Beautiful, secluded lake house in NW Michigan and 2 Kitties need sitting

About this assignment

We are looking for a house/pet sitter that is quiet, responsible, clean, non-smoking and no drugs, and an animal lover to mind our house and care for two of our indoor cats while we are away.

Cats are healthy and low maintenance; no medications or special health concerns.

Our travel dates are somewhat flexible so we can work with a sitter on arrival/departure dates if needed.

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

Feeding/watering our cats each day which consists of giving them each canned food once per day, ensuring food bowls are filled with kibble and water dishes are clean and full. Cleaning litterboxes once per day. Would also like it if the sitter would fill bird/wildlife feeders to feed the wild birds and critters on a daily basis.

Water houseplants as needed.

Although we will have the long driveway plowed of snow during the winter as needed; the sitter would need to hand shovel the sidewalk from the house to the garage as needed and any snow in front of the garage that the plow is unable to reach.

Of course the cats shed a bit, so occasional vacuuming of cat hair would be needed as well as sweeping/vacuuming of cat litter that they inevitably track out of their boxes.

What are the good features of the property and location

Beautiful, secluded rural location in the Manistee National Forest in the small town of Baldwin, Michigan. No neighbors in sight; we are the only house on the lake so aside from possibly seeing someone ice fishing (rare), you will not see anyone from the house. Can walk/hike for miles in State and National forest from the property. Five minute drive into the town of Baldwin with a few restaurants and grocery stores, or 35 minutes to Ludington/Lake Michigan or Big Rapids where you will find large box stores and more conveniences. 90 minutes to Traverse City or Grand Rapids - both of which have airports.

House is a gorgeous 3400 sq ft lake house, 3 bedroom, 3 full bathroom with walkout basement, gourmet kitchen, large wood burning fireplace and beautiful deck and front porch. High speed internet (Starlink) available.

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

House is rural in a small northern Michigan town; no public transportation and your own vehicle would be required. Will have access to heated garage for your vehicle.

No smoking in or outside of the house, no drug use including marijuana.

Prefer quiet person or couple that would enjoy minding our house and keeping our kitties company while we are away.

Although we have 4 cats; we plan on taking 2 of them with us on our travels and there will be 2 that will need to be cared for by the sitter; Jack and Shadow. Jack knows no strangers! He is super friendly and social to everyone. Shadow, however, is a former feral barn cat and has yet to warm up to her human caretakers. She will live up to her name and be a shadow that you will rarely see unless it is food or treat time - and then you will be her best friend. Once the food is gone, so is she!

We have lots of wildlife here; birds, squirrels, chipmunks, opossums, raccoons, deer, bobcats, and even a rare sighting of coyotes and bear. We do feed the birds and smaller critters so animal lovers are required - absolutely no hunting or harming of wildlife on the property will be permitted.

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

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