Category Archives: Animals

Animals, Homes, Pets

Homesitters Ltd champions mental health and adventure in Mental Health Awareness Week

In Mental Health Awareness Week[i], leading home and pet sitting company, Homesitters Ltd is highlighting how becoming a homesitter can boost mental wellbeing by encouraging people to be more active, enjoy regular breaks away and have purpose.

The Mental Health Foundation, the organisers of the awareness week have chosen this year’s theme as; “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. They point out that movement is important for mental health, but many struggle to move enough.

Ben Irvine, Director of Operations at Homesitters Ltd emphasises that home and pet sitting is an energetic role, particularly if clients have dogs which need a lot of walking.

Ben comments, “Homesitting involves taking care of a client’s home and pets when they go away. It’s a job that appeals for lots of reasons including the opportunity to exercise more, visit new places and spend time with pets, all of which contribute to better mental wellbeing.

“Homesitting gives people purpose and the chance to have a mini holiday when on assignment, with time for exploring, meeting new people and having new experiences. Although most don’t do it for the financial gain, it does provide a small income and people save on their own bills when on assignments too.”

One couple who are making the most of their homesitting lifestyle are Jim and Ros Slaughter, a retired couple from Chichester in their early 70s, who have done 84 homesits. They decided to become homesitters after they retired.

Jim explains, “We wanted to do something a bit different but still purposeful in our retirement. Getting a part time job or setting up a business didn’t really appeal because we didn’t want to be tied into a routine anymore. We wanted the freedom to travel extensively, visit new places and meet new people.”

The couple are very sporty and active. Ros plays golf and is an avid gardener and both of them love walking and they are great animal lovers. One of their biggest attractions of home sitting was the opportunity to look other people’s dogs.

They have relished looking after a wide variety of dogs which have included Alsatians, Pugs, Westies, lots of Labradors and even Samoyed dogs.

Ros said, “The pets are everything to us. We love staying in grand houses and we have some fabulous clients who are really interesting and lovely. Home sitting provides a real break from the routine and a chance to get fit walking the dogs.”

The Slaughters also like the fact that home sitting is flexible. The pick and choose their assignments and make sure they have time available for their travel plans. Jim concludes, “Home sitting is really fun but it is also purposeful. We can also do it as much or as little as we like and we combining all our interests together and the animals are the best part of all.”

Homesitters is currently recruiting. Ideal candidates are responsible and reliable people, who are good listeners, readily available through the year, and will be sensitive to clients’ requirements. Proven pet-care skills and a genuine affinity for animals are also a bonus.

For more information and to apply to become a homesitter visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

[i] https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week

Animals, News, Regions, Retail & E-commerce

Scottish Borders Town Girvan Named UK’s Most Dog Friendly Town as Competition Heats Up

This annual Dog Friendly Awards Competition (run by https://www.dogfriendly.co.uk) has had an unprecedented amount of votes in its Town category with several urban centres  competing enthusiastically to become the No.1 UK town to bring your pooch.The winners were announced at a lavish ceremony on the 29th November 2023 at the Kennel Club’s London offices and hosted by Katie Thistleton (BBC Radio 1). The DogFriendly Awards competition has 17 Awards categories and dog friendly businesses compete to receive the most votes from their customers and followers in their efforts to win the coveted “Most Dog Friendly Award”.

 

This year, much of the excitement surrounded the Towns Category with several towns improving dog accessibility, running campaigns to introduce clearer “dogs welcome” signage, while encouraging more businesses to open their doors to doggy guests. Girvan in the Scottish Borders was crowned the winner of the category with more votes secured by its dog owners than the other finalists, Bury St. Edmunds and Eastbourne.Girvan said of their win: “We are absolutely delighted to have won the category of most dog friendly town. Local businesses and attractions have worked really hard with us this year at Go Girvan to welcome furry visitors to Girvan.”

 

The Awards were set up 11 year ago by DogFriendly Founder, Steve Bennett and wife Linda, who have been long time dog owners themselves. Steve commented: “Our dogs are part of the family and when we go out, it is only natural that we want our dogs to come along too. Businesses are recognising the value of welcoming dogs into their businesses, including many shopping centres around the UK, such as Friars Square Shopping Centre in Eastbourne, winners of the most dog friendly shop category”.

