House/dog/horse sitters: anyone used them?

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

MiJodsR2BlinkinTite

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As title really.

Anyone gone away and got someone from an agency in to see to the animals and oversee the house? I've got two horses; two dogs & two pussy cats, plus a selection of ducks/fowls. But probably a friend would come into see to the horses.

So your experiences please; pro's & con's, also would like to hear the dreaded horror stories please!

Also any recommendations of any agencies you've used; PM me if prefer.

Thanks.
 
I had no luck when I contacted 2 agencies (who have local sitters on their books). One never got back to me, the other quoted only for live in help which I didn't really want - and I was shocked at the price!

I asked my blacksmith if he knew anyone, and he came up with 2 suggestions. One of those couldn't help but referred me to someone else, who has worked out brilliantly. She lives 15 mins away and so can come up twice daily to see to dog/chickens/cat/horse. After 3 years of not going away more than one night (when the inlaws covered for us) its a relief to have someone who I would trust for a week or more.
 
we have just had a holiday and used the company Animal Angels.
They match your needs to the most suitable people they have on their books and then arrange a meeting so you can decide if you a happy with the match (if not they will select again).

We ha a fabulous older couple come and live in our house to take care of dogs, cat, parrot, chickens, ducks, aviary and geckos and we were extremely impressed with them.

The dogs were walked twice a day for over an hour, the parrot was allowed out of his cage as normal and they were just overall fantastic.

I would highly highly recommend them and they even have people on their books who will look after smallholdings and farms!

I believe they cover the whole of the UK.
 
forgot to add that while we were away our toaster broke and when we came back the couple insisted we deduct the cost of the new toaster from the bill. My mum didnt want to, said it didnt matter but they were adamant. They said 'When you left you had a working toaster, when you've come back it's broken, so please deduct the amount to buy a new one.'
They were so honest and the house was spotless when we came home.
 
I tried out a dog sitter once and never again.

Didn’t know him but interviewed him first and checked out his references which were fine. I booked him for a dummy run one day before I actually went away and glad I did. Luckily I have a very nice next door neighbour that done some spying for me.

He arrived 45 minutes later than what he should have. Left my dog out in the garden most of the time he was there. Told me he walked her for 1 hour when he actually walked her for 10 minutes and then left 2 hours earlier than when he should have. He also left his dog in his car outside for the time he was at my house.

Needless to say he was never used for the main time that I originally wanted him for.

My advice would be if you are going to use someone then try and get one through recommendations.
 
I have a brilliant couple of horse/farm sitters but unfortunately they are in Aberdeenshire. Would trust either of them completely. They dont even charge for the coffee and natter time :-)

Both do it as a proper business, insured etc. They deal with our horses, sheep, dogs cats chickens and geese!
 
We have used Animal Aunts many times. They live in your house and follow your routine with the animals. They have always been excellent; the dogs clearly love them and they leave the house spotless as well.

Not cheap of course but great for peace of mind. We have had them to look after horses, goats, dogs with special needs, and the hens and they have been great. If you book in advance you usually get the same individuals as well which makes it nicer as they get to know how you like things done and the animals get to know them.
 
Horror story, ok. Get proper references and use an established and reputable company. Years ago my OH was working with a plumber and they were in a big house replacing copper piping/radiators etc. Story was, the 'house sitting company' the house owners had employed had completely emptied and gutted the house, down to light fittings, doors, and the even the piping.
 
Friend uses animal aunts for a tricky cocker spaniel ( can never be left on her own, has to be in the car when they go out). she has friends who knew better of course and the result was various destroyed doors and a very distressed dog. She uses animal aunts whom she praises highly.

I pay a good friend from my yard to house and dog sit. My dog walker comes in each day and my friend uses my car and takes all 3 dogs upto the yard with her. Result, chilled out dogs!
 
We went away last Christmas and used a company called 'While You're Away' and they provided a fabulous couple who lived in to look after 4 horses, 2 dogs, 2 ferrets and chickens. I was in an utter flap as my old horse had fallen ill the day before we went away, but they were wonderful and said not worry they'd keep in contact with me.
When we came home our dogs didn't want to talk to us and they'd fixed some guttering, and brought more horse feed so I didn't have to go out. They'd also had to get the vet out on Boxing day evening when the old horse coliced :rolleyes:
They did however, cost more then the holiday :rolleyes: :D
Just need to get good references, and save twice as much money than you think to go away!
 
