My name is Vere and I am a freelance creative working as a photographer, content creator and freelance marketer. Because I have my own business(Studio Zoi), I am flexible where I work. On October 7, 2022, I had packed my bags, sublet my room and was ready for a new adventure. I was traveling to babysit a house! The edit of photos is ideal for taking to a house-sitting address. During some zits, I went to locations during the day for an assignment. But this is not possible with all animals. If I plan my work well, I can occasionally combine it very well!
House sitter in Spain
For the first address, I got to catch a plane. This address I had given myself as a gift, because I needed a week’s vacation. I left for Spain for my first two-week house sit. 40 km north of Valencia I ended up in the house of a Scottish couple who regularly went back to Scotland. It’s been a long time since I sat so remote. I think the first neighbors lived at least 1 kilometer away. Two dogs, 3 cats and 3 goats kept me company. You weren’t actually looking after the house, but the animals that couldn’t go with their owners. I loved staying so remote, 7 km from the village. In the beginning I was by myself, later my friend came too. From here I could work, relax, cuddle with the animals and occasionally explore the area. And it costs you absolutely nothing this way. I love animals very much. Actually I would like to have a dog, but at the moment my life is too chaotic for that. House-sitting allows me to have pets from time to time and to be in different environments. And it also gives unique opportunities to babysit other animals.
At a house near Doetinchem I was babysitting 3 horses and at another in Tiel I was babysitting two pigs: Conchita and Kevin. So much fun!
What is house-sitting?
I started babysitting houses because I wanted to live in different places. It’s a perfect way to get away from it all and work in a different environment. Several platforms offer the opportunity to connect with homeowners and their pets. By looking after their pets, you can stay in the house for free. It’s bartering. Some people give you an expense allowance. However, I never assumed this.
How can you start babysitting houses?
If you have never babysat animals before, start small. For example, a house with cats or rabbits. Dogs can be quite challenging. Especially certain breeds. In the Netherlands I have babysat a flat-coated retriever. This is almost a small pony. Super sweet, but in retrospect actually a bit too strong for me. Immerse yourself in the breed and ask questions of the owner: What is normal behavior from your pet and what exactly is abnormal behavior from your pet? Those questions helped me have a nicer sit. In Den Bosch, I was babysitting Franky & Charly. Charly unfortunately suffers from epilepsy and needed medication twice a day. During the week I was there, Charlie was doing very well and loved the sit! But you have to feel confident to take care of animals with “instructions for use”. So do think carefully about this beforehand.
What to expect as a house sitter
Most homeowners will make sure you get an explanation of their home, as far as necessary. How the heating works, when can the containers go out, etc. That’s kind of practical. Depending on whether there are animals and the number of pets you have more or less freedom to explore the city or the area. If there are pets, I find that ideal to combine with remote work. Then you can go for a walk or take care of the pets in between your work. A nice change during your working day. Owners find it very nice if you also send an occasional update on how you and the animals are doing.
Are you suitable as a pet-sitter?
- First of all, you must really like pets. I didn’t look for platforms where you can babysit a house without animals because I liked animals. But I’m sure there are platforms where you only babysit a house and don’t necessarily have to babysit animals as well.
- You have a great sense of responsibility. After all, you are given responsibility for someone’s home and pets.
- Should you like to babysit in a more remote location, a car may come in handy. Especially if you want to stay more in the outlying areas. For when you need to run errands. In Spain, I was allowed to use their second car. This is luxury and is certainly not an issue at every house. Using a bicycle is often possible!
Several places I’ve been in my house year babysitting houses:
- Valencia (Spain)
- Tiel (Netherlands)
- Rhoon (Netherlands)
- Amsterdam (Netherlands)
- Eindhoven (Netherlands)
- Doetinchem (Netherlands)
Platforms for house sitters
You have many global platforms for this, where you can look after pets and house in different countries. I myself have experience with the first two:
- www.trustedhousesitters.com (Kind of like Airbnb platform. You can go on house passes worldwide. You pay for an annual account starting at €119. Note! This is automatically renewed annually)
- www.huizenoppassite.nl (Commonly used to babysit houses in the Netherlands).
- www.huisoppas.nl (For this you have to sign up and meet the owners of the platform, which I did. However, no babysitting addresses ever came out of this).
- www.huisdierenoppas.nl
Have a question about this? Then find me on Instagram @verezoimaagdenberg
Curious about other ways to get to workation for free? Those opportunities are out there! Think about house swaps or working at other destinations. You can read all kinds of different options for free remote work here .
