Our single-storey house is at the end of a small, no-exit street on flat ground. City buses are in easy walking distance and there is private, sealed parking in front of the house. Our main need is for someone to care for our two cats while we are away, but general maintenance of the section and garden is also required. We have an electric lawnmower and there is an automatic watering system. There is an electronic alarm system, which we request sitters to use: it has been adjusted so that the cats do not set it off. The system includes smoke alarms, and the house is very definitely a non-smoking location.
Both cats are young Burmese and very affectionate: sitters must actually like to have cats on laps and maybe beds. They are kept inside at night.
The nearest mini-market is less than 1 km away, as is the nearest cafe etc. Our nearest supermarket and mall is about 3 km away.
We bought this house following the Christchurch earthquakes. It had had only superficial internal damage and was fully redecorated before we bought it. Since then we've updated the kitchen and had double glazing fitted: it already had both gas and heat pump heating, so is warm and cosy. A Guest Account may be set up on the PC in the family room, if requested.
There is a small woodwork shop behind the house but power tools are not available to sitters, for safety reasons. You are, however, welcome to hit your thumb with the hammers.
We would prefer sitters who can meet us and look over the house before deciding to take up our offer, but will consider others. Couples are also preferred, so that if a sitter becomes ill they and the cats will be supported.