 

Research undertaken by Melton Mowbray Town Council found “those who own dogs are almost twice as likely to regularly visit shops and businesses that welcome dogs” and four out of five businesses who opened their doors to dogs say that they noticed an improvement in business.With more than 12.5 million dogs in the UK and more than 21.4 million people sharing a house with a dog, the appeal for businesses to attract dog owners is obvious.

 

Animals, Job Opportunities, Jobs, News, Recruitment, Recruitment News, Retirement

Homesitters launches campaign to find home and pet sitters to join them in 2024

Homesitters UK, the UK’s leading home and pet sitting company, is on a mission to recruit new homesitters in 2024 to meet increased demand for its service. The company is particularly interested in individuals who are retired or not in full time employment and looking for part time work or people with portfolio careers.

The company wants to attract the growing band of part time workers in the UK. According to analysis Office for National Statistics (ONS) data by Rest Less[i] there has been a 12 per cent increase in over 50s working part time in the last two years, a 26 per cent rise in the last decade and a 56 per cent increase since 2003. Two thirds of people (66 per cent) who were still working past 65 were part time, as well as 40 per cent of people aged 60-64.

Ben Irvine, Director of Operations at Homesitters said: “2024 is set to be a busy year for us. People are travelling again, there has been a huge growth in pet ownership since Covid and demand for our services has risen. We want to hire couples and single people interested in a part time, flexible role that gives people a sense of purpose, a chance to spend time with animals as well as opportunities to travel and boost their income.

“January is always busy with applications but this year we expect this to hit new levels as older people want to continue working to help with cost-of-living challenges. Homesitters are employed directly by us and benefit from the safety net that comes with working with a trusted company, including comprehensive insurance and 24/7 support for people when they are on assignments.”

 

Homesitting couple Tim and Rosey Mackervoy, both 60 years old, were introduced to home and pet sitting two years ago and couldn’t be happier with their decision to embrace this flexible job.  When Tim’s 40-year career in the construction industry came to an end in 2021, and Rosey, a former child minder, decided to step back from work as well, they were excited by the prospect of starting a new chapter homesitting to keep busy in retirement.

Tim says, “We have stayed in some beautiful places, from Grade II listed properties to new and modern homes, and looked after some incredible pets and had lots of fun doing it. Homesitters check in with us when we are on assignment and always arrange preliminary meetings with clients which we find really useful, so we know exactly how the house works and the pets’ routines before we start.”

The Mackervoys are both animal lovers who have owned two border collies and two cats in the past, but they felt that the timing wasn’t right to commit to owning more pets.

Rosey says, “We now have the opportunity to stay in new places we would never have thought to visit. We miss having our own pets, but doing this job we still can enjoy taking care of animals, which we love. It’s a really great way to get the best of both worlds.

Discussing the other perks of homesitting, Tim says, “We also make savings working as homesitters and have seen lower bills due to our time away on assignments.”

Tim calls their homesitting earnings their ‘pocket money,’ emphasising that all the money they make goes towards paying for their annual holiday.

For Tim and Rosey, homesitting isn’t just a way to fill their time; it’s a lifestyle that combines adventure, animal companionship, and financial benefits.

Homesitters is keen to hear from people interested in home and pet sitting. Ideal candidates are responsible and reliable people, who are good listeners, and will be sensitive to clients’ requirements. Proven pet-care skills and a genuine affinity for animals are also a bonus.

For more information and to apply to become a homesitter visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

Animals, Job Opportunities, Jobs, News, Recruitment, Recruitment News, Retirement

Business is booming for Homesitters Ltd – recruitment drive for 2024

Homesitters UK, the UK’s leading home and pet sitting company, is on a mission to recruit new homesitters in 2024 to meet increased demand for its service. The company is particularly interested in individuals who are retired or not in full time employment and looking for part time work or people with portfolio careers.

The company wants to attract the growing band of part time workers in the UK. According to analysis Office for National Statistics (ONS) data by Rest Less[i] there has been a 12 per cent increase in over 50s working part time in the last two years, a 26 per cent rise in the last decade and a 56 per cent increase since 2003. Two thirds of people (66 per cent) who were still working past 65 were part time, as well as 40 per cent of people aged 60-64.

