Bringing home owners and house sitters together
November/December, Western Algarve. Lovely house with large garden, close to the sea. Great beaches, walking, surfing and nature. (Repost due to cancellation.)
Portugal, Aljezur, Faro
Pets
- Cat(s)
Dates
- 21 Nov 2025 to 10 Dec 2025 (3 sitters have applied for these dates)
About this assignment
House sitter for our sociable cat
Sensitive to the needs of an elderly cat; straightforward and practical with good communication skills
A keen experienced gardener who's up for lots of watering.
Someone to take good care of the house - and leave it as they find it.
What responsibilities are required of the house sitter
Care of affectionate sociable cat Daffodil, now 18 years old but in very good health. Feeding little and often. She uses a cat flap and is happy inside and out.
Daily garden maintenance of newly planted garden. 1 acre. It can require extensive manual watering, (recycled water hose system).
Removal of caterpillars and snails (minimal)
Monitoring the water in the bio pool and topping up.
Regular communication with us while we are away.
Cleaning/laundering to return the house as we left it.
What are the good features of the property and location
Tranquil location on the edge of Rota Vincentina Natural Park, close to Monte Clerigo beach
Wild, unspoilt coastline.
Renovated spacious, modern house, open plan living, modern kitchen, new bathrooms and utilities.
Good WiFi (Starlink)
Books
Newly planted 1 acre garden
Outside terraces including fire pit
Small low-maintenance bio pool - with frogs
Restaurants nearby
Aljezur 15 minutes drive
40 minutes to Lagos
Mountains of Monchique 30 minutes' drive.
1 hour from Faro airport, 3 hours from Lisbon, 3 from Seville
Local bus service.
Birdlife and mammals
What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment
Testimonials essential.
Hire car needed.
Sensitivity to elderly cat: good observation and communication
Sitters need to be fit and energetic: the garden is 1 acre, quite steep with many young plants and fruit trees. Requires regular (often daily)
Individual or couple. Not suitable for children.
Can I bring my own pets?
No, sorry.
Last updated:
13 October 2025
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Testimonials
Great cat-sit in wonderful location
Liz and Russel welcomed us with a yummy Barbecue and we spent a nice evening together, like with friends. They gave us clear instructions for watering the garden , waterlevel of the pool and feeding the cat. Daffodil is such a sweet cat, she loves to be very close to people. She is very easy to look after, as she shows you if she wants cuddles, something to eat or sleep. The house is very comfortable with a large terraced garden, a big fireplace and a biological swimming pool. We harvested tomatoes , grapes and a lot of rucola from the garden. The house is near the Nacional Park in a very calm, green and bird-rich area, close to wonderful beaches, the Fisherman’s trail and 6 km from Aljezur. We had a wonderful, relaxed time and explored a lot inland and at the wonderful coastline. We would definitely recommend this housesit and like to come back if needed.
Andrea, Germany, 26 Aug 2025
Most relaxing sit ever
I will start my testimonial by mentioning the only negative thing about this sit - its duration! I felt so comfortable at Liz and Russell's lovely home, I would have loved to make it a long-term sit. The pawrents - Liz and Russell were very mindful and practical during our initial conversation. They were trusting and kind, and communication was fluid during the sit. Had I not made plans right afterward, I'm sure I would have enjoyed sharing some thoughts over a nice barbecue by their fire pit. The pet - their senior cat Daffodil was a pleasure to look after. A bit reserved at first, she gradually grew more at ease around me, and was very communicative whenever she needed cuddles or food. The kitchen garden - it was a lovely way to start the day. I really enjoyed tending to it (under Daff's close supervision) in the morning, then cooling off in their bio pool while soaking up the beautiful views (you can even see Sierra de Monchique on clear days). They've done an amazing job there! The house - tons of light. Open spaces. A cosy living room with an interesting home library. Sorry, I'm still thinking about the garden... You'll love their place, TRUST ME. The location - hills and lush greenery surround the house, offering the perfect setting to unwind after a busy day exploring some coveted surfing beaches. They live 5 and 15 minutes away from two of my favourites beaches in the Algarve. The bonus - the logistics around the key handover allowed me to meet a good friend of theirs, and then a couple more. The kindness they showed me truly spoke volumes about the generosity and warmth of the hosts. Consider yourself lucky if they choose you for their next sit!
Cara, Spain, 28 Jun 2025
Return sit
Back again to Liz and Russell's beautiful home. Daffodil if she didn't remember us certainly wanted on our knees quickly. She is so easy to mind and very keen for really gentle strokes on her head. The house is very comfortable and the shelves of book were heaven for us. The garden has become a work of art now the pool is completed. We dined out daily and visited local towns. The beaches and walks along the Vicentine Coast trails are wonderful, the real bonus is the smaller crowds. Many thanks to Liz and Russell for trusting us again with this special place.
