Looking for a house/horse/chicken/cat sitter last August week

[Jackdaws]

Hello H&H Community,

I'm a newbie and looking for advice re house/pet sitting services in North Lincolnshire. We are going away for 15th of August to 20th.

I have 5 horses who are out on grass that need their water replenishing daily as well as 5 chickens in a pen who need checking as well as two cats, one of whom is an outdoor cat.

Where would I find a sitter/travelling groom or similar who would do this for me for 5 days? What would you advise me to look out for? I have never done this before. No idea about agencies, references and pay. All advice very welcome!

TIA

 

[spider]

I found a chicken sitter through my local village Facebook page. Maybe ask in a local tackshop about freelance grooms or call at a local livery and see if one of their grooms would like some extra income.

 

[PorkChop]

I found a sitter on Trusted House Sitters, they were fab

 

[Mrs B]

I found a sitter on Trusted House Sitters, they were fab

Second this! https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/gb/

We've used them twice and wouldn't hesitate to use them again ... you join (think it costs about 50 quid), then post what you need plus dates ... and people 'apply'. Most have testimonials, many are CRB checked, some charge, but most don't. They do ask that you provide food for their first meal when they arrive, but there's a complete 'How to' guide online.

You then sift through the replies, narrow it down to who you think will best do what you're looking for, then speak to them ... take up refs ... and off you go.

Our first sitter was a children's writer from Ireland ... loved cats, wanted a change of scene and peace to write somewhere new ... et voila!

We arranged that she'd arrive before we left, to introduce her to the house, the cats etc ... and yes, it does take a leap of faith but it was worth it.

Bless her, she looked after the cats beautifully and the house and had even prepared a casserole for us to eat the night we got home!