Are You An Animal Lover?
If so, did you know that you could stay in someone’s home for practically free and take care of their pet(s) while they are away? We had no idea this was possible until right before we started our full-time travel adventure in 2022. Since then, we have pet sat in places like Switzerland, Germany, France, Italy, and Singapore and saved money on more than eight weeks of accommodation! It has been a game-changer for us, allowing us to not only visit new places, save money on accommodation, but also get to spend time with animals along the way.
What Is TrustedHousesitters?
TrustedHousesitters is a platform that brings together pet lovers and pet owners worldwide. It offers pet owners the chance to find caring sitters who stay for free in their homes in exchange for looking after their pets. This setup allows sitters to enjoy free accommodation while spending time with pets, and it gives pet owners peace of mind when they travel. It is essentially a free place to stay or a free pet sitter in all one platform.
To join the pet sitting community, there is an annual membership fee. Once you are a member, pet owners can post as many listings as they need throughout the year, and sitters can apply to as many opportunities as they want. Creating connections with different pet owners worldwide along the way.
How To Travel The World For Free: Our Experience With TrustedHousesitters
We discovered this opportunity just before starting our full-time travel journey and used it extensively while backpacking through Europe in 2022. As budget travelers, it allowed us to visit expensive destinations we otherwise couldn’t afford. Over the course of three months, we combined house sitting with road trips across Europe.
We started in Basel, Switzerland, caring for two cats for two weeks before road-tripping through the country. From there, we headed to a house sit near Berlin, Germany, making stops in Austria and the Czech Republic along the way. After another house sit taking care of a Frenchie in Germany, we embarked on a road trip down the east coast of France, passing through Colmar, Mont Blanc, and other beautiful spots before reaching Marseille. Our last European house sit was in Cortona, Italy, where we spent two cozy weeks caring for two dogs and a cat before heading to Southeast Asia.
Later, we found another house sit in Singapore, caring for a low-maintenance cat for seven days. Though Southeast Asia is still adapting to the platform, this experience was invaluable!
Benefits from our experiences:
Overall, we have saved around eight weeks of accommodation in places where budget hotels typically cost $70-$100 per night, totaling over $4,000 in savings!
To break it down, the yearly membership fee is about two to three nights in a budget hotel, making any additional nights after that, essentially free!
Things that surprised us:
- How much money we could save by using the platform.
- How wonderful all of our hosts were.
- We were able to use our hosts’ car while they were away (two of the house sits let us do this for grocery runs and nearby visits).
- We were able to stay extra time at a home after the hosts had returned (It sounds strange, but it was so helpful to have a place to stay while we searched for our next house sit).
- How incredible it felt to bond with other animals, even if only for a short period of time.
- How relaxing it was to have a place that felt like home to settle for a while, instead of constantly moving from place to place.
We answer frequently asked questions below, so keep reading if you’re interested in learning more. Plus, don’t miss our special code for a discount!
Start using TrustedHousesitters
1. Sign Up for a Membership
Visit the TrustedHousesitters Website:
Click this special link to join TrustedHousesitters, and get 25% off annual memberships when you use the code TTIU25. By using THIS LINK, you are helping us earn a small fee while you receive a discount as well!
Choose a Membership: We have used the Standard Sitter Membership for two years now, and it has worked well for us. There are other options available, so make sure to choose what best suits your needs! If you are a pet parent who wants your animals cared for as well as a traveler who wants to pet sit while traveling, consider signing up for the COMBINED membership!
2. Create Your Profile
Having a good profile is very important if you want to increase your chances of landing a house sit, especially in the beginning months when you may not have any reviews yet.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating your profile:
- Appealing Profile: Include pictures of you and your pets! Pet parents want to know you are good with animals, so it is important to show that side of you.
- Information: Be honest about your experience with animals, and include detailed examples from the past.
- Travel: Share how this supports your travel experience and the places you are eager to visit and house sit simultaneously.
- References: Have references on your page. If you don’t have any yet, start locally by building your portfolio of references and reviews.
3. Apply to Sits
- Read Descriptions Carefully: Tailor your application to each house sit to show that you are interested and responsible.
- Apply Early: The sooner you apply after a sit is listed, the higher your chances of having your application go through.
