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Gold (24mths)
House Sitting Preferences
  • 1 - 2 weeks, 2 - 4 weeks, 1 - 2 months, 2 months +
  • Dog(s), Cat(s), Fish, Bird(s), Rabbit(s)/Guinea Pig(s), Chickens/Ducks/Geese
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  • England: ALL   Scotland: ALL   Wales: ALL  
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  • 2024: 19Jan-28Mar | 29Mar-1Apr | 1Apr-17Apr | 17Apr-29May | 4Jun-19Jun | 24Jun-25Jul | 27Jul-12Aug | 16Aug-8Sep | 28Sep-18Oct | 24Oct-8Nov | 14Dec-4Jan2025 | 2025: 25Jan-17Feb
  • On a house-sit right now

Nomad Dad

57, Online Educator and Mentor

Hi. I'm Gary.
I have been PET & HOUSE-SITTING PERMANENTLY since April 2022, I guess I qualify as being 'experienced'. I have confirmed bookings into 2025. Most of 2024 is already booked.

Since discovering house sitting in the last few years, I have looked after an amazing array of domiciles and residencies and considerable numbers of animals including goats, sheep, chooks, cats, dogs, rabbits, cockatiels, tropical fish and humans.

For twenty years to 2022, I was working and living overseas - travelling the globe - mostly teaching - from Europe to NZ to China and many points between. We have always had family pets.

These days, I am what's called a digital nomad: I used to be analogue. All I need is reliable (strong & stable) internet / wi-fi connection for my online work, which occupies me for 4-6 hours every day. This means I am always around to offer care and security for the pets and homes.

I am a simple, self-reliant, ramblin' man. I like walking and pottering about at home; I keep myself to myself, am self-sufficient and I make amazing soups.

I don't smoke: I wont be able to accept sits in any residence where there is smoking.
I expect homes to be safe, comfortable and clean. I leave them in the same way, as my reviews attest.

Unexpected expenses are to be reimbursed immediately. (For example; insufficient pet food, cat litter or snacks left. If hosts order online and supplies are delivered, no worries, but not everyone has the facility for that.)

I respect privacy, and honour all who embrace The Golden Rule.

Always a cat and/or dog owner, yet currently 'between pets', my 2 Chinese rescue dogs came to the UK in 2020; and are lodged with my wife - taking a break from travelling, and me - while I rediscover the UK. Before starting my UK pet-sitting journey I was primary carer for 8 semi-feral cats in Madeira.

Ideally, I'd have a dog to walk. Exercise, nature and interacting with a canine are important to me. Inside the house, I'm more of a cat-man.

I do NOT currently charge a daily rate for cats & have no plans to change this. Up to 2 dogs are also free from any charges. However, 'excess dogs' issues have arisen: In response to discourteous attempts to surreptitiously foist extra animals on me, from 2024, I will be introducing an 'excess dogs' charge (when more than 2 dogs requiring exercise are left in situ for my care.) This will attract a charge of £10 per day for each additional dog above 2 dogs up to a maximum of 4 dogs.

If you're looking for a clued-up, low-key, easy-going, caring, dependable, green-fingered pet-lover; that would be me.

Do my principles mesh with yours?

Reviews (11)
We returned after three weeks away to a very clean and tidy house and a happy dog. Thank you to Gary for looking after Frodo (dog), and our old and idiosyncratic property. Communication was excellent from the initial advert, through to pre-arrival and efficient contact while we were away. We would be delighted for Gary to sit again.
 
MICHAEL (Chippenham England, Oct 2023 - 3 weeks)
That's very kind. My pleasure.
Gary is a seasoned house sitter so everything was done very professionally. Communication was great, I knew exactly when Gary would arrive and was sent messages and photos of the dogs whilst I was away. It was only a very short sit, but everything went smoothly and the dogs seemed happy when I got home.
 
KATE (Ugborough England, Jan 2024 - 3 nights)
The positive review of me (above) is strongly at odds with the later criticism of me after reading my review of the sit. This is a pity. I think my meaning was misunderstood: Apologies. The dogs couldn't settle in the pub; that's all I meant. They were great to be with. Lovely temperament. Very ... MORE
Brilliant sitter. I'm very grateful to Gary. He kept in touch, sharing photos of my beloved dog. I really trust him and have booked him again. My house was immaculate on my return. Beyond the fantastic house sit Gary is also very entertaining and I enjoyed our communications.
 
