Hello, we are Cate (46) and Mark (45). We are a married, non-smoking, professional couple from Australia who are now permanent residents in the United States. We lived in Chicago for six years, and we are now traveling and house-sitting so we can see more of North America.
Cate works full time as a designer/artist for her sustainable textiles business. For five years, Cate worked for the President and Chancellor of a major art school in Chicago, while completing her Bachelor of Fine Arts. Previously, Cate worked for 15 years in costume departments for feature film, television and theatre. Prior to this, Cate worked retail during her first degree, including 2 years in a pet store, where she learned about looking after fish, birds, rats, guinea pigs, and rabbits. Cate grew up with cats, and had the joy of owning and serving Tuvok, a burmese cat who lived with her and Mark in three different countries! He was the light of our life, and lived to be 19 years of age. He passed three years ago, and we miss having a pet terribly. We are filled with love to bestow upon your beloved pets and look forward to giving many tummy rubs and ear scratches!
Mark works remotely as a full time writer for a major research university, with the ability to work remotely. His professional background includes higher education, finance, and the health industry. He previously served in the Australian Army Reserve as a medic, and worked for three years as a registered nurse. Mark LOVES animals, he grew up with dogs, chickens, parakeets, and fish. Mark will enjoy spending time at home hanging with your four-legged friends, while working, and also trying to hone his creative writing.
We previously owned our own home, and understand how to maintain and look after a house and large garden. We have also been landlords, and know what it is like to leave your home in somebody else's care. Having done this, we will treat your home with the utmost respect, and your pets like a beloved member of our own family.
We are very responsible, clean, and conscientious and can provide many house-sitting references. We are great communicators, and are happy to remain in touch as much as you need. We stay in contact with our home owners via , , text messages, and - whichever options suits you best. We love remote or city locations, and our only need is reliable internet/wi-fi.
We are experienced in maintaining pets' routines, administering various medications, daily walks and brushes, cleaning litter boxes/stalls, and most importantly giving lots of cuddles, company, and pats to your sweet pets. We have both short and long term house-sitting experience.
We have been responsible on our house-sits for collecting and opening mail, corresponding with home-owners, keeping cars running, garden yard maintenance, putting out trash, home maintenance, and various other daily household tasks.
TN - donkeys (8), dogs (2), cats (6), rabbits (2), chickens (26)
NC - Ollie the Havanese dog (return sit) / NC - Yuki the Ragdoll cat
CO - Charlie the Basset Hound
OR - MonkeyTail the Tabby cat (many return sits)
OR - Sally and Gus - two dogs (1 dachshund) (return sits)
OR - Rebecca the retired guide dog
WA - Gigi the Aussie Shepherd cross & Betty the cat (many return sits)
WA - Sev the cat and Bella the cat (return sits)
WA - Django the Alaskan Malamute, Artemis & Athena the cats
WA - Frith the Westie, Moto the kitten, George the cat
WA - George, Kitten, and Kaita the cats (return sit)
WA - Pepper and Emmy (German Shepherd pup)
OR - Baxter and Ollie (Bernese Mountain dog pup)
OR - Sukha (HuskyxShepherd) and Mr Nibbles the cat (return sit)
We are very experienced and trustworthy house and pet sitters, and we are happy to answer any questions you may have about house-sitting or about us. When you come home, you will find your house just as you left it, and with happy pets who have been loved and looked after.
Thanks for considering us!
Cate and Mark