Simon
Reliable, experienced and mature pet/house sitter
About Simon
I am a mature international business consultant, with many years experience in Australia and overseas. I very much enjoy the company of, and exercising and looking after, household pets.
I have over 20 years experience looking after large and small family houses with pets both in Australia and overseas. The owners have only ever been very compl...
I am a mature international business consultant, with many years experience in Australia and overseas. I very much enjoy the company of, and exercising and looking after, household pets.
I have over 20 years experience looking after large and small family houses with pets both in Australia and overseas. The owners have only ever been very complimentary about my general approach, responsibility, resourcefulness, and way with animals, as my excellent references will attest.
I am a non-smoker. Police check available on request.
Why I want to house sit
The nature of my work as an international corporate consultant permits me to fulfil my assignments online from virtually anywhere. As such owners benefit from my spending most of my time with their pets in situ.
I enjoy the company of pets, but presently do not own any myself. So caring for pet(s) as part of the arrangement is always a pleasure.
My experience
I have minded houses and pets on and off for over 20 years. I have owned my own property in South Kensington, London for some 17 years, but am now based back in Sydney and SE Asia these days. As an owner myself I am accustomed to caring for property and dealing with day to day household issues. I am a responsible house "manager/minder" and can generally solve any appliance, swimming pool or garden issues that might arise.
As a frequent traveler and home owner I myself have frequently called on the services of friends and acquaintances as house and pet sitters, and I understand the concerns people have about their pets, homes and household items when they go away. Having a large book collection, and many items picked up over years of travelling, I empathize with owners wishes that they are all well cared for in there absence. I will take care to ensure that they are, and maintained regular contact as required. I will treat your home, garden and pets with due diligence and respect, recognizing the trust owners place in me as "guardian"of their property in there absence.
I have looked after large and small family houses with pets (usually dogs but also cats) in the Eastern Suburbs, Manly , Hunters Hill and a number of homes the North Shore (e.g. Castlecove and Willoughby) in Sydney, and also in Spain and Bali. I have also from time to time over 30 years assisted maintain a 2,000 acre cattle property bordering a big national park, with hobby/working horses and animals. In all cases owners have only ever been very complimentary about my general approach, responsibility, resourcefulness, and way with animals, as my excellent references will confirm. Further personal references can be provided as required.
I understand pet owners form close bonds with there pets, and are concerned to ensure that they are made as relaxed and “in their comfort zone”” as possible during the owners absence. This often dictates the arrangements made for housesitting. I respect the owners’ affinity and have a strong empathy with animals myself. Stress can be minimized by a warm and thoughtful attitude and approach to the pet(s) in question. Maintaining as closely as possible their daily routine and frequent interface between sitter and pet is important to put the pet at ease. I like to exercise, so walking dogs is a natural and pleasurable activity for me. I have myself owned a Dalmatian for many years, a cat and sulfur crested cockatoo, and so know what is involved. I derived much happiness from their company. I have also cared for pets with special needs, including a golden retriever with the common hip degeneration problems, a Scottie which was highly strung, and a sick galah.
People generally find me to be personable, outgoing and responsible, and I have brought these characteristics and experience to house sitter and pet-minder assignments which I have found it convenient to take on over many years during my periodic return visits to Australia and other countries. By way of background, I was born and educated in Australia, and have two degrees from Sydney University. I have lived and worked in Europe for 20 years, predominantly England and Spain, but also the USA and SE Asia, and spent time more recently residing and working as a consultant in Indonesia. These days I work from home as a corporate consultant, based in Sydney but am flexible as to where I am located and selective about the assignments I undertake. I have traveled widely, and taken bareboat sailing charters (yacht hire) as a qualified skipper myself on some 28 occasions around the world, including North America, the Caribbean and Venezuelan coast, the Mediterranean and the South Pacific.. I also am an experienced scuba diver, and enjoy hiking/bush walking, history and films. I often develop lasting friendships from these activities, and from house/pet owners who have something in common.
Full police check available on request.
Reviews (16)
-
Helen - Bagnères-de-Luchon, France
19 October - 28 October 2018
Simon is a nice guy who we got on very well with. He clearly loves animals and looked after the dog and the rest of the pets really well. He and Daisy, the dog, clearly formed a close bond and we came home to well looked after home with happy pets. We were very happy with Simon as a housesitter.
Simon is a nice guy who we got on very well with. He clearly loves animals and looked after the dog and the rest of the pets really well. He and Daisy, the dog, clearly formed a close bond and we came home to well looked after home with happy pets. We were very happy with Simon as a housesitter.
- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
-
John - Burradoo, New South Wales, Australia
13 November - 05 December 2018
Once again, we have been extremely happy and grateful to have Simon look after our beloved dogs and our house. He is extremely flexible and able to accommodate our often rapidly changing plans as we move between Sydney and Burradoo.
His skill, expertise and affection for dogs has been particula...Once again, we have been extremely happy and grateful to have Simon look after our beloved dogs and our house. He is extremely flexible and able to accommodate our often rapidly changing plans as we move between Sydney and Burradoo.
His skill, expertise and affection for dogs has been particularly highlighted with this last sit - he has looked after our two dogs, and each of our daughters’ dogs we are currently minding. Four dogs with an age range of 6 months to almost 14 years! Pretty impressive.
We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending Simon and hope he will continue to help us out in the future. Our dogs adore him!
Julie and John- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
-
Rose & Jeremy - Monte Estoril, Portugal
30 October - 05 November 2018
Simon asked if he could arrive 3 days early which was inconvenient but I felt obliged to agree to. He arrived totally unprepared - no coat (the forecast was for rain every day so he needed to borrow one from Jeremy), no suitable shoes for dog walking in the wet and apparently no money. We fed him...
Simon asked if he could arrive 3 days early which was inconvenient but I felt obliged to agree to. He arrived totally unprepared - no coat (the forecast was for rain every day so he needed to borrow one from Jeremy), no suitable shoes for dog walking in the wet and apparently no money. We fed him for 3 days before we left and he ate most of the fridge contents whilst we were gone.
We arrived home to a not very clean apartment (Rio sheds so regular vacuuming is essential) and evidence that she had used the terrace for the toilet which she would have hated to do.
I am not happy giving such a negative review but our first experience of having a pet sitter was not so good and I would not recommend this particular sitter.
He is now no longer registered with Trusted House Sitters so this is for future reference.- Organised
-
- Reliable
-
- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
-
Response from Simon
It would appear that this particular owner fails to get that sitting is a two-way street. I walked the dog in question for some 2km a day, as well as early morning and late night toilet walks daily in all weather including stormy conditions (essential as it is an apartment on the 2nd floor without a suitable surrounding garden). This was done without complaint, as well as provided companionship and caring (& feeding etc) for a good part of each day. In my over 4 years and 20 sits (and numerous repeat sits) in 5 countries, I have only received positive feedback, and never come across this attitude before. I should add that the dog's regular susceptibility to prolonged bouts of diarrhea, fortunately, was not a problem during the sit, but I willingly took on board this risk and the ensuing cleanups that would be necessitated should it have occurred (as was quite possible according to the owner).
No mention of any dissatisfaction was made at the time of the sit, and curiously the review was only posted sometime after the sit finished. As owners taking on a sitter for the first time there would appear to be much to be learned, and it would be well to remember that the days of master and servant are behind us.
For my part I would not be able to recommend this owner to sitters.
About Simon
I am a mature international business consultant, with many years experience in Australia and overseas. I very much enjoy the company of, and exercising and looking after, household pets.
I have over 20 years experience looking after large and small family houses with pets both in Australia and overseas. The owners have only ever been very complimentary about my general approach, responsibility, resourcefulness, and way with animals, as my excellent references will attest.
I am a non-smoker. Police check available on request.
I am a mature international business consultant, with many years experience in Australia and overseas. I very much enjoy the company of, and exercising and looking after, household pets.
I have over 20 years experience looking after large and small family houses with pets both in Australia and overseas. The owners have only ever been very complimentary about my general approach, responsibility, resourcefulness, and way with animals, as my excellent references will attest.
I am a non-smoker. Police check available on request.
Why I want to house sit
The nature of my work as an international corporate consultant permits me to fulfil my assignments online from virtually anywhere. As such owners benefit from my spending most of my time with their pets in situ.
I enjoy the company of pets, but presently do not own any myself. So caring for pet(s) as part of the arrangement is always a pleasure.
My experience
I have minded houses and pets on and off for over 20 years. I have owned my own property in South Kensington, London for some 17 years, but am now based back in Sydney and SE Asia these days. As an owner myself I am accustomed to caring for property and dealing with day to day household issues. I am a responsible house "manager/minder" and can generally solve any appliance, swimming pool or garden issues that might arise.
