7 Reasons Pet Sitting is the Perfect Gig for Animal Loving Travellers
Now…you may be thinking, what is the difference between house sitting and pet sitting? Aren’t they basically the same? Well, kind of... House sitting means looking after someone's home while they are away. Your main responsibility is to ensure everything runs smoothly while the homeowners are away, such as tending to tasks like watering plants. With or without furry sidekicks, if you're looking for a guide on house sitting, we already got you covered.
Pet sitting, on the other hand, is like signing up for a furry adventure. You're not just chilling in someone else's house - you're hanging out with their beloved four-legged family member(s). Pet sitting allows you to stay for free in someone's home in exchange for taking care of their adorable fur babies. Being a pet sitter is all about making sure the pets are fed, walked, and cuddled enough! (It’s a hard life right).
In this blog, we'll explore why pet sitting is the perfect arrangement for travellers that adore animals and the benefits of pet sitting for both the homeowners and sitters! Utilising the pet filter when browsing through Workaways host list and looking after furry companions is a great way to travel for animal lovers! And here is why …
1. Nurturing Fur Babies
For those who cherish the companionship of furry friends but may not be able to commit to full-time pet ownership, pet sitting is a unique and ideal solution for animal lovers. If you are an animal lover, but never had first-hand experience of being a pet-owner and debating on taking the step to acquire one, then pet sitting offers the perfect opportunity to ‘trial’ and develop pet care skills and confidence before committing to your own beloved, dream pet or animal! Pet sitting can help you determine if you're prepared for the responsibilities and challenges of managing a pet or multiple pets and/or animals and if it suits your lifestyle.
2. Embracing Slow Travel
Pet sitters can often negotiate their commitments based on their travel plans and personal preferences allowing for flexibility, perfect for slow travellers and/or digital nomads who work remotely and want to embrace living like a local.
Rather than rushing from one tourist spot to another, pet sitters have the opportunity to stay in one place for an extended time and explore off the beaten path locations. This slow travel approach enables travellers to have a deeper knowledge of local culture, cuisine, and customs - all while also cuddling and playing with paw-some friends!
3. Furry Friends Help with Mental Health
Pet sitting can help improve your mental health while travelling by providing companionship, reducing negative feelings, and fostering a sense of purpose as you gain companionship in the shape of a furry friend. Whether it's a friendly dog, a cuddly cat, or a playful farm animal, having a furry companion by your side can greatly alleviate feelings of loneliness as the responsibility of caring for pets can cultivate a routine and give a sense of accomplishment. The unconditional love, connection and non-judgmental nature of friendly pets and animals can provide a great sense of emotional support, making them the perfect companions while far from home!
4. Get to Know a Variety of Animals
Pet sitting presents a unique opportunity for individuals to care for a diverse array of animals, from cats, dogs, horses, the list goes on! Through pet sitting you can gain valuable insights into different behaviours, personalities and care requirements of different pet breeds and animals. If you see yourself going down the veterinarian route, this could be a great way to gain invaluable experience - from tending to a playful Labrador Retriever, to grooming a majestic horse, pet sitting offers first hand exposure to various animal personalities!
5. Connect with Fellow Animal Lovers
House sitting is not just about animals, but can also be a great way to make new friends with similar interests! You can get to know other pet-owners around the local neighbourhood you are staying in, as you walk the dog for example, or you can join local Facebook communities with fur-friends and bond over shared experiences of pet ownership! This can lead to forming new friendships and potential pet-hangouts/dates where you exchange tips on pet care, recommend local vets or pet stores, or simply enjoy conversations about your beloved furry friends.
6. Develop Transferable Skills
Taking care of animals requires you to be patient, observant to their every move and emotion, and able to react to sudden situations, just to name a few. These are all beneficial qualities that you can keep with you and bring on to any work setting in the future (which you can even showcase to potential employers with your Workaway reference letter)! Whether you eventually decide to work with animals as a vet, want to live off-grid and buy your own farm and have your own pets and animals roaming around, or just hope to do something unique on your travels… pet sitting helps you learn valuable skills that can not only benefit you on your next job, but even inspire your future career and life path!
7. Free Accommodation while Pet Sitting
Pet sitting offers a special, one-of-a-kind experience for budget travellers that enjoy caring for adorable fur babies while enjoying a complimentary stay in a cosy home. It’s the perfect blend of wanderlust and cuddles, making pet sitting a dream come true for animal lovers worldwide who want to keep their travels cheap but wholesome!
Pet sitting offers a unique way to see the world for pet lovers to explore the world while also establishing beautiful connection and companionship with furry friends and other pet-lover owners.
Whether it's a short-term stay or a long-term commitment, pet sitting opens doors to unforgettable adventures and heartfelt bonds, making it an ideal choice for those with a passion for travel and a love for animals!
About Stephanie
Stephanie was born on an island and raised in a British/Portuguese multicultural background. From a young age, she learned how to embrace different languages, traditions and cultures. This upbringing
