Bringing home owners and house sitters together
Explore the hidden gem of Rias Baixas, Galicia care for our cat and large garden
Spain, Vilanova de Arousa, Galicia
Pets
- Cat(s)
Indoor/ outdoor cat
Dates
- 22 Sep 2025 to 9 Oct 2025 (2 sitters have applied for these dates)
About this assignment
We are looking for house sitters from 22 September to +/- 9 October 2025 to care for our cat and garden. We are looking for someone practically minded, ideally with own transport with an enjoyment for gardening. Own pet ( cat friendly only please) is welcome.
Having moved from the mountains of Andalucía ( where we used housesitters before), We now have a large house and garden both of which are an ongoing renovation project. The main house has fibre broadband, two bedrooms, one bathroom and a newly refurbished kitchen. There’s a separate guest annex with bedroom and en-suite. It’s surrounded by a large garden and orchard and an adjoining field with our veggie plot and more fruit trees.
It would suit someone who works remotely or is retired.
What responsibilities are required of the house sitter
Feeding the cat and keeping the house and garden under control are the main responsibilities.
Keeping the vegetable plots alive through regular watering or monitoring and ideally a bit of weeding. We are doing no dig, so maintenance is low but in hot weather regular watering is needed.
We also appreciate the house being kept tidy and safe, but are happy for sitters to treat it as their own.
What are the good features of the property and location
It's a tranquil little spot on the edge of a small village, surrounded by Albariño grapevines. There are views to the sea of the rias baixas and we try to encourage wildlife leaving spaces and habitat for nature around the garden.
The house is well located for exploring the relatively unknown Galician coast, of the Rias Baixas with 3 towns within 10 minutes drive, and lots of lovely sandy beaches also a short drive away. We’re close to the coastal Portuguese Camino and Santiago de Compostela is accessible by train from Vilagarcia in 20 minutes. There are great local markets specialising in the local seafood and local produce, good restaurants and plenty of supermarkets although nothing in easy walking distance.
The western coast of northern Spain and Galicia is relatively unknown outside of national tourism and relatively unspoilt. It’s a stunning, often wooded landscape with the estuaries of the rias baxias forming the heart of a vibrant wine growing community. There is a strong local Galician, almost Celtic culture ( and language) making it completely different from the rest of Spain.
What does the house sitter need to consider before applying for this assignment
The property is in a rural location, ideally you’d be in tune with nature. A willingness to try speaking Spanish as all our neighbours are Galician and little English is spoken. Your own transport is needed to enjoy the whole area.
All the living accommodation is on the first floor accessed by an external granite staircase.
The weather in Galicia can be mixed; storms off the Atlantic one day and sunshine the next. We are close to the sea so snow and heavy frost is unknown but it can be very wet which is why it’s so green.
Can I bring my own pets?
Yes
Restrictions: Cat friendly please!
Last updated:
20 August 2025
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Testimonials
Descubriendo las Rías Baixas
My experience as a house and pet sitter at Cath and Bob’s home has been fantastic. I enjoyed every moment and really felt at home. When I arrived we shared a delicious meal in the garden and during the afternoon they showed me the property in detail, we visited the surrounding area and walked their favourite path by the sea. They are really friendly and welcoming. Communication was easy, both before and during their trip to England. They sent me in advance a complete list of instructions on the running of the house, garden and vegetable plot, as well as the habits and schedule of their cat Gus, who is very affectionate and really easy to look after. The list also included recommendations about interesting places to visit and some nature walks, as well as practical tips for daily shopping in the local markets and bakeries which I found really useful. This area offers many attractions for nature and hiking lovers. Cath and Bob's house is in an old agricultural property, where they no longer grow vines, but it is surrounded by other properties full of ‘albariño’ grape vines and from their balcony you can see an extensive green area to the sea. Within the property there are a lot of fruit trees, flowers and wild vegetation that grow in balance with the environment and attract numerous species of insects and birds. Both the house and the green spaces are being renovated ‘little by little’. Inside is really comfortable, with a new kitchen and aerothermal system for heating and hot water. Outside, they continue to plant new trees and ornamental plants, as well as a generous vegetable plot which provides them vegetables throughout the year, (despite the snails) :) It's wonderful to see how the efforts, buildings, and plants of the former owners will have a second chance, thanks to the dreams and new projects that Cath and Bob are making a reality, and which I have been fortunate enough to share during my stay.
Francisco, Spain, 2 Jul 2025
Living off grid at a fantastic place
We were lucky to be chosen by Bob en Cath to look after their house and animals for 5 weeks. Living off grid was for us not something new, but at 1000m altitude in winter, something different. Bob and Cath are lovely people who take good care of their organic farm and help the people that watch the house in any way they can. The views at the Sierra Nevada are breath taking as is the surroundings. It has been a privilege to be there. Maria and Warren
Warren & Maria, Netherlands, 27 Dec 2019
Organic, off grid paradise.
I house sat for Cath and Bob for 6 weeks. It's a gem of a place with fantastic vistas. I was a novice with the solar power system but it presented no problems while I was there. The off grid, living off the land lifestyle is fantastic way to live. It was a comfortable stay. The chooks and cats were a breeze to look after and there was an abundance of veges and fruit to eat and preserve. Cath and Bob are brilliant people to house sit for.
Chris, 21 August, 2018
Dream place in the mountains
Cath and Bob are a lovely couple, respectful of people, animals, the land they own and the country they chose to live in. Their place reflects their attitude of respect and peace. It would suit someone who is comfortable with their own company, but it's sorrounded by such magic that it becomes hard to leave it. I would highly recommend both them and the place. Thanks!
Elisabetta, 18 September, 2017
Magical, serene, peaceful and mesmerising
We can't think of enough adjectives to describe this mountain retreat. Yes, living is basic but more than adequate as long as your are tuned into the rhythms of nature. There are not many locations in the world that are as awesome (in the true sense of the word) as this. Come prepared to live at one with nature and apply a few practical skills and you won't want to leave. There are very few places in the world that a location like this can be found. We live on a narrowboat in England and are used to managing solar and energy generation so are at home in such an environment.
Roger, United Kingdom, 3 Jan 2017