Disclaimer

I write and produce all content on One cat at a time, and the views expressed on this website are my own.

What you read on here is designed for general information only. It is not intended to be legal advice. The content is drawn from my experiences as a house and cat sitter, and touches on subjects I think other house sitters might be curious about.

How the house sitting thing works

I find/have found house sits through:

• TrustedHousesitters
• Aussie House Sitters and House Sitters America
• housecarers.com
• MindMyHouse.

I’m not affiliated with any of the house sitting websites I use and I pay for each membership I have. Sometimes I’ll have enough referral points to renew my membership without incurring a cost, but my membership is never ‘gifted’.

House sitting isn’t paid

BUT THE US GOVERNMENT HAS SAID UNPAID HOUSE AND PET SITTING STILL REQUIRES WORK AUTHORISATION. WHILE SOME COUNTRIES OFFER WORKING HOLIDAY VISAS, AMERICA IS NOT ONE OF THEM. THIS MAKES IT VIRTUALLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR VISITORS TO HOUSE AND PET SIT IN THE USA.

I’m not paid to house and cat sit, and accepting cash goes against the terms and conditions stipulated by the house sitting websites. I’ve never signed a contract prior to undertaking a house and cat sit, and none of the people I’ve sat for have my bank details. I pay for all my travel costs (e.g. flights, bus and train fares) to and from the owner’s location, but I’m always happy to accept a ride from the airport if it’s offered.