Shirleen

I am mature female - education/health professional...currently completing Masters Social Work externally. I have been employed in education, community development and health in Northern Territory for 22 years and have family in Toowoomba.

I have completed housesits with various dog breeds as well as o cat sits, birds, turtles. and fish sits.

I am non smoker, non drinker. I love the company and experience of caring and learning about animals in my care and discovering Australia (and overseas). I will accept housesit offers with maximum of 5 steps front and back (recovering from wrist/hand fracture...almost 100%).

I will accept agreed housesits where homeowners are happy to offer accommodation day/night prior to commencement of housesit. This allows recovery from (many times) extensive travel time ie 8 hrs and time to meet homeowners/orientate myself with home and location and discuss pet supports. This also allows early housesit discussion free morning to depart for holiday.

I will decline housesits requiring commencement day arrival.
Accommodation costs as well as additional taxi/uber fares to travel costs make these housesits unviable using public transport.

My recommendation would be the homeowners best option is a local housesitter in situation where they require same day arrival or housesitter with vehicle.

Below is brief list of my queries in advance of housesit contact to minimise amount of contacts prior to scheduling a zoom/teams meeting or phone discussion re housesit prior to agreement or otherwise to confirm housesit as good fit for both parties.

I have a full daily personal schedule and would request a zoom or phonecall where both home owner andmyself has list of queries to decide at that meeting (or sooner after) whether housesit is a good fit for both homeowner and housesitter.

My list will include:
1. Photos of front and back entry ....I have arrived at times to large sets of stairs...not always 2 railings...I am almost recovered from my first ever injury...after 22 years driving large vehicles in NT and always completing Risk Assessments in employment...wrist/hand almost 100% not quite there yet. I prefer 5 stairs maximum.

2. Photos of front and back yards...if extensive yard care required .. a gardener or watering system required.. happy to use leaf blower..

3. Breed, age and weight of dogs...any medication required...

4. Access to public transport re location arrival access to shops etc..

5. Taxis/ubers in area

6. Names of 2 contacts closeby ie in street able to access home quickly for my safety and animal care

7. Need to able to leave house or complete independent work 4 hrs daily..are pets ok with being alone

8. Please contact within working hours 8am-5pm Mon - Fri unless housesitting. Contact perfectly fine during housesit.

I am adding these queries to profile to minimise email time and proactively inform potential housesit homeowners to minimise their search time for a suitable housesitter.

I I hope this is helpful. I understand we all lead busy lives and need peace of mind in regard to housesitting while our lives continue on and offline.

I will advise my personal email to schedule zoom/teams meetings on request.

I am travelling by public transport. Housesit needs to be close to same. Short uber from rail or bus ok.