As a frequent traveler and home owner I myself have frequently called on the services of friends and acquaintances as house and pet sitters, and I understand the concerns people have about their pets, homes and household items when they go away. Having a large book collection, and many items picked up over years of travelling, I empathize with owners wishes that they are all well cared for in there absence. I will take care to ensure that they are, and maintained regular contact as required. I will treat your home, garden and pets with due diligence and respect, recognizing the trust owners place in me as "guardian"of their property in there absence.
I have looked after large and small family houses with pets (usually dogs but also cats) in the Eastern Suburbs, Manly , Hunters Hill and a number of homes the North Shore (e.g. Castlecove and Willoughby) in Sydney, and also in Spain and Bali. I have also from time to time over 30 years assisted maintain a 2,000 acre cattle property bordering a big national park, with hobby/working horses and animals. In all cases owners have only ever been very complimentary about my general approach, responsibility, resourcefulness, and way with animals, as my excellent references will confirm. Further personal references can be provided as required.
I understand pet owners form close bonds with there pets, and are concerned to ensure that they are made as relaxed and “in their comfort zone”” as possible during the owners absence. This often dictates the arrangements made for housesitting. I respect the owners’ affinity and have a strong empathy with animals myself. Stress can be minimized by a warm and thoughtful attitude and approach to the pet(s) in question. Maintaining as closely as possible their daily routine and frequent interface between sitter and pet is important to put the pet at ease. I like to exercise, so walking dogs is a natural and pleasurable activity for me. I have myself owned a Dalmatian for many years, a cat and sulfur crested cockatoo, and so know what is involved. I derived much happiness from their company. I have also cared for pets with special needs, including a golden retriever with the common hip degeneration problems, a Scottie which was highly strung, and a sick galah.
People generally find me to be personable, outgoing and responsible, and I have brought these characteristics and experience to house sitter and pet-minder assignments which I have found it convenient to take on over many years during my periodic return visits to Australia and other countries. By way of background, I was born and educated in Australia, and have two degrees from Sydney University. I have lived and worked in Europe for 20 years, predominantly England and Spain, but also the USA and SE Asia, and spent time more recently residing and working as a consultant in Indonesia. These days I work from home as a corporate consultant, based in Sydney but am flexible as to where I am located and selective about the assignments I undertake. I have traveled widely, and taken bareboat sailing charters (yacht hire) as a qualified skipper myself on some 28 occasions around the world, including North America, the Caribbean and Venezuelan coast, the Mediterranean and the South Pacific.. I also am an experienced scuba diver, and enjoy hiking/bush walking, history and films. I often develop lasting friendships from these activities, and from house/pet owners who have something in common.
Full police check available on request.
Verifications
Email Address, External references (6)
Animal Care Experience
-
Dogs
-
Cats
-
Horses
-
Fish
-
Poultry
-
Farm animals
Availability
Preferred Countries
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
Simon has done 34 house sits since 2014
-
BurradooAustraliaNov - Dec 2018 -
Monte EstorilPortugalOct - Nov 2018 -
Bagnères-de-LuchonFranceOct 2018 -
FounexSwitzerlandOct 2018 -
BaselSwitzerlandSep - Oct 2018 -
Maisons-LaffitteFranceSep 2018 -
SevillaSpainAug 2018 -
SydneyAustraliaApr - May 2018 -
BowralAustraliaMar 2018 -
BowralAustraliaJan - Feb 2018
-
BowralAustraliaDec 2017 -
BurradooAustraliaOct - Nov 2017 -
CanberraAustraliaJun 2017 -
BurradooAustraliaMay - Jun 2017 -
CanberraAustraliaMar 2017 -
BurradooAustraliaOct - Nov 2016
-
Stanwell ParkAustraliaJul - Aug 2016 -
WahroongaAustraliaJun - Jul 2016 -
SydneyAustraliaJun 2016 -
WyomingAustraliaJun 2016 -
GeelongAustraliaMay - Jun 2016 -
CoomaAustraliaApr 2016 -
BirchgroveAustraliaJan 2016 -
ClovellyAustraliaDec 2015 - Jan 2016 -
PyrmontAustraliaOct - Nov 2015 -
ClovellyAustraliaOct - Nov 2015
-
TownsvilleAustraliaAug 2015 -
Port MacquarieAustraliaNov 2014 -
LeuraAustraliaOct 2014
-
SydneyAustraliaOct 2014 -
TownsvilleAustraliaJul - Aug 2014 -
NewportAustraliaJun 2014 -
CroydonAustraliaMay - Jun 2014
-
NewportAustraliaMay 2014
