As a digital nomad, you want to make sure to get the most out of your travels. Pet/house sitting can be a good way to make that happen. It can save you money on accommodations, help you meet new people and pets, and might even offer you some opportunities for extra income. However, pet/house sitting also comes with some challenges that you should evaluate before making this part of your travel plans.
The Benefits and Challenges
The biggest advantage is, of course, free accommodation while you’re traveling. If you don’t want to rent a home, or apartment or stay at a hotel, hostel, or Airbnb, then pet/house sitting is a good option for you.
Even if you’re just vacationing, it can help by allowing you to stay in one place and explore, while caring for someone else’s pets and property while they’re away!
Pet/House Sitting Pros
- Meet new people, from around the world and their pets, too!
- Save a significant amount of money on accommodations.
- Learn about new cultures by interacting with the local communities.
- Experience new foods by eating and shopping where local people do.
- You can stay longer in one place.
- You’ll make some great memories.
Pet/House Sitting Cons
Dealing with stressful situations, such as:
- the home is in a bad neighborhood
- difficult people/homeowners or aggressive pets
- Cleaning up after pet messes
- being unappreciated for your efforts while the owners are away
- emergencies with the house or pets requiring intervention from a professional
Is Pet/House Sitting for You?
If you plan to make it part of your digital nomad lifestyle, here are some things to consider:
- Your schedule should be flexible. The need to address urgent situations with either pets or houses can happen day or night, so it’s important to be able to adjust your schedule accordingly.
- You should look into medical insurance for yourself before deciding WHERE you want to pet/house sit. A lot of countries don’t offer government-backed healthcare for non-citizens. You may want to check insurance companies like World Nomads.
- Be sure to check visa requirements as well as maximum stay limits for the countries you plan to visit. Not to mention always having your passport up-to-date.
Pet Sitting Isn’t For Everyone
Even though pet sitting can be a great addition to your travels as a digital nomad, it’s not for everyone.
If you’re uncomfortable with pets, it’s not for you.
If you’re uncomfortable with house sitting, it’s not for you.
Still Interested in Pet/House Sitting?
If you think that pet/house sitting is a good fit for you, here are a few websites to check out:
TrustedHousesitters – a platform that connects pet owners with pet sitters who are willing to take care of their pets and home while they’re away.
HouseSitMatch – a platform that matches house sitters with pet owners who are looking for someone to take care of their home and pets.
MindMyHouse – a platform that helps pet owners find house sitters for their homes and pets.
Nomador – a platform that offers pet and house sitting services for people who are traveling or need someone to take care of their home and pets.
HouseSitter.com – a platform that connects pet owners with house sitters who are available to take care of their pets and homes.
Give It A Try!
If house and pet sitting sounds like a good fit for you, then go ahead and give it a try!