Kathy & Jon
Kathy & Jon
Canadian Zoo Keeper and Fisheries Manager available
About Kathy & Jon
We are Jon and Kathy, non-smokers, retired, in our early sixties. We're travelers, capable home owners and guardians of creatures from hamsters to horses, looking to care for your pets and house as if they were our own. We relish the opportunity to pamper pets!
Jon's the walker. I'm happy to read about the local area and pet the cat while J...
We are Jon and Kathy, non-smokers, retired, in our early sixties. We're travelers, capable home owners and guardians of creatures from hamsters to horses, looking to care for your pets and house as if they were our own. We relish the opportunity to pamper pets!
Jon's the walker. I'm happy to read about the local area and pet the cat while Jon goes off over hill and dale.
If we use your car, we're quite used to left-hand driving (as well as right-hand...). If you're in a condo, we're familiar with "Rules and Regulations".
We're computer literate so while you're away, we would be happy to send photos of your “loved ones” and can Skype if you wish. Please see our video!
Why we want to house sit
We're retired and like to travel. We also miss having pets of our own and would cherish yours completely.
Our experience
We've lived in and renovated many different houses, some isolated in the country or mountains. We've also been landlords and know the importance of keeping things in order. Jon can handle almost any problem regarding electricity, plumbing or even soldering and light welding in a house or a hobby farm. Having worked in the inland fishery, he knows all about aquariums, pools, filters, and pumps. He has a boat operator's certificate and an enhanced driver's license.
Jon is a strong, physically fit mountain hiker, cross-country skier and swimmer who likes his daily walkies. His favourite reading material is science related and his computer time is spent on world news. He enjoys repairing and making things work again using resources at hand. His managerial skills continue as the bill payer and accountant.
As for me, I've always been devoted to animals and mindful of their well being. I've had hamsters, rabbits, fish, birds, cats and dogs and had riding lessons for many years. My training was in animal health and care, including equine, large and small animal care, plus some veterinary training. I've worked at zoos and a game farm. We've had horses on our acreage and enjoy feeding, grooming and handling them. We only ride gentle horses now but can deal with spirited ones on the ground as well as mischievous ponies!
My other passions are fine furniture, home decor and design, architecture and landscaping, plus I take pride in a clean house. I enjoy caring for plants, indoors and out and I landscaped in my younger years.
Jon and I have had a cat, a Labrador Retreiver, two Airedales and fostered another for half a year. I'm interested in animal behavior. One of the dogs had behavioural problems and we changed her from a “reactive dog” to a passive one.
Our lovely pets were doted on and we went out of our way to accommodate them. People have said that if they die and come back as an animal, they want to be one of our pets.
Reviews (4)
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Caroline - West Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada
24 July - 01 August 2018
My husband and I were extremely fortunate that Jon and Kathy were available to house sit and pet sit for us. I had to undergo a complicated surgery at a hospital located a 5-hour drive from our home. I was hospitalized for a week. During that time, Kathy communicated with me daily, sending pho...
My husband and I were extremely fortunate that Jon and Kathy were available to house sit and pet sit for us. I had to undergo a complicated surgery at a hospital located a 5-hour drive from our home. I was hospitalized for a week. During that time, Kathy communicated with me daily, sending photos of our 2 standard poodles. Jon and Kathy spent time daily caring for and walking our dogs. Their love for and knowledge of animals is very evident. In addition, they watered our vegetable garden, outdoor pots, hanging baskets, herb garden, and flower beds, during a spell of very hot weather. We returned home a week later to an immaculately clean house, happy pets, and a delicious home-made dinner. Jon and Kathy were angels sent to us in a time of need. I will never forget their kindness and cannot recommend them highly enough.
- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Response from Kathy & Jon
Caroline and Ron made us feel at home the moment we arrived. They have a beautiful big house on a large lot in West Kelowna, near vineyards, beaches and natural and cultured parks, yet it's close to shopping. We had a wonderful time with their two Standard Poodles. They are quiet, very well behaved and a delight to walk.
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Liz - The Entrance North, New South Wales, Australia
09 November - 26 December 2017
Kathy and Jon looked after our dog Milo and our home for 7 weeks in an exceptional manner
What a dynamic couple. We had rescued Milo about 3 years previously and he came with multiple fears and phobias. They used their animal experience to work through Milo's phobias with stairs and tiles. We cam...Kathy and Jon looked after our dog Milo and our home for 7 weeks in an exceptional manner
What a dynamic couple. We had rescued Milo about 3 years previously and he came with multiple fears and phobias. They used their animal experience to work through Milo's phobias with stairs and tiles. We came home to a 'new' dog. Even though Milo is a 'work in progress' Kathy and Jon have set the foundation for us to continue with his training. They also looked after our house like it was their own.
We would highly recommend them for ANY house sit. Many thanks to you both!- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
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- Tidy
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- Pet care
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Response from Kathy & Jon
We so enjoyed our sit here. The house is very modern, near the beach and set in a holiday area. There are many places to visit, including small museums, art galleries, theatres, little cafes and seemingly endless beaches, some with caves. We were there six weeks and didn't do all that we wanted to do.
