SANDRA French knows better than most what it’s like to have a home away from home.
The ‘sometime’ Warwick resident, now in her late 70s, has spent the past 16 years looking after other people’s homes and pets as a dedicated homesitter.
After retiring in 2007, Sandra wanted to stay active and found homesitting – with Homesitters Ltd – provided a fun challenge and a regular change of scenery.
Over the years, Sandra has amassed an impressive 110 homesits, amounting to 758 days – that’s over two years spent away from home.
Before embarking on her homesitting journey, Sandra had a fulfilling career in sales and marketing for some of the UK’s biggest heritage sites, including Warwick Castle and Blenheim Palace.
Through her time homesitting, Sandra has gained experience in caring for a wide range of animals. She has looked after dogs, cats, birds and livestock among others. Her pet care responsibilities have ranged from feeding and walking to administering medication and providing companionship.
There have been many memorable assignments. One highlight was looking after a giant African snail, specifically an Achatina achatina. Sandra found the experience fascinating and enjoyed the novelty of looking after such an unusual creature along with the family tortoise.
Homesitting often involves more than just pet care. Sandra recalls an assignment where she had to water 82 pot plants, a task she approached with enthusiasm and diligence.
Sandra advises would-be homesitters to ask lots of questions during preliminary meetings. She once looked after a three-legged cat that coughed frequently. Unaware this was normal for the cat, Sandra became concerned and called the vet
Sandra said: “Homesitting is more than just a job; it’s a lifestyle that keeps me very active. I really enjoy the variety assignments and the opportunity to explore different parts of the country.”
She also appreciates the trust placed in her by homeowners and takes great pride in ensuring their homes and pets are well cared for in their absence.
Discussing the financial benefits she added: “With almost two years spent away from home on homesits, I have made significant savings on my water and electricity bills. This reduction in household expenses, combined with the earnings from homesitting, is making my retirement more financially comfortable.”
