 4: Market your services

We’ve witnessed really great networking carried out by pro house and pet sitters. Some ideas for you:

  1. Networking: yep, like the good ol’ fashioned in-person event! This is really helpful if you are working locally (in one place). Attend local events and join community groups to network and spread the word about your services.
  2. Use word of mouth: it’s so powerful! Ask satisfied clients to refer you to their friends and family.
  3. Leverage paid online advertising: This one may be beneficial if you’re mostly running your bus in one place. Consider using online advertising, such as Facebook ads or Google ads, to target potential clients in your area.
  4. We have also seen some clever operators put posters up at the local dog park – just laminate an A4 print-out and use zip ties! You will capture a very targeted market like this.
  5. It is also really inexpensive (and tax deductible – although please seek advice from your own accountant or book-keeper) to have postcards, flyers, magnets and more printed if you want to box drop in your area.
  6. As for those of you who want to charge for international sits, this is where your creativity (and possibly a digital footprint) comes in handy. Your blogging and social media efforts are likely to be rewarded here, alongside networking and sharing your offerings in local community groups.
    For example, if you want house sitting gigs in Los Angeles, get amongst the LA community groups on Facebook. Offer helpful input and advice, but every now and then, drop in what you do and when you’ll be there. Also, be active on house sitting and digital nomad groups like this one. Add to the conversation and comments – don’t just “promote yourself” every now and then. Be helpful and kind. Customers will soon come.
  7. Additionally, be present on multiple platforms. Many sitters we know actually dip between free and paid work, depending on their needs. So, they are present on sites like TrustedHousesitters which may offer an opportunity for a long-term sit in a desirable location, rent-free. By the same token, they’re also present on Rover or Pawshake, and have a searchable website that lists their fees and offerings. All of these place give you a chance to showcase your profile, reviews and offerings. Just get out there and build your network however you can :)

Our podcast guests, Kate and Dave, have been house sitting long term for over nine years and they shared some amazing advice for how and where to find sits. Here’s what they said:

 

Step 5: Communicate clearly with clients

This is a BIG one and a challenge we see so many people in our community face. We have heard from so many of our community who are totally disheartened when they’re not paid. BUT, 90% of the time, clear expectations were not set and agreed up front.

If this is your business and you don’t want to work for free anymore (which is totally cool!), you must set clear expectations.

Communicate your services, rates, and any additional charges to avoid misunderstandings. Put it in writing. If someone does not want to pay you, that’s ok – you’re just not a good fit with those clients. Move on to the next opportunity. Trust me, it’s the same in ANY line of work!

Own your worth. Your clients WILL come. Not everyone is going to like you, or want to pay. THAT’S OK! Plenty more fish in the sea (or dogs and cats to sit, as the case may be). 

Don’t get attached to how things used to be, or worry about the people who turn their noses up because you want to charge now. It’s ALL GOOD. Freelancers and contractors in any line of work will tell you, it’s just how the world works. Don’t sweat it. Keep moving forward. It’s important to remember two life lessons we take with us:

  1. There’s plenty of opportunity – if you can drop the competitive mindset you’ll be so much happier and thrive.
  2. You will not be a perfect match for every person or client. Don’t worry about it. Move on to the next.

Top tip: Draft a house sitting agreement outlining the terms and conditions, responsibilities, and payment details. It’s also helpful to present a form for new clients to fill in that asks for all the information you need to do your job (vet info, pet habits, routine, emergency contacts etc.). Also, just like for any other business, be open about your availability, experience, and any limitations you have.

This is your business. YOU set the rules :)

 

 

Step 6: Provide excellent service

This goes for when you’re sitting for free and as you transition your services to paid. Be professional. Treat every assignment with professionalism and respect the homeowner’s plans, property and privacy. Just today, we had someone on TrustedHousesitters pull out of a sit that’s just three weeks away. We have international flights and accommodation booked! Worse, their excuse was not really a strong one. We house sit too. Once we commit, we do the right thing, because people have planned around us showing up.

If you’re this far into setting up your business though, it’s safe to assume you’ve taken this game seriously. As you move forward, continue to go the extra mile.

Exceed homeowners’ expectations by leaving the house cleaner than you found it and providing regular updates on how their pets are faring.

As sitters who are now on the ‘other side’ – we can tell you for CERTAIN – some house sitters really know how to go above and beyond. They share authentic updates (not generalised updates) that show they have gotten to know our pet. IMPORTANTLY, they show they care – it’s obvious they’ve glanced at our house guide, and that they’re around when they committed to be. Those are the sitters we so appreciate. Those are the sitters that WE are. And, they’re the house sitters that are invited to return again and again, even when they are charging! ;-)

Just like for any business, if you are to be successful, you need to be going into this for the right reasons. You love animals. You care about their wellbeing. And you value giving home owners peace of mind.

