Leah

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**UPDATE: I'M CURRENTLY AVAILABLE FOR PET-SITTING, PLANT-SITTING, FARM-SITTING & HOUSE-SITTING ON MOST SHORT-TERM DATES IN ASTURIAS, ALL YEAR ROUND, AND FROM 10TH TO 30TH NOVEMBER 2025, 12TH JANUARY TO 29TH MARCH 2026 AND ALL OF JULY AND AUGUST 2026 ANYWHERE IN SPAIN OR IRELAND (THAT I CAN REACH ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT WITHIN A TIGHT-BUDGET). I'M BRITISH BUT LIVE PERMANENTLY IN ASTURIAS SPAIN.**🐝

Hello, thank you for exploring my profile.

Being an animal and land guardian myself, in a rural mountainous area of Asturias Spain, I know how stressful it can be to find someone trustworthy that also has animal care and plant care experience. And, also someone who has the confidence to stay alone in your home whilst you're away. I hope I can be that person for you. For me, I get to help people out, spend time in varied places with new surroundings (inspiring for a writer) and to meet new animals and plants, which I love.🌲

I've studied a BTEC National Diploma in Animal Care, a BSc Hons in Wildlife Conservation, PgDip Youth & Community Work, PgCert Ecology & Spirituality etc., etc.., and have tonnes of work experience in those fields too. I'm a former wildlife conservationist, bat biologist, eco-consciousness thought leader and published co-author in the same topic. I've also worked extensively as an environmental community projects officer, international youth development worker for social and environmental impact (working across 32 different countries in-person or virtually) and in Nature connection for 23-years. I'm currently a proofreader for an academic journal and a writer. Yes, my CV is crazy, but everything interlinks one way or another!

I've looked after ALL kinds of plants and animals over my lifetime, for myself and other people, including: dogs, cows, cats, axolotls, horses, chickens, geese, ducks, donkeys, lizards, fish, amphibians, goats, sheep, snakes, insects like tarantulas, small mammals, wildlife etc. I also used to work as a licensed bat surveyor and cared for injured bats. In my youth, I worked on a dairy farm with 55 milking cows, in pet stores and at animal rescues too. My dream is to have a small herd of goats one day, several Indian runner ducks to look after my two large allotments and to become a bee-guardian! 🐐

I can commit to around 3-5 hours direct work for you a day 7-days a week (so around 25 hours a week commitment). I do expect some really basic food in return for my support as I'll be paying for my transport to reach you and, and because I will also be providing the highest standard of animal, home and plant care. I eat anything, and I don't snack. I will happily eat some basics in exchange for my time e.g. potatoes, onions, peppers, cheese, garlic, milk, eggs, herbs, salt, oil and bread - I can be very creative with just those ingredients for a few weeks🙂). I don't need any days "off". I'm there for your animals and plants for the entire stay every day. Your home will be just how you left it, or even better. I can keep you updated whilst you're away with a daily message, videos and photos, if you'd like that. If I work on an active farm, or animal care project, with the owners present, then I'll need two days off and can commit to 5-6 hours work a day (I still have to work a little everyday online).

I love walking and hiking, so, if you have dogs, horses, donkeys or other animals that like a short or long stroll it would be my pleasure to walk with them if they're used to that (I don't ride horses anymore). Also, I don't drive and I don't cycle (but, I can hike and hike far - I'm used to walking around three to seven-hours a day in the mountains I live in, with a picnic break in the middle). However, that being said a little shop, food seller, or bar within a 45-minute walk from your home is imperative if I'm staying longer than a week because I can't drive anywhere. Usually my husband and drive to the Sunday market for our supplies once weekly; so I'm used to solitude 6-days a week.

