Justine & Mass

House and pet sitting since 2018

Hi everyone!

Our names are Justine and Mass. I probably wrote a bit much here, but better too much than not enough.
We're an energetic (and well seasoned) couple of professionals.
Justine works from home, Mass is home 3 days per week, I'm home 2, and for enjoyment and change we love to house and pet sit. We love animals and the lifestyle of experiencing new places. So far we have cared for nearly 30 pets over several years, 16 of them via Happy House Sitters; and this year we've registered on Aussie House Sitters and Trusted Housesitters. One of us loves gardening, and both are obsessive about fur fam and cleanliness.

We've moved back to the Gold Coast (have family in Bonogin) and we're in a small apartment in Surfers. Until we build or settle in a our own place again, pet and housesitting fills a little furry void for us. We're committed, reliable and happy. We're open to 'holiday' sits in many locations, but focused on local Bris, GC and Sunny Coast stints for now, to get out of the apartment and have furry company at home.
Available for sits either a few weeks for fun, or 4 months and above (after which we plan to move to a new rental ourselves).

We hold current national security checks, a doggo-friendly vehicle, are non-smoking and have some pretty great testimonials (thanks everyone) that we will provide the utmost care, respect and attention to your fur family, property and privacy.

As experienced prior home-owners, our focus is on what would matter to us in your situation: security, care and affection for your pets, cleanliness and communication (we like to send regular video updates for peace of mind, to help you feel comfortable and confident.) Pre-covid we spent a full year house sitting getting to know Melbourne (amazing!)

About us:
We are one Aussie and one wannabe Aussie (Canadian-Italian), a winning team since 2017.

Our own individual fur family members have included a pug, a beagle, a sweet blue heeler x staffy, four rescue moggies, a rescued Chinese-speaking galah and an overbearing budgie. Justine's goal is to live sustainably, rescue chooks and work in the community; and Mass wants to raise a malamute and a grumble of pugs. (Yes, it's called a grumble.)

Previous House-sitting bookings:
2023 Apr 1x gorgeous poodleX & 2x sweetheart round little lap cats with aggressive patting requirements 😆 (Tallebudgera Qld)
2022 1yo large male cat (various repeat bookings) (Bonogin Qld)
2019 (repeat booking, 2wks) 2x senior chihuahua X, m&f
2018-19 Husky, male, Oct 2018 - April 2019 (Footscray VIC)
2018 2x Ragdoll cats, male & female (Footscray VIC)
2018 Moggy, male, 9 Sep - 24 Oct (Caulfield VIC)
2018 Pug pup, male + 3 cats, 15 Aug - 3 Sep (Brunswick VIC)
2018 2x senior chihuahua X, m&f, 30 May - 25 Jul (Melb VIC)
2018 Basset hound & Blood hound, males, 13 May - 23 May (Yarraville VIC)
2018 Burmese cat, male, 30 Mar -14 Apr (Brunswick, VIC)
2018 Senior moggie, male, on medication (Brunswick, VIC)
2018 Moggie, male, Mar (Collingwood, VIC)
2017 Mature chihuahua x, male (Ballarat, VIC)

About Justine: I originally began house-sitting in the 2000s, when I was waiting for my house to be built. Love a good veggie garden, early mornings, being active and teaching English. Originally from country WA I grew up around properties with horses, sheep, birds and working dogs. I've lived in WA, Vic, Qld, Japan, UK. I have family in the GC hinterland.

About Mass: originally from Canada and have been on this side of the equator for just over 7 years now with most of my time spent on the Gold Coast and Melbourne. Love Australia, love the beach, non-smoker, live a pretty regimented life and love animals.

Please feel free to say hi and ask any questions - we would love to come and meet you and your pets, have a chat and see how we go! Comfort is a must.

References from our last sitting platform (Happy Housesitters) can be shared on request, as I can't upload here. I've added a few snippets below.

Warm regards
Justine and Mass

(North Melbourne, 4/9/2018, 2x dogs & multi-story home)
"I could see that the dogs - Louis and Bella - took a liking to them immediately, and I think the feeling was mutual! They were delightful house-companions during that time, and I left on the trip without any concerns about their capacity to care for the house and the dogs. While we were away Justine and Mass sent us regular email updates, and photos and little movies of the doggies on Facebook. We never worried for a moment that the dogs were not in good hands, and on return home the two mutts were found to be in excellent condition and obviously completely adapted to Justine and Mass, and enjoying life with them so much that we were barely noticed! Louis and Bella still get excited when Justine and Mass ring the door-bell for a visit. In conclusion, we think Justine and Mass are two people of the highest integrity and display the level of responsibility we desire in house-sitters. If they're available next time we go on a long trip, we'll call them first. We can recommend them without reservation as mature, friendly people who respect one's house and seem to love looking after animals with affection and an easy-going know-how. Andrew McRae and Carolyne.Lee"

(Brunswick, 16/4/2018, senior cat and duplex)
"Justine was an excellent house and pet sitter while we were away on holiday overseas. She took great care of our senior cat, including his special dietary needs, and gave him plenty of attention and play time. Our home was well looked after by Justine, including attending to our indoor plants and outdoor garden, and was immaculately clean and tidy when we returned home. She was also easy to communicate with when making plans and as needed and while we were away. We would definitely recommend Justine for house and pet sitting!"
Erin and Damien