Oliver, United Kingdom, 3 Jun 2025
Nature, tranquillity, the sound of the sea and an enchanting cat lady
A great, lovely cat, a beautiful house, a fantastic garden and only a few minutes to the beach. We had a very pleasant and uncomplicated stay. We have taken Daffodil very much to our hearts. She likes to be close to people. We didn't get to know Liz and Russel personally, but they gave us very good instructions and communicated with each other when necessary. A relaxed and pleasant experience. Thank you very much!
Elke, Germany, 13 Mar 2025
Lovely stay with Daffodil, the cat
Daffodil is an older cat lady who we quickly took to our hearts. She is so sweet, relaxed, and loved to lie on the sofa with us. Taking care of her was a real pleasure! We didn't get to meet Liz and Russell in person, but we had a nice introductory chat before the trip and were provided with a helpful guide on all relevant topics. We could absolutely rely on Liz and if we had any questions, she was always easy to reach and very friendly. The beautiful house with a large terrace and garden is quiet and off the road in a small valley full of macchia and birds, a wonderful beach is just a 30-minute walk away. There is an extra bedroom and a nice bathroom for the house sitters. The Aljezur area is a nature and surfer's paradise and great for hikers. We can 100% recommend a stay at Liz' and Russell's house, and would be happy to come back if the opportunity arises and Daffodil needs company.
Eva, Germany, 10 Jan 2025
Lovely home and friendly cat in Aljezur
We spent 2 1/2 weeks looking after Daffodil, and Liz & Russell's home and garden in the western Algarve. Daff is a very affectionate cat, likes to be around people, and is easy to look after. Liz & Russell's home is comfortable, with lots of nice outdoor spaces, and in a very quiet neighbourhood but close to 3 stunning surf beaches. Aljezur (15 mins) is a charming, relaxed country town with all the amenities you need. The garden watering system was pretty straightforward once Russel had explained it and Liz left very comprehensive notes about Daffodil and the garden. We really enjoyed our time there and would definitely recommend it.
Andrew, United Kingdom, 21 Oct 2024
All the best from Portugal in one place...
We had our very first house sitting assignment with Liz&Russell and it was really great. A week before the sitting, we received an email with an overview of all practical matters regarding the house sitting. Upon our welcome arrival we shared a delicious meal and practical explanation about the house, maintaining the garden and caring for dear Daffodil. Liz & Russel are lovely and relaxed home owners. They were always available via WhatsApp to answer any of our additional questions. We felt really at ease in their home. As for Daffodil, she's a real sweet heart. She is easy going and clear in her communication (meal time, cuddle time, ...). We are very grateful to Liz & Russel 🙏 for giving us the trust & confidence during our assignment. If you are looking for a beautiful place in the sun, near the sea, with a lovely garden, firepit, a biological pool and an adorable cat, don't hesitate to contact Liz & Russell. We would love to go housesitting with them once more 💖
Kim, Belgium, 4 Sep 2024
The Venerable Daffodil and her wonderful home
We have just had the most fantastic time looking after Daffodil the cat and her wonderful home. Daffodil was a delight to look after. She was so affectionate making herself at home on our laps from the first day. Liz and Russell were lovely and made our trip memorable what with their easy instructions, lovely meal on arrival and easy conversation. There was a great selection of books to while away the evenings. The house was so cosy even though we had several very windy days. The setting is so calm and relaxing. Were we just lucky the wind brought down so many oranges or are orange trees so giving. We never had so much freshly squeezed oranges in our lives. We hired a car in Faro off season it was very cheap €67 for 10 days Europcar rental. Finding the house with the co-ordinates was easy even in the dark when we arrived. The area around the house is so beautiful and it is beside the Fisherman's trail (waymarked walk) where you can walk at long or short as you like. The beach's are wonderful but don't miss the inland trips on empty roads. Truly a break to remember for all the right reasons. Thank you Liz and Russell
Oliver, United Kingdom, 6 Mar 2024
Joyful Cat Sit in Portugal
Caring for Daffodil in the beautiful Algarve was truly a joy! Our hosts, Liz and Russell, made the experience exceptional with their brilliant organization and warm hospitality. Daffodil, the lovely cat, brought so much joy with her independent yet affectionate nature. We cherished every moment in this efficient and welcoming home. Liz and Russell were clear with instructions and prompt in addressing any questions. We wholeheartedly recommend this delightful experience and look forward to returning without a doubt!
Hans and Marijani, United States, 28 Jan 2024