If you can genuinely demonstrate those things, you will be successful!

 

Step 7: Review and adjust

Evaluate your business’ progress. It’s important to regularly review your progress and assess whether you are meeting your income goals. Remember, you can always adjust your rates and expand your serves. You might do so based on your experience house sitting as a business, demand, feedback, repeat business, and additional services you add along the way.

Another thing you’ll find as you move forward in this business, is different ways to scale income. You will experiment as you go, and find the right balance of services (e.g. house sitting, drop-ins, dog walking) that help you optimise your income as well as your own work-life balance and wellbeing.
 

Step 8: Manage your finances

Down to business basics. Be sure to maintain accurate records of your earnings and expenses for tax purposes. If viable too, don’t be shy to engage the services of an accountant or a financial planner to help set you up for the future.

Often, an accountant’s fees are well and truly offset by the return they secure for you as a business owner. We spent so many years going it alone without the support of a professional. Little did we know, the investment would pay off in so many ways. Up to you, but we think it’s worth it.

Important for any new business owner to remember – and this takes some discipline – set aside money for taxes. Remember, you are not PAYE now, so allocate a portion of your earnings for tax payments. If unsure what the best approach is here, please do seek advice from a financial professional.

Top tip: Invest in your business! Reinvest some of your earnings back into your house sitting and pet care business for marketing, professional development, and other expenses.

 

Step 9: Insurance and professional cover

It’s only recently come to our attention that in the UK, house and pet sitters who have turned pro, have gone and got themselves covered professionally. They invest in a DBS check, which is like a police check that demonstrates they have no convictions – a nice-to-have when you’re asking people to trust you with their homes. Many also have their own personal and professional indemnity insurance, to cover for anything that may go wrong. Further, a number of them have gone to the trouble of getting pet first aid certifications.

Now a lot of this depends entirely on where in the world you’re operating. And, if you are house sitting globally, this sort of cover may vary from country to country. The point here is though, check to see if there’s anything that you can do to present and cover yourself as the ultimate professional. While it is a cost investment, we would cover ourselves in any other line of freelance or contract work, and this is the same. Check to see what else you can or should do, to cover yourself as the pro you are. Remember, you’re operating a business now.

:)

Transitioning to paid house sitting and pet care may take time, so be patient and stay motivated however you can. Keep improving your skills, delivering high-quality service, and marketing your services effectively to build a successful house sitting business. You’ll soon reap the rewards of the freedom to work as you choose, time spent with beautiful animals, and exploring the world.

Stay in touch and keep asking questions of your fellow house sitting community!

Top links:

  1. Subscribe for more inspiration on YouTube: Travel Live Learn
  2. FREE TRAINING – 4 part email series House Sitting 101 – get yours here!
  3. Get amongst our travel community on Facebook: here

 

Questions or comments? Other advice to share? Let us know – drop us a line below.

 

 

 

 

Travelling with a dog internationally – 5 things you MUST know

Travelling with a dog internationally – 5 things you MUST know

We very recently relocated back to the UK from Australia and we experienced travelling with a dog internationally for the first time. Earlier in February, we documented what we knew to that point before our little London dog had been allocated his flight to England.

You can read about it or watch the video here.

To find out about the visas we secured to live and work in the UK, you can read more here.

If you’re planning to travel with your beloved dog overseas and like us, you’re unable to bring him/her on the plane with you, please read on for our experience and advice!

There’s so much planning and preparation you need to do. This (American based) advice is helpful. Similarly there’s further useful information on this post from Going.

 

Travelling with your dog internationally

We won’t lie, the experience was VERY hard on all of us. We wanted to create a follow-up piece to share what we learned and what we wish we had known when it came to transporting our dog, London, from Australia to the UK.

See the full story, press play:

 

Covered in the video: our top 5 learnings and warnings!

  1. Learning: information about flight schedules may be illusive 
  2. Warning: Your pet’s itinerary may change at the last minute
  3. Warning: Ensure you can get in contact with everyone involved
  4. Learning: Be unapologetic about asking for more information and photos
  5. Warning: Check your pet’s health when you are reunited.

 

Global travel with your dog: final thoughts

After two weeks, we can report that London is starting to settle. He’s definitely exhibiting some anxious behaviours that he didn’t previously have, but with lots of love, cuddles and implementation of a positive routine, we can see he’s coming back to his old self.

There’s no getting around the fact that travelling with a dog in cargo on a long haul trip is not ideal. We found it harrowing, actually. But if you want your pet to join you if you are moving abroad, there is no other option in many cases. 

