[chrismaz]

Just wondering how other small holders solve the problem of ' house/ animal sitting' for holidays, if they havn't got family near by .or friends who feel confident to help out?

It would be nice to have some ideas from people in the area that we live[ Stockport/ Derbyshire Boarders.]

[jameslindsay]

It's not easy. I go away for 3 weeks every January and leave my sister to look after the hotel, 9 goats, 17 ducks, 2 geese, 2 rabbits, 4 miniature shetland ponies, 3 cocker spaniels, a parrot and 3 goldfish! She works fulltime for us all year but she hates when we go away as she stresses with the responsibility. I think she would be fine if she just had the business to worry her but all the animals "tip her over the edge". She does a great job but is so exhausted when I get back as it is 7 days a week, 16 hours or more every day!!!! The alternative would be having to close the hotel for over 3 weeks and rely on friends to look after the animals and house sit.

Without her I would be stuck at home 24/7, so she is a superstar! So, I wish you luck, perhaps I should sell my sister - open to offers ha ha ha?

James

[Hilarysmum]

  I am sure someone on this site offers a pet sitting service. 

[ballingall]

Hi there,

I have a friend who used to have a pet sitting/farm sitting service. She was great for goatkeepers, because when you want to go away on holiday and you have a herd of show goats, you really want someone who knows what they're doing and who better than someone who also shows their own goats?! She now owns and runs a pet shop instead.

There are companies who do dog sitting etc- my aunt uses a place for her dogs- but they charge over £40 a day! And thats just for a couple of dogs. 

Mum and I have occasionally "goatsat" before now if someone needs to get away. Personally, I am fortunate in that mum and I don't often go away together, so normally one of us will be at home whilst the other is away. For my sister's wedding a friend came over and goat sat, but she has now moved from Glasgow to Wales! 

Beth

[doganjo]

I have found a lady near Stirling who looks after my animals for me - £30 a day, but half that for first and last days - she looks after my house, 4 dogs (or as many as I'm leaving at home), 2 cats, 4 ducks and 10 chickens.
www.pet-royale.co.uk.  Her name is Denise and she's a star.

[Hilarysmum]

What about asking JamesLindsay's sister ??//   (Need a tongue in cheek smiley now)

[carole h]

I'm lucky enough to have two great grown up kids (no, not goats ...although they do eat anything and everything!!) who don't particularly want to go away with us now. One or both are usually at home during holiday periods - they are both at Uni.
They are brilliant with the animals - and even manage to water plants and cut grass! I might hire them out ... although there is probably a law about that sort of thing!

[chrismaz]

Thanks for all the replies to my querry.Glad to know that you are all sorted out for 'holiday sitting'
 Still hoping someone near to where we live reads this + comes up with a solution.
As we all know that looking after animals properly is exhausting + that we all need some ' me' time .

[Hilarysmum]

I found this, know nothing about them, it may be useful

Smallholding Sitting Service: Experience with pigs, cattle, sheep, dogs, snakes and more.

www.smallholdingsittingservice.co.uk

[chrismaz]

Thanks Hillarysmum, have looked at that sit + they are a possibility.Just a piy they are not more 'local' to me.
As they say the search goes on + on !!

[dixie]

Hi the pet sitting service above is also known as Pel on here, I wouldn't hesitate to ask her to sit for me if needed.

[chrismaz]

Thanks Dixie,
Will make a note of that other name for the site .