Surge in holiday bookings prompts summer recruitment drive for home & pet sitters
The UK’s biggest travel agent, TUI has reported that summer holiday bookings in the UK are driving a summer holiday boom, with bookings up by a fifth on pre-pandemic levels[i].
The Queen’s Jubilee is further fuelling holiday demand as the additional bank holiday in June means people could get nine days off work in a row, by only booking three (30th May, 31st and 1st June)[ii].
To meet increased demand for their services, Homesitters Ltd, a national pet and homesitting business is on an urgent recruitment drive and is seeking new employees to look homes and pets throughout the UK.
Ben Irvine, Director of Operations at Homesitters says,
“The big rise in pet ownership during the pandemic, particularly dogs and cats, is adding to this demand. We are seeking new homesitters to join our team and get them up and running as soon as possible. The role is ideal for active retirees in their 50s, 60s and 70s, who want a flexible part time role.
“The role involves spending time with pets, exploring new parts of the UK and not having to pay for accommodation. People can also supplement their pension income as homesitters are paid a modest remuneration which includes a food allowance and travel mileage costs.”
One retired couple who have been home sitting for a few years are Sue and Gordon Heels, from Bedfordshire. After retiring they decided home sitting would be an ideal flexible form of employment with responsibility and purpose.
They love spending time with dogs and dog walking and the role gives them a chance to get out into the countryside and keep fit, whatever the weather.
They get a complete change of scene and a break from their normal routine. Living on a main road, they especially appreciate staying in homes in the countryside. One of their regular clients has a home surrounded by woodland and a range of pets to look after including goats, chickens, guinea fowl and a cockerel.
They love walking through the beautiful woodland, listening to birdsong and star gazing at night. They find it a real contrast to their normal life and, an unexpected benefit of homesitting is spending quality time together.
Sue explains,
“We love home and pet sitting because we do it together. At home we tend to do our own thing, but on assignments we work as a team and love taking the dogs for walks together.
We go to church on Sundays. When we are on home and pet sitting weekends, we find a local church to attend. We’ve made new friends across the country and were even invited for a dinner at one church.”
The couple have a regular client with an indoor swimming pool they can use when there. They can also indulge their hobbies. Gordon spends lots of time outside in the countryside while Sue likes to read. Many of the homes are beautifully decorated, including one grand Victorian house which has been lovingly restored to its former glory.
Sue says,
“It was such a pleasure to sleep in a bedroom with a beautiful antique crystal chandelier! We don’t have much art in our own home, but we’ve stayed in homes with beautiful paintings and sculptures. We have also met some really interesting and successful people, many of whom have become friends.”
The benefits of working through Homesitters Ltd include being employed directly by the company. The company offers a high level of service and homesitters are carefully matched with clients, taking into account their preferences, personalities, skills and experiences.
Homesitters can pick and choose their assignments and will almost always visit the home and pets before agreeing to take it on. Homesitters benefit from 24/7 back-up when on assignment and are fully insured through the company too.
For more information about Homesitters Ltd and to apply please visit www.homesitters.co.uk
[i] https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/markets/article-10490801/Pent-demand-fuels-summer-holiday-splurge-travel-agent-TUI.html
[ii] https://www.mirror.co.uk/money/queens-jubilee-bank-holiday-trick-24234546