We hope you find our experience and learnings helpful. Most important for us to impart is to dig deep, ask LOTS of questions about potential itinerary and take your decision from there.

We’d love to hear from you – let us know your thoughts or questions in the comments below.

 

International pet travel: how to transport your dog overseas in 5 steps

International pet travel: how to transport your dog overseas in 5 steps

Overseas pet travel isn’t as easy as we’d like it to be, particularly when you’re flying a route like Australia to England. But, we’re about to head off on another adventure to the UK, and we will take our little Westie, London, with us.

To find out about the visas we secured to live and work in the UK, you can read more here.

How simple is planning overseas pet travel?

I think the best way to describe the planning is that it is a process.

It’s all possible, but there’s a number of considerations to take into account. This means ideally you would give yourself six months or more to plan. Between the time we discovered we had the opportunity to move back to the UK and the time we needed to fly, we actually didn’t have six months. Together with our trusted vet and a pet carrier, we have made it work though.

If you are planning to relocate to another country, maybe our process and information can help you.

 

5 steps to move a dog overseas

 

1. Talk to a trusted vet

The first port of call for us when planning to relocate London dog overseas with us was to speak to our vet. Our lovely vet Kirsty from Toowong Family vet in Brisbane, has known London since he was a wee puppy. She’s an excellent vet, so we booked a consult with her, primarily to speak about:

– the travel process and London’s general health for such a journey
– gauging and managing his anxiety in a new situation such as long distance flying.

Kirsty checked London over and we chatted about his age and health. We determined that he is ok to fly.

The big one for us though is the lengthy flight(s) itself. In the past, sometimes dogs were sedated so they would sleep. It’s been deemed that that this is not safe, so sedation is not an option. Kirsty talked us through a program for managing London’s anxiety, which began a few weeks ago and will continue into when he is settling into his new home in the Northern Hemisphere.

Talk to your vet about options that may suit your beloved fur baby.

 


 

2. Choose an accredited pet carrier

We researched several major international pet carriers operating in Australia and sought quotes from each. After having a conversation with each and comparing quotes, we ended up making a decision based on the itinerary available to London.

While it is possible to fly London from Brisbane to London, the routes recommended by some carriers meant that he would not leave his crate for around 24 hours. We chose Petraveller based on reviews and because they suggested a route that – while longer in terms of the amount of time we are separated – it seemed fairer on him to have more breaks.

Choosing a pet carrier is a BIG decision. It’s very expensive no matter how you look at it, and we know London’s life and wellbeing is being placed in their hands. There’s a lot of trust and faith involved. We will keep you posted on the outcome. At time of posting, London is set to begin his journey in a week’s time.

Pet friendly experiences in Byron Bay

 

3. Consult with your chosen pet carrier to find out about the process involved in taking your dog overseas

The next most important conversation we had after the one with our vet, was the one with our chosen pet carrier. Over the duration of one or two chats, a few things were explained to us:

  • time frames and action items for us
  • costs
  • the importance of securing a rabies vaccination immediately for London dog – in Australia, the rabies vaccine is often in short supply and only some vets administer it, so get your pet sorted straight away if you intend to fly in the coming year
  • application for a Transfer of Residency to the UK so we could avoid import fees for London
  • preparing London for travel before, during and after the journey
  • the airline application process which meant we had to choose a date range for London to travel – the application is lodged around the 15th of each month and your pet’s travel itinerary is only confirmed in the last week of each month
  • considerations around where London would stay should we need to fly out first, or where he would go if he arrived in the UK first.

 

Watch the video for full details and our experience with these action points.

 

@houseandpetsitting Announcement: we’re moving abroad again + taking our dog! #dogstravel #traveltok #traveldiaries ♬ original sound – Freedom and Four Paws

 

London was eventually allocated a flight itinerary that will see him fly out of Melbourne on a Monday evening. He will arrive in Dubai and stay at a pet hotel to recover a little, then will fly into Gatwick airport in England, arriving the same day as us (a Thursday morning). Unfortunately, due to the flight going out on Monday, he will be flown to Melbourne on the Friday and will stay in a pet hotel before having his final vet checks and then leaving the country.

Yes, it is very stressful.

 

4. Book a rabies vaccination

It’s important to note that if you’re flying your pet internationally from Australia, they will need a rabies vaccine. There is absolutely no way they can fly without it.

In Australia, the vaccine is known to often be in short supply. At the time we started looking for it, none was available. We waited anxiously for a few weeks, and after putting our name on the list at multiple vets in the whole of south-east Queensland, we eventually got a call from Kalinga Park Vet who sorted us out.

