🏡 Reliable house and pet sitter wanted (Eastern Algarve) 🐾

About this assignment

My name is Petra, I am 67 years old. I was born in Germany, but now live (almost) everywhere.

I am looking for a responsible and animal-loving person to take care of our large dog Toran and the house from November 1, 2026 to January 31, 2027 (or until February 28, 2027 if it works out well). Toran originally comes from Romania and, as a former street dog, is very well socialized. Nevertheless, he is a cuddly and energetic dog. He weighs about 35 kg and walks very well on a leash. His strength shouldn't be underestimated; if he spots another interesting dog, he likes to take off.

The house is located in Castro Marim. Portugal is not a large country, so gardens are rather rare. My house, however, has a roof terrace with flowerpots, which makes maintenance very manageable. There is a water connection and a garden hose on the terrace. Watering takes less than 5 minutes. The terrace is partially covered, so you can enjoy the outdoors regardless of the weather. The house has a fireplace for cooler days, and a basic supply of firewood is provided. I also have an electric heater and a really thick winter duvet. This should keep you well-prepared, as temperatures only drop below 10 degrees Celsius at night.

This is my first time embarking on a house-sitting and pet-sitting adventure, so please bear with me.

If you're looking for a break in the Algarve, have the time, love animals, and have the necessary experience with dogs, we'd love to hear from you. Or perhaps you'd be interested in a no-obligation chat via video call, for example, on WhatsApp. I'm looking forward to it!

Best regards, Petra

What responsibilities are required of the house sitter

What you should bring:

• Experience & Steady Stamina: Since our dog is large and strong, you should have experience and be steady on your feet when walking him. He doesn't pull, but sometimes his curiosity gets the better of him, so you should keep a close eye on him.

• Sense of Responsibility: Reliable feeding, exercise, and loving attention for the dog (he gets one proper meal a day and small treats after walks), as well as watering the plants (there's a water tap and hose on the patio) and collecting the mail.

• References: Proof or reviews from previous dog sittings are a big plus.

What are the good features of the property and location

I have a small (just under 90 square meters), typical Portuguese house in the eastern Algarve. It's located in the historic center of Castro Marim, below the castle. From the roof terrace, you can see the castle. Castro Marim is a quiet place, yet it has everything you need – from a Corvo supermarket, which really has everything, to a CTT branch, a medical center, several ATMs, restaurants, cafes (I stopped counting at 10), and a bus connection (two bus stops in town). The nearest larger town, Vila Real de Santo António, is about 3 km away.

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

There's a small detail to this sitting arrangement: for the first 3 to a maximum of 4 days, it would involve two dogs and two cats. I have to briefly go to Switzerland to pick up some last-minute things. I'll then come back and bring three furry friends with me. One of the dogs won't get in a car, so he has to stay home. The plan is for us to be in Spain during that time, meaning that if any problems arise, I can help out.

Can I bring my own pets?

No, sorry.

Enlarge map