Retired librarian raised on a farm loves pets and travel

About this sitter

I am a recently retired librarian who is very active and loves pets. Raised on a family farm, I have been caring for dogs, cats, cows, chickens, goats, and a horse at various times throughout my life Currently a partner and I live in a neighborhood where several of the dogs have regular playdates in my yard with my dog. I help my neighbor by caring for her dog during the day when she is at work. When she is on vacation, I care for her chickens. I hike with my dog every day and take her to the local dog park several times a week.
I am looking to stay in a home (house or apartment) and treat the pets as I treat my own, while it offers me a chance to learn the local area and to travel more before and after the house sit. When I travel I also prefer to cook for myself and to have a quiet place to stay (rather than a hotel).

Why they want to house sit

This offers me a chance to travel with or without my partner (who is still working full-time) in a very affordable way and have a place to stay that will allow me/us to cook for myself, explore the local area during the day, and then return to what I so value about my life and home - the warmth and love of pets.

Their experience

Yes. For several years my partner and I cared for friends' cats (2) in New York City when they traveled. Now I care for my neighbor's chickens, dog, and cat when she travels. I care for her dog daily while she is at work. I also let another neighbor's 6-month-old puppy out during the day when she is working.

What can they bring to the assignment

I bring a love of pets and a commitment to giving them the level of care and love I give my own pet currently and have given pets over my lifetime. I also bring a lifetime of being around animals and pets, from my childhood on our family farm, and an understanding of keeping animals and property safe (from fire hazards, keeping doors/gates locked and secure, etc. I have also recently gained US citizenship and am a dual citizen of Canada-US. I mention this to verify my background in lieu of a police check.