[mmac321]

We will need a good pet sitter for our old cat, in home, in a few weeks. Any recommendations?

[LaurieandKeith]

We don’t mean to take business away from individuals who charge for doing pet sitting, but something you may want to consider for your cat is free in-home pet sitting. Retirees, like my husband and I, travel the world caring for homes and pets at no cost to the homeowner in exchange for free accommodations.

We’re writing not to have you consider us, but rather to introduce you to the concept.

Pet owners benefit by not having to kennel/board their pets and their home is safer since it’s lived in while they are on vacation/holiday. The pets get to stay in their own environment.

You join the network, post your need (including beautiful Villages location, dates, etc.) and information about your cat. You can specifically request a pet sitter who has experience with elderly cats.

Although you are inviting a “stranger” into your home, there are many safeguards in this system. Those posting an upcoming sit do not provide their name or address. The connection between the two parties (the homeowner and the pet sitter) is confidential, until the two parties agree to share information. The house/pet sitters include references on their profile.

We will send you a Private Message with the website which explains more about how it works since we can’t include a URL on TOTV.

[Barefoot]

Originally Posted by mmac321

We will need a good pet sitter for our old cat, in home, in a few weeks. Any recommendations?

I sent you a PM with the name of a live-in sitter.

[carolynp]

Please send the link to the web site

[valgreg]

How long do you need a sitter for? I have taken are of an elderly cat for my neighbor for a few days? I am not an official pet sitter but I really do like cats and they do seem to like me. I have had cats of my own for about 35 years.

[Susan G]

Cats Meow ~ Edie ~ 352-874-6518

[LaurieandKeith]

Chubby: Like you, we have traveled both domestically and internationally doing free in-home pet sitting. We belong to an online network that connects homeowners/pet owners with folks like us who are very happy to do free pet sitting in exchange for free accommodations. It’s part of the new “sharing economy.”

There are probably a few people who are more interested in a free holiday/vacation, but if you look at the vast majority of sitters’ profiles, they have terrific references from caring pet owners who have entrusted the care of their pets (and home) with the sitter.

When we’re pet sitting in a new city or country, we are careful to balance seeing and experiencing the new area with a high level of care for the pets. There is time for both…and in fact, the homeowners are always very delighted to hear that we’ve gotten out to enjoy seeing the area.

We just finished up a two month house/pet sit in The Villages caring for two large dogs. We spent a lot of time with them (walks, cuddles, playtime)...and also time exploring all the great things about The Villages.