Yes I use a wonderful company here in Lincolnshire called Safe As Houses. In fact sitters are coming next month when we take leave after the Olympics/para Olympics OH's duty will have finished and we can get away. They do do horses too but the yard where I keep mine look after them for me. I have 21 month old GSD, 3 house cats, 10 hens and lots of plants we worked it out and it saves money to have them sit and not kennel them and have to pay someone twice a day for hens. Living in a rural location the big advantage for us is the fact the house is lived in putting off unwanted visitors. Many years ago when we lived in Surrey we used Animal Aunts very happy with them to.
 
Capriole said:
Horror story, ok. Get proper references and use an established and reputable company. Years ago my OH was working with a plumber and they were in a big house replacing copper piping/radiators etc. Story was, the 'house sitting company' the house owners had employed had completely emptied and gutted the house, down to light fittings, doors, and the even the piping.
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Strewth!!! Mind you, if they came to my place and did the same it would probably improve it no end!!! Its a bit of a pile at the best of times LOL :)
 
I am someone that house/animal sits and have done for many years. I normally get asked through word of mouth and currently horse/house sit for a fellow HHO'er.

In the past I have looked after all sorts but my busiest customer was looking after their house and rented cottages, 2 horses, 4 dogs, 5 cats, 2 goats, sheep and chickens. I did get paid well but always took my own bedding and crockery as the cats slept on everything.

One thing I will say is if you have someone who stays in the house, make sure their room and bed is clean and door shut so nothing can get in. And anything of value please keep locked up, I've never been one to go through someone's house/belongings but there are plenty of people who wouldnt give it a second thought.
 
lachlanandmarcus said:
I have a brilliant couple of horse/farm sitters but unfortunately they are in Aberdeenshire. Would trust either of them completely. They dont even charge for the coffee and natter time :-)

Both do it as a proper business, insured etc. They deal with our horses, sheep, dogs cats chickens and geese!
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Really? Can you PM me their details please!
 
Um, dreaded question: but an idea of cost would be good? Obviously appreciate that it would differ according to what animal(s) are cared for/type of house/how much to do etc etc. But a rough'ish guide would be good, if poss??

Thanks peeps. Animal Aunts seems to be the most popular choice??

Did anyone have problems with animals not settling down with strangers and/or problems while they were away with animals pining for them etc? This is what I'd worry about with mine TBH. Little terrier would be fine, would sell his soul for anyone who'd tickle his tummy, but piebald dog (rescue - a long time ago) would be the one I'd worry about stressing-up.
 
Our current sitting company boss comes down with the couple that are going to do the sit. Shows us references and we show them the animals and what we would like done. If we like them and they like the animals it is then all systems go. We have never had a problem. In the 10 years we have used them only call and that was when the house tripped out and I had forgotten to show them the box quick call all sorted. They arrive before we leave hand over keys and paperwork. Like letter to the vets giving treatment permission ( for the just incase). The company have form that we fill in detailing everything for feeds, trade people, dustmen days might call. Our phone numbers as well as numbers incase. They stay until we return at what ever time that is. We normally ring when we are about hour from home so they can get there stuff together. We pay them food allowance on our return. They brief us on anything that has happened. Alway leave us a letter of events and a box of chocolates or flowers for our return. They will also make sure if asked that there is milk and bread in.
 
On cost, Animal Aunts charge according to what they have to do and how many animals there are. Ours usually cost around £75 per day to look after 3 dogs, two retired horses living out, five goats and about 30 hens, (and to live in the house all the time we are away). They are also entitled to a food allowance but don't usually use much as they just eat what we already have here.
 
£75 per day :eek::eek::eek::eek:

I have used house sitters for past 20 years and pay £15-20 a day in summer and £25-30 a day in winter depending on who it is. The reason winter is more is there are 2 horses to turn out/muck out and bring in whereas they live out in the summer. They have all been brilliant and recommended through friends. There seems to a clique of people who house sit around the 'horsey set' and look after dogs & horses and live in. They range from older adults who have had horses in the past (or present) and kids have flown the next to girls in their 20's and 40's who have their own horse but still live at home with Mum & Dad as no money to move out and keep horse so they relish getting away for a while.

Some will walk dogs, some don't - but my dogs are used to being on their own all day as we both work full-time and they get to go out down the fields am and pm anyway to check/feed horses. Both are elderly now so not an issue if they aren't walked much.

