Category Archives: Housesitting

Truckee, CA

We recently completed an 8 day house and pet sitting in Truckee, Ca.  If you’re not familiar with it, Truckee is located about 15 miles north of Lake Tahoe.  From Truckee, it’s a short drive to the either the Northstar at Tahoe or to the Squaw Valley ski areas.  And since Truckee sits alongside Interstate 80, you can head East on the freeway and be in Reno, NV, in about 20 minutes.

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Las Vegas, NV

Our host home owners for this house sitting had used other house sitters before on several occasions.  So they were well prepared and provided very thorough instructions for our use while staying in their home.  It was a lovely home home on the west side of Las Vegas in the Spring Valley area where we were taking care of a very nice 9 year old dog, lab and retriever mix.

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Why Use a House Sitter?

You’re going to be leaving your home for a vacation or for a work related trip.  In addition, perhaps you have a pet or pets.  What are you available options?

  1. Leave your pet(s) with a boarding facility.  Most commonly used for dogs, kennels, veterinary offices and “pet hotels” offer boarding.  At the kennel, your pet will generally be housed in an individual pen, fed according to your instructions and possibly allowed out to get some exercise.  The cost for boarding will typically run from $15 to $50 or more per day.  But more than the cost, boarding will generally be very upsetting for our pet.  They will be left with strangers in an unfamiliar environment.  There will be other pets there that will also be disoriented so the experience can be very stressful.  Also, depending upon the hours of operation for the boarding facility, you may have to drop off your pet the day before you leave for your trip and return the day after you get back.  If you need to be away from home for more than a few days, this may not be a viable option.  Also, if you have fish, birds, reptiles or other types of pets this option is not available.
  2. Have a neighbor, friend or family member come to your home daily to feed and check on your pet.  Generally this person will come to your home once or maybe twice daily.  Perhaps they will have enough time to take your pet for a walk.  This option has the advantage of allowing your pet to remain in your home but they will still be left alone for most of the day and night.  Sometimes this helper can forget to come by or they get busy with their job or kids or something else distracts them from taking care of your pet.
  3. Have a house sitter stay in your home and take care of your pet while you’re away.  This is your best solution for your pet(s).  They get to stay at home in their familiar surroundings with someone to be with them during the day and night.  The house sitter can walk them, feed them, give them medication and provide other care according to your instructions.  In addition, there will be someone in your home which provides a greater degree of safety and security allowing you to feel more relaxed while you are away.  The house sitter can also collect your mail, water your plants, put out the trash for collection and other routine household tasks.  If you like, the house sitter can provide you with periodic updates so you know all is well at home.
So the next time you are going to be away from home, check out the options for finding a reliable and dependable house sitter for your home and pets.  You may find these websites useful.