You’ll be given a certificate by the vet who administers this. Keep it safe as you’ll need to share it several times during the process with your pet carrier.

 

5. Crate train your dog for overseas travel

A crate will be sent to you by your pet carrier. The size will depend on dimensions you provide and guidance is given about how to measure for this.

Give your pooch as much time crate training for travel as possible.

London never had a worry in his crate – he loved it and we crate trained him as a puppy. BUT he’s never had the door closed and didn’t like it. Some excellent advice on a process was shared with us from our vet. Similar advice is present on the internet.

  1. Make the crate fun: put treats, toys and food in and around it. Gradually introduce your pet to his/her crate.
  2. Ensure the crate is comfortable for sleeping. London has a favourite bed that we put inside – he takes himself into the crate to sleep at night. We did reward this at the beginning with treats.
  3. Start to get him/her used to travel. We put his crate in the car and went for drives of varying length. At first London didn’t like the change, but he got used to it and now sits calmly in his crate.
  4. As time goes by, see if you can find a ‘noisier’ vehicle like a van or 4WD to put the crate in, so your pup gets used to louder sounds.
  5. And if possible, put your pet into their crate and get someone else to go for a drive with them. When you show up on the other side, he/she will associate the experience with you eventually showing up to meet them.

 

 

The nerves are real

I’m not going to lie – we’re nervous about this.

The leg between Australia and Dubai is 14 hours. Then London stays in a new country in the middle of the world overnight. Following is 9 hours to Gatwick in his crate. He then remains in his create as he is processed through customs which could be a few hours. Petraveller’s partner over in the UK will let him out for a walk and toilet break before he then is transported to where we are staying.

Our vet told us that he won’t love it, but that he will be ok.

We will report back: I’m sure there’ll be tears on all fronts. But it will be worth it in the end ❤️

How to house sit with your own pet

How to house sit with your own pet

If you’re keen to get back on the travel trail, but don’t want to leave your best mate behind, here, find out exactly how to house sit with your own pet! Nicky and her husband Andy travels full-time in their campervan around the UK and Europe, and their beautiful Spanish rescue dog, Gus, tags along for the ride.

They now apply for house and pet sits with their dog, which for some pet sitters, feels really complicated. But, if you’re keen to give it a go, take heed of Nicky’s invaluable advice on how they – in the first place – score sits with Gus; and also, the benefits he brings the dogs they are sitting for!

 

Nicky’s top tips on how to house sit with your own pet

As an avid house and pet sitter who has experienced opportunities across the UK and Europe, Nicky advises anyone coming into the business to really have a good think about what type of sits you want. She also says, start now – start in your own city. This advice echoes what past guests, Kate and Dave, shared as their top tips. Have a read here.

Rescuing a dog on the road

While sitting in Spain, Nicky came across an animal shelter that – of course – had a dog waiting for his new furever home. As it turns out, they met Gus, “the perfect dog” for them. He was two and had been born in the shelter. A black dog, he had struggled to be discovered for a new home. This happens frequently for both cats and dogs in Europe, unfortunately due to a very old superstition around black animals being unlucky.  

Gus has proven to be quite the opposite: he’s their four pawed travelling best friend.

Nicky took her time introducing Gus to the lifestyle though, so he’d be comfortable. It’s an important lesson for all of us, especially anyone rescuing a dog – give them time and the proper space to understand and feel comfortable in their new environment.

House and pet sitting with your dog

Once settled, this trio picked up travelling and house sitting again.

Nicky said one of her best pieces of advice is to ensure your profile on house and pet sitting sites makes it very very clear – front and centre – that you’re travelling with your fur baby.

“The top of our profile clearly says, Nicky, Andy and Gus ”, and in her applications she reinforces, “thank you for considering all of us”.

Another great idea – she’s encouraged the homeowners writing a review to please include a reference to Gus in the review, once again, to reinforce the benefits he’s brought to the sit, and how easy it was for him to be included. This tip was also mentioned by Laura who doesn’t travel and house sit with a dog, but her family of four :) Find out more about house and pet sitting as a family.

Finding the right sit for you and your dog

Nicky says that she does do a lot more work now to choose house sits that are right for both she and Andy, and especially Gus. It’s obviously worthwhile in order to score those perfect sits though.

If a profile states that a dog doesn’t get on with other dogs, then of course she will not apply. She says, prioritise your pet when applying for sits – set your boundaries. Some homeowners are so keen to have you as a sitter, that they’ll say “Yes, come along!”, when, the match for Gus and the dogs on the ground, wasn’t right. Be selective in location and situation in terms of other animals there.