I never ask them to ride as not insured and don't want an accident while I am away.

Mine have stayed from long weekends through to 3 weeks +

No horror stories and have never had any problems.
 
We have used Animal Aunts in the past and have to say every one we had were excellent.

However as we have more horses now, I was shocked at how much they charge for each extra one and sadly they are now out of our price range.

We are very lucky to have a very horsey teenager who lives in our village and lives in if we go away, and will excercise too. We pay her £20 per day, then £10 on top for each horse excercised.
 
I used to house/horse/dog/animal sit and certainly didn't charge £75 a day!!!! Animal Aunts does have a very good reputation but as they are an agency they have to take a payment as well as the sitters.

I would ask about in your area, look in the local papers or saddlery shops. I know there are several locally near me. So long as they have references you can check, are insured or they would be covered on your insurance and most importantly - you and your animals like them, you should be fine.

As already said, if you do have someone live in make sure there is a nice clean room ready for them and also leave some food for them. I've house sat a couple of times and found the cupboards and fridge bare!!! Definitely a good idea to lock away anything of any monetary or sentimental value, just in case.
 
The agency quote I had was £65 per day (live in) plus food and travel to/fro.
Apparently they had no-one locally who would do daily visits instead.

The lady that I've found locally charges £10 per visit so for a weekend it cost me £40. The dog is a nightmare on the lead if you don't know her, so I just asked for her to be out in the garden for 30 mins, playing ball etc. Horse takes 10 mins each visit as just checked over, feet picked out, fly mask on/off, fed and my sitter did have to clean and treat an infected fly bite.

Without being asked she texted me an update after each visit (perhaps she could tell I was a bit worried about leaving my 'babies' for the first time?!!).

I left her some eggs and stuff from the veggie patch as a 'tip'!
 
I had my own business doing this a few years ago so there are reliable people out there. Get references before anything though, I cared for somebodies horses/dogs/cats/chickens/sheep whilst they went away for a couple weeks and they'd told me about other people they had tried being total let downs. Word of mouth was my best way of getting business though as the trust is always there, not much help. I would be wary of agency staff and try to look for small business'.
 
Oh Gosh! There's "Animal Aunts" and "Animal Angels"!!! Don't know which to choose from!

Have had a look at Animal Aunts and whilst people on here say they're good they're horrendously expensive and their billing seems quite complicated to me; have asked them to clarify coz am not sure how it breaks down into agency fees and "Aunt's" fees.

Have e-mailed Animal Angels. On their website they seem a bit cheaper??

Is there anyone who's used both and would be prepared to say which they'd use again?

I'm a bit reluctant to "go it alone" and find someone and then interview them; have been there and done that before with prospective tenants, and been well and truly taken for a ride. Not that agencies are infallable, far from it.
 
My friend house sits/dog sits/ horse sits for people on holiday. It's just her though- she's not in an agency. She gets work exclusively through word of mouth and is very popular :) It's a great idea if you can find the right person to do it.
 
I worked through Animal Aunts about ten years ago (maybe more)

I know they are expensive, but most of the "aunts" they have on their books actually need to make a living, and as I did, keep my home going too, and a very reliable car as the majority of my jobs were in the south of England and I was in North Wales. I had several repeat clients even though it was more costly for them in terms of petrol, and one family became firm friends after going to them several times a year.

The Aunts are well insured, (I believe they are CRB checked too now) offered jobs to suit their experience, there is a marvellous back up of experienced people for advice, and a good point for those dealing with horses (and I had one job in a remote area with two stallions, a gelding and escapee Great Dane) there is always someone to take over in case of emergencies.

I did the job for a few years, and very rarely had any negative feeling from a client. The only one I recall had several donkeys (in at night) two dogs, rabbits, ducks, aviary, indoor birds, cattle with bulls (and a cow calving as I arrived) and a field of sheep. Had an eventful time there, and was exhausted by the time I left. Cooked a meal, everything spick and span and cleaned out things which hadn't been done for weeks. She did quibble about the bill, (which wasn't huge considering it was a full time seven day two weeks) and I would never have gone there again.

I would say if you are using friends or local sitters, make sure their insurance is up to scratch, they have experience, especially if they have dogs who might get stressed (though I found even the stressiest dogs settled after 24 hours) and if you are going a distance or out of the country, make sure there is a back-up if they fall sick or have an accident.
 
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