Leaving your home and pets in someone else’s care is never a small decision. Whether you’re heading abroad for a much-needed holiday, travelling for work, or simply taking a long weekend away, the peace of mind that comes from knowing everything is in safe hands is priceless. That’s where a professional housesitter comes in, not just to keep watch, but to care for your pets and your home as if they were their own.
Over the past year, we’ve continued to provide bespoke housesitting services across the Cotswolds, West Berkshire, Wiltshire and Dorset, welcoming new clients and strengthening bonds with long-standing ones. We’re proud, too, that our growing reputation is now backed by glowing five-star Google reviews from delighted clients who trust us time and again.
So, what makes the ideal housesitter? Let’s explore.
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Planning time away? Don’t leave your home and pets in just anyone’s hands. Choose a professional housesitter with the expertise, discretion, and reliability to give you complete peace of mind.
Let us care for your home and pets just as you would.
Understanding Your Pets’ Needs
Your pets are family. Their health, happiness, and routines matter most when you’re away. A skilled professional housesitter should have proven experience in:
- Administering medication for senior or special-needs pets.
- Managing multi-pet households with different care requirements.
- Providing daily companionship, exercise, and consistent feeding routines.
From lively terriers to contemplative cats, and even chickens or livestock, a good housesitter adapts to each animal’s quirks, ensuring they stay happy and stress-free in your absence.
For more pet-specific guidance, the RSPCA and Dogs Trust provide excellent resources on care standards.
Experience with Similar Properties
Not all homes are alike—and neither are the responsibilities. A countryside estate comes with very different challenges compared to a modern townhouse. That’s why it’s essential to find a housesitter with relevant experience.
In rural properties, for instance, the role may involve:
- Managing heating systems (from oil-fired boilers to solid fuel or underfloor heating).
- Keeping on top of extensive gardens, greenhouses, or outbuildings.
- Responding to the occasional livestock or utility issue without panic.
An experienced housesitter can spot problems early, keeping your property running smoothly while you’re away.
Security Awareness: Protecting Your Home and Pets
Home security is one of the main reasons homeowners choose professional housesitters over casual options. Luxury homes, rural estates, and properties with valuable assets all benefit from a vigilant, security-conscious presence.
Five Key Security Traits of a Professional Housesitter
- Attention to Detail – Sharp eyes spot small changes, from an unfamiliar vehicle in the lane to a fox eyeing the chicken run.
- Familiarity with Security Systems – From alarms to CCTV, a competent sitter knows how to operate (and troubleshoot) your systems.
- Discretion and Privacy – The details of your home, lifestyle, and assets remain strictly confidential—never shared or posted online.
- Quick Decision-Making in Emergencies – Power cuts, alarms, or unexpected events require calm, decisive action.
- Proactive Approach to Security – Regular checks of doors, windows, and gates, alongside working knowledge of emergency contacts, help prevent problems before they start.
Handling Emergencies - A Case in Point:
A question I always recommend asking is, "How would you handle an emergency involving my pets or home?" A good house sitter has a plan for every situation. For example, during a recent sit with a new client, one of their cats, Sam, sustained an internal eye injury while outdoors. It wasn’t immediately obvious, but with our pet first aid training and years of hands-on experience, we could tell something was wrong.
When we couldn’t reach the client, who was on a much needed holiday halfway around the world, we made the decision to take Sam to the vet. Delaying treatment could have led to serious complications, especially with an eye injury. By the time the client responded, Sam had already been seen by the vet, diagnosed, and prescribed antibiotics. Thanks to swift action, Sam recovered quickly, and a week later, he was back to his bright-eyed, mischievous self.
The lesson here:
A good house sitter knows what to do when there’s an issue. An excellent house sitter has the experience and confidence to make critical decisions on the spot, ensuring the best possible outcome for your pets and property.
Professional House Sitters May Also Have Livestock Experience
Why Choose a Professional Housesitter?
With over 1,000 days of hands-on housesitting experience, we at A-Breed-Apart provide a trusted, tailored service for clients across the Cotswolds, Wiltshire, West Berkshire, and Dorset.
Here’s why our clients choose us:
✔ Experience with luxury homes, rural estates, and townhouses.
✔ Deep knowledge of pet care, including behavioural support and medical needs.
✔ A discreet, security-conscious approach to safeguarding your home.
✔ Fully insured services, delivered with reliability and professionalism.
✔ Consistent five-star client reviews, including recent glowing Google testimonials.
Unlike casual sitters who may only be available now and then, we provide year-round housesitting services. That said, because many of our clients rebook us and word of mouth travels fast, our diary does fill quickly, especially around summer holidays, so we always recommend booking well in advance. To support this, our regular clients have access to a password-protected calendar that shows our availability at a glance.
Choosing the Best Housesitter for Your Needs
Before you decide, consider asking these questions:
- Do they have experience with homes and pets similar to yours?
- Are they trained in pet first aid?
- Can they provide recent references or online reviews?
- Do they understand the importance of home security protocols?
- Are they proactive in spotting and resolving potential issues?
The best housesitters don’t just “mind” a home, they actively care for it, leaving it exactly as you’d hope (or sometimes better!) on your return.
Related Reads
Your Rural Home Security Checklist
Whether you live on a sprawling country estate or a cosy rural cottage, taking proactive steps to secure your property is essential for protecting both your home and peace of mind.
Homeowners Essential Checklist
Going away and want to be sure everything is prepared for the house sitter to seamlessly take over the care of your pets and home? Here's an essential checklist just for you.
Positive Reinforcement Dog Training
Positive reinforcement training is a powerful training method that taps into a dog’s natural desire to please, and strengthens the bond between you and your pet.
Author Bio
Glenn Bauer is a trusted professional specializing in pet and house sitting for rural homes and estates across the Cotswolds and South West and South England. With years of hands-on experience in managing properties and animals, he offers tailored care and solutions. His expertise is reflected in consistent 5-star client reviews. Read Glenn's journey to professional pet and house sitter Glenn and Mandy: The Journey behind A-Breed-Apart
If you'd like to send Glenn a message, then visit his Contact Page.
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