Ben Irvine, Director of Operations at Homesitters said: “2024 is set to be a busy year for us. People are travelling again, there has been a huge growth in pet ownership since Covid and demand for our services has risen. We want to hire couples and single people interested in a part time, flexible role that gives people a sense of purpose, a chance to spend time with animals as well as opportunities to travel and boost their income.

“January is always busy with applications but this year we expect this to hit new levels as older people want to continue working to help with cost-of-living challenges. Homesitters are employed directly by us and benefit from the safety net that comes with working with a trusted company, including comprehensive insurance and 24/7 support for people when they are on assignments.”

Homesitting couple Tim and Rosey Mackervoy, both 60 years old, were introduced to home and pet sitting two years ago and couldn’t be happier with their decision to embrace this flexible job.  When Tim’s 40-year career in the construction industry came to an end in 2021, and Rosey, a former child minder, decided to step back from work as well, they were excited by the prospect of starting a new chapter homesitting to keep busy in retirement.

Tim says, “We have stayed in some beautiful places, from Grade II listed properties to new and modern homes, and looked after some incredible pets and had lots of fun doing it. Homesitters check in with us when we are on assignment and always arrange preliminary meetings with clients which we find really useful, so we know exactly how the house works and the pets’ routines before we start.”

The Mackervoys are both animal lovers who have owned two border collies and two cats in the past, but they felt that the timing wasn’t right to commit to owning more pets.

Rosey says, “We now have the opportunity to stay in new places we would never have thought to visit. We miss having our own pets, but doing this job we still can enjoy taking care of animals, which we love. It’s a really great way to get the best of both worlds.

Discussing the other perks of homesitting, Tim says, “We also make savings working as homesitters and have seen lower bills due to our time away on assignments.”

Tim calls their homesitting earnings their ‘pocket money,’ emphasising that all the money they make goes towards paying for their annual holiday.

For Tim and Rosey, homesitting isn’t just a way to fill their time; it’s a lifestyle that combines adventure, animal companionship, and financial benefits.

Homesitters is keen to hear from people interested in home and pet sitting. Ideal candidates are responsible and reliable people, who are good listeners, and will be sensitive to clients’ requirements. Proven pet-care skills and a genuine affinity for animals are also a bonus.

For more information and to apply to become a homesitter visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

Animals, News, Pets, Porthcawl

Volunteer widow is raising the guide dog named in her late husband’s memory.

A widow who lost her husband after years spent battling a blood cancer diagnosis is now raising a Guide Dogs puppy named in memory of him.

Sandra Corben is raising a puppy called Corby, after her husband Neil’s last name. The puppy, who has already left a “pawprint on [her] heart”, was named through the Guide Dogs’ ‘Sponsor a Puppy’ scheme after Sandra’s late mother-in-law left a legacy gift to name a dog in his memory.

The 66-year-old from Porthcawl, Wales, applied to Guide Dogs just one month after the loss of her husband in June 2013.

It has been 10 years since her soulmate Neil passed but “it just seems like yesterday for me,” Sandra says. “It hasn’t got better for me; you just learn how to cope with it.

“I truly believe, if it had not been for Guide Dogs, that I probably would have gone on to develop PTSD, which the doctors thought I might develop, or died of a broken heart like my dad seriously thought might happen.

“My story would have been very different to what it is now. I now have happiness in my life, albeit a different type of happiness from my time with Neil, that I never thought I would have again, and this is all down to Guide Dogs.”

 

Sandra and Neil were inseparable. The couple married when Sandra was 20 and Neil was 21. The couple, who tied the knot in 1977, had their own printing business together, and spent every moment by each other’s side right up until Neil died.

Sandra says: “We just kept going all the time. Before Neil was ever ill, we always used to say, ‘I want to go before you’ because the other one didn’t want to be left.

“Towards the end when he was ill, he was in the University of Wales Hospital for three months. I visited every single day, except for a couple of days when I went down with a cold and had to stay away.

“I always say with great love, comes great sorrow and when he died, for a long time, I felt as though I was living in a bubble and life had stood still for me.”