ANGELA (Ipswich England, Dec 2023 - 4 weeks)
I like to leave the world as I find it - or better. Thanks for the Christmas decorations, too. Much appreciated.
Gary was excellent to deal with and made the process super easy. We never actually met due to timings but we had a couple of video calls and he liased with my mother and a friend for the 'handover'. I felt confident my home was in safe hands. I returned to clean house and happy dog :-)
 
BECKS (Tetbury England, Dec 2023 - 2 weeks 2 nights)
I totally mucked up my review: put N/A for everything after the first review didn't submit and I lost it all. Dang!
Gary came to sit our 3 small breed dogs for 2 weeks. He is a very affable chap and the dogs took to him straightaway. Gary kept in touch and sent pics of them on their walks and about any concerns he had. He left our home clean & tidy and we have already provisionally booked him to return. Honey, Mylo & Curly are looking forward to this
 
ANDREA (Porthcawl Wales, Nov 2023 - 2 weeks 2 nights)
Gary was an excellent house-sitter. We were concerned that our timid cat, who sulks even when our daughter comes home to visit, would react negatively to his presence, but nothing could be further from the truth. He built up an excellent rapport with her right from the start, and he sent us regular messages and photos to show how well the two of them were getting on. It was a long house-sit (five months) and some issues did crop up during our absence, e.g. a faulty nozzle installed when our ... MORE
 
ISABEL (Stornoway Scotland, May 2023 - 5 months - 1 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
This was our first experience of having a housesitter and we'd definitely do it again. Gary was patient and consistent with our rather unsettled dog and quickly won him round. We received photos and videos along with regular updates which put our minds at ease. We returned to a house just as we left it and a well-walked and contented dog. Gary also let us know he'd enjoyed his stay in our country cottage which pleased us (especially that he'd taken our son's advice to go owl spotting!). ... MORE
 
DIANA (Market Drayton England, Apr 2023 - 2 weeks 1 day)
Gary was a delightful sitter for our home and animals. He was so attentive and thoughtful and took wonderful care of our home and 3 dogs and cat. The dogs adored him and he really spoiled them with attention and exercise. He took such care of our home and the house was spotlessly clean and tidy when we got back. I didn’t even have to wash his bedding. He did it all. We felt as if he really cared about us, our home and our animals and he kept in touch with us through our trip which was ... MORE
 
GRAEME (Bristol England, Mar 2023 - 1 week 1 day)
Too kind: You cause one to blush. You guys made it very easy for me to have a successful visit. If I can help out again it would be fortuitous indeed: (I have a space next March after I finish in Dursley on March 13th 2024... wink, wink).
Gary looked after Rowan and sent us lots of pictures of their outings during his stay. He kindly took him to the vet when needed and we came home to a happy dog a clean house and a prepared meal so would recommend him to others
 
FRANCES (Inverness Scotland, Jan 2023 - 1 month 3 weeks)
Yes, I love to take photos. I love being with animals. Putting the two together is all my pleasure. Photos of pets living their best lives help to keep hosts relaxed while away. When Rowan wasn't himself I could tell straight away. The vet was skilled and knew just what to do. I do love a clean ... MORE
This was our first pet sit.Gary is a great communicator. It was reassuring to 'meet' him online before we made a decision about our pet sitter. Gary kept in touch and by the time we finally met in person I felt like I really knew him. It was as if we were leaving our home and pets in the care of a friend. Gary regularly updated us on our cats welfare whilst we were away. It was lovely to receive the photos and know that our pets were being loved and cared for so well. Just before we left for ... MORE
 
DENISE (Haverhill England, Sep 2022 - 2 months (in the end))
Kind words, indeed. Many thanks for making the stay comfortable, pleasurable and pleasant. And the time spent cleaning the cupboards was most appreciated. I would have stayed longer if I could. Folks ask why I don't charge, but I love the dynamic exactly the way it is. Mutually beneficial, ... MORE
Gary is our first foray into house-sitting and we are delighted so far. We can hardly believe how quickly he has bonded with our very timid cat. He obviously has a magic touch with pets and we are now calling him the 'cat-whisperer'. Communication prior to, and since, his arrival has been excellent and we are confident that things will continue in the same vein for the rest of his five-month stay. He is obviously well-travelled, adaptable and flexible.
 
ISABEL (Stornoway Scotland, May 2022 - 5 months - 2 of 2 endorsements from this owner )
Thanks so much for posting a review/feedback so soon. My wife actually calls me 'The Cat Whisperer'. I talk to all the animals I meet - even in the wild. That's really kind of you to say so, too. I'll send more photos and videos of Branwen whenever I get inundated by her presence - and have the ... MORE
 
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