About this assignment

We are currently looking for a reliable cat-lover (or couple) who would come and stay in our penthouse apartment for the entire period we are travelling: from mid-end October until the beginning/middle of January (we have no fixed flights yet, but about three months is what we would like).
We would prefer practical people with ecological awareness, that use resources (water, electricity, ...) responsibly and sort the waste. That's what you do in Austria. :-)
P.S. to the many nice people who sent us an email: most sitters do not seem to be available for such a long time and I have lost track with answering, sorry! Please send us a mail again if you are available and willing to come for the period mentioned. (Until October 2013, all our sitting needs are covered.)

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

While we are away, our two cats, seven years old and perfectly healthy, need to be taken care of. With a lot of attention and a lap to sleep on, they are usually very happy. The good thing: both love to be brushed; the bad thing: they shed A LOT and especially love it if you wear black, haha. :-) They don't go outdoors, except on the terrace, so there's a cat toilet to be cleaned, too. Our indoor and outdoor plants need watering as well. Also, we would like our new home to be taken care of responsibly: no outdoor shoes inside (yes, this is Austria...), keeping the rain out, pulling up the screens when it storms, closing the skylights when it rains etc.

What are the good features of the property and location

Our new home, located in a village with a population of 3,000 in the beautiful "Bregenzerwald" area, is great for people who love mountain activities: a small cablecar is on a 5-min walk from here. Winter season starts around November/December: you can ski/cross-country ski, langlauf and do "snow shoe walking" (I can recommend that! It's just you and nature!) starting from our house. Our apartment is on the top floor and accessible by elevator. It is nice and bright with huge windows and we have a lot of terrace space.
You are free to use our bikes (and our snow shoes), if you like.

What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment

This is not an area for partying (but cities are at about 10 km.) Our place can easily be reached by bus (bus stop is 3 min. walking distance). This implies that from our apartment, traffic noise can be heard (although we are not located directly on that street). Inside the house you hardly hear it, but outside, or with the windows opened, you do. So if you are looking for absolute peace and quiet while housesitting, this may not be your place to be...
Please note: two Macs, internet, wifi and a lot of board games are available, but no TV. We never miss it... :-)