Would You Let a Stranger Stay in Your Home? A Nomadic Life Through Pet & House-Sitting

Would you allow a stranger to take care of your home and your pets while you go on vacation?

Over ten years ago before it became trendy I discovered house-sitting and something in me immediately said, yes. Not just to the concept, but to the lifestyle. The trust. The barter exchange. The adventure. It made perfect sense. Because if I’m honest, I’ve been nomadic all my life. Sometimes by circumstance. Sometimes by choice. Often somewhere in between.

The Exchange

When homeowners travel, many prefer their furry family members to remain in their own environment - their own beds, with their own smells, their own routines. Happy pets = happy pet parents. Much preferred over kennels or catteries…

And for the sitter? The traveller? The nomad? Well, once you can cover the costs of your travel and food, you get to live in someone’s home more often than not, comfortably; at no cost. Let’s not forget though, you need to love animals (at least like them) and have some kind of experience caring for them…of course! 

It’s a quiet, trust-based exchange. A sharing economy built on care rather than consumption. A win-win I think. Part of the sharing economy…

How It Usually Works- It’s actually a thoughtful process.

Once you sign up and pay the yearly fee, you can view and apply to all the available assignments that suit you. Write yourself a profile that reads well and true so when you make that first contact, you stand out amongst the crowd. Communication begins with messaging through the platform. If that feels right, numbers are exchanged. Then maybe a FaceTime. A proper chat, an energy check. If all that goes well, you get to meet face-to-face preferably in the home, so you have an encounter with the pets too. Trust is built. And off we go! The agreement has been made…

The pet parents travel knowing their animals are safe with someone experienced, someone who genuinely loves the animal kingdom.

My Current Sit

I’m coming to the end of doing a two-month, two-cat sit in Crawley. To be honest, a sit this long is very rare. It was an absolute godsend! The timing? Just perfect.

Homeless. Nomadic. Fluid. Labels don’t always capture the truth of the moment.  If you know my story, you know I’ve been moving from place to place most of my life. House-sitting allows that movement to feel intentional rather than the instability felt at times.

Some of the places I’ve stayed through housesitting:

• In High Wycombe with an energetic puppy with separation anxiety (wouldn’t do that again 😂)

• In Formby with an lively elderly Labrador who was terrified of thunderstorms

• In Coulsdon with Star (kitten) and Ziggy (a sweet cockapoo who refused to eat his food without cheese!).  A hilarious cat and dog duo!

• In E17 with two kittens, an older cat and a dog (a full house!)

• In Brighton managing rental apartments for three weeks (got paid for that one!)

Occasionally, arrangements are made outside the platforms where you can receive payment too which is always a bonus. The retired couple I’m sitting for now are an absolute hoot. Brilliant banter between the two of them. Such a joy to be around and very generous.  They’ve gone above and beyond to make sure I’m comfortable. When the husband heard that I enjoy a glass of wine with dinner, he immediately went online and ordered two boxes for me. I mean…what great hospitality!

They even introduced me to friends and family nearby in case I’m in need of anything. That level of care isn’t always the case but when it happens, it’s beautiful. Sometimes you leave woven into the edges of someone’s story. And them in yours…

The Slow Acceptance of Cats

Three weeks in, Missy,  the timid white/black rescue who spends most of her time either under the duvet or under the bed of the bedroom she has taken residency in, now comes out and allows me to brush and stroke her. The following morning, she actually came knocking at my door, meowing! She responds now to the sound of my voice and doesn’t run off so much anymore. 

Tink (the hunter) now joins me on the sofa in the evenings, kneading my fluffy dressing gown like she owns it!  She pushes her head into my hands for strokes, if she is not satisfied. These moments feel monumental. Cats are particular creatures. You don’t rush them. You earn your place. Their acceptance feels like an initiation.

I’ve now been fully accepted into the family.

Housesitting and Self-Care

One thing I’ve learned: constant change and movement can either fragment you or refine you. I’ve managed to step onto my yoga mat every day since being here; something that doesn’t always happen when life feels unstable. Flexibility through yoga is so important to me, especially as we mature. Even more so as many of us spend way too much time sitting! Sometimes weeks go by and I don’t practice. That’s never good for me…Self-care is essential for our mental, physical, and emotional health. It's important to make sure that we are taking the time to do activities that help to nourish and replenish ourselves.

Ramadan has not long finished. I’m not Muslim, but there have been those years when I've been called to fast in alignment with their fasting tradition. For me it’s more as a detox and spiritual reset than a religious practice. I wasn’t given much notice this year; just days before it began…no mental prep! I tend to listen…I completed thirteen days.

The first three days? Agony! Always makes me realise how much thinking about food goes on a regular basis! Fasting forces me to pause my habits, especially snacking and overindulging. My waistline has uncomfortably expanded since returning to the UK (I’m a foodie, let’s be honest). This new rhythm helps me reset…gives me space to respond to that pause.

I drank herbal teas, sorrel & ginger and coconut water.  Sometimes a smoothie. I ate my meals early in the evening and by 11pm no more food passed my lips until the following evening. I’m on medication for hypertension and anxiety, so I have to be careful. I recognise Muslims fast is different - not even a sip of water and I respect that deeply. 

Now, Let’s Talk About Flaxseed and Haircare! 

