Current location: Cinderford, Gloucestershire
Next location: Colne, Lancashire
Trusty Pet Sitter
Your Pet's Best Friend
I specialise in providing professional pet sitter services for pet owners who want the best care for their furry friends.
If you’re a pet owner looking for a safe and stress-free alternative to kennels, you’ve come to the right place.
Why Choose Me As A Pet Sitter?
For as long as I can remember, I have had pets in my life. My very first memories involved a German Shepherd.
Over the decades I have had pets of all shapes and sizes. These included:
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Dogs (various breeds and sizes from Yorkshire terriers to Rhodesian Ridgebacks)
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Cats
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Rats, mice, hamsters and gerbils
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Snakes
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African grey parrots
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Tropical and marine fish, eels and seahorses.
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Turtles
I am an absolute professional when dealing with people and pets or properties. As a business owner, I know how to look after my clients and ensure that I provide a service that they will be happy to refer me for in future.
I am currently undertaking a long-term photography project with the aim of documenting as much of the UK and Europe in images and video as I can. I am fulfilling a childhood dream. My client’s engagement and trust in me for various services is what makes this dream a reality. I am not going to risk the end of my dream by having an upset client.
I am diligent, honest, trustworthy and respectful at all times.
What others say about my pet sitting services
Click each review to englarge
Here are some reasons why you should opt for a professional pet sitter for your pets:
A professional pet sitter provides personalised care
At a kennel, your pet may be one of many, leading to stress and anxiety for your furry friend.
In contrast, with my professional pet-sitting services, your pet will receive individualised care and attention from a dedicated pet sitter.
Your pet’s specific needs will be met, and they’ll receive one-on-one playtime, cuddles, and love.
A professional pet sitter provides a familiar environment
Pets are creatures of habit, and changing their environment can be stressful.
When you choose a professional pet sitter, your pet can remain in its familiar surroundings.
A professional pet sitter can provide customised schedules
When you choose a kennel, you’ll need to adhere to their schedule, which may not always be convenient for you.
With my pet-sitting services, you are assured that your pet’s routine will be consistent with it’s usual one.
A professional pet sitter provides safety and security
Kennels can expose your pet to a variety of illnesses and parasites, which can be harmful to their health.
Dog and cat boarders need to be licensed by their local council to have valid insurance. Sadly, there are many boarders operating without a license putting the pets in their care at significant risk should anything go wrong.
With my professional pet-sitting services, you can be confident that your pet is safe and secure in its familiar surroundings with a fully insured professional.
Additionally, I take measures to ensure the safety of your home while you’re away.
A professional pet sitter provides peace of mind
Choosing a professional pet sitter means you can leave your furry friend in the care of a trained and experienced pet care professional.
You can relax knowing that your pet is receiving the best possible care, and you’ll receive updates and photos to keep you informed of their well-being.
How much do you charge for pet sitting?
Please note I only consider sits of 7 days or more
I charge £40 per day (£30 if only cats/small pets) off-peak and £50 (£40 if only cats/small pets) in peak season. See below for peak periods.
This includes one pet.
Additional pets are charged between £5 – £10 each depending on size and requirements.
Where there are multiple livestock, for example, sheep, cattle etc the flock will typically be considered as 1 additional animal dependent on the care required.
Peak periods:
20th Dec – 5th January
25th March – 14th April
1st July – 15th Sep
15th October – 31st Oct
FREE SITS
I will consider free sits where my time will not be too impacted by providing care for the pets. For example, house only sits with no pets. Homes with small pets like rodents, lizards etc. Livestock like chickens and sheep where feeding is required. Or properties with cats where I’d be able to leave the home for several hours during the day.
Please be aware that I only consider free sits in areas that I’m interested to visit for my ongoing long-term photography project.
I do not consider free sits during peak periods.
What is included in your daily pet sitter rate?
My daily rate obviously includes spending time with your pet/s and feeding them in accordance with their regular routine and dietary requirements.
It also includes 1-hour dog walking. This can either be 1 long walk or split into shorter morning and afternoon/evening walks. (longer/additional walks can be added for an additional cost)
If your pet has any medication requirements this would also be administered.
Important note
As I undertake my long-term photography project, I am travelling around the UK in a Hymer motorhome.