I am married to my wonderful Spanish husband and best friend Daniel, who is from Asturias - we've been together for 17-years (see photo in 'photos'); we lived in Leeds city centre for 10-years and in Ecuador for a year before moving here. I'm originally from Wirral, UK, with Scottish and Irish roots and a very neutral British accent. I spend a lot of time alone working in countries across Africa too. Once we settled into Daniel's ancestral Asturian lands eight years ago, a month later our Carea Leonés dog Bowie arrived by magic on the doorstep, literally (see photos of Bowie). My husband happily stays at home with Bowie when I help you out - I travel alone, and travel often so this is very normal for us. We're surrounded by plenty of wildlife and have no children. Our little cottage is in a quiet village of just 15 people at the near peak of a mountain, and we have an even more isolated stone cabin in the middle of the mountains, a few hours walk away, with no neighbours at all as far as the eye can see, where I go to write and disconnect half of the week, alone (I adore pure aloneness ad solitude). The wolves and bears are my regular visitors there (no humans, not even family visit), and as a conservationist that adores privacy, and protects land, I keep the location of these special places exceptionally secret and quiet.🐺

I'm super friendly (well I think I am, hehe), but I do like to keep myself to myself, mostly; I tend not to socialise much, but I do work often with people. I love sharing cultures and stories, but I also need my space and in my personal life I just prefer to be alone. If you're looking for regular company I may not be right for you - but, if you are in the house I'm sitting in or farm I'm helping on I will not shy away from a good conversation over lunch or dinner, or whilst you're showing me how to help/work with your animals; I love finding out about traditions and local culture. I'm also more than happy to meet via Zoom of GoogleMeet on video, if you'd like to check that I'm right for you first. And I can provide additional references, videos and information if you are serious about me supporting you.

I'm used to living off-grid and staying in very basic conditions. However, I do prefer to sleep on a "good" mattress - I'm happy with tents and huts, but they need a mattress; not a mat, thin foam or a hammock - my back simply hates me nowadays if I sleep without one 😅. And, a private bedroom/sleeping area is 100% imperative for me if there are other people in your property whilst I'm there. Although I'm not vegetarian, I will absolutely respect and live by the rules in your home and eat only vegetarian or vegan food, if required. And any other rules I must follow - I will.🤗

P.s. I don't use social media so I will never share photos, location or videos of your home, land, animals or property. I value privacy, it's one of my top five core values, so I will also respect yours.

I understand Spanish very well and speak Spanish at an intermediate level. However, I use translation apps to translate written Spanish as that's my weakest language skill.

I'd love to help out if I'm right for you and you're right for me. 😊
Thank you,
Leah

Intereses

Escritura

Autodesarrollo

Sostenibilidad

Cuidado de plantas

Fotografía

Mascotas

Naturaleza

Montaña

Senderismo

Agricultura

Cultura

Libros

Animales

Idiomas hablados

Inglés: Fluido
Español: Intermedio

Habilidades y conocimientos que quiero compartir o aprender

Me interesa:  

Cuidado de animales

Cuidado de casas

Vida en una granja

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Ciertos conocimientos de:  

Proyectos ecológicos

Ayuda doméstica

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Puedo enseñar:  

Trabajo de caridad

Que habilidades tienes?

Please see description for my relevant skills. 🌞

Edad

42

Algo más...

A private bedroom or sleeping area with a sturdy mattress is required (not a mat, blow up air bed or a hammock; some sofa beds are okay if the foam isnt super thin!), and I'd rather not stay in a home where people smoke indoors. I like to keep myself to myself so please be aware I may not always be social, but I can be and I'm super smiley. I'm happy to meet on a video call first.

Más información

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  Fumador

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  Permiso de conducir

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  Alergia
  Feather bedding - birds are absolutely fine - I've had chickens, cared for all kinds of birds and I look after my neighbours geese regularly!

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  Dieta especial
  No, none at all, except that Octopus are one of my favourite animals, so I refuse to eat them; plus, from a biological point of view they're pretty magical and unique so they get my full respect. 🐙 I will adapt to any dietary requests in your home.