MELBOURNE PET NANNY
House and Pet Sitter in Melbourne
FAQS
WHAT DO YOU DO IF SOMETHING HAPPENS TO MY PET WHILE YOU ARE MINDING THEM?
Fortunately for me, I've never had a major unpleasant issue while housesitting. Apart from a snake in a chicken coop and a collie scaring the life out of me when he learnt to jump on the roof! As a big planner, I ask home/pet owners to leave me details of their usual vet, a 24-hour local emergency clinic and a local emergency contact as a precaution. If you have an elderly pet, please be assured that should the worst happen, I will stay by their side so they can cross the rainbow bridge while someone familiar holding their paw.
DO YOU HAVE INSURANCE?
If you would like the peace of mind of an insured sitter, you can confirm a booking with me through Mad Paws. Please note, my availability calendar on this platform is not updated as regularly as it is on my own website - the calendar on my 'Melbourne Pet Nanny' website homepage (this website).
WILL YOU SPEND A NIGHT WITH US BEFORE WE LEAVE SO THE PETS CAN GET SETTLED/ DO A HANDOVER?
Of course, I'm very happy to spend one night with my hosts when possible if requested and enjoy having the pets settle with me while their primary humans are still around.
WILL YOU SEND ME UPDATES OF HOW THINGS ARE GOING?
Of course, I have all messaging and calling apps you can think of and will check with you how often you'll like to hear from me along with what time zone(s) you'll be in.
DO YOU OFFER HOUSE VISITS / DOG WALKING / DAY CARE AT YOUR OWN HOME?
As a full-time house-sitter, I do not offer this. While I'm a guest in someone's home, my full attention is on their requirements. Between my sitting commitments and remote work, I do not have the time to offer any other services to a high standard. Check out platforms such as Mad Paws, Paw Shake and Pet Cloud to find someone suitable.
YOU ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR MY ENTIRE DATES, CAN YOU DO PART OF IT?
While I appreciate you trying to work around my availability, I generally don’t take on housesits unless I am the only housesitter and available for the full duration. This is mainly because I like to do handovers in person, and should something unpleasant happen to one of my adopted furbabies while their real human is away, or in your home, the spread of responsibility is then shared across two parties. In my opinion this will get a bit tricky to navigate in terms of accountability. However, I’m happy to discuss this further and take these enquires case-by-case. If I already know you and have the opportunity to meet your other sitter, I am more likely to feel comfortable sharing the responsibility.
CAN MY DOG/ CAT SLEEP ON THE BED WITH YOU?
Yep! I aim to keep your household routine as close to your own as possible. My own pup, Rocco loves an invitation to sleep on the human bed too and I find it a huge comfort. I get slight allergies so am not keen on big shedders next to me while sleeping but it's easily management with antihistamines.
I HAVE A LARGE / GIANT DOG, ARE YOU HAPPY TO SIT FOR THEM?
Yes - I love large and giant dog breeds!
HOW MANY DOGS CAN YOU WALK AT ONCE?
This is dependent on their behaviour, size, breed, temperament and personality. There is no blanket response to this. The most dogs I have taken out at any one time is four, I would not go above this as being able to keep my attention on each pet I am entrusted with is the priority. Generally, if I have multiple dogs I will first walk them separately and gauge how their recall and responsiveness is to me before taking them altogether.
I DON'T HAVE ANY PETS BUT WANT A HOUSE SITTER FOR SECURITY / MY GARDEN, DO YOU OFFER THIS?
Yep! I like to call myself an avid green-thumb however I am still a novice by most standards. I love indoor plants and gardens and am very happy to tend to these, I find it therapeutic.
DO YOU TAKE YOUR OWN DOG ON SITS?
I used to my pup Rocco everywhere I possibly could (as I did with his predecessor, Coco) including housesits. This has since changed as Rocco doesn't enjoy the nomad life anymore, preferring to be in once place with his normal routine at home. At times, I may still take him on a sit if he's compatible with the resident pets however this is now a case-by-case basis and not a requirement for me.
ARE YOU HAPPY TO SIT FOR ME IF I HAVE A FLATMATE/ BORDER OR MY KIDS STAY HOME?
No. This is a safety and security issue. I have a current police check but this does not cover working with children and I am not prepared to assume responsibility for your child(ren) or other relatives. I also have erratic sleep patterns so am not an ideal housemate. If your home has separate living spaces (such as a granny flat) and your family or friends want to spend a few nights, that's no drama at all. I've spent lots of time with family and close friends of people I've sat for.
CAN YOU HOUSESIT IN OTHER AREAS?
I'm very happy to travel for sitting jobs. I am often looking for smaller sits to fill gaps in my calendar also. I am happy to go interstate and regional if not committed to a work project which requires to be based somewhere. I've housesat while travelling and working remotely across Europe and America also.
REGARDING CAMERAS IN THE HOME
Home security is important, while I am comfortable housesitting in homes that have external cameras, if you feel the need to have them within your home, or anywhere outside of entrance points, I will not be comfortable housesitting for you.