We are an active Canadian/Dutch couple (sailors/hikers) who are always looking for new opportunities and challenges. We have done home sitting and home exchanges for more than thirty years. We are both recently retired civil servants (law enforcement) and we have traveled extensively through Europe, North America, and Oceania. In March we returned from another petsitting trip to Australia which included a farm animal sanctuary with 50 animals, a new experience for us.
We were life-long pet owners until very recently and we have always enjoyed our trips better when we had the company of a pet or two. Our pet sitter “handle” is There_ for_Them because we realize that the pet is the priority whether it is a cat who sleeps all day and just needs a little scratch behind the ears from time to time, a dog who enjoys long walks twice a day, or a high maintenance Silk Terrier like we looked after in Christchurch a couple of years ago. But we benefit too because a fur-fix from time to time is very much appreciated.
We know leaving pets with strangers is always a bit of a concern, therefore we make it a point to provide regular updates to you so you will know that everything is well and you can enjoy your trip without worries.
I grew up with dogs and used to take them on long walks. Unfortunately because dogs are not allowed where we have lived for the last 39 years we have been “restricted” to cats, up to four at a time. But we do also love dogs. We are god parents to our friend's dog and look after Maggie when they are too busy to do it themselves and we have been known to walk, while visiting friends, their dog just for the joy of it. Actually we love all creatures great and small and we can be found in any place from petting zoos to wild life sanctuaries. (Have you cuddled a wombat lately?)
We are experienced home owners and pretty handy and used to looking after any matters that require immediate attention.
Because of our 30 plus home exchanges we have learned the value of finding, upon our return, our home the way we left it. We take great pride in doing just that after living in someone else's home. We look after our own provisions and will replace any supplies which we use, if necessary.
Rolf and Mona