I will therefore only be able to consider pet sitting at properties with sufficient space to allow me to park off-road for my insurance requirements. My van measures 6 metres long (7.5m when I arrive as I will be towing my motorcycle), 2.3 metres wide and 2.8m high. Please ensure your driveway is accessible for a vehicle of this size because should I arrive at your property and not be able to park the van on your property then I will unfortunately have to abandon the sit. The area needs to be fairly flat due to the fridge in my van.
In addition, I will need to hook my motorhome up to an electrical socket.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are you DBS checked/cleared?During my career, due to the nature of the clients and companies I worked for and with, I underwent comprehensive DBS tests. However, it is important to point out that a DBS check is only valid for the day on which it is issued. So I do not consistently get a DBS check done, however, if my clients should require one and are willing to pay the cost for it I am very happy for one to be done for their peace of mind.
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Do I have to pay a deposit?Yes. My services are very popular and unfortunately, I’ve had a few last-minute cancellations recently which means that I now take a deposit to secure your dates in my calendar. I take a 50% deposit with the balance payable on the day of my arrival (or before) for the sit. My services will not commence until payment has been made in full. 50% of the deposit is refundable if you cancel at least 31 days prior to the sit commencement. 25% of the deposit will be returned if 15-30 days’ notice is provided. No refund is payable where less than 14 days notice is provided.
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Do you charge travel costs?To keep my daily rate as low as possible for my customers, I do charge for travel expenses where you are more than 25 miles from my location immediately prior to your sit. You only pay travel one way (from the previous location to you) at the standard rate of 45p per mile. This cost will be confirmed in your quotation.
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Do you do short-term sits, ie, 1 or 2 nights?As a rule no. Because I am travelling around the UK it is not feasible for me to drive long distances from one sit to another for a night or two sit. I will consider shorter-term sits if in the area I am in or due to be in so it’s worth contacting me to check.
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Do you have insurance?Yes. I have 3rd party liability insurance which covers you should there be any accidental damage to your home or one of your pets were to cause damage or injury to another pet or person. In addition I am covered for vet fees should there be an accident with your pet/s whilst in my care. NOTE: My vet cover does not cover existing conditions or illnesses present at the start of the sit.
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Do you have more references?Yes. I have a significant online presence. Besides my pet-sitting service, I also provide a variety of other services including Photography and Website services. I therefore not only have references as a pet sitter but also for my other professional services. You can find my reviews and recommendations online here: My FaceBook Page LinkedIn
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Do you have your own pets?Yes. I travel with a 14.5-year-old Staffordshire Terrier. Unfortunately due to severe arthritis and his age, he is not very active these days and spends the majority of his time asleep on his bed in our motorhome. I pop out every 3-4 hours during the day to take him for a short walk and spend up to an hour or so with him.
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Do you sleep in your motorhome or in my home?Since I spend the majority of the day with your pets, I sleep in my van overnight to spend some time with my own dog. I can therefore only accept sits where the pets have their own space to sleep at night.
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Does your dog interact with my pet/s?No. As my dog has aged and his arthritis has gotten worse, he is unpredictable with other pets, especially if another dog jumps on him or comes running towards him. Therefore, to be on the safe side, I do not allow him to interact with the pets I sit for.
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How long do you leave my pets during the day?A maximum of four hours. On weather-permitting days, I do try to get out to explore the local area. Many of the places I visit do not allow entry to dogs/pets so I am not always able to take your pet/s with me. Where possible, and your pet is fit enough, I will take them with me when I explore the immediate area. On days that I do get out, your pet will not be left for more than 4 hours maximum.
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My pet cannot be left for 4 hoursIf your pet cannot be left for 3-4 hours, please get in touch to discuss your requirements. I will still consider sits where its not possible for the pets to be left however I do typically charge more for this.
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What happens if you become ill or have an emergency?I have a few trusted pet sitters that I have gotten to know and feel confident in recommending to enquirers when I am unable to take on a sit. These trusted sitters will be called upon should I be unable to fulfil my commitment but please rest assured that it would need to be an emergency situation or events outside of my control. I will always do my best to find a replacement so that you are not put under stress to find someone.
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Why do you charge more in peak periods?I charge more during peak periods because I am sacrificing my own ability to spend time with friends and family during these periods when most are taking time off for local or holidays abroad. It is also my experience that I get contacted with offers of significantly more than £50 per day during these periods.
Let's Work Together
Ready to book a pet sitter that will love your pet/s as much as you do in your absence?
Then use the form below to get in touch to check my availabilty and secure your dates today!