Milo is a loving, well behaved dog who loves swimming in the ocean.
Liz and Pete made us feel very welcome and at ease in our home away from home. -
Janet - Plymouth, United Kingdom
18 September - 06 October 2016
Kathy and Jon are a super couple and five star house sitters. They made an excellent job of looking after our siamese cat and our house, while we were away on holiday. We felt fully confident in leaving our cat and house in their hands. They were very friendly, kind and efficient and kept in cont...
Kathy and Jon are a super couple and five star house sitters. They made an excellent job of looking after our siamese cat and our house, while we were away on holiday. We felt fully confident in leaving our cat and house in their hands. They were very friendly, kind and efficient and kept in contact and sent photos and messages about our cat while we were away. The cat loved them and had plenty of lap time. We came back to a very happy cat and a very tasty meal in the fridge, so that we did not have to cook that night. The house was immaculate and they had done almost all of their laundry.
I would thoroughly recommend Kathy and Jon and feel that we were very lucky to have them to come and sit for us.- Organised
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- Reliable
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- Self-sufficient
-
- Tidy
-
- Pet care
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About Kathy & Jon
We are Jon and Kathy, non-smokers, retired, in our early sixties. We're travelers, capable home owners and guardians of creatures from hamsters to horses, looking to care for your pets and house as if they were our own. We relish the opportunity to pamper pets!
Jon's the walker. I'm happy to read about the local area and pet the cat while Jon goes off over hill and dale.
If we use your car, we're quite used to left-hand driving (as well as right-hand...). If you're in a condo, we're familiar with "Rules and Regulations".
We're computer literate so while you're away, we would be happy to send photos of your “loved ones” and can Skype if you wish. Please see our video!
We are Jon and Kathy, non-smokers, retired, in our early sixties. We're travelers, capable home owners and guardians of creatures from hamsters to horses, looking to care for your pets and house as if they were our own. We relish the opportunity to pamper pets!
Jon's the walker. I'm happy to read about the local area and pet the cat while Jon goes off over hill and dale.
If we use your car, we're quite used to left-hand driving (as well as right-hand...). If you're in a condo, we're familiar with "Rules and Regulations".
We're computer literate so while you're away, we would be happy to send photos of your “loved ones” and can Skype if you wish. Please see our video!
Why we want to house sit
We're retired and like to travel. We also miss having pets of our own and would cherish yours completely.
Our experience
We've lived in and renovated many different houses, some isolated in the country or mountains. We've also been landlords and know the importance of keeping things in order. Jon can handle almost any problem regarding electricity, plumbing or even soldering and light welding in a house or a hobby farm. Having worked in the inland fishery, he knows all about aquariums, pools, filters, and pumps. He has a boat operator's certificate and an enhanced driver's license.
Jon is a strong, physically fit mountain hiker, cross-country skier and swimmer who likes his daily walkies. His favourite reading material is science related and his computer time is spent on world news. He enjoys repairing and making things work again using resources at hand. His managerial skills continue as the bill payer and accountant.
As for me, I've always been devoted to animals and mindful of their well being. I've had hamsters, rabbits, fish, birds, cats and dogs and had riding lessons for many years. My training was in animal health and care, including equine, large and small animal care, plus some veterinary training. I've worked at zoos and a game farm. We've had horses on our acreage and enjoy feeding, grooming and handling them. We only ride gentle horses now but can deal with spirited ones on the ground as well as mischievous ponies!
My other passions are fine furniture, home decor and design, architecture and landscaping, plus I take pride in a clean house. I enjoy caring for plants, indoors and out and I landscaped in my younger years.
Jon and I have had a cat, a Labrador Retreiver, two Airedales and fostered another for half a year. I'm interested in animal behavior. One of the dogs had behavioural problems and we changed her from a “reactive dog” to a passive one.
Our lovely pets were doted on and we went out of our way to accommodate them. People have said that if they die and come back as an animal, they want to be one of our pets.
Verifications
Verification level
Basic level
Email Address, Phone Number, External references (4)
Animal Care Experience
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Dogs
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Cats
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Horses
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Fish
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Poultry
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Farm animals
Availability
Preferred Countries
- Australia
- Canada
- New Zealand
- American Samoa
- Anguilla
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bonaire, Saint Eustatius and Saba
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- British Virgin Islands
- Cayman Islands
- Cocos Islands
- Cook Islands
- Cuba
- Curacao
- Dominican Republic
- Haiti
- Maldives
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Monaco
- Montserrat
- Morocco
- New Caledonia
- Saint Barthelemy
- Saint Helena
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Martin
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sint Maarten
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- United States Minor Outlying Islands
Profile Details
Age
Occupation
Travelling as a
Previous house sitting experience
Member benefits
Member since
House & pet sitting timeline
Kathy and Jon have done 5 house sits since 2014
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West KelownaCanadaJul - Aug 2018 -
The Entrance NorthAustraliaNov - Dec 2017 -
PlymouthUnited KingdomSep - Oct 2016 -
North SaanichCanadaNov 2015 -
PoriruaNew ZealandJan 2015
