Retired couple Reviews

3.8 Rating 5 Reviews

G'day,

We offer our services as house/dog/cat/sheep/poultry/exotic bird sitters!

We are available from:

Mid Nov 2026 to mid March 2027 in coastal/rural VIC or TAS.

AVAILABLE TO SIT OVER CHRISTMAS 2026 & NY!!

I (Martin) am from Busselton, WA & I'm married to Sylvia, a Dutch citizen. We hit the road in our camper most years, November to March & try to visit a different part of our beautiful country each time.

We are both retired (Sylvia- accountant, Martin - elections planner) after careers that have seen us wandering the world. (details & CV available).

I (Martin) have owned two dogs (a wire-haired terrier x standard schnauzer cross and also a kelpie x collie cross) over the years & much enjoyed the experience.

Sylvia inherited two cats when her parents passed away & they were fully integrated members of our family until they both passed away in the last 18 months.

So, we are happy, healthy, solvent, reliable, non-smoking university graduates & ‘semi-cultured’ world-traveller. We love exploring areas new to us but without having to stay in a hotel; we just want to enjoy animals & some peace and quiet- and new adventures.

We are very active and if we are asked to look after dogs, we would walk them miles every day! We enjoy looking after pets and find pet sitting a therapeutic way to spend time relaxing.

What about the sheep & poultry! Well, 20 years ago, with a former partner (the daughter of a sheep farmer), I (Martin) tried my hand at sheep rearing (mostly successful, but very time consuming) & had a hobby farm with 80 ewes. These days, we do not now have the land- neither do we want the responsibility - of looking after sheep permanently, but would gladly do so again on a temporary basis. Also kept chickens & ducks, so happy to include poultry in the menagerie!

REFERENCES.

Over Christmas/NY 2025/26- for 4 weeks- we dog & house sat for Florence & Philip at Bellbowrie, W of Brisbane , QLD. Duties included dog walking, pool cleaning, grass cutting & garden watering. All went well & we've received a very positive reference.

Over Christmas/NY 2023/24, we looked after 6 lorikeets & galahs & 6 chooks for 2 weeks at Adelaide for Karen & Graeme. (And they gave us a very positive reference!)

In Dec 22/Jan 23, we looked after their Rhodesian Ridgeback at Perth, WA for Dani & Ben (for 7 weeks). (And they also gave us a very positive reference!)

In Feb 2019, I looked after a cat, a house & a large fruit/veggie patch for Marty & Helen -for three weeks at Bathurst, NSW. Reference available

In November 2016, I 'cat, chook & house' sat for Narelle & Stephen at Tamworth, NSW. We have kept in touch over the years & - at their invitation- concluded a 3 week successful sit at their new home at Westbury, TAS, Jan/Feb 2024. We returned - for a 3rd enjoyable sit- in Jan 2025.

In April 2017 - and again, at their invitation, in Oct 2018- Sylvia & I 'dog & house sat' for Fiona & Ed at Aylesbury, UK .

In April 2016- and again (at their request), in May 2017, Sylvia & I 'dog & house sat' for Karen & Simon at Arborfield, UK.

We have now completed 14 sits over 9 years in AUS & UK. Only 2 have been less than successful (one untrained/unmanageable dog; one filthy house). So in 12 cases, the families were pleased with the way we looked after their animals and their houses. All families have offered very positive references -either on this site or by email- so we invite you to contact them to get, first hand, their views on how we performed. (Email addresses available on request).

If you are interested, please feel free to ask any question & we'll do our best to answer.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Big thanks & regards,

Martin & Sylvia

(our photos attached).

Visit Product Page

“Sylvia and Martin looked after our young labradoodle and our one hectare property for over a month during our tropical Brisbane summer. They succeeded in maintaining the garden in good condition despite the adverse weather, and dealt with minor issues ( pool, pump, etc). They also kept our dog active and she was happy, fit and healthy when we came back. Both kept in regular contact while we were away, sending photos of the dog and updates about the house. Martin kindly took us to and from the airport, and we found the house in impeccable condition. We were very pleased to so easily slip back into our normal routine, given how well Martin and Sylvia had kept the house ((dog, yard, pool, etc) while we were away. We wish them the very best for their future travels, and would be delighted if they would consider stopping by again.”

Helpful Report

“Martin and Sylvia were fantastic needless to say. Kept us up-to-date throughout our holidays all three dogs were happy to be with them. Property was taken care of and left clean and tidy Linen was washed. After meeting Sylvia and Martin we were very confident to leave our animals in Property in their capable hands. They would be a delight to have back and would very much like to see them again. I would recommend them to anyone that is looking for a capable and honest and clean Housesiter.”

Helpful Report

“I’m grateful Martin took care of my garden and I found my home clean and tidy on return. However I found communication with him difficult as I wouldn’t hear back to my messages for a long time (sometimes over days) and I don’t think they were good pet sitters for my cats. I don’t feel confident in having them to house/pet sit for me again.”

Helpful Report

“Martin and Sylvia, Looked after our house with great care. Our animals where very well looked after. We highly recommend Martin and Sylvia as house sitter's they care for animals like their own. Our pets where very well looked after and if any issues arised their communication was outstanding. We are very greatful to Martin and Sylvia for their care respect and communication very good house sitter's. Honest and respectful caring couple highly recommend them . Thank you Martin and Sylvia. Kind regards Karen and Graeme”

Helpful Report