[Robina]

I leave the rat race next spring and would like to extend my domestic pet sitting to smallholding sitting! I have  friends who have  hobby farms, one near Southwell and the other in Derbyshire. I have looked after chickens and dogs and rabbits and yard cats and really enjoyed it!. Do you think there's a demand for people with a great deal of common sense ( and abit of experience) to watch over livestock for, say, holiday cover? Thanks very much for any ideas or hints or how/if to get started.

[Pedwardine]

Think you'd have to maybe set a limit to what you could comfortably manage. I'm sure however most of us on here rarely get a break so to be able to trust a responsible 'someone' to look after the menagerie whilst we took a bit of respite would be very appreciated. Unfortunately I have FIVE dogs, THREE cats, chooks and way too many sheep. The house is a tip and the heating system is fuelled by a woodfired boiler so not ever so straighforward. Wouldn't want to inflict that on anyone else really. I'm quite sure most others are in much more organised situations 
On a practical front, some references from your friends you've helped thus far would be a good starting point. I'd just build up what you can watch over gradually.

[Robina]

Thank you very much for getting back to me. I  didn't want to appear too ambitious but am happy to look after  and over any livestock. I guess that horses, say, are  a little specialist. Can anyone recommend anywhere I can advertise? So many questions, so little time ! ..................

[Lesley Silvester]

Someone local to me did set up a pet/house/smallholding sitting business recently but it didn't take off quickly enough to be financially viable. Shame because she was great with my goats. I think there would be a call for it though. Her difficulty was covering her mortgage.


Welcome to TAS by the way. 

[Robina]

Thank you for replying

[happygolucky]

  , love the idea......it may take a while to establish yourself so you need to contact and get to know as many smallholder/ pet owners as possible........I love the idea myself but not fit enough.....Welcome from an x Leicestershire girl(old women)

[Robina]

Cheers!

[MelRice]

If you are interested in smallholding sitting abroad we would love to use your services sometime. We would be willing to pay for flights from East Midlands over here to Germany. We are always looking for someone reliable so we can go to the UK to visit the Kids.

[MelRice]

There is also a website called 'trusted house sitters'. They cost so have not used them but one of our Helpx people also did house sitting.

[Robina]

Thank you, Mel. Yes, from next Spring, I can travel anywhere! My website has my contact details on and perhaps we can exchange emails next year. Its www.daisychain-petsitters.co.uk

[kelly58]

Brill idea, we would definitely use your service. Hi from sunny Caithness ! Would you come this far ?
One way of seeing the country

[Robina]

Yes, it is a lovely way of seeing the country!

[MelRice]

Hi Robina....Ive just looked up your web site and found you live in the same village as my Mum & Dad and my youngest sister and her family. What a small world. M + D live ion Willow wong and my sister on the main road (They are French rather than Rice)

[Robina]

Yes, I'm a 5 minute walk away from the main street and Willow Wong is just abit further up when I go to the shops! I will probably know them by sight!

[Veronica]

Someone I come across on another forum - Downsizer - has been doing this for some time. You might want to contact them and see how they have found it.

http://www.smallholdingsittingservice.co.uk/