- Be Patient: It might take a few days to hear back. Hosts typically review at least 3-4 applications.
- Follow Up: If the host has not responded after a few days, contact them and remind them that you are still interested and available to answer any questions they may have.
- Ask Questions: Include any important additional questions you may have in your application. Keep the questions short during the application process, but make sure to get them all answered before finalizing the house sit.
Want to save $$ on your annual membership?
Click this special link to join and use code TTIU25 to get 25% off!
4. Commit and Ask Questions
- Schedule a Call: It’s important to get to know your host and discuss any missed details from the application process.
- Questions: Create a list of questions specific to the house sit, pets, location, and any other expectations.
- Confirm Details: Review your itinerary and clarify starting and ending dates and times!
- Meet and Greet: Some pet parents like to schedule an in-person meeting prior to the start date. Discuss that option if it is something you are open to doing.
5. Enjoy Your House Sit
- Ongoing Communication: Stay in touch with homeowners about arrival, departure times, house rules, and vet information.
- Updates: Send daily pictures and updates on the pets if the owners request them.
- Amenities: Take advantage of the amenities you are given permission to use during your house sit. Examples: pool, movie theater, sauna, car, etc.
- Cleanliness: Always leave the house cleaner than you found it.
Things You Should NOT do:
- Fake Credibility: Never lie about your experience with animals. For example, if you are afraid of dogs, do not say you are well-equipped to handle them.
- Take Advantage: Never take more than what you have been given. Don’t take food, drinks, or items that you were not given permission to use or take in the first place.
- Guests: Never invite someone over to the house unless given permission to do so. Staying in their home doesn’t automatically give you the right to invite guests.
- Share Private Information: Never post detailed information about the house and the pet owners prior to getting permission from the hosts.
Additional Tips
- Worldwide Coverage: TrustedHousesitters is growing in Southeast Asia and South America, so check availability if you’re traveling there.
- Location and Accessibility: Make sure the listing is in a location you want to visit and is easily accessible.
- Season and Travel Plans: Apply for house sits that align with your travel plans and the season.
- Review Listings Carefully: Look at reviews and requirements to ensure they match your preferences.
- Flight Check: Check flights to your desired destination before applying and confirm that your arrival and departure dates fall within the correct schedule.
- Match Your Plans with Pet Requirements: Choose house sits based on your schedule. For example, if you plan to be out all day, a cat-only sit might work better than one with dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How safe is it?
The platform hosts a global community of pet lovers, where both sitters and homeowners are reviewed and rated. So far, all of our housesits have felt safe!
Where do you sleep?
Usually in a guest room or the host’s bedroom, depending on what they offer. We’ve done both and never felt uncomfortable.
Isn’t it weird to stay in someone else’s house when they’re not there?
Not at all! It’s like an upgraded hotel with a kitchen, living room, and sometimes a great yard. We’ve had some of our best moments cooking in their kitchens and exploring new neighborhoods.
Is this good for digital nomads?
For those working remotely or digital nomads, house sitting allows you to settle in one place for a time period, offering stable Wi-Fi and a comfortable home base to work from while exploring new regions during free time.
Do they pay for your food and transport?
No, we cover our own food and transportation. But many hosts have left us treats, done grocery runs, and even let us borrow their car. People can be so generous!
Aren’t you worried something will go wrong with the pets?
We do think about it, but we communicate clearly with the hosts beforehand. We keep in touch regularly and know what to do if anything happens. TrustedHousesitters offers a 24/7 vet helpline, and both sitters and pet owners are insured, providing extra security for both parties
What if you don’t like it after committing?
Thankfully, we’ve never had that issue. We always read reviews and communicate well before committing. If it did happen, we’d stay unless we felt unsafe or there was an urgent reason to leave. There are policies in place for emergencies.
Taking care of someone’s home and pets is a big responsibility, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to experience local life in a more authentic way than staying in tourist accommodations. You’re not just visiting; you’re living like a local and often in less touristy areas.
We hope you take advantage of this opportunity and try it out someday. Be sure to let us know if you do!
Don’t forget to enjoy the journey and the unique experiences along the way!
Sign up today using this link, and don’t forget to use the code TTIU25 to get 25% off!