Sandra and Neil with Dog Bran

To help overcome her grief, Sandra signed up to volunteer for Guide Dogs – something the couple had always wanted to do together.

Sandra and Neil previously owned a Golden Retriever, Bran. “When Bran died, it was very difficult, because it was another bit of my life that was gone,” Sandra says. After Bran passed in January 2014, Sandra met her first Guide Dogs puppy, Berry, in March, who she described as a “diva retriever – exactly what I needed” as a distraction.

 

Guide dog puppies stay with volunteer raisers for up to a year while following daily training routine during the week and attending Guide Dog puppy classes every few weeks. Volunteers also socialise their puppies to increase their confidence by introducing them to a variety of environments.

Since applying for Guide Dogs, Sandra has raised seven dogs so far, all of whom she loves “equally”. During her time raising puppies, Sandra experienced the loss of her father James. He passed away on December 31 2017 at 81, followed by her mother Margaret on June 2 2021 at 83.

Then in September 2021, her mother-in-law passed away at the age of 96. It was a traumatising time for Sandra, yet she knew that she had to keep busy.

Jean, who was a “great animal lover,” left a £5,000 legacy gift in her will to sponsor a Guide Dog puppy to be named in memory of her son Neil. Corby was named through the scheme and the money would go towards covering the first year of the puppy’s life.

“We decided that because Golden Retrievers were our breed [as a couple], that it would be a male Golden Retriever,” says Sandra. “The two of us thought about what the name would be, something suitable for a puppy. Neil’s nickname to friends and family was ‘Corby’”.

On September 21 2023, Sandra had an emotional meeting with the “gorgeous” Corby. Corby, who is “active” and playful, loves to nibble Sandra and the furniture of the house that she has fully refurbished to accommodate him and future puppies to come. His two nicknames are “chunky monkey” and “demolition man”. Sandra has even noticed similarities between him and Neil, describing them both as “cheeky”.

While all her Guide Dogs are special, Sandra said looking after Corby is “extra special because it is a memory of Neil” and feels the fact it has come in the 10th year marks a milestone.

“Hopefully Corby will go on to change someone’s life, or he could even turn out to be a stud dog, and then that legacy would keep going.

“Whatever happens, Corby will go on to be a life-changer in whatever way, and I hope that I can continue working with Guide Dogs for many years to come.”

She adds: “I feel now that I am starting a new journey myself. During the last 10 years I have lost five of my loved ones, which includes the last of mine and Neil’s pet dogs. I am really looking forward to the adventures with guide dog puppy Corby.

“I don’t want people to be grateful to me for puppy raising, I am just so glad that I have this in my life and it’s truly kept me going. I get more out of it than I give because I know how it has saved me.

“And now, with Corby, when people chat to me about Guide Dogs, I can tell them how Corby got his name and, not only promote puppy raising as I always do but, perhaps it will encourage more people to also leave a legacy in their wills.”

  • To find out more about volunteering opportunities for Guide Dogs, call 0345 143 0191 or visit the website: guidedogs.org.uk/volunteer

 

Animals, News, Remote Working

Return to office contributes to more than one million dogs being rehomed in the UK

Rising costs and reduced remote work leading to increased dog rehoming in the UK

  • There are an estimated 12 million pet dogs in the UK according to Statista.
  • 1 in 5 surveyed have either rehomed or considered rehoming their dog in the past year.
  • 22% of owners who rehomed their dogs say this is due to the reduction in opportunities to work from home, with 25% saying it is due to financial reasons.
  • Reports indicate a spend of £1,500 annually on dog day care alone.
  • Only 17% of UK workplaces currently allow pets.
  • Nearly twice as many men gave up their dog last year than women.

A recent survey of 2,000 UK adults has revealed a concerning trend among dog owners, with 10% having rehomed their dogs within the last year and another 11% having considered it. The survey, conducted by Novuna Business Cash Flow, shines a light on the impact of changing work environments and the increased cost of living on pet ownership.