In the quiet of an evening I found myself experimenting…as I do. Did you know flaxseed and linseed are the same thing? I didn’t. I’ve been enjoying watching Black women on YouTube embrace their natural hair, in particular, making homemade flaxseed gel. The joy in their results being so infectious. I knew I’d have to try it !

Yeh, I made my first batch.

No lie - my hair had more bounce immediately. The colour looked richer. I stood there slightly stunned looking in the mirror with a big grin on my face…wow. I absolutely loved the results. This will now be a regular practice added to my self-care routines. 

Pet-sitting isn’t just about the animals and free accommodation. It’s about space. Space to try new things, explore new places. Space to heal. Time to return to yourself. Give yourself a reset. My recent BP reading showed a considerable drop, it's no longer at dangerously high levels.

My mental health benefits from the pet-therapy I receive! 

I Wonder?

During my years of house-pet sitting, I have yet to sit for a person of colour. They have not appeared in any of the profiles seeking a sitter (at least not on housesittersuk.co.uk) and this makes me pause and wonder, why.

Why aren’t more of us participating in this global, growing exchange economy? It’s sustainable. Mutually beneficial. A way to reduce accommodation costs while building trust networks across borders. It saves money. It builds networks. It allows freedom of movement.  

Is it cultural caution? Lack of awareness and exposure? Trust gaps? A different relationship to property and privacy?

And yet I’ve heard countless horror stories from those who left their homes to friends or relatives that ended in damage, chaos, broken trust and relationships. 

I genuinely wonder. I may not have the answers, but I do question it. To be honest, I wish there were more of us in this arena! 

Why is This Industry Growing So Rapid?

The demand for house and pet sitting is booming...

• Rising travel costs make free accommodation very attractive.

• Pet owners increasingly want personalised care at home..they save money!

• Digital nomads and remote workers use it to live more flexibly.

• Even local sits within your own city are on the rise.

• Suits Retirees. Creatives. Transitional souls like me.

It’s not just about free accommodation. It’s about redefining stability. It’s no longer niche. It’s become a lifestyle. Which I fit quite nicely into! 😀

I’ve Always Been This Way

In particular, I’ve always had a connection to cats. As a child on my paper round, cats would wait for me on their walls. I’d stop to chat and pet them. Sometimes I would bring them treats from home. Cats and I, there is a special kinship between us...A few reviews below

"Thank you so much! You were wonderful - 5 star review for being lovely, accommodating, leaving the house super clean, the cats happy and for doing the laundry. Would highly recommend and definitely would welcome you back!"

"Zawadi house sat for us for our 3 cats and 1 dog when we went to visit family in Italy for 2 weeks. Zawadi came to see us in advance so she could meet the animals and get a feel for the place. She was a lovely gentle soul and it was a great relief to know that the furry beasts were going to be well looked after in our absence. Zawadi sent photos and updates periodically so we knew all was well back home. I would recommend Zawadi and would have her back to house sit any time."

"Zawadi and her daughter looked after our home and our two pets, Star and Ziggy for three weeks. We were very impressed by the care and attention they gave the pets and both the garden and house were very well looked after. I would not hesitate in recommending Zawadi as a house sitter and felt reassured that the animals received such affection and attention. The house was spotless when we arrived home, Zawadi had clearly gone to alot of trouble to ensure this was the case and was a welcome relief for us after a long haul flight!"

Dogs are wonderful too but I’ll admit sometimes two to three walks a day can be a lot. Although taking those walks are a healthy thing, right and once I'm outside my mind and body thanks me for it. Perhaps I’ve always known…

As young as I was, you would find me passing through neighbourhoods, forming brief but meaningful connections and then moving on. Don't get me wrong one day when all said and done, I will settle down...until then...

Home isn’t always a fixed address…it's a place where you can be YOU within that temporary rhythm and moment in time…

Would You Consider It?

I know house-sitting isn't for everyone. It requires a lot of trust. Flexibility. Emotional intelligence. Respect. Self reliance. You don’t have to go it alone either, you can sign up as a couple, in whichever form that is. Initially, I was a mother and daughter team. If it does sound like something you might benefit from - don’t hesitate to sign up. Although most pets are cats and dogs; I’ve had to care for a tortoise once! Outside of the city, you could find yourself looking after chickens, ducks and/or even horses!

Some of the benefits include: 

• Travel Opportunities and Local Immersion: Sitters can explore new cities, rural areas, or even different countries and experience living like a local in a residential neighborhood rather than a tourist area

• Free Accommodation: The primary benefit is the significant saving on lodging costs, allowing for more budget-friendly travel and longer stays in different locations.

• Pet Companionship: For animal lovers who cannot own pets full-time, house sitting provides the joy of spending time with a variety of animals, from dogs and cats to chickens and horses.

• Comforts of Home: Unlike hotels or hostels, house sitting offers the comfort and amenities of a real home, such as a full kitchen for cooking meals and a private, quiet space for working

• Flexibility: Assignments can range from a few days to several months, fitting various schedules, including those of remote workers and digital nomads. You may even discover new aspects of yourself along the way.

A few platforms to explore:

• https://www.housesittersuk.co.uk/ - Affordable and highly recommended

• https://catinaflat.co.uk/ UK based…sign up for free and includes getting paid

• mindmyhouse.com - A global site