Despite the bit extra work around sifting through available house sits and applying for those that match their bigger picture, Nicky reports that they’re in demand! They’re booked 12 months in advance! In fact, they get plenty of repeat business from families whose pets loved the sits with Gus.

Travel and house sitting

“Travel is the ability to see other places and immerse yourself in a new culture”, says Nicky. But she stresses that in an application for a sit, they’ll highlight that the pets come first. Importantly, that they plan to be present, and love the pets as if they are their own.

The beautiful thing about pairing ‘travel’ and ‘house sitting’ is that you can live like a local. You can see places you might never have visited had it not been for the house sit! And, you’re constantly reminded of the good in people. That is, inherent kindness despite what we may see on the news.

It’s also wonderful to have the chance to see what the Universe presents and to go with the flow. “It’s wonderful how things inevitably align,” marvels Nicky. We agree.

 

 

Click here to subscribe on your favourite podcast service

 

Freedom and Four Paws

Join us on our podcasting adventures as we hear inspiring stories from amazing people travelling the world. They’re living their best life, often with their pets in tow!

In this episode of Freedom and Four Paws, discover how being a dog owner yourself, can add value to applying for gigs as a house sitter where there are other dogs. Nicky is brimming with excellent advice for house and pet sitting with your own dog.

Listen for additional tips on travelling in Europe and being mindful of what visas and health certificates you may need. 

Watch the episode for their complete story and advice. Or listen on your favourite podcast service, search ‘Freedom and Four Paws’.

Find our guest, Nicky, on Facebook and Instagram, @retired.and.inspired2020

 

Subscribe now and never miss an episode featuring excellent tips on how to slow travel, successfully work remotely or as a digital nomad, and house + pet sit. We’re on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google podcasts or your favourite podcasting app. Search ‘Freedom and Four Paws’

Freedom and Four Paws is brought to you by Travel Live Learn.com.

As a valued audience member, enjoy 10% OFF at our affiliate partner Cloudy – relieve stress throughout the day straight to a soothing sleep at night, visit trycloudy.com and use the code FREEDOM10.

And if you’re a fellow traveller and pet lover who is keen to share your story and inspire the world, visit exhalemediagroup.com and mention FREEDOM20 for 20% OFF any purchased service including personalised storytelling coaching.

WATCH: Find out more about house sitting while you travel, view the playlist on YouTube

SIGN UP: TO TRUSTED HOUSE SITTERS HERE AND ENJOY 25% OFF! It’s on our VIP mailing list, including other freebies.

SUBSCRIBE: on YouTube for more adventures youtube.com/travellivelearn

 

7 digital nomad tips for balance and routine

7 digital nomad tips for balance and routine

A remote work lifestyle for many of us means travelling and working, and we’ve gathered digital nomad tips along the way in our own experience. It all sounds fun, and yeah the lifestyle it is. But it’s easy to fall into ‘holiday mode’, which means no (or less) income! Which led us to thinking about how exactly, we would develop a routine to achieve optimum work/life balance, while still enjoying travelling, developing our creative endeavours, and often, house and pet sitting.

Cooper and I have discovered that routine is critical when trying to maintain a healthy nomad lifestyle. Falling out of a routine means you can quite easily become demotivated. Hence, ‘holiday mode’, which doesn’t pay for this way of life consistently.

While on our travels, we realised our routine (or lack thereof) was letting us down. So, we refined and redefined it, and began again.

Find out what we learnt and did, in this episode of Freedom and Four Paws. 

Click here to subscribe on your favourite podcast service

 

 

Freedom and Four Paws

Join us on our podcasting adventures as we hear inspiring stories from amazing people travelling the world and living their best life, often with their pets in tow.

Subscribe now and never miss an episode featuring excellent tips on how to slow travel, successfully work remotely or as a digital nomad, and house + pet sit. We’re on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google podcasts or your favourite podcasting app. Search ‘Freedom and Four Paws’

As a valued audience member, enjoy 10% OFF at our affiliate partner Cloudy – relieve stress throughout the day straight to a soothing sleep at night, visit trycloudy.com and use the code FREEDOM10.

And if you’re a fellow traveller and pet lover who is keen to share your story and inspire the world, visit exhalemediagroup.com and mention FREEDOM20 for 20% OFF any purchased service including personalised storytelling coaching.

WATCH: Find out more about house sitting while you travel, view the playlist on YouTube

SIGN UP: TO TRUSTED HOUSE SITTERS HERE AND ENJOY 25% OFF! It’s on our VIP mailing list, including other freebies.

SUBSCRIBE: on YouTube for more adventures youtube.com/travellivelearn