22% of dogs being rehomed due to less opportunity to work from home this year

The shift back to traditional office settings has had unforeseen consequences for the nation’s canine companions. Approximately 22% of owners who rehomed their dogs attribute their decision to the reduction in opportunities to work from home. This change in work dynamics has left many owners unable to provide adequate care for their pets during work hours, leading to tough decisions being made.

Financial pressures are at the forefront of these rehoming decisions. A quarter of those surveyed cited the increased cost of living as the pivotal factor. With reports indicating that dog owners can spend up to £1,500 annually on day care alone, as referenced by The Money Pages, the financial burden of pet ownership is becoming too heavy for some.

Men almost twice as likely to rehome their dogs than women

Interestingly, the survey found a gender disparity in rehoming rates. Out of all the dog owners surveyed, 13% of men have rehomed their dogs in the past year compared to just 7% of women. This suggests that the pressures leading to rehoming may be felt differently across demographics.

Only 17% of UK workplaces currently allow pets

Despite these challenges, only 17% of UK workplaces currently allow pets, potentially offering a solution for some. The question now arises: Should businesses adapt to the changing financial landscape and the needs of their employees by allowing pets in the workplace or offering more flexible remote work options?

John Atkinson, Head of Commercial Business at Novuna Business Cash Flow, says, “The data we’ve collected is a stark indicator of the stress that pet owners are facing in today’s economic climate. Are businesses doing enough to help their employees by offering flexible work arrangements, pet-friendly policies, even allowing pets in the workplace. This could be key to keeping families and their pets together.”

Positive shift in dog adoption amidst rising rehoming rates

Despite the challenges outlined, there is a silver lining in the UK’s canine welfare landscape. The Dogs Trust has reported encouraging data indicating a significant increase in dog adoptions, paralleling the rise in rehoming rates.

Adoption numbers on the rise, according to The Dogs Trust

  • +11% increase in dogs being adopted this year, a statistic that highlights the public’s growing preference for adoption over purchasing puppies.
  • A comparison of figures reveals a hopeful trend: from 7,775 dogs rehomed in 2021 to 9,067 in 2022 – a 16.62% increase.
  • The trend is expected to continue, with projections for 2023 estimating around 10,070 dog adoptions, an 11.06% increase from 2022.

This data presents an optimistic counter-narrative, showcasing the public’s increasing willingness to offer homes to dogs in need, thereby maintaining a balance in dog welfare amidst challenging times.

About the Research:

  • Total dogs in the UK: https://www.statista.com/statistics/515379/dogs-population-in-the-united-kingdom-uk/
  • Field Dates: 31st October – 3rd November 2023
  • Sample: 2000 UK adults
  • Weighting: Weighted to be nationally representative
  • Dog adoption figures were provided by the Dogs Trust on 15/11/2023 when asked “Please provide a year on year comparison on how many dogs have actually been rehomed (2021, 2022, 2023)?”

 

About Novuna

Novuna is a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, a leading financial services company, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We have over 2,200 employees, £7.6bn of net earning assets and nearly 1.3 million customers across five business divisions; Novuna Consumer Finance, Novuna Vehicle Solutions, Novuna Business Finance, Novuna Business Cash Flow and our European division specialising in Vendor Finance. For over 40 years, formerly as Hitachi Capital (UK) PLC, we have worked with consumers and small to medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as corporate multinationals in the UK and mainland Europe, enabling millions of consumers and businesses to achieve their ambitions.

From 1 April 2021 we became a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., strengthening our relationship with one of the world’s largest and most diversified financial groups with over £60bn of assets.

 

Novuna Business Cash Flow

Novuna Business Cash Flow provides cashflow finance solutions to SMEs across a wide range of sectors in the UK, allowing businesses to release cash from unpaid invoices within 24 hours.

With remote digital on-boarding through FLi, its unique platform, and flexible approach to contracts, Novuna Business Cash Flow was awarded the Best Factoring and Invoice Discounting Provider at the 2023 Business Moneyfacts Awards.

Novuna Business Finance and Novuna Business Cash Flow are both trading styles of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, part of Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc., one of the world’s largest and most diversified financial groups, with over £60bn of assets.

Animals, News, Retirement, Travel

Sailing into new horizons: The Horsups’ homesitting lifestyle redefines retirement.

