How I Got Started
I love spending time with animals. Whether it’s running and playing with dogs or cuddling with cats, being around animals brings me so much joy. Sometimes, I’d even borrow a friend’s dog just to hang out with them for the day.
A friend introduced me to the Rover app, where you can earn extra cash by caring for people’s dogs. I was immediately intrigued. On Rover, you can offer services like dog daycare—where the owner drops off their dog in the morning and picks them up the same day—or dog boarding, where the dog stays overnight at your home. You can also choose house-sitting, where you get paid to stay at the pet owner’s house and care for their pets while they’re away. I created a Rover profile and began doing dog daycare while working from home. It was fun, and I made a few hundred dollars each month.
Later, I discovered TrustedHouseSitters, a platform geared more towards travelers. Unlike Rover, TrustedHouseSitters is a service exchange: house sitters stay for free in exchange for caring for pets and maintaining the home while the owners are away. The platform offers house-sitting opportunities worldwide—from Hawaii to the UK, Argentina to Australia. The idea of traveling while caring for pets was incredibly appealing, and my partner and I decided to give it a try.
Where I travelled
I was based in Seattle. When our leases ended, my partner and I decided to get rid of most our belongings and travel for a few months before settling down in a new city. Since we both work remotely, we had the flexibility to plan our trip around house-sitting opportunities.
We started by driving from Seattle to Southern California, making stops along the way. Our first house sit was in Bend, Oregon, where we cared for a cat for three days. Bend was beautiful, and we spent our free time hiking and mountain biking, thanks to the homeowners, who generously let us use their bikes.
Next, we headed to Oakland, California, where we cared for a dog and a cat for four weeks. This gave us a chance to reconnect with friends in the Bay Area and explore local hiking spots. From Oakland, we drove to San Diego, where we looked after a Greyhound for another four weeks. After San Diego, we landed an exciting opportunity in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, where we stayed for four weeks. We fell in love with San Miguel, immersing ourselves in Mexican culture and visiting its many historical and cultural landmarks.
Finally, my partner and I parted ways for a bit. They traveled to Dubai for a house sit, while I returned to California to care for a dog and two cats for a month in San Francisco. Each destination brought unique experiences and adventures.
Cost Savings
House sitting dramatically reduced our travel costs. By staying in homes for free, we saved an average of $2,500 per month on accommodation.
During the rare gaps between house sits, we stayed in Airbnbs, but these gaps totaled only seven days over four months. When we couldn’t take all our stuff with us, we rented storage lockers.
We also saved on groceries by using non-perishable pantry staples like pasta, rice, and cooking oil that homeowners generously offered. Our main expenses during this period were transportation—including flights, gas, and Ubers—and activities in the destinations we visited.
Tips for Beginners
If you’re interested in travelling through house sitting, here are some tips to get started:
- Start Locally: Build your reputation by taking on house sits in your local area. This will help you earn positive reviews and make it easier to secure sits in more competitive locations like Hawaii or Bali. Homeowners often feel more comfortable meeting potential sitters in person, which can work in your favor.
- Provide Excellent Service: To stand out, take great care of the pets, send regular updates to the homeowners, and leave the house as clean as you found it. Exceptional service leads to glowing reviews and better opportunities.
- Choose the Right Sits: Be realistic about what you can handle. For example, caring for a house with indoor cats might be far easier than managing a high-energy puppy. Pick opportunities that align with your experience and allow you to balance pet care with exploring the destination.
House sitting with TrustedHouseSitters allowed my partner and me to travel affordably while spending time with amazing animals. It’s a unique way to explore new places while saving money. If you’re an animal lover with a sense of adventure, I highly recommend giving it a try!