Many people approaching retirement, don’t want to stop work completely. According to Aviva, two in five 55-64 years olds plan to ease into semi-retirement before reaching state pension age[i].

One couple enjoying this new era of semi-retirement is Malcom and Sue Horsup, a former police officer and bookkeeper from Colchester in Essex, who became professional home and pet sitters through Homesitters when they retired early aged 50.  The couple are very active and wanted something to occupy them in the winter. They didn’t want to sit twiddling our thumbs and homesitting gives them the perfect balance.

The Horsups love to travel and have a boat moored in France. As homesitting is flexible, the couple can choose their assignments and fit them around their travel plans. They tend to spend six months of the year on their boat in France and the other six months on dry land.

Sue and Malcolm’s other great love is dogs. Whilst they have never owned a dog together and have always wanted to, they knew they couldn’t commit fully to owning a dog, so they opted for the next best thing – looking after other’s people’s dogs.

Sue explained: “Since becoming homesitters, we get our ‘dog fix’ every winter and all the assignments we do involve looking after dogs. We’ve looked after German Shepherds, Labradors and three Italian Spinoni, one of which who was a former show dog. We have also cared for some elderly and poorly dogs and on one sit, we were having to administer chemotherapy.”

The couple take on around 10 assignments per year and have many regular clients who request them time after time.

Sue says: “We have one client who won’t go on holiday unless she knows we are available to look after her dogs. We have stayed in some fantastic homes. These have included multi-million-pound mansions with swimming pools and gyms and Grade 1 listed houses dating back to the 12th century, as well as typical family homes.

Malcolm says the role is particularly suitable for retired police men and women because of the trust element that’s needed.

He says, “Being a policeman comes with a high degree of responsibility and trust and it’s the same job requirements needed for home and pet sitting. Clients trust their homes and beloved pets to you, and they need to have faith that you will look after both responsibly.”

Whilst Sue and Malcolm don’t homesit for financial reasons they have experienced some of the other monetary benefits which comes with home and pet sitting. Homesitters carrying out a week’s homesit with no pets, for one hour and 45 minutes of work a day would earn £87 per week. However, the pay rises with each pet.

Normally the average working time per day does not exceed 1.75 hours per day. The amount homesitters can earn will depend on the number of pets involved in the assignment and how long each assignment is. They are also given travel expenses and a weekly food allowance.

Sue says, “We love every aspect of the job which has made retirement life even more enjoyable and rewarding. We still get to travel as much as we like but also get to be around our favourite animals which allows other people to get away with real peace of mind that their pets are being well looked after.”

Ben Irvine, Director of Operations at Homesitters says: “Like Malcolm and Sue, our homesitters make the most of their assignments and enjoy the chance to stay in new places and explore new surroundings whilst caring for people’s homes, possessions, and pets. It’s a responsible but very enjoyable role that tends to suit people in retirement and boost their finances.”

As a homesitter, you have complete freedom to choose how many assignments you undertake and what type of sits you do. Homesitters receive a daily food allowance and travel expenses (both tax-free) and earn a modest remuneration to supplement your pension. Home and pet sitting also provides an opportunity to make considerable savings on your own household bills while you are away.

Homesitters are currently recruiting so if you’re interested in finding out more about life as a home and pet sitter please get in touch on 01296 630 730 or visit our www.homesitters.co.uk

[i] Two in five 55-64 year olds plan to move into semi-retirement before reaching state pension age – Aviva plc

Animals, Mental Health, News, Retirement

Boost wellbeing and beat the cost-of-living by becoming a home and pet sitter

On 10th October World Mental Health Day[i], leading home and pet sitting company, Homesitters Ltd is highlighting how the role can boost both mental and physical wellbeing, as well as financial wellbeing at a time when the cost-of-living is continuing to bite.

A report earlier this year commissioned by Nuffield Health[ii] showed that the nation’s physical and mental health is being significantly impacted by the cost-of-living crisis.

It found over one in three people (35%) reported that their physical health had deteriorated in the last year, and nearly one in four people (23%) rated their mental health as poor, while one in three reported that their mental health has got worse over the last year.

The report also showed that almost one in three people (32%) said that exercise improves their mental health, with over a quarter (27%) saying that exercise lifts their mood and helps them feel less anxious or depressed.

Ben Irvine, Director of Operations at Homesitters Ltd said: “Homesitting involves taking care of a client’s home and pets when they go away. The role can enhance mental wellbeing through caring and being around pets, plus it’s an opportunity to explore different places which can lead to personal growth and a broader perspective on life.

“It also promotes an active lifestyle which is great for physical health, from daily walks with dogs and looking after the home to encouraging more exercise visiting new places. Financially its enables people to earn a bit of extra money, plus make savings on their own bills when on assignments. This all contributes to a boost in wellbeing.”

Homesitter’s research with 400 of its homesitters showed the role has a positive effect on mental and physical health, with 90% reporting a positive impact on their overall wellbeing. The study also found that homesitters feel happier, are better off, and have a sense of purpose in retirement due to homesitting.

One homesitter reaping the benefits from homesitting is 81-year-old Margaret Mackleworth who has done over 200 homesits. She takes on as many assignments as she can fit in around volunteering for Age Concern and family commitments, as she likes to keep busy.

With the cost-of-living continuing to impact people it provides an income as well as savings on her energy bills when she is on assignment.  Homesitters receive a modest remuneration, plus a food allowance and mileage paid by the client.

Margaret says, “I absolutely love homesitting. It slots in nicely around my commitments and I do as many assignments as I can. I really notice the energy savings, especially in the winter months and the money I earn is a welcome boost to my pension.

“I usually take food with me for the start of the assignment, but then can just top it up with the food allowance I get on the assignment, meaning I can save a little here each time, plus the mileage is handy. It all adds up!”

For Margaret, who previously owned a Border collie and loves animals, particularly dogs it’s the ideal flexible role. Where she lives currently doesn’t allow a pet so home sitting gives her the opportunity to spend time with animals, offering what she says is the next best thing.

Margaret says, “Homesitting is the perfect job for me, I love to visit new places and meet new people and I find that dog walking is very sociable! One of my favourite things is to go for long walks in the countryside so I enjoy rural homesits with dogs. I’m a fit and healthy 81-year-old and I’ve got itchy feet, so like to be out and about exploring places.

“I’ve met some lovely people and pets, and stayed in some great properties. I have every intention continuing homesitting for as long as I can, and highly recommend it as a role for retirees. If you like animals and travelling, and want to earn a bit of money it’s fantastic.”

Homesitters is currently recruiting. For more information and to apply visit: www.homesitters.co.uk

[i] https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2023

[ii] https://www.lboro.ac.uk/news-events/news/2023/june/new-report-highlights-cost-of-living-crisis-impact

Animals, Job Opportunities, Jobs, Retirement

Homesitting could be the perfect ‘staycation’ for Brits wanting to holiday in the UK

Staycations grew in popularity following Covid restrictions on travel abroad in 2020-2022, and they are trend here to stay.

New research by Cofton Holidays[i] revealed that 73% of adults are more likely to opt for ‘staycations’ in the UK instead of a holiday abroad over the next year.

It also revealed that 1 in 3 UK adults (34%) said that the likelihood of them going on UK breaks instead of an overseas trip had increased compared to before Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis.

The top five reasons are because UK breaks are seen as easier to plan (63%); cheaper (51%); easier to travel to (42%); a way to avoid chaos at airports (41%) and avoid uncertainty around travel restrictions in other countries (35%).

But what if there was a way to make a staycation even cheaper and easier, as well as earn a bit of extra money? Well, there is good news there is, and that is to become a home and pet sitter!

Homesitting is a flexible role for people who want to keep active and busy as well as boost their pension income.

The role appeals for lots of reasons with our recent research with our homesitters finding that the top three benefits of the job are the chance to explore the UK, look after pets, and have a change of scenery.

Many of our homesitters have also suggested the role is like having lots of ‘mini holidays’ throughout the year with each assignment giving them the opportunity to visit somewhere new and stay for free!

It’s the ultimate staycation as people can choose assignments in places they have always wanted to visit and don’t have to pay for accommodation.

On top of that, homesitters receive a modest remuneration, are reimbursed for mileage when they travel to and from an assignment, plus receive a daily food allowance.

For two of our homesitters, Martin and Kristine Bell the chance to stay in new places throughout the UK and spend time with pets is a big part of the attraction.

Martin and Kristine are from Nottinghamshire and decided to start home and pet sitting after retiring. Martin retired at the age of 60 from a career in industry and legal secretary, Kristine decided to retire at the same time so they could spend more time together.

The couple didn’t want to sit around doing nothing during their retirement and were keen to get out and meet new people and visit new places. Homesitting seemed a good way of doing this. They also wanted to spend time with animals without the commitment involved in being a dog owner, after the losing their dog.

Martin said: “We started homesitting in 2017 after we lost our 14 year old west highland terrier. We love dogs but we were coming up to retirement and didn’t want the commitment of having another one, so homesitting seemed like the ideal way for us to get our animal fix without the long-term commitment.”

“Generally, we do around 10 sits a year – and they can range from a weekend stay to a couple of weeks. We could do more but we like to do other things too.  The main reason we homesit is because of our love of animals but it can be a very good way to boost a state pension and make savings on utility bills too – particularly during the winter months.”

The Bells thoroughly enjoy the homesitting lifestyle. They spend the evenings reading, or doing crosswords and suduko puzzles and Kristine enjoys knitting. In one home there was a large dining room table so they did a 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle over the course of their stay.

Martin adds, “We’re just ordinary people doing ordinary things and getting the maximum benefit from our retirement. You’d be surprised how many people aren’t aware that home and pet sitting is a job and we’d recommend it to anyone who’s retired.

“Where else would you get the opportunity to stay in different homes in new places and experience other people’s pets and lifestyles and not have to pay lots of money to do it?”

We are currently recruiting, so if like the Bells you want to enjoy staycations for free and spend time with pets then check out the Become a homesiter section on our website which explains more about the role, the types of people we are looking for and how to apply.

Agriculture, Animals, Farming

Bird Flu Strikes Europe; Britain Scrambles to Stop the Spread

Bird flu, or avian influenza and more specifically HPAI (Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza) is wreaking havoc across Europe, with France, Germany and countries in Scandinavia particularly affected, while there have been further reports of wild birds dying of the disease across the coast of Scotland. In England, Scotland and Wales, the Avian Influenza Prevention Zone (AIPZ) was removed as of 4 July 2023, with the authorities placing a strong emphasis on biosecurity measures across all poultry farms instead.

Less than two months later and there is further concern across Europe and into Britain that bird flu is on the rise again. The gap between waves of the disease appears to get shorter and shorter, which only serves to shine a brilliant bright spotlight on the vital nature of biosecurity measures for poultry owners of all sizes.

The need for this current wave to be taken seriously is highlighted not only by moral duty but by past statistics. In 2021 alone in Germany 2.3 million birds were destroyed as a result of infection. The knock on effects of such necessary culls once disease strikes are far-reaching. Not only in terms of cost to the farmers, but also the emotional toll of such measures and the knock-on effects down the line.

In addition, the cost of cleaning and disinfecting barns after such an outbreak is incredible and must be shouldered by the farmers, who are further hindered by the protocol which prohibits them from keeping animals for certain timeframes, depending on the option chosen. Such a devastating outbreak can signal the end of the road for businesses whose costs are already sky high due to inflation. And then there is the risk of avian influenza spreading to new species.

All of these factors come together to illustrate the vital importance of prevention when it comes to avian influenza. But just how can farmers stop the disease from getting into their flocks?

In the absence of satisfactory vaccines, the answer, or at least the best chance of one, lies in the tightening of biosecurity measures on farms of all shapes and sizes across Britain.

Biosecurity in the context of poultry farming involves the implementation of practices and planned measures designed to prevent the entry and transmission of pathogens across the farm, reducing insofar as possible, the negative impact these pathogens can have on the population. It is highly likely that all poultry owners have adopted biosecurity measures, but it is also true that there are many farms with inadequate or outdated biosecurity procedures in place. This is where a fresh, expert pair of eyes comes in. The likes of Livetec, who support British farms with biosecurity solutions and auditing should be considered by poultry farms nationwide to come up with the best, bespoke plan